GREAT Yarmouth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society held an evening of “natter and nostalgia” at the Royal Masonic Assembly Rooms attended by the mayor and mayoress to celebrate its 111th birthday.

GREAT Yarmouth Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society held an evening of “natter and nostalgia” at the Royal Masonic Assembly Rooms attended by the mayor and mayoress to celebrate its 111th birthday.

Two younger members of the society sang and showed that standards are still very much being upheld and the beautiful singing of Beth Smith and Charles Carter demonstrated that Yarmouth has indeed got talent.

Photos and programmes of past productions were on display and proved a magnetic talking point .In his speech the chairman, Graham Turner spoke of glories of productions past, and remembered past members in particular the late Derek Marshall and Jack Bacon and dwelled upon the magnificent pantomimes at the old ABC Theatre for which GYAODS were renowned.

He went on to speak of the future and lamented the lack of theatre facilities for current productions for the many theatre and musical groups in the borough.

The Mayor, Councillor Tony Smith responded by saying the council are very much aware of the problem but that all schemes and plans had so many noughts on these days that it was very difficult to meet all the needs of the community, but he wished the society well in the future.

The chairman cut the appropriately dramatic celebratory cake and a raffle was held to raise funds for the society.