An Epic Thanks

So we are almost at the end of this years Living Advent Calendar.

I say almost as we still have the magnificent and hotly anticipated Live Nativity to go and of course our Christmas Eve event.

Here’s a hint: it will be beautiful and traditional.

However I did want to take a moment to reflect. As frankly while I will endeavour to report on the next few days events I won’t be spending much time on this, as like many of you I will be with my family.

I’ve very much enjoyed this event, we have had what could almost be called a little party every night, and it has been a pleasure to be part of it. Everyone I have met has enjoyed themselves and enjoyed being part of it, there are not a lot of people who can say they have put on a production every night for 24 nights in a row, in a cold dark December.

It is the many volunteers who have given their time I would like to especially thank, they have been the backbone of the event and have helped set up the equipment, even learning new skills in order to do so. Many of these have come from the four charities WADE, JAC, More Arts and Wokingham Rotary who have also supported us in other ways, for example providing photographs and films from some evenings events, distributing publicity materials and so many other ways I have not processed or I am sure realised as of yet.

Thanks are due to the many performers who have taken the time to entertain you all for no fee, giving the gift of song, dance, magic, etc in these dark December nights.

Thanks to all the venues who have been very supportive of what might have seen at first a bit of an off the wall idea. We hope you will want us back next year.

Thanks to the members of the Steering group who have seen this through from conception to delivery and have been involved in many ways, including a few already mentioned.

There should also be thanks for all the Town Councillors, especially those who have acted as dignitaries throughout the month. A few of those councillors have also been part of the stage set up crew or have come night after night just to support us all. One particular councillor deserves special thanks as while he has not acted as dignitary for us, he has been to, as far as I am aware, almost every night’s performance helping to set up and organise.

Finally there is a very special thanks for a particular lady who would most likely kill me if I mention her by name. Nevertheless many of you will know who I am talking about and she has been instrumental in coordinating and producing everything we needed to deliver these performances. As someone who has seen just the surface of that piece of work, she has done an amazing job in a very short period of time.

So thank you to you all and thank you to the audiences who have come over these last 24 nights. We have very much enjoyed sharing our local talent, charities and businesses with you and hope you will support us again next year.

In the immortal words of Father Christmas…..

“Merry Christmas to All and to all a goodnight!”