Happy to be back in fuzzy make-believe world of pantoland

Autumn has well and truly arrived. There's a chill in the air, the nights are drawing in and summer seems but a distant memory as the shops empty their shelves of swimwear and start filling them with woolly jumpers and Christmas goodies.
The cast of Sleeping Beauty get ready for panto season at Ferneham Hall, FarehamThe cast of Sleeping Beauty get ready for panto season at Ferneham Hall, Fareham
The cast of Sleeping Beauty get ready for panto season at Ferneham Hall, Fareham

I love everything about the fall. The weather is generally wonderful, with cold, crisp mornings and sunsets that bathe the landscape in a beautiful orange glow.

Autumn is such a good time to be outdoors. There’s nothing more satisfying than going for a nature hike and seeing a canopy of red, gold and orange foliage, leaves crunching underfoot as you go. Even better when you come across a country pub with a roaring log fire.

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I have a passion for autumn fashion. Chunky jumpers, thigh-high boots and woollen scarves can make anyone look good.

Halloween is a great excuse to dress up. I’ve already chosen my outfit for a fun evening of trick-or-treating. It’s not just for the kids!

Food is another bonus, with seasonal delights such as yummy pumpkin soup and butternut squash stew, not to mention the welcome return of spiced gingerbread lattes in the coffee shops.

You don’t have to worry about the calories because you can hide your indulgence under a knitted sweater.

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The autumnal equinox also means that the countdown to pantomime time is on.

Last year I missed much of the panto season as I was given an amazing opportunity by Garsons garden centre in Titchfield to look after the reindeer.

It was a very rewarding experience to get up close and personal with these stunning, magical creatures.

Although I’ll miss my cloven-hoofed friends, this year I’ll be back in the fuzzy make-believe warmth of pantoland and waving a sparkly wand at hundreds of excited children at Ferneham Hall in Fareham

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It’s very exciting as we have Sleeping Beauty, which gives us girls a chance to don a fairytale costume and be pretend princesses.

One of my favourite roles is going around the audience and choosing the children to go up on stage to sing with one of the characters. See you there!

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