On Saturday 21st May we had our amazing Not Strictly Panto. The stress, the anxiety and all the worries faded as the lights went up. The audience absolutely loved it, we have had such amazing feedback.

The idea was thought of by the lovely Janet James. She came up with the idea as we were unable to have hold strictly due to the pandemic, so Jan thought of the idea of undertaking a panto. Her lovely brother Dominic set up a zoom call meeting which we could all discuss the idea including Viv, The Godmother of our pink sparkly dance family.

It was decided it was an amazing idea, as Jan had thought of incorporating numerous stories into one panto, and calling it “Not Strictly Panto”. Next came writing the script. Something Paul AKA “Boggle” took on the role of, and turns out he has an amazing flare for words!

Jan then set about getting people to involved within the panto, some said yes initially. Then it became apparent that group gatherings were going to be held off whilst it was established what was happening within the world, plus Jayne was in a road traffic collision and sustained a broken shoulder which required surgery. So at a crafternoon meeting where the management team were making props, the difficult decision was made to postpone the event to May.

Some people were unable to take part in May, so other people stepped into their places, and the practices continued.

I was lucky enough to play THE best part for me…………A Fairy Godmother called Good Fairy Gemstone”. I loved every moment of it. I had an amazing BIG pink merangue dress from previous event, which was just perfect for my part.

So from The Good Fairy Gemstone;

Barbara, you really are the best prop maker, and a great sounding board for being so calm and relaxed.

Debs, you are the best happy cow ever. Soldiering on for the evening performance even with a poorly knee.

Dom, you are just awesome! Don’t change.

Eddie, you are amazing for stepping out of your comfort some and stepping in.

Hayley and Ivy…. what can we say about our amazing little Ivy, she is absolutely amazing, a real star.

Jane, you really are the best the best cow’s bum in the world. You are udderly brilliant, even if you are grumpy!

Janet, you really are absolutely AMAZING. You have stepped out of your comfort zone, you have planned this fantastic event. I am proud of you.

Jayne, thankyou for being the keeper of the keys and just being all round amazing.

Laura, the Belle of the ball, such an amazing girlie and just fantastic friend to have on side.

Millie, thankyou for being an amazing sounding board, helping and being a pro at these things.

Morgan, you are just amazing stepping up and taking on extra parts even when you are juggling loads of balls in your world.

Paul, you are just amazing. Thankyou.

Phil, what can I say about our Phabulous, you really are just Fabulous!

Ryan, thankyou for stepping in tech wise, you have been just been amazing.

Steph, from beautiful to stroppy to beautiful in the blink of an eye. Thankyou for all your help and advise it’s been priceless.

Troy, to the best sport ever, thankyou.

Wendy, to our resident seamstress. Thankyou for your dressmaking skills and for all you’ve done.

Also a thankyou to our amazing sponsors of the event, Shawn and Sandra Wiggins, Ian Frost, Morgan Wyborn, Trevor Dean, and John Lobb shoe factory for donating the boxes we decorated and filled to put on each table.

Every member of the audience LOVED the show, and we have been asked to put on another show……..Watch this space.

You are all asking now, “how much was raised?” we raised over an AMAZING £4,000!! Final total to be announced when we have it.

But for now I have to say

“Tinkle Your Sprinkles”.