Trust me

There will probably be a few puzzled look when T'Scarborough Evening News publishes a photograph of the 40th anniversary celebrations of Scalby Village Trust.

I went to the parish hall in Scalby tonight, as a talk on Scarborough Renaissance had been advertised.

A few of us milled around while a couple of people from the borough council set up a screen at the front.

Then two ladies produced an iced cake and began opening wine bottles.

It was clear from snatches of muffled conversation that I overheard that something had gone wrong.

The pair from the borough council were persuaded to dismantle their screen, as a film on Scarborough In Bloom was definitely NOT required, and they beat a retreat to their van.

One woman seemed to have some grasp on the purpose of the proceedings, so I approached and said: "Excuse me - I understood there was to be a talk on Scarborough Renaissance."

"Yes," she said puzzlingly. "Scalby Village Trust."

A News photographer then appeared, and it transpired that the trust's members had assembled to mark the 40th anniversary.

I was instructed to join the group for the photographs outside, while Boss Lady said: "Try to make it look as though there are more of us."

Having obliged, I let everyone else precede me back into the hall, then sneaked away.