by Chris Tobin
It was hard to know whether you were at Caroline Bay or in a corner of England last Wednesday morning.
The bay hall was rocking to There’ll Always Be An England, Rule Britannia, Land Of Hope and Glory and shouts of “God save the Queen!” at the popular Christmas at the Proms show.
Prince Charles should have extended his New Zealand visit to take in the show.
As well as Union Jacks, New Zealand flags were vigorously waved by the 350 mainly seniors attending.

Traditional carols and Christmas songs and another titled It’s The Most Fattening Time of The Year featured on the programme.
People bussed in from as far away as Ashburton, Fairlie and Oamaru to attend.

The show was rescheduled from the Theatre Royal to the bay hall at short notice but it all went without a hitch.
“The council and our office worked diligently and it’s made a huge difference,” show spokeswoman Susan Boland said.
“We want people to have fun and leave their troubles at the door.”