Don’t Dodge this Panto ...!
New band leader for Hepworth
most lanterns are water-resistant to some degree.
Organiser Gill Bond says high winds would be more of a problem. “One year it was very, very cold and another year, which was quite magical, we had a light dusting of snow,” she added. “But we’ve never had to cancel it.”
If travelling by car, bear in mind that Carr Lane will be closed to traffic from 6pm on February 25. The village has a number of car parks – Carr Lane, Hollins Row, New Street, Old Bank and Slaithwaite Railway Station. There are trains once an hour from Huddersfield to the village. CHRISTMAS past, present and future come to Marsden next week with the launch of this year’s Avalanche Dodgers’ all-male panto.
The annual show, written by Peter Armitage, who describes it as “a proper panto and not very politically correct,” is a version of A Christmas Carol that he hopes will have audiences rolling in the aisles at Marsden Parochial hall.
It’s Peter’s 30th panto and follows the winning formula that has been packing in the punters since 1978. “I’m having a pop at one or two people,” says the playwright, “Mr Trump, Ed Balls – with names like that who can blame me – and the Duke of York, who I’ve never really liked. “It’s funny and silly.” Peter, a founder member of the Dodgers, so named because they formed while sheltering in a pub from a snowstorm, no longer performs but still enjoys writing. Although not as productive as his famous poet son Simon, he manages to produce a panto every year. Each September he heads for Puerto Pollensa in Majorca and spends his holiday handwriting a script.
“The ‘phone doesn’t ring, there’s no housework and I’m not bothered about the garden,” he explains. “I just sit there and write.”
Peter says one of the secrets of the Dodgers’ enduring popularity is that its members work so well together as a team. About half the members have HEPWORTH Band’s new musical director Leigh Baker – formerly conductor with the internationallyfamous Brighouse and Rastrick Band – made his debut with the ensemble at a Viennese-themed concert in Christ Church, New Mill last month.
Leigh, head of music at Honley High School, is a past runner-up in the Classic FM Music Teacher of the Year Awards and former composer in residence with Brighouse and Rastrick.
Originally from Melton Mowbray and a euphonium player from childhood, he came to Huddersfield Polytechnic (now University) to study euphonium performance and composition. Over the years he has conducted a number of well known brass bands, including South Yorkshire Police and Carlton Main Frickley Colliery.
Leigh’s next major outing with the Hepworth Band will be On Sunday, March 5, in the Yorkshire Regional Brass Band Championships at Huddersfield Town Hall. performed in 25 or more pantos. “I am surrounded by people who know what they’re doing,” he says.
Over the years the Avalanche Dodgers have raised more than £150,000 for local charities and community organisations.
This year’s show opens on Friday, February 17, at 7.30pm, and can be seen until Saturday, February 25.
It will feature popular songs and a live band. Tickets are still available from Duncan’s hairdressers in Marsden, telephone 01484 845311 during shop hours.