Tilbourne Players

From its first performance in 1938, J B Priestley’s When We Are Married has remained a firm favourite and is rarely absent from the stage for long.

Many of the social attitudes that the play depicts are of their time, but the comedy is immortal. The latest production by the Tilbourne Players, performed at the Tilford Institute last week, does full justice to it.

No need to recap the plot here, many readers will be familiar with it and those who aren’t can Google it, I’ll just remind you that it revolves around the discovery by three respectable, middle-class Yorkshire couples, celebrating jointly their 25th wedding anniversaries - all married on the same date in the same chapel - that due to a lack of authorisation on the part of the officiating minister, they are not married after all.

The repercussions of this discovery on their relationships provide endless amusement at the hands of Priestley, a master dramatist who sets out, in the first few minutes of the play, all the information we need to appreciate what’s going to happen, with subplots involving several other characters skilfully woven into the main story.

As the curtain goes up we have a few moments to take in the gloriously well-furnished setting; then straight into the action, as the housemaid Ruby explains to the young visitor Gerald Forbes that there is a celebration going on in the adjoining room, and she launches into a litany of the delicacies being consumed. It’s hard to imagine a mere list of foodstuffs being in itself funny, but Caroline Thompson’s delivery had the audience in stitches from the very start.

At the heart of the story are of course the three couples whose anniversary it is, the host Alderman Joseph Helliwell and his wife Maria (David Greenwood and Jane Quicke), Cllr Albert Parker and his wife Annie (Ellis Nicholls and June Hegarty), and Herbert Soppitt and his wife Clara (David Gow and Sarah Wilson-Soppitt). The characters of the three couples were sharply distinguished, tensions within their outwardly respectable relationships gradually revealed, and long concealed grievances surfaced.

The three men in particular are confident and proud of their status, fully aware of their superiority over anyone not of their class or from their part of the country - Gerald Forbes, being from the south, is the object of particular disdain. The deflation of all three of them, particularly of the aggressively pompous councillor Parker, was a joy to behold. And one could not but admire the calmness with which the young Gerald (Matt Fowler), under fire from that self-righteous trio, took control of the situation and had them virtually grovelling before him.

The women came into their own particularly in the second act, it was delicious to see the tables turned as two of them found themselves able to dictate to their now ex-husbands, as they had been dictated to during their quarter century of marriage. And balancing the reversal of roles, the domineering Clara Soppitt - the one member of the trio of wives who had been the dominant partner in her marriage - found herself meekly submitting to her previously submissive husband.

The supporting roles were just as perfectly cast. Bethan Phillips played Nancy Holmes, both charming and mischievous as she responded eagerly to the wooing by Gerald; Maureen Collins was Mrs Northrop the bibulous cook, not averse to a bit of eavesdropping, taking malicious and hilarious delight in telling the three respectable ladies of their changed matrimonial status; Noel Thompson and Ian Wilson-Soppitt were Fred Dyson and Henry Ormonroyd, respectively a sober reporter and inebriated photographer sent by the Yorkshire Argus to record the silver wedding celebration, and finding it less of a celebration than they expected; Susie Gow as the exuberant barmaid Lottie Grady, arriving to spread more embarrassment as she greets the three men as old friends, reminding one of them of a dalliance they had enjoyed together in Blackpool; James Woodley as the Revd Clement Mercer, cloyingly sanctimonious one moment, and furiously indignant the next.

But although it’s a comedy, and an uproariously funny one at that, the play contains a number of serious moments, as the parties reflect on what might have been; particularly poignant was June Hegarty as Cllr Parker’s wife Annie, responding to her self-satisfied husband’s assurances that he will do his duty and see her alright, with the quietly repeated “Yes Albert”, and ending with the gentle but devastating “You see Albert, after 25 years of it, I think I’ve had enough.”

It would be hard to imagine a better team, that we must not forget all the unseen enablers without whom it would not happen, above all Hilary Lee-Corbin the director, who has brought about another triumph for the Tilbourne Players.

Bernard Whelan

Liphook U3A Strollers

The Liphook U3A Strollers enjoyed a lovely walk in Hampshire on a calm autumn morning.

A well-earned lunch was taken at a nearby pub, as is usually the case after our walks.

This is one of the 40 or so groups which are part of Liphook U3A. Membership of the group is open to all and more information can be found at [email protected]

3rd Alton Lion Pack Cubs

The 3rd Alton Lion Pack Cubs were recently visited by Sian Mills, project manager at the Alton Foodbank.

The Cubs learned about the Foodbank and donated a large collection of food to it.

Having a positive community impact is an important aspect of Scouting, and alongside this the Cubs have also undertaken projects to tidy up the High Street, litter pick around Kings Pond and help our local wildlife.

Frensham and Dockenfield Remembrance

On a fine late autumn day with the trees still in blazing golden colours, the people of Frensham and Dockenfield came out in force once again to remember and honour the men of their parish who gave their lives in both world wars.

There were four services in all, at Frensham War Memorial, St Mary’s Church, Dockenfield War Memorial and lastly at the memorial outside Frensham Royal British Legion. Attendances at all the services were larger than for several years.

Some 40 people gathered on the green opposite Frensham War Memorial for the first service, followed by a parade through the churchyard led by the local Guides and Brownies, before the special service at St Mary’s.

At Dockenfield the road was closed, enabling about 50 people to gather for the service in the silent village street. After the final service at the Legion, attended by over 80 people, there was a lunch in the club cooked by members followed by a raffle, which together raised £609 for the Poppy Appeal.

All four services were conducted by Revd Jane Walker, while Last Post and Reveille were played by bugler Tony Adie. The Royal British Legion branch standard was carried by Pete Shipway.

The Alton Society

The Alton Society’s prestigious Outstanding Services to Alton Award is given every year to a person or persons who have made a significant contribution to Alton through their work, voluntary activity or both.

The successful nominee is selected by a panel of residents, members and former winners.

To universal acclaim from the members, this year’s winner was revealed to be Jenny Griffiths. She is a passionate environmental campaigner, and as secretary of Energy Alton for the last six years she has enabled much to be achieved with a modest team of volunteers.

She is co-founder of the Alton Climate Action Network (ACAN), which is the leading climate group in north Hampshire, spawning many active groups and attracting a growing number of volunteers.

Her energy, organising ability and drive have been essential in the formation of the Repair Café, the Community Share, the Community Cupboard, Alton and Villages Local Action for Nature, the Energy Alton Renewable Energy Group and ACAN.

Her inclusive style is a major asset in Alton and has led to strong partnerships with the town council, Gilbert White’s House and of course The Alton Society. She is also a trustee of the Gumbi Alton Permaculture Project in Malawi to which Altonians are major donors.

This has all led to a powerful local community response to the climate emergency which has required determination, passion and hard work. Our recipient has all three from which Alton has benefited significantly.

Hale WI

On November 13, Hale WI held their annual Autumn Lunch which was attended by 46 members and much enjoyed by everyone.

Also attending were Carole Hurlstone-Clarke from the WI and Linda Brown, who later demonstrated how to make some very attractive Christmas flower arrangements. These she later donated to the raffle when there was a generous supply of prizes so that many members were able to receive one.

The usual cakes were replaced by biscuits and chocolates in view of the fairly recent consumption of lasagne and desserts, and there was an exchange of Christmas cards as the group would be replacing the Christmas meeting in December with a coach trip to the London lights and a fish and chip supper.

The day went by very quickly in an atmosphere of jollity, warm friendship and appreciation.

Sheet Film Club

Steven Spielberg film Lincoln entertained Sheet Film Club members and guests at Sheet Village Hall on November 21.

This 2012 American historical drama starred Daniel Day-Lewis - who went to Bedales School - as US President Abraham Lincoln.

The film centres on President Lincoln's efforts in January 1865 to pass the 13th Amendment to the US. Constitution, aiming to abolish slavery, through the House of Representatives.

Widely regarded as one of Spielberg's finest works, it has received critical acclaim for its powerful portrayal of this pivotal moment in history.