FOR those customers of Waitrose Barry store who placed their little green discs to charity in the Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society's bin last year, Mary Gardner, PODS chairman wishes to express her most grateful thanks.

A cheque for £210 was presented to Mary at the store on Monday evening, January 27, together with other worthwhile charities.

PODS charitable status is based on developing public appreciation of theatre, and Mary hopes that the PODS fulfils this aim by providing good entertainment with its musicals, plays and, in recent years, pantomimes, and that through audiences enjoyment of PODS productions their interest in theatre is started or increased. The children who participate on-stage in PODS annual pantomime also experience and broaden their sphere of learning and appreciation of theatre, as Fiona Port Smith, PODS treasurer, explained at the presentation evening. In fact PODS has been entertaining the public for over ninety years and the society will be holding a gala dinner and dance at the Paget Rooms on Saturday, February 22, to celebrate this 90th Anniversary. Mary says that if any past members are interested in attending this special occasion then they would be delighted to see them. For more information they can get in touch with Fiona Porter Smith, on 029 20 350123.

PODS will be starting this very special 90 anniversary year with Arthur Miller's emotional drama, A View From The Bridge, on at the Paget Rooms from March 19-22, and then from May 14-18, the wickedly funny musical, The Witches Of Eastwick, based on the film of the same name, with the leading role of Darryl Van Horne made famous by Jack Nicholson.