THERE were tears and laughter at St Mary's Church on Sunday as Abergavenny Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society officially began its year-long celebration of a century of amateur theatre in the town.

The long planned service of thanksgiving led by Rev'd Canon Jeremy Winston, began with a moving rendition of Pie Jesu, performed by the junior branch of the company and continued with an introduction to AAODS by its youngest member Amy ?Price and its longest serving member, Brenda Harris.

The afternoon continued with a nostalgic slide show of images from many of the shows performed by the company over the past 100 years and performances from Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Sister Act.

A poignant note was raised by the company's president, Alan Breeze, who paid tribute to long serving member Bernard Zavishlock, who along with fellow member Tony?Paton, did much of the planning for the service and the year of celebration.

Speaking movingly about Mr Zavishlock's contribution to the society and amateur theatre in Abergavenny,?Mr Breeze said that the afternoon's service stood as a memorial to his work.

Following the service a short reception was held to mark the launch of the book - 100 Years of AAODS by?Tony?Paton and Bernard Zavishlock.

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