Today started cloudy but dry and having spent the night at sea, some of our VC (well, Diane at least!) were delighted to hear that we were heading to the shelter of an anchorage off the Wash on the East coast of England. So, once at anchor, what better way to spend the evening than getting together in the ship’s bar for the ‘Ship’s Operatic and Dramatic Society’s Opera’ also known as the ‘SOD’s Opera’?
Everyone was ‘cordially invited’ (as you do!) to this gala performance where each watch had been invited to ‘perform a little something’ with an opportunity for an open mike session at the end, well, to be honest from our experience so far, no guiding voyage would be complete without a singsong – and the permanent crew seem to becoming rather good at this and the actions too!
Not to be upstaged by the competition from the watches, several of the permanent crew (including our Captain Clare) set to, to make sure they were included in the programme. Then the cry for ‘curtain up’ went out and everyone huddled in the bar to take part in this spectacular spectacle! And if anyone was expecting mirth, mayhem and a little madness, well, believe you me – they were not disappointed!!
The evening kicked off with a rather suspect group called ‘Duet’ representing the Engineering Dept, none other than the lovely Ratchet and Jenny. Then the Aft Port watch aka the ‘Jellyfish’ had us all giggling and groaning at their rather corny sketches – and Beth aka ‘Dorothy Perkins’ bravely, nearly streaked past us all!
Next our four lovely Watchleaders Elizabeth, Val, Frances and Janet then took the stage with ‘If I were not a guider’. Their talent never ceases to amaze us, especially after seeing them turn up to the ‘Captains debriefing’ with their knickers over their trousers and promptly de-briefed themselves but I digress........
Then Fwd Port watch performed the ‘Lambden Worm’ poem (possibly only understood by our resident C/Eng from the Shetland Isles!) followed by ‘Mrs O’Grady’ which appears to have become a firm favourite with our lovely Mate Chris – last seen hamming it up round the lower mess followed by a crocodile of guiders! Thank you girls for leaving us the words, I’m sure it will be repeated!!!
Having billed the night as a talent show (though we didn’t define ‘talent!’), we then invited Rachel the C/Eng and Joyce our wonderful BM to ‘The hairdressers’. Alas just into the sketch and the engineering alarm went off leaving Joyce sitting in the hairdressers chair with all her hair over her face – next enter the hapless Cook seeking revenge for his sparkling pants with a rather striking ‘Cook’s Ass’ written, well, you can guess where! (Joyce is well known for her talents in sewing and has stitched quite a number of the PC up so far!!) Anyhow as the engineering alarm was sounding, there was a sudden shriek from a number of the GG’s as Cookie exacted his revenge with all manner of galley instruments! It was truly hilarious and with a proper haircut on the cards, we all thought Joyce an excellent sport in watching her locks drop to the floor!
Capt Clare then took the floor to restore some order with her poem about Lord Nelson himself which was most enlightening – kiss me Hardy!
Then the Meddling Medlars with their Medley of Memories on board LN....Mmmmm, what more can I say! Then the evening of song began with Chris the mate and Richard the BM and their splendid renditions of shanties and rounds before the GG’s led us in a lovely singing session.
Once again the JST were the ultimate winners – although Joyce’s hairdressing capers raised the most money on the night – helping us towards our goal of raising another £1000 for the 800 Challenge.
Thanks to all you GG – it was a lovely evening!
Rachel MP LN