31st October
Dragged Spencer to Tesco to do the weekly shopping. It does him good once in a while, to come round the aisles just to see how much everything costs these days. He is still living in the era when you could do the weeks shopping and have change from £50. He didn’t look too happy as he pushed the trolley round, especially when I said that he had no business skulking in the far end of the drinks aisle. What a surprise then, as we came out an hour later, to find our very own Old Basing British Legion Corps of Drums performing outside the shop. Quite a crowd had gathered to listen and I do hope that the Poppy Appeal did well because of it. In the interval, I had a chat with the Drum Major, Bill who asked me to let you know through this column that he is always looking for new people (and old!) to come and join them. The band is aware of a number of local people who used to play and who, for one reason or another, have now given up. The Band would especially like to encourage those people to come and talk to them. They practice between 10am and noon on a Sunday at the Legion in Crown Lane.
The Band is also inviting any residents who are interested in finding out more about what the Band does, to join them at the Legion on Sunday December 20th for a sausage roll and a mince pie. You will be assured of a warm welcome.
Home for a quick lunch before dashing off to see the BATS Next Generation production of Hairspray. I must say at the start, that those of you who didn’t follow my advice last week and get a ticket, then you missed an absolute treat. It was nothing short of fantastic. Bearing in mind that all the cast were 18 years or under, and were all local kids, I was genuinely astonished by the talent. I have paid double that for a show in London and not enjoyed it half as much. It will be interesting to see the reviews in the Gazette this week.
1st November
Marcus has finally completed his University application and sent it off. Why, when he has had most of the summer to do it (tonsils excepting), he leaves it till the last minute I don’t know. In the end it was almost the case of “tick any box” as he had left it so late. By the end, Spencer and I were exhausted by the whole process.