THE SOCIETY'S TWENTY-FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY

Coming-of-age only occurs once in a life time to all of us, and we therefore decided to make the most of ours. Gerry and her helpers put in an awful lot of forethought and scheming to provide such a memorable occasion, and although the Dance was very well attended, it did not draw so many of our past members as we had hoped. Too shy perhaps, that they might not be recognised after an absence of ten or fifteen years? They should have seen some of the dignified wrinkles wrestling with The Twist. Age is not a time of life, it is a state of mind!

One of the most outstanding memories was the magnificent Birthday cake made by Elizabeth Connor. It really deserved the Cordon Bleu; however she managed to ice it with such skill and perfection, cope with six-month-old twins and assist Gerry on the Social Committee we'll never know.

Half-way through the festivities, the ladies were called upon to transform their partners into female species by as many artful aids as they could lay their hands on. Bejewelled, coiffured, brazenly coloured, jungle red finger nails and mouths artificially transformed into a cupid's bow, and even a hidden type of scaffolding to hold a swaying bust, the men were paraded round the dance floor. A mounting roar of laughter greeted these transformations, and three alluring beauties pranced around on high heels for the final elimination title.

Among this happy crowd were some who appeared in the Society's very first productions and who are still members (though not actually acting) ... Reg Curtis and Joan Best (then Venton), Bet Venton, Ron Jager, Mary his wife, Joyce Randall and her sister Peggy, and our House Manager, Bob Halls.

We concluded the evening, of course, with Auld Lang Syne.

I wonder how many of us will turn up for the 50th Anniversary Party?

DORIS SEAMAN

POSTSCRIPT

This was Doris Seaman's last contribution to the Society's Scrapbook, although she continued to edit the Society's magazine HOPSAC for another five years and produced many excellent issues during this time. She died in 1972 after a long illness.

The 50th anniversary was duly celebrated with a very enjoyable garden party and at the time of writing we are only three years away from the 60th anniversary. The six-month-old twins referred to above are now grown-up and have been actively involved in the Society's productions. I am sure that the 60th anniversary will be marked in some way, but I imagine that the tickets will be somewhat more expensive than the 10/- (50p) (including buffet) charged in 1966!

RACHEL KEEGAN

MAY 2002