Panto stars retire

9:25am Wednesday 16th July 2008

• WAITING patiently for the start of the recent Preston Pantomime Kids pantomime, everything appeared normal - the excited chatter of the audience, the busy front of house staff, the nervous air of the performers on their way to the changing rooms, and the stage crew making sure that everything was in its right place - but something seemed to be missing. Then I realised what it was - there was no sign of Sandra Seys at her table selling raffle tickets.

For as long as most of us can remember, at every show in the Village Hall, Sandra has been there to sell her raffle tickets on behalf of the charity of the evening. After more than 15 years, hundreds of performances and literally thousands of pounds raised, Sandra has finally retired from her role as Queen of the Raffle'. Very few managed to evade her eagle eye or could resist her gentle enquiry how many tickets would you like?' as they made their way into the hall, and she was equally good at persuading local people and businesses to provide raffle prizes.

At her last pantomime earlier this year the raffles raised a record, marvellous total of over £560! Sandra had a light touch in persuading the ever generous people of Preston and Sutton Poyntz to contribute to her fund raising, and many charities have considerable reason to be grateful to her dedication and hard work. She will be missed by cast and audience alike, and I know that I speak for everyone when I wish her all the best, and better health, in the future.

• THIS latest PPK pantomime was also an emotional occasion for Jenny Seys, Sandra's sister-in-law, who is stepping down after 22 years as a founder member of the PPK. Over those years she has given up almost every Friday evening, and many more besides, to attend rehearsals. These start in September for the Christmas show, which was originally an informal occasion for parents, but has since blossomed into a full show in its own right, as can be judged from the last, which was Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'.

General meetings take place after Christmas while the adult pantomime is on, then PPK rehearsals start again in earnest for their panto in June. This brief account brings home Jenny's level of commitment and hard work over more than two decades. Modestly she told me that all the children - more than 300 - have been marvellous and always such fun to work with, but that she wanted to bow out while she could still keep up with them! This is not in doubt, for at the recent panto, at very short notice due to one of the cast being ill, Jenny assumed the role, and costume, and stepping on stage had no trouble at all in keeping up!

At the closing of the pantomime Roxane Moss, herself a founder of the PPK, paid fulsome praise to Jenny's dedication. All the children, parents and audiences involved with the PPK will most heartily second Roxane's words, and we wish Jenny well in the future.

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