Since then my theatrical involvement has been largely confined to watching others do their stuff in local venues like the community centre and various village halls.

My admiration for those who perform exceptionally well is undimmed. It's a remarkable talent and as I've said before, we must continue to cherish the societies which nurture acting abilities at all levels.

This is all of by way of a preamble to the fact that I recently found myself back in the world of the greasepaint. Somehow I agreed to take part in a read-through with the Stibbard Players for their next production, The Real Inspector Hound, by Tom Stoppard.

Small groups like this are desperate for anyone who has at least had some experience of the stage and a certain willingness to give it a go.

So now I find myself with a significant role and the daunting task of learning lines. We perform in the village hall at the end of September and for me it's a considerable challenge. Am I up to it? Who knows, but I'll certainly give it my best shot.

• When residents of Sculthorpe Road heard that developers were planning to knock down two houses in their neighbourhood and build a sizeable estate they were up in arms. This is a quiet part of town and they wanted it to stay that way.

Led by Dr Chris Rogers, a group of them descended on a town council meeting to express their concerns. Councillors were sympathetic, but pointed out that district council planners were the key players in decision-making.

The latest information I have about the dispute is that the original plans have been withdrawn.

Dr Rogers has collected a petition of signatures and recruited a number of worthies to support the neighbourhood view. He indicates that there are a lot of mature trees in the area providing a green lung for the town, some of which are subject to tree preservation orders.

The abundant wildlife includes woodpeckers, tawny owls, sparrowhawks and bats and there's even mention of a protected desmoulins whorl snail.
Lots of developers have been filling green spaces in Fakenham during recent years as the demand for housing becomes ever more acute. There are times when perhaps a line needs to be drawn in the sand. Maybe this is one of them.

• The anxious waiting is at long last over. Thousands of students have received their GCSE and A level results and will be sorting out their immediate futures.

Whether it's further education at college, university or the world of work, the days ahead will have their trials and tribulations. And not just for the students. Spare a thought for the parents whose support in the coming months and years will be a vital ingredient in any success story.

We're about to send third son on the start of an educational journey which his older brothers have already completed. It's a major milestone in any young life and we're obviously in it together. The excitement at what the future may hold also has its trepidations. But how fortunate we are to have such wonderful opportunities.