11 - Leaping Hare

The show must go on

A ‘Curious’ Pantomime

by Tom Whalley

Fri 21 & 28 January 7:00pm The Thetford Players’ “curious” production for 2022 is Sat 22 & 29 January 1:30pm & 6:30pm Alice in Wonderland, a not-to-be-missed panto musical Doors open: 45 mins before performance based on Lewis Carroll’s well-loved tale, written by Tom Venue: Carnegie Room, Cage Lane, IP24 2DS Whalley. Follow Alice into a world of curiosity as she tries to catch up with the White Rabbit, meets Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee and encounters the Mad Hatter. While the cast may be smaller than usual (this panto was born in lockdown), they are all super-talented. The production also features lavish musical numbers, fantastic costumes and a belly full of laughs. Performances are scheduled for Friday 21 January (7pm), Saturday 22 January (1.30pm and 6.30pm), Friday 28 January (7pm) and Saturday 29 January (1.30pm and 6.30pm). Tickets are just £9, with concessions for under-14s and over-60s.

£9/£7.50

Tel: 07802 701911

Make a date

Our 2022 Thetford calendars have almost sold out! There are only a few left, so pop in and make sure you get your hands on these wonderful images of Thetford and the surrounding area, taken by talented local photographers and celebrating our wildlife, landscapes, local landmarks and heritage. Also available at the Mulberry or Thetford Garden Centre.

SAVE THE DATE!

We have an amazing event on 9 July 2022.

A brand new all-day spectacular at Euston Hall. Festival of Heroes will feature live music, inspirational military bands, air displays, family activities and plenty of food and drink…all in aid of worthwhile local charities. Find out more at www.festivalofheroes.co.uk.

“Just one look” and you’ll be singing and dancing away to the Searchers & Hollies Experience, playing at the Carnegie Rooms on 5 February (7.30pm, doors 6.45pm). This fab performance showcases more than 30 hits from the two classic acts, performed by the FOD band. Leading British storyteller Hugh Lupton is as passionate about oral storytelling as he is about East Anglia. On 11 February, he will be performing The Mardling Acre, a programme of folk tales, legends, music and songs from East Anglia. This performance celebrates the gossiping acres of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and the Fens, conjuring up some colourful characters in the process, including Black Shuck, Charlie Wag, Jack Ostler, Tom Hickathrift, Old Nol, Tom-Tit-Tot… and East Anglia’s patron saint, Edmund. Legends Disco takes us Back to the 70s on 19 February at Thetford Town Football Club (8pm, doors 7.15pm) for a groooooovy night of disco, soul, pop and hard and soft rock. The party goes on till midnight, tickets are only £6.50 and all proceeds go towards Thetford Town Football Club. Oh, and fancy dress is positively encouraged! Tickets for all these events are available from Leaping Hare’s box office website or the

King Street shop.

THETFORD

Leaping Hare

Belmont House King Street IP24 2AP info@leapinghare.org 07802 701911

It’s difficult to say who was more delighted, the audience or Thetford Singers themselves, as they held their first public performance in two years at Thetford Methodist Church. Christmas Favourites was the perfect selection of festive songs performed amongst the atmospheric Tree Festival to a thrilled audience. The programme was put together by the singers themselves along with their Musical Director, Chris Parsons and featured guest soloist John Holland Avery. Chris welcomed the audience by saying, “We hope tonight to bring some joy back into your lives. It is so good to see real people in a real venue.” Alison Northover welcomed the audience on behalf of Thetford Singers and said they were delighted to see so many people. The community choir has welcomed several new members recently who were also performing for the first time. During the three lock downs and whilst live singing together was prohibited, Thetford Singers were singing together using Zoom for rehearsals with Chris directing from home, but unable to hear everyone singing at the same time. It’s a testament to the work that Chris and the Singers themselves have put in over the past years that they were able to come together and sing so eloquently.

Thetford Singers performing live for the first time since their 2019 Christmas Concert

Opening with the upbeat ‘Now is the time of Christemas’ by Edmund Jolliffe, Thetford Singers were back to their best. Fiona Barnett provided the perfect accompaniment on the piano throughout the programme of 15 songs. Every song was finished by a loud round of applause by an appreciative audience. The evening finished with everyone including the Mayor and Mayoress of Thetford, joining in with Hark the Herald Angels. For more information or to join Thetford Singers please visit: www.thetfordsingers.org

Well it’s the first month of 2022 for TADDS and what a difference a year makes! No group running in 2020 and back to full strength in 2021. But as the saying goes - It’s been a funny old year. After a tremendous December for us which also included our Christmas Meal and Santa, we restart our group on Friday 7th January at 10am. We are already planning our group activities for 2022, and plan to have lots on offer to our group members through the coming year, and hope to have some popular favourites back to our group, plus a little mix of other treats. Our group is open to anyone who is looking for help and support following a diagnosis of dementia or whilst going through the process; you don’t need to be professionally referred to us, you just need to get in touch and this can be done by email or phone. In particular I would like to say a huge thank you to each of our volunteers who have given their time freely at the group week in and week out. A special thank you goes to Mark and Laine Skinner who supported our memorial event with memorial brochures and hearts for the tree and a big big thank you to Rev Matt Houghton and the Cloverfields Community Church Team for continuing to provide our venue and making it covid safe for people. Special thank you’s for fundraising for our group go to Doreen Harvey and Linda Stow Butcher and the BP Norwich Road Team; both made a significant contribution towards TADDS funds which helped fund some the lovely things we did last year. As it’s still only January, I will share a Christmas picture of Santa and Tipsy Elf (Linda Stow Butcher) with Yvonne (far left) and Jo, Trustees of the group. You are not alone and we can still give that support via phone call, email, Zoom even if you don’t come to the group. So don’t be afraid or embarrassed to seek the help you need and deserve. Call 07542 866 519 or email: taddsgroup@hotmail.com Jo Mountjoy-Dixon, TADDS

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