A pancreas-splitting time was had by all who witnessed Elstead's tots and teenagers put on a distinctly alternative performance of "Peter Pan"…… a panacea for those New Year blues.

The author, J.M Barrie, might have recognised the plot. Peter Pan (Helena Tunbridge), takes Wendy Darling (Emma Radford), John (Luke Wooton) and Michael (Matthew Shorrock) to Never-Never-Land.  There they meet lost boys and grapple with indians and pirates, led by the bumbling Captain Hook (Sam Milletti). The children return with the lost boys and the Darling parents (Sam Tunbridge and Stephanie Wright) finally mend their callous ways - although Mr Darling remained a panjandrum to the bitter end.

But the rest might have had Mr Barrie gently turning in his coffin.Tinkerbell (Alex Briggs), dressed in a multi-coloured tutu and a Sheffield Wednesday shirt, appeared to have spurned both Peter Pan and Wendy and fallen for the six foot Smee (Graham Gilbert). The lost boys were distinctly feminine as was the delightfully camp Cecco (Robert Page) who thought he was on the Paris catwalk when sent to walk the plank!

And the "champagne moment?" There were many - the lost boys' dance when they awoke, the chaotic scenes with the cerebrally-challenged pirates, the crocodile (Chris Waters) recovering from an altercation with the plank as he "couldn't see under his mask". But for me, the best moment was when Tinkebell tried to lead some small kids from the audience on a short expedition. Not surprisingly in that outfit, they were having none of it. As some wag shouted out - "you should have worn a Portsmouth shirt!". For it is the unexpected and the rapport with the audience which makes a pantomime. And the panoply of 26 beaming kids gave plenty of stick back.

Well done William and Nick Lang for directing them all - pantastic!

Rupert Keith

Visit David, Sandra & the team at the Three Horseshoes from the 1^st to 18^th of February for classic French cuisine .  They will be serving a full French a la carte menu in the evening and a 'Prix Fixe' menu and 'Le Snac du Bar' at lunch.  All this will be lovingly prepared using the finest ingredients and authentic French recipes.  Perhaps with a bottle of vintage Bordeaux ?

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Known formerly as The Burford Singers, the Occasional Singers of Elstead gave the group's 40^th Christmas Concert, in Elstead Village Hall on December 19th. Many and varied are the charities that have benefited in the past but the last five year's concerts have been in aid of the Friends of St. James's Church for whom between £4,000 and £5,000 has been raised.

These concerts, followed by wine and nibbles, have been greatly appreciated by full houses (they are always a sell-out) but of course, do require a lot of organising and hard work, before, during and after! wards.

Perhaps it is time to retire UNLESS someone reading this is sufficiently interested and has a favourite charity or is just keen to keep the event going and will offer to organise it.

It is hard work as I said but it is satisfying and brings one into contact with people in the village - a great bonus.

If an offer is forthcoming I will endeavour to arrange the musical part of the occasion.
May I take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported this event in the past.

Ula Oakley.