MARKET Chambers Performers Together (MCPT) have started Christmas early, writes HANNAH WILLIAMS.

On Saturday, 2 December Olya Elliott held her end-of-term show and party for pupils and parents.

Olya teaches in MCPT twice a week - an infants’ class, in which some are as young as three-yearsold, and a junior class.

All the children speak English but they are all being taught in Russian to sing, dance and act.

Many of them speak other languages as well including Spanish.

The colourful costumes were all provided by the parents with Olya’s direction and all the poems and numerous songs were all performed from memory, with 10-year-old Anfisa Wray playing keyboard from memory having been taught by Olya ‘by ear’.

The following day, the MCPT community held a Christmas Fair and the youngest members of Olya’s company entertained the craft stall holders and members of the public.

Victoria Eglin, violinist and one of the leading lights of John Fuller’s Hampshire Music Service in Basingstoke is on the MCPT committee and she organised music amongst the craft stalls which included the talented Simmonds Singers.

The Christmas wreath makers in the Jane Austen Assembly Rooms were also quietly entertained by John Ward guitar teacher and performer.

For me the ghosts of the resident professional company that we once had in Basingstoke still linger in the old building but it is now filled with artistic, musical people who have breathed new life into the place and we should all "rejoice".