IT never ceases to amaze me how observant the people of Soham are. With the new football season coming on a pace I thought I’d find out some real facts as opposed to gossip by having my hair cut by the man in the know,

CLEVER LOT

MRS of Soham and I had a very pleasant evening on Sunday at the Viva awards at The Brook. It always surprises me how much talent there is in and around Soham. Among the many and various presentations we were treated to, excerpts from two of Viva’s recent productions: the adult group did a bit from their award-winning piece The Ark while the youngsters did songs from High School Musical. I must admit this was our first experience of High School Musical and, although the performances were excellent, I can understand why. The third production on view is this year’s offering at the Edinburgh Festival, “I love you, you’re perfect, NOW CHANGE!” which was much more to our taste. The full production will be at the Brook on August 2/3/4and so will we, on at least one night.

NIGHT OUT

JAKE the spaniel is living in a bit of a whirl at the moment. His owners, Allie and Peter are among the prime movers of the charity ball at The Brook tomorrow evening (tickets �20 each from 07909960166) to raise money for missionaries from Isleham to Kenya and Thailand. Jake wonders if the missionaries might not be better employed in Isleham, but he tries not to listen to gossip. Wherever people are being sent, Jake is looking forward to Saturday when all the panic will be over and things can return to normal.

OBSERVANT

IT never ceases to amaze me how observant the people of Soham are. With the new football season coming on a pace I thought I’d find out some real facts as opposed to gossip by having my hair cut by the man in the know, Soham Town vice-chairman and barber, Bill Gray. We straightened a few things out as he cut my curls off and I left a wiser, smarter man. Ever since people have been coming up to me and saying, “You’ve had a haircut!” Well, thanks for telling me, but I know, I was there and I also know the first team started training on Saturday.

SLOW DOWN

THE weather was almost perfect for the Rotary beer and music festival at the weekend. In fact things were so conducive to a pleasant listen and sup that come the second evening’s sampling on Saturday stocks ran a little low on the beer front. So much so that the organisers had to stop selling the tickets that were exchanged for drinks. Overall it appears to have been a success, though. The auction raised �1,093 for the Weatheralls School and, depending on one or two outstanding invoices, the beer festival has raised between three and four thousand pounds for the new Guide and Scout community building. The lesson learned for next year is either to try to attract slower drinkers or get more beer. And where, pray, do you find slow drinkers? Certainly not in Soham.

STILL OPEN

IF you missed the open studios last weekend there is another chance this week. There is a photographer and furniture maker and a ceramics maker at 92 Station Road, a printer, painter and mosaics down Berrycroft, A lady down the Hasse who does digital art and photography and two sculptors at 9 Great Fen Road.