Franche WI

The speaker Mary Baulk, no that’s not right I should say the entertainer for this month at the Franche Community Hall, came with an assortment of puppets which live in a furry bin by the name of Binja Sniff.

Mary Baulk of the Butterfly Puppet Theatre told her audience about how she brings to life animals & people with her puppets to groups of children and adults with various disabilities.

We first saw Ferdinand the fox followed by Baboo the Baboon who when Mary did a walk-about in Kidderminster with the puppets once had a passer by sure that it was a real animal & was afraid of it saying “Keep that animal away from me” much to the amusement of others watching who were aware that it was just a puppet. She talks to these animals and they whisper to her so people imagine they are real.

Grenville the old man who lounges in an armchair was followed by Molly Mouse in her cage, she plays with balls and slurps the water just like a normal animal would.

They came thick and fast there was fidget the ferret and fire-fighter Foggaty who sprays foam and water and is used also for Fire prevention when demonstrating to children.

Murdock the white Gibbon who Mary bought in Orlando, America he blows up balloons and let them fly away much Mary says "to the delight of the children watching". Hen-pecked Henry with Liza his wife, he carries a bucket with a hole in it and sings “There’s a hole in my Bucket dear Liza”. Cammy the Cameilion moves her head rapidly and catches imaginary insects, then there was Bob the fish & Cecil the worm who worked his way up the spout of a glass jug. The last two were the Geni in the lamp & the smallest of them all a long bottle opener dressed up as a marshall at the airport directing traffic. A couple so snakes did put in an appearance also a tall narrow box from which to my horror a big black spider appeared. A super evening so different to what we have ever had before.

The competition "A home made finger puppet" the winners were Jan Haynes; Sue Murkett and Jan Stevens.

The birthday raffle winners were Ann Evans, June Thomas, Joan Nutland & Pat Ford.

The plaque for the most won competitions for the year was won by Dorothy Hadwell.

Next months meeting on March 1 at 7.30pm - 101 Children by Foster Carer Meg Farmer will be an open evening, visitors and new members are always welcome.