Friday 7 May. The Rake's Progress. Throwleigh Village Hall.
I had heard such good reports of the Odd Body Theatre Co.'s show last year that I felt I had to make a point of watching them this year. I say 'them' but more accurately it should be 'him' as it was a one man show.

The Rake's Progress, a series of 18 th century paintings by Hogarth recording the degeneration of the Rake was brought to life by our solitary actor through the eyes of a number of the characters portrayed in the paintings, including the old man whose portrait is shown above the hearth in the first of the paintings - a bit of an in joke I guess. They all had a particular slant on the story and a fleeting and frustrating knowledge that they were only characters in a painting and that they would forever be limited by the role given to them in the paintings whatever their thoughts might be.

You need to see it to understand it. It was a high quality production in the informal atmosphere of Throwleigh Village Hall. Next year, I would like to see if they (he) can combine their (his) visit to Throwleigh with a visit to South Zeal as well.

Friday 14 May Angata and the amazing music of Mali Victory Hall
Another of Clive's spectacular events with the Hall full of people, colour and sound. Clive always does quite different things from anyone else!

Angata, at great expense to Clive, were flown in from the other side of the world to entertain us at a very modest cost! To be honest I am not absolutely sure where precisely Mali is - but I suggest that if you listen very carefully on an otherwise balmy evening you can actually just hear Angata playing. Well, they are percussionists, generally starting their pieces with something simple and building their theme up to a manifestation of raw power and hypnotic rhythm. The Victory Hall shook to it and I wondered if the resonance was going to cause it to collapse like the walls of Jericho.

Loads of people were there of all ages and most were moved very quickly to dance to these rhythms. It was an adrenalin night and great fun. Thanks Clive!

Saturday 15 May. Renaissance music. St Mary the Virgin, Throwleigh.
It was one of those Spring days when the sun was shining, there was a fresh green tinge to the trees and hedges, and a cool breeze blew, as we made our way to this 'open rehearsal'. Open rehearsal simply means that some 30 or so musicians and singers get together for the sheer pleasure of making music on one Saturday.

They spend the first part of the day practising usually 15th /16th century pieces that have rarely been heard in modern times, located and rewritten by their leader Peter Syrus, and then perform them for about an hour to whoever cares to come and listen in the afternoon. The music this time was by Ludwig Senfl and Cipriano de Rore (neither of whom I have ever heard of before so forgive me if I have spelt them incorrectly).

I love it because it is all so relaxed and informal. The orchestra (or are they an ensemble?) sounded very authentic and I think the instruments were probably built to the designs that would have been available at the time the music was written.

There was a most extraordinary recorder that looked rather like the kind of home made periscope that Noah would have had on his ark if the Ark had been a submarine - it was rather tall, made of wood and squarish. My comment to the owner that I thought she must have made it herself did not go down too well. Apparently it was made in Germany and cost thousands.

I will probably be banned next year.

Friday 21 May. FOSTPS Curry and Quiz Night. Victory Hall.
Just like being back at school assembly again under the baleful eye of the head teacher; woe betide you if you step out of line, smirk or snuffle without just cause.

How could I really say that about Bobby who was the Question master for the evening? She took to the task like a natural. The questions were briskly presented to us and we whipped through the quiz at a fine old pace. I can't remember a single one of the questions now so there can have been little controversy.

The FOSTPS Committee and friends provided an excellent range of curries and puddings. I always like these events where the food is prepared locally; the vying to out do each other means that we, the participants, have an evening meal far nicer than we would ever get at home - well, I hasten to add, if I am cooking that is.

It was another entertaining and worthwhile night and I thank all the organisers and helpers who made it a success - and I believe a fair amount was raised for FOSTPS which is the icing on the cake.

But oh dear in the excitement of it all I did agree to do something rather silly the next day.

It has been a pretty busy month
on the whole though I missed quite a few events: The Beerhunters in the Kings Arms and the Songs of Praise at St Andrews in particular.

We have had an increasing number of meetings to sort out the Parish Day which, as you all know, is on Saturday 12 June, and all parishioners are welcome to the Hog Roast and refreshments in the afternoon. If you haven't had your formal invitation, please let me know - formal invitation or not you are most certainly invited with your household if you live in the Parish.

It was very encouraging to have so many people stand for election to the Parish Council. If only everyone could have won through! It looks as though the next main election in 3 years time will be most interesting. When some Councils have difficulty finding people to stand, it is encouraging that we have competition for places. It reflects very well on the people in this community. Long may it remain so - even if I get booted off the Parish Council next time round: it might give me time to make the Horrible Dog less horrible? Hmm, maybe not.

robin tilley