With 188 years of service between them seven members of Waterside Musical Society were recently presented with NODA long service Silver Awards for 25 years or more contribution to the society's success.

The photograph shows five of the seven, from left to right Alan Vicarey, Christine Talbot, Tina Ayles, Sylvia Francis and Christobel Thomas. Vic and Peggy Kemp were unable to attend the presentation.

In making the awards, chairman Robin Watton thanked the recipients for their significant contributions made over the past 31 years and expressed the hope that they will continue their efforts in the years to come.

Founded in 1968 and formerly known as Waterside Operatic Society, WMS has staged nearly 40 major productions and more than 100 concerts.

These have included many Gilbert & Sullivan favourites as well as musical plays and operettas.

In recent years, the society has produced Fiddler On The Roof, Oklahoma! and The Gondoliers, which won the award for Best Performance in an Opera, for member David Putley at this year's Daily Echo Curtain Call Awards.

With an enthusiastic junior membership, Waterside Musical Society offers opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy singing, make new friends and have fun in the process.

If you would like to know more about joining, call the membership secretary on 023 8084 7721.

The society's next production will be Chess, the 1980s musical written by Tim Rice with Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus of Abba. The show combines pop, rock and opera.

Chess is at the Waterside Theatre, Holbury from November 10-13.

Box office: 023 8084 8529 (with special prices for concessions and a ten per cent discount for groups of ten or more).