THE familiar strains of Down at the Old Bull and Bush opened this evening of nostalgia when the audience joined in the choruses with gusto.

We sang along to many old standards, such as Daisy, Daisy, and For Me and My Gal, and I particularly enjoyed some of the more rarely heard items such as Fly Home Little Heart, Muriel Bell's rendition sending shivers down my spine, and one of my all-time favourites, After the Ball, sung by Mary Sinclair.

There were two items when you could have heard a pin drop - I Dream of Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair, sung by Brian Potter, and musical director Judith Standing's solo I Hear You Calling Me.

We were even treated to a melodrama Murder in the Red Barn, featuring Sharon Link and Jonathan Darby.

I must mention the brilliant accompaniment on piano by Angela Savage, and the magnificent mirth-making master of ceremonies, Mike Birch, who added to the fun.

Some of the soloists needed a microphone, as they were difficult to hear - otherwise this was a super evening. When's the next Old Tyme? VJS.