Past Events in Pictures

Throughout the year we hold lots of events and at below are a selection of photos taken at these events.

St Nics School Play - June

The children at St Nicolas School, Downderry rehearsed and performed their end of year play to other pupils and parents. 

VE Day 80th Anniversary - 8th May

The Downderry Air Raid shelter and Naafi, known locally as the Downderry and Seaton Village Hall, hosted several events to commemorate the VE Day 80th Anniversary on Thursday 8th May. The day started with the raising of the official VE Day flag at 9am. The Village Hall was then transformed back to 1945, with bunting, flags, maps and memorabilia. The mammoth task of making sandwiches etc and cutting the many cakes donated, only stopped at 12 noon to observe the 2 minute silence. 

The Main Hall was soon full and buzzing with laughter, chatter and an amazing atmosphere, as the official start of the Afternoon Tea approached. First the all clear siren was sounded and then on the big screen came Churchill's speech when he took to the airwaves to announce to the people of Britain that Nazi Germany had surrendered to the Allied forces. The entertainment for the afternoon included The Rockseattes, a local group, leading the sing-a-long to many of the old favourites such as 'There'll always be an England' and Daisy Daisy', a poem read by Sacha Pearce, Keith Smith singing 'My Way' and Steve McClennen singing more war time songs. The audience then raised their voices even louder to sing Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory. The event ended with those who could, standing and a few tears being shed, when the National Anthem was sung while watching the compilation of film cuts put together by Mark Bloor of the Royal Family. The only thing left to do was to cut our VE Day cake made by Nicki Metcalfe.

The day ended with an old time favourite, Casablanca, and at 9.30pm the lighting of the 'Lamp Light of Peace' and joining in with the nation, to sing 'I Vow To Thee My Country' while watching Colin Thackery.

The Trustees would like to thank everyone who helped make this such a special and memorable day, one comment being, 'the afternoon tea was the best event I've ever been to in the Village Hall', high praise indeed from some-one who has lived in Downderry for many years.

Read the article in the Cornish Times.

Casino Night - April 2025

A big thank you to everyone who came to our Casino Night. You all looked amazing and so did the Village Hall! Also a special thank you to those who helped make it such a success, Jon King, Chris Clarke Purple Dog Solutions, Logan from Bewsheas By the Sea, Barry Lowton Shot in the Dark, Julie Turner Cakes and Catering, Adrian Ward Magician, Alan Rogers, Mark Bloor, Heidi Murray, Jeff Rees and the Trustees who helped on the night Keith Smith, Mandy Smith, Lynne Rees, Catherine Jaycock, Marian Candy, Julie Jaycock. 

Village Hall Drama Group Panto - February 2025

Casts - Belle: Mel Odell, Whitney: Jane Mather, Britney: Steve Mclennan, Alphonse: Maura Swabey, Madame Fifi: Adrian Ward, Jacques: Cathy Jaycock, Gustave: Anthony Uzolins, Prince Danton: Pam Evans, The Beast: Marian Candy, Marcel: Scott Southam, Monique: Ann Vandermeulen, Monsieur Le Fou: Sacha Pearce, Flora: Ann Clark, Jennifer Bewick, Jules Jaycock, Belladonna: Kim James, Ghoul: Keith Smith, Chorus: Jeff Rees, Keith Smith, Mandy Smith, Susan Pidgen, Tom O’Reilly, Vicky O’Reilly.

Crew - Band: “The Mad Hatters” (Beth Worth, Dave Ball & Jim Rogan), Backstage: Jem Hall, Lynne Rees & Margaret Walters, Prompt: Jane Hall, Choreography: Charlotte Evans, Costume Makers: Jane Mather, Pam Evans & Steph Weaver
, Lighting, Sound & Filming: Mark Bloor.

The Downderry and Seaton Village Hall was transformed into Frangiais-sur-Mer, a little French Village by the sea, a Fearsome Forest and Enchanted Castle as the Village Hall Drama Group presented Beauty & the Beast written by Alan P Frayn and directed by Trish Rogan BA (Hons), ACMA, CGMA. This was the first time the Drama Group, which was formed in 1985, had put on five performances and all of them were sellouts!

Flora, the Spirit of the Rose, set the scene throughout the panto and Belladonna, the Sorceress, will be remembered for her cackling and the character the audience liked to boo, especially when she whipped up a storm and destroyed the five red roses and turned Prince Danton into the Beast.

Gustave, the new hunk in the village, proved he was too sexy for his shirt and his gang were never far from his side nor were the village female chorus members who swounded every time they saw him. Belle, being the only one immune to his charm.

On their way to Paris, Madame Fifi, Jacques, his lazy son and the scientist, Alphonse, Belle's father, entered the Fearsome Forest and got lost! They then found themselves outside the Enchanted Castle gates and when they were opened the audience joined in with the Ghostbusters song as the ghoul frightened first Jacques then Alphonse off the stage only to be terrified by the sight of Madame Fifi, 'Charming'.

There were many twists along the way, ensuring lots of laughter and some dramatic moments, oh yes there were! The Enchanted Castle, where food and drink appeared by magic and the CanCan was performed, with the male chorus members' outfits, causing much laughter from the audience. The castle also saw one of the more tender moments take place when Belle showed the Beast how to dance to Madame Fifi's rendition of Moon River, the likes of which has never been heard before and was followed by deafening applause.

And no-one will ever forget the Beauty Parlour run by Monique and Marcel which saw Madame Fifi's hair change colour several times while under the hairdryer. Then when Belle’s two outrageously common sisters, Whitney & Britney arrived, it provided some never to be forgotten comedy moments when the steam cabinet literally shrank Britney's body to the size of a doll and Whitney's got rather twisted in the neck massage machine.

And although Gustave tried to get Alphonse put in the mad house by Monsieur Le Fou, Alphonse was released when the beast appeared in the magic mirror and was the moment Belle realised she loved him.

In true panto style it ended with a marriage proposal when Prince Danton asked for Belle's hand in marriage and Britney & Whitney moved in with Gustave. The final song and dance to Voulez Vous was followed by the cast walking down through the audience to loud cheers and rapturous applause.

The music was provided by 'The Mad Hatters' band and the lighting and sounds helped bring the panto to life as did the songs and dances performed by the cast. And no panto could be put on without the backstage crew, changing the scenery and ensuring the props were in the right place, the choreographer, costume and prop makers, the prompt and Madame Fifi's favourite, the bartenders.

Everyone agreed it was one of the best ever pantos and are all looking forward to the next one. This was the most watched Panto with nearly 500 people, including children attending.

Read the article in the Cornish Times.

Read the article in The Cornish Times

Feedback - I just wanted to send an email to congratulate all the cast & crew on such a wonderful panto! Me and my husband came to watch last night and we absolutely loved it. It was fantastic! The costumes, the set, the songs and dancing were all brilliant and the acting was soooo good! I fully understand the hard work, long days and nights as well as the huge amount of team work required to pull off such a fantastic show! You nailed it! Well done all.  

Carly & Kyle Partington