A full programme of Christmas festivities has been taking place at Rangeford Villages since November, with a homeowner at Wadswick Green leading the way.
Sylvia Humphries, 81, has been writing and directing the Wadswick Green pantomime for four years and this year produced the Wizard of Oz.
“When I moved to Wadswick Green in November 2018, I joined the Walking Group, and one day we were walking along and singing, and someone suggested that it would be fun put on a performance, so we came up with the idea of Christmas Panto, and this is now our fourth year!
“I usually like to have the script finished by June, so that I have time to enjoy the summer, and we do our first read through in September.
“There are about 14 residents who usually meet to rehearse once a week in the run up to Christmas.”
Performances took place on 4 and 5 December with £1 from every ticket sale going to a local charity The Doorway Project in Chippenham, so it’s an excellent way to raise funds for the local community too.
“Tickets always sell very well, it’s a very popular event,” Sylvia adds.
“There’s about 60-70 residents at each performance. It’s always a lovely festive affair, and great fun, as I try to include a few jokes in the script. I always get so many appreciative messages afterwards from residents, sending me Christmas cards and thanking us for making them laugh and for getting everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
It’s clearly never too early to get in the festive spirit at Rangeford’s villages it seems, as this programme of Christmas activities suggests.
Wadswick Green – Wiltshire
26 November – Christmas Fayre
1 Dec – Christmas Lights Switch on the Terrace with mulled wine
4 and 5 Dec – The Wadswick Green pantomime, written and performed by residents.
7 Dec – Wine tasting and wine sale
14 Dec – Box Choir
15 Dec – Residents Christmas Lunch
19 Dec – Residents Carol Service
31 Dec – New Year’s Eve
Mickle Hill – North Pickering, Yorkshire
16 Dec – Ryedale Lions will be calling in at Mickle Hill with Santa and his Sleigh on Friday 16th Dec at 8.00pm
21 Dec – The Mickleodeon’s Christmas Concert
22 Dec – Stape Silver Band at 8.00pm
9 and 23 Dec – Crimbo Bingo in the Bistro
For further information visit www.rangefordvillages.co.uk
