How to make an entrance (From Basingstoke Gazette)

How to make an entrance

9:28am Thursday 2nd July 2009 in

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WHEN it comes to the school leavers’ ball, then arriving in style is all part of the glamour and fun.

And making a spectacular, and eye-catching entrance, is exactly what some of the teenagers celebrating the end of their school days have been doing at events in and around Basingstoke.

The Testbourne Community School prom night saw pupil Chris Miller and friends hit the heights in terms of their mode of transport as they arrived at the venue in a helicopter.

The 16-year-old certainly made his mark by landing with his girlfriend Emma Sherman, of Newbury Road, Whitchurch and best friend Harry Palmer, in London Street, Whitchurch at the event at Norton Park, Sutton Scotney.

They were not alone in making a big entrance as other vehicles on the night included a horse-box, a convertible Morris Minor and even foot-powered scooters.

Chris, of London Road, Whitchurch, said: “Flying in to the school prom was absolutely amazing and a complete dream.

“My friends and I were joking beforehand about how great it would be to arrive in a helicopter. Then I looked at the prices and it wasn’t too bad, about £450, so we thought, ‘why not?’ “Everyone looked on in shock and my teacher said to me afterwards ‘now, that’s style’.”

Hilary Jackson, head teacher of the school, in Micheldever Road, Whitchurch, said: “It was quite a sight and caused a stir when it landed on a little helipad by the venue.

“It went from the sublime to the ridiculous because as they arrived we also had a group of pupils arriving on little foot-powered scooters.

“It was a wonderful evening and the helicopter was a brilliant way to mark the occasion.”

Meanwhile, at the Cranbourne Business and Enterprise College school prom, a group of eight pupils turned up with horns blaring and sirens flashing in a fire engine.

Pupil Andrew McKay, aged 16, organised the decommissioned truck to pick him and his friends up from his home in Cliddesden Road, Basingstoke, and take them to the prom at Winchester Guildhall on Saturday.

He said: “We knew everyone was going to come in a limo so we thought this would be a bit special. I think we made the best entrance and I was even given a fireman’s lift by the driver.”