AS SOME of you may know I am a member of the Rose Community Theatre here in Sedbergh. This year we are losing some of our lovely girls to universities around the country. So as a bit of a send off it was decided that we would enter a float in Kendal Torchlight carnival. I doubt if anyone realised just how much work it would take to do it. Mind you I’m not the only one who is feeling exhausted from the effort - other RCT members have worked exceedingly hard to prepare themselves and the float.

Ernie and Viv could probably do with a holiday. Ernie has single-handedly built a stage coach, while Viv has interrupted her busy work schedule to organise the rehearsals which took place in their barn. This was apparently to get us used to the outdoor conditions, hmmm.

Stuart got a lorry sorted for us from the very kind Mr Parker of Parker Haulage and ‘The wonderful Brenda,’ who is an absolute whizz at organising just about everything, found out what we needed to do to enter. Another member and ambulance driver Steve, was able to act as our safely officer, (each float has to have one). Yes, I bet you thought it was just about having fun.

Naturally, music was needed so sound equipment like speakers, amplifiers, piano, drums, mikes and lighting had to be checked out and kept dry. I’m sure you will have noticed that these occasions no matter what time of the year are usually wet. Then there’s the transporting of all the equipment not to mention lifting it on to the lorry. I just don’t know how they did it and would you believe the generator blew up with only hours to go and another had to be found: well done Stuart. I only made the costumes and that took up most of my time the rest being spent between B&B guests and a couple of committee meetings.

When the day of the torchlight dawned I was still sewing bonnets finally dashing over to Kendal at about five o’clock to help out. Our float didn’t win. Shame, but I am looking forward to an easier week to come.

Well, maybe.