Ever the schoolmaster...

My father celebrates his ninetieth birthday later this week. Ten years ago the family organised a party for him; this time he insisted on doing it all himself. We gathered in his village hall (there in part due to his efforts over the years) for a Saturday afternoon and evening of conviviality and entertainment: two choirs, the Morris side he danced with for 25 years after he 'retired', his own inimitable stand-up (or sit-down these days) routine, and a few songs and recitations by family members whenever there was a lull. The Morris dancers performed at their best, and even got some of the guests to join in.