Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times - Friday, August
7, 1953
Dramatic Society Event held in Ideal Setting
The first garden fete organised by members of the Wheathampstead Dramatic Society was held on Saturday in the grounds of the Rectory.
Over 200 people enjoyed themselves in the lovely setting which was bathed in sunshine.
The fete was in aid of the funds of the Memorial Hall and the Dramatic Society.
Mrs Hoskyns Abrahall, first President of the society, who formerly resided in the village, but now resides in London, opened the fete.
She said she had travelled to many parts of the world, and wherever she
had found a small community of Britishers there always seemed to be a dramatic group of some kind.
It was undoubtedly a good form of self-amusement and entertainment and a thing which should be encouraged to the full, especially among a younger generation, which, today, was so largely tending to turn to other and often more sinister activities.
The local society had now been built up into a body which gave the village community some excellent entertainment three times a year, and it was up to
those living in the area not to let the society die. It needed their support.
She considered a dramatic society a good thing in any community, if only for its educational qualities, and she urged those present to make their support to the local society real, by writing to the committee with suggestions as to what plays might be presented and as to how improvements, if any, might be made.
Performances enjoyed
The Harpenden ventriloquist "Paddy" Paddison, with the aid of his doll "Mike Arden", gave two performances which were enjoyed by children and adults.
There were also a number of sideshows and stalls and helpers on these included:
Produce: Mrs. C. Gregory, Mrs. H Parkinson, Mrs M. Roseblade and Miss C.
Odell: rifle range, Mr R Bishop; toys, Mrs M. Bishop; competitions
Mr C.D. Gregory; hoop-la, Miss B. Warren; skittles, Mrs E.
Hobbs; switchback Dr. C.F.C. Parkinson; "tip me out" Robert Gregory and
Ian Branham; silhouettes, Mr P. Collins and Miss C.
Roe. A model railway was operated by Mr E. Hamilton, assisted by members of the Luton District Society of Model
Engineers. The stalls and sideshows were arranged by Mr. L. Noblett.
Refreshments were arranged by Mrs L. Noblett and Mrs G. Soane assisted by other helpers, and an ice-cream stall was run by
Miss A. Dawbarn. Major G. Warren was announcer.
A dance was held in the senior school in the evening, organised by Mr R Russell. Mr S. Collins had charge of the lighting arrangements of the hall and music was provided by the
Tony Thatcher Group, of Harpenden with Miss Margaret Simms as vocalist.
Mr C. Spurr was M.C. Competitions were run by Miss S. Roe, and refreshments were arranged by
Mrs L. Noblett and helpers.
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