It's behind you!

Last week saw James and many of the Corscombe community dressing up in elaborate costumes, wading through the snow, to put on this years cracking panto performance.

Panto is so peculiar to Britain and the British sense of humour.  It has adapted itself over the centuries to stay current but is rooted back in the middle ages.  Corscombe in Dorset is no exception and it has been so successful it warrants 4 performances to packed audiences each year. For those in the loyal core group that bring each year's show to life, they take nearly four months to perfect the panto, and among them is our own James.

This year's panto was Aladdin and, though I say this each year, I think it was the best yet.  There is so much talent in this small rural community.  The evil Abanazer (Adrian - a well loved carpenter who helps sort most the communitys wood work), the fantastic dame Widow Twanky (Jeremy - great company and always working on some interesting project), the principal boy Aladdin (Em - one of the most talented wannabe teachers I know) and Wishee Washee (started the week as Ian - a very handy gardener and finished as James - due to an emergency fill in).  And not to forget dodgy Pekin Pete (David - the not so dodgy village vicar) or the long-suffering director Paul (a well respected solicitor).

Needless to say this is just a flavour of the acting talent - in all, front and back stage, there are over 30 members of the community involved and many are seriously talented.  If you've seen our video - I'm local and I know it, you'll have come across a number of the panto team and see that they're a great fun group to have around.

An activity like the Panto encapsulates a little of what village life is all about.  A sustainable community that take time for one another.  All ages - 6 to 60s - and all backgrounds coming together and caring to raise money for village activities.

We love rural life - Oh yes we do!!