The first was a one act play, Growing Pains, by Iain Armstrong, directed by Pat Tuffin. As well as being a somewhat unusual play, it gave chances to several newcomers.

Frank and Mary Shaw, decided, after being married for twelve years, to have a child.
The opening scene was in the hospital waiting room, where Frank had been waiting for hours. He'd paced about, now he was walking heel to toe in a wobbly straight line, much to the amusement of the nurse. Frank was played by Paul Norris, an excellent performance.

The nurse was played admirably by newcomer Holly Wilcockson. Still waiting, Frank is joined by another expectant father, Mr Smith who only waited for about five minutes, when he was hauled off to see his baby daughter. This part was played well by Bob Baron.

The waiting time was over, Mary had had a little boy. The Dr who brought the glad tidings, was played by newcomer Rachael Meller, who did well in her first role.
Mary was filled with joy, their family was now complete. Mary was played with beautiful sensitivity by Liz Turner. They named the baby Andrew.

Throughout the play, there are one or two silly problems with Andrew so Frank and Mary go off to Nursery school to sort it, which they do. The years pass, poor Andrew is in trouble again, he's been caught smoking with some other lads. They were suspended for one week, but Andrew had two....we'll he'd bought the fags.

The nursery teacher Miss Jackson was played by Janet Bradbury, a lovely no nonsense performance. The school master Mr Pritchard, was played well by John Lomas.

Andrew's one desire is for a motorbike, he's almost sixteen, Frank said yes, Mary, naturally said no, Frank won, Andrew got his bike.

Tragically he is killed at seventeen.

Matron, played by Eileen Chamberlain, Was the bearer of the bad news, a sad part for Eileen, but she carried it Off well. The Dr was played by first timer Amy Holden, it was her difficult job to advise Frank and Mary to let them switch Off the machine keeping their beloved son alive. Another small but important part, nicely played. This P1ay was well acted and well presented.

The second production certainly had the audience rolling with laughter, this was in fact a one man show Anorak of Fire by Steven Dinsdale all about the life and times of train spotter extraordinaire Gus Gascoigne. Martin Holtom was simply superb as Gus. His facial expressions had the audience laughing before he'd said a word.

Gus went on to tell of his experiences as a dedicated train spotter, he'd got the bug whilst still in his pram. Crew was his all time favourite station.

During his performance, one could almost see those locomotives as they past. At one time the audience almost jumped out of their seats when the noise of a train thundering past through a tunnel, shattered the only bit of silence. Great.
Martin, with his compulsory anorak, woolly hat (not in football colours) and of course notebook entertained brilliantly for at least forty minutes. A wonderful performance.

By June Barker.