Enjoyable talk on the world of pantomime

THE November 4 meeting of the Probus Club of Shepshed welcomed 17 members, along with the speaker for the day David Jones.

Our new secretary Grahame had one or two extra announcements to make now that he is settling into the secretary’s chair, which were as follows.

A bouquet of flowers was taken to Mrs Shelton in appreciation of all the wonderful gestures of allowing committee meetings to be held in the family home over the period of Wilf’s time as secretary.

The Annual luncheon to be held at The Longcliffe Golf Club was all arranged and finalised, thanks to the intervention of Steve our treasurer.

The menu for the annual Christmas lunch was distributed, and members choice of lunch for the occasion should be forwarded to the treasurer.

Although missing from the agenda, Stan White’s usual funny story interlude was given its well deserved space, and as members will remember for ever, the final story about how to make the best Yorkshire Pudding (recipe by the fairy) delivered by Stan in his best Yorkshire accent, before announcing that he would no longer be able to deliver further comical story lines. Many thanks and much applause was given for his past services.

Grace was said by the president, and we were all treated to a hearty meal

The raffle was drawn, and as usual the £10 and the £5, first and second prize were well received

The Speaker David Jones was then introduced as today’s donor of interest, giving a talk on The story of Pantomime and The English Music Hall.

He recalled the history of how pantomime started hundreds of years ago, starting with the use of court jesters, and progressing through to The Palace of Varieties, (as shown on TV in the 60s), where audiences dressed for the occasion, through to pantomimes that had men dressed as the dame, and as time passed, it reverted to famous actors or comedians of the male denomination taking the lead role

It was well documented and delivered in a humorous way, and well appreciated by the members.