Description: Councillor Tony Simmonds the Mayor for Richmond Upon Thames 1985/86 introduces this film on the arts in the Borough. At the Heatham House Youth Activity Centre, young people are filmed auditioning for a musical. Keith Hutton the director of the Heatham House Youth Theatre speaks about the theatre groups involvement in a international festival of the arts in Gibraltar. Melanie Drios one of the young people in the theatre group talks about taking on a paper round to raise funds so she can go to Gibraltar. Cellist Nicholas Holland, a Richmond Music Prize winner speaks about a forthcoming performance. Sara Burn Edwards, the Chairman of Richmond Upon Thames Arts Council talks about the Queen Charlotte Hall. At the Richmond College, some members of the Richmond Photographic Society show their work and discuss it with others. Florence Gillham of the Twickenham Art Group speaks about being able to use Orleans House Gallery as an exhibition venue. At the Richmond Mad Hatters Fair on Richmond Green, local residents are filmed at play on fair rides and games. Barnes & Richmond Operatic Society is introduced by its Chairman Bob Salter at Richmond Theatre. Members are shown preparing costumes and make up before going on stage. Richmond Theatre itself is introduced by Edward Bostock, the Vice President of Richmond Upon Thames Arts Council who tells something of theatre history in the Borough. Maureen Hope Wynn the producer of Gemini Opera speaks about the group's history before a look at one of their performances on stage. Walter Leonard, an organiser of Showcoach discusses the project whilst on a coach taking Richmond residents into central London. A montage of footage shows the Centre Film Unit in action and clips from some of its previous projects 'Richmond; A Royal Prospect', 'The Golden Medallion' and this film 'The Arts A Richmond Tradition'. The contribution of the Richmond Parish Lands Charity to the arts in the area is explained by Maureen Hope Wynn. Geoffrey Bowyer, the conductor of Cantanti Camerati introduces the local chamber choir. Scenes from the Church Street May Fair feature musical performances by a local band, a crafts fair and food stands. Potters, clay modellers, stained glass makers and painters demonstrate their work in an arts studio. The Orange Tree Theatre is introduced by its Director Sam Walters who speaks about their schools projects and work with the elderly, and the intimacy of its theatre in the round. The Richmond Shakespeare Society is introduced by its Chairman John Shephard and an extract form their performance of 'The Misanthrope'. Richmond residents Sir Huw Wheldon and Bamber Gascoigne stand on Richmond Hill and discuss why Richmond is so blessed with artistic activity.