Our charity for 2007/8 is for The Alzheimer's Charity: -

Retiring this year as our musical director is our very own Georgina Starkey. Gina was one of our founder members and has either performed, produced or been M.D. of our shows for almost 21 years. She has also worked tirelessly for the society throughout that time, having taken on the offices of Chairman and Secretary and still to this day remains a staunch committee member.

Also retiring this year are Betty and Derek Chapman. Betty has been a member of the company for over 20 years playing many leading roles. Betty also took on many other duties ranging from printing tickets and programmes, box office manager, arranging our web-site and in her pre-treasurer days she was our concert secretary and producer for five years and was also responsible for our publicity.
Derek has been a member for 21 years and has played many roes in his time. He was a long standing committee member and was treasurer for 3 years. Later he took on the role as membership secretary.
This year marks the Golden Wedding of Betty and Derek - congratulations to you both from all at Ferndown-Phoenix.

2006: "Red Riding Hood" - The Wolf (Bill Mason) scaring Nutz & Boltz (Alex Anstey & Dylan Mason)
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The Society won Best Small Town Production for "Red Riding Hood" in the Dorset Pantomime Awards and Bill Mason won Best Animal for his portrayal of the Wolf in the same production. Our congratulations and thanks to all involved, especially to Director Dave T. Evans and Choreographer Sonia Gilson, both of whom stepped in at short notice.

Ferndown Phoenix Musical Society were happy to present a cheque for £1,000 to the Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton, at a special ceremony held at Ferndown Community Centre on Friday, 29th July 2005.

Our then President, Barry Howard, presented the cheque on our behalf to Lee Evans, who has since given it to the Neurological Centre, where it was very gratefully received. The money will be used to put £500.00 towards each of two of their projects. Firstly, an ambulance specially equipped to transport head injured patients needing transfer to the centre from local hospitals. This ambulance will mean that treatment can be given whilst the patient is in transit thus greatly helping to save lives. Secondly, a special trolley bed equipped to enable nurses to shower patients unable to move, who would otherwise only be able to have bed baths.

Our Society is proud to have been able to help the Neurological Centre, especially as we have personal knowledge of the wonderful work that they do. Lee Evans is living proof of their skills. Lee's grandfather, Dave Evans, who has written pantos for us, was one of our members when Lee had a very bad car crash about 3 years ago. He was taken to Poole Hospital and then transferred to The Neuro. Centre at Southampton. There were doubts about his chances of survival and his family kept constant bedside vigil and, as he slowly improved, helped him re-learn his basic skills with excercises given and supervised by the staff at the centre. Lee is a fighter and didn't give in - he was encouraged to work hard on his recovery and he did. As soon as he was well enough he began to raise funds for the Centre and we are happy to have been able to help his efforts by picking Wessex Neurological Centre as our Charity for the past year.

Our Charity for 2006 is "The Dorset Cancer Centre - Poole Hospital NHS Trust".

"Little Miss Muffet"
Runner-up Best Dame - Mike Hutchings
Runner-up Best Production - Town
Best Comedy Routine - Andy Walker & Steve Butterworth
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2004: "Blitz"
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The Society are both proud and delighted to report that we have won the National Operatic and Dramatic Society's Southern Area Accolade of Excellence Award for the Best Amateur Musical Show in 2004 for our production of "Blitz". Congratulations and thanks to our Production Team - Sarah Vandervelde (Director), Betty Chapman (Co.Director), Georgina Starkey (Musical Director), Suzi de Villiers (Choreographer), Andy Walker (Asst.), Kevin and Caroline Littlewood (Stage Managers) and their team, Ann Hutchings (Wardrobe) and her assistants, and, of course, to our talented and dedicated cast of principals and chorus, not least our wonderful team of 37 children!