PANTO is back! Oh, yes it is! The evening started with a lively round of music played on his magic keyboard by Dave Sims (who was also controlling the lighting).

"Rapunzel", written by Ben Crocker, was directed by Sarah Steele and Vicky Lancelles, both of who had leading roles in the show.

Sarah was a female "dame" (only the second in the drama club's history) and carried out lively repostes to some of the noisier members of the audience.

Vicky was Rapunzel and proved to have a sweet singing voice. Charlotte French as her suitor was cheeky and attractive.

Gothel, the witch was played by a sinister Laura Kemp, and Waylon the weasel, played by Hugh Bellamy, tried hard to frighten us – with no effect.

Max, a very efficient scout, was played by Thora Cliffe-Duffield, a natural, and very humorous young actress.

Emma Cliffe-Duffield and David Pink were an hilarious duo as the pub landlord and lady – shades of Les Miserables.

The chorus, all girls (where were you, boys?) were versatile and prompt, whilst Chris Howe and Joan Jenner were very stately as the king and queen.

We look forward to the next Cheriton Fitzpaine Drama Club production.

VILLAGERS in Cheriton Fitzpaine are determined to raise sufficient money to buy the former Methodist chapel in order to expand the community shop into a hub.

To this end, they held a very well-attended beetle drive in the parish hall.

The drive was progressive, so that everyone managed to meet or make new friends.

During the interval tea and cakes were served - very welcome on a cold day.

The next event will be an evening barn dance “with hips and haws” in the parish hall on Saturday, March 15.

Tickets costing £10 can be bought from the community shop or Lynn Porter on 07796 017057. Under 16s go free.

Jacket potatoes must be pre-booked at a cost of £5 for adults and £3 for a child portion.

INSTEAD of Cheriton Fitzpaine Garden Club’s usual meeting in the parish hall, members met in the Half Moon Pub for an evening of skittles, food and discussions about our upcoming spring exhibition.

This will be held in the parish hall at 2.30pm on Saturday, March 22, and is free to enter. There will be tea and cake available.

THE monthly coffee morning and cake sale in St Matthew's Parish Church on the last Saturday of the month was very busy as usual.

Books and craft items were on sale and Mary Burchmore's preserves took pride of place.

The Brownies had their “thinking day” recently, and showed visitors what they had been doing, on a theme of “our story”.

SUPPORTERS of Age Concern, Brenda Fowler, Liz Knight and Mary Nunn recently held a tea afternoon to raise funds for Age Concern Crediton in the parish hall.

The afternoon was well supported and raised £120.

Melissa Duffy, Home Support Manager, and Hazel Evely, Community Champion for Morrisons and Trustee of Age Concern, also visited and enjoyed talking to other visitors.

Mary Nunn