BISHOPSTOKE PLAYERS CELEBRATE 60 YEARS OF SUCCESS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 29th Sep 2007

Chris received a cheque for £5,000 on behalf of the National Children's Home

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne was on hand to celebrate 60 years of success for the Bishopstoke Players - one of the oldest amateur dramatic societies in Hampshire - as the curtain went up on their latest production.

The group performed an adaptation of Jane Eyre, the romantic tragedy, at the Bishopstoke Memorial Hall attended by a full house. At the end of the first night, Mr Huhne received a cheque for £5,000 on behalf of the National Children's Home, a charity with which the group has long been associated, from Players' President Peggy Walters.

Mrs Walters is one of six founding members of the Players who are still involved in its activities. The group put on three productions a year with the Christmas panto being a particular local favourite.

Mr Huhne congratulated the group on making such a contribution to the local community, including raising twice as much as normal for NCH in this anniversary year. The first contribution to the NCH back in the first year was just £40.

Mr Huhne said he was impressed by the performance and the professionalism of the cast, and was glad there was a happy ending even though there was rather a lot of tragedy on the way.

About 40 local residents are actively involved in the group whose members span ages from 14 to 70. In the past, the group has won the Stevenson award for fund-raising for the National Children's Home.All the profits of productions go to NCH.