Scrooge comes to St Neots
The children's favourite A Christmas Carol will get the festive period off in style as the St Neots Players take to the stage once again.
This colourful show promises to be yet another huge hit for the talented members of this amateur group.
This production of A Christmas Carol has been described as a daring, new, interactive production for all the family and a huge leap forward for the players.
It will be one of the most adventurous productions ever undertaken by the society – you won't believe your eyes!
Ebenezer Scrooge is a tight-fisted, lonely, old man who hates Christmas. But on Christmas Eve he will receive three visitors who will try to change his mind forever.
This is a clever adaptation which takes Charles Dickens' classic tale to a whole new level and is a performance the players hope residents will not want to miss.
The theatrical group has plenty of experience, having been performing since the late 1920s.
Originally meeting in members' homes for readings, rehearsals and social gatherings, the society's first ever production was a home-grown piece, ironically entitled "Lost in Time".
In the early days of the group, it was decided that a committee should be formed, resulting in regular meetings being held where minutes were taken and recorded. Sadly, in the 1980s, all minutes were destroyed when the then secretary's thatched cottage caught fire including the loft contents. The players' history was able to live on through local knowledge and fond memories.

Today, the group is still formed, as it was originally, from local people who give up their own time to do something that they all enjoy. There are many aspects to the amateur theatre and people join from all walks of life, getting involved in anything from acting, directing, costumes and props to lighting, sound and set design and construction, stage management, publicity and front of house.
>> A Christmas Carol can be seen at Buckden Millennium Centre on Saturday, December 6 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets are £7-£10, concessions £5.

>> It then runs at the Priory Centre, St Neots from December 11-14, at 7.30pm, with matinees on the 13th and 14th. Tickets are £10-£13, concessions £7.30. Call 08708 033543 or visit www.stneotsplayers.co.uk

History of Pathfinders
THE history of RAF Wyton and the Pathfinder Force is the topic of a talk being given in St Ives.
Kevin Dalley is the guest speaker at the St Ives Civic Society meeting on Friday (November 21) at 7.30pm at the Free Church, Market Hill. Admission is free for members, £2 for visitors.

Museum in profile
THE Porch Museum, Godmanchester is the subject of a talk being given by David Stokes and Mick Brown at the Huntingdonshire History Society Meeting at Pathfinder House, on Saturday (November 22) at 7.30pm. Admission £1. Call 01480 375842.
Art club exhibits work
HEMINGFORD Art Club is holding an exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from 10.30am until 4pm at Hemingford Abbots village hall.
Painters from the club will be working in various mediums throughout the two days. All the work on display is original and will be for sale. Admission is free, refreshments will be for sale and the hall has wheelchair access. Call 01480 463393.

BBC's organist in town
PRESENTER of BBC Radio 2's The Organist Entertains, Nigel Ogden, is in Eynesbury next week.
He'll be performing a wide variety of music with something for all tastes at the Berkley Street Methodist Church on Saturday, November 29 at 7pm.
Proceeds from the concert go towards the church's project for this year which is Mission to Uganda.
Tickets are £6. Call 01480 405379.

Coolest venue needs help
A PLEA has gone out from children in Cambourne for more volunteers to help run their clubs, drop-ins and events at the village's coolest venue – Cambourne Soul.
Hundreds of under 19s use the centre on Back Lane, taking part in youth clubs, sports activities, holiday sessions and drop ins run by Cambourne Youth Partnership (CYP).
The centre relies on adult volunteers to staff the sessions alongside local council development workers – and more help is desperately needed.
Volunteer youth workers are asked to dedicate two to three hours a week and will receive full training.
Anyone who is interested can contact CYP on 01954 715283 or email cypadmin@uwclub.net

Autumn fair at church
A SEASONAL fair is being held at the United Reformed Church, Chequer Street, Fenstanton, on Saturday, November 22 at 2pm.
Shoppers will find books, bric-a-brac, homemade produce and a raffle. Admission is 20p.

Autumn fair in church
AN autumn fair is being held at Fenstanton United Reformed Church on Saturday, November 22 at 2pm.
On sale will be books, puzzles, gifts, bric-a-brac, homemade produce and cakes. A raffle will be held and admission is 20p.

Musicians and sellers
THE Parent Teacher Association at St Neots Community College is inviting local musicians to perform festive music at their annual Christmas craft fair.
The event will be taking place at the college in Barford Road, Eynesbury on Sunday, November 30 between 10am and 4pm to raise college funds.
Santa will be making a visit and there will be a Christmas crafts workshop for children. There are also several craft and charity stalls still available.
>> Contact the college reception on 01480 374748 for a booking form or for further details.

Civic performance
THE Mayor of St Neots' Civic Performance for the season is being held on Wednesday, December 10.
Cllr Bob Eaton, in association with the St Neots Players, is presenting A Christmas Carol at the town's Priory Centre, at 7.30pm.
The charities to benefit this year are Marie Curie Cancer Research, the Riverside Theatre Group, West Anglia Crossroads Young Carers (St Neots) and the Royal Air Forces Association.
A draw will be held and proceeds for the whole evening go to charity.
Tickets are £8 for adults and £5 for children. For details, contact the Mayor's secretary on 01480 388911.

An evening of pure luxury will help African children
LADIES – it's time to indulge yourselves and help an educational charity while enjoying all that pampering.
After some wonderful treatments, you can also buy some magical and original gifts.
All this is happening at Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon on Monday, November 24 at 7.30pm.
Head along to the historic house for a relaxing evening and enjoy a manicure, Indian head massage, reflexology, chakra balancing, reiki, to name just a few of the treatments on offer.
Then take a stroll along some of the many stalls offering wonderful original gifts. Beautiful candles, exotic jewellery, chocolates, organic and herbal products, clothes and cosmetics will be there to tempt.
All ticket proceeds from this event will go to the Malawi Education Link, which takes students from Hinchingbrooke School out to Malawi in Africa each year to take part in many projects.
>> Tickets are £5 and will include a glass of wine and chocolate.
Tickets can be purchased on the door or by calling Sue on 01487 840626.

Santa has his special ticket booked
CHRISTMAS is coming and once again Santa will be making his traditional appearance at the Nene Valley Railway.
The Santa season officially opens on Sunday, November 30.
Cosy in his Santa's grotto at Wansford station, Santa ensures each child is given a gift before boarding the specially decorated train on its 50-minute return run to Peterborough. During the train journey children also receive a Thomas drink and sweets or chocolates, while grown-ups are not forgotten with mince pies, alcoholic miniature, wine or hot drink.
Thomas himself will be in steam helping to get Santa's Special ready for its journey.
Services operate on Sunday, November 30 then Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays through December up to and including Wednesday, December 24. There are also services on Tuesday, December 23.
>> Prices start from £10 per person and for further details and to check availability call Santa's secretary at the Nene Valley Railway on 01780 784444 or look at his website www.nvr.org.uk. This is always a very popular event, so early booking is recommended to guarantee a place.