PLANS to turn Taunton into the ‘Edinburgh Fringe Festival of the South’ are making good progress, according to one of the organisers.

Trish Caller, 49, of Taunton, said she wants to transform the county town’s cultural sector and bring in big comedy acts.

She said: “I go and watch performances in Bristol, Yeovil and other places but it would be great to have big acts coming to Taunton and hopefully the reopening of the Brewhouse will help with this issue.

“I feel guilty spending cash on tickets, transport, food and drink in other towns and cities when I want to spend my money in Taunton to keep it local and help to boost the economy of my home town.”

Trish organised a comedy festival at Taunton School in June which was headlined by stand-up comic Milton Jones and saw around 800 people in stitches.

The next event is ‘Christmas Chuckles’ on Thursday, December 19, where four comedians will join headliner Colin Manford at Somerset County Cricket Club.

Christmas Chuckles is part of Trish’s ultimate plan to attract the big names in comedy to Taunton and bring people into the town to fill up the hotels, restaurants and pubs to boost the economy.

She said: “In short, we want to put a regular range of high quality comedy and cultural events on that run in harmony to the sporting things like the rugby, football and cricket.”

She hopes to hold the mini fringe festival in June and said plans are in the early stages and dependent on funding.

Tickets for Christmas Chuckles are £27.50 to include two-course dinner and disco, available at www.tauntoncomedyfestival.co.uk 

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