THANKS to The Press of December 27 for the Shining Stars supplement showing children taking part in school plays around the region.

This brought back memories of my generation appearing in school plays during the festive season.

Mine began with an audition for the Church of the Holy Redeemer choir in Acomb during the Second World War; alas, this ended in departure from Britain’s Got Talent and the crib remaining empty.

However, resurrection, to the smell of grease paint, came in the form of attending Poppleton Road Primary School, who considered every class should indulge in presenting a nativity play at Christmas.

Treading the boards was later recognised within my school reports with my only “A” for art and drama. Hence a leading role in the Beckfield Lane Secondary School annual productions, followed by roles produced by the Community Settlement Players on Holgate Road.

Donning a different guise, later, came uniformity of a different kind in “Carry On Constable.

Kenneth Bowker, Vesper Walk, Huntington, York.