IT'S a time of year to reflect and 2016 has been a belter for the good people of Hampshire in terms of entertainment.

From festivals to films, shows to songs. we've been spoilt for choice.

Here are just a few of my picks of the year.

Show of the Year: It was no exaggeration to say she was practically perfect in every way. Mary Poppins made her long-awaited arrival at Mayflower Theatre in May and delighted sell-out audiences in this most magical of musicals. Zizi Strallen was utterly spectacular as the all singing, all dancing, all flying nanny with the bottomless bag and non-stop succession of fabulous fun and life lessons for her small charges, Jane and Michael Banks.

Gig of the Year: It was a massive musical celebration of his knighthood and Rod Stewart showed Southampton exactly why he’s rock royalty. Honoured in the Queen’s 90th birthday list for services to music and charity, he was on stage at the Ageas Bowl when the news was revealed. A 26,000-strong sing-along to Maggie May as the sun set over West End was another memorable moment in a fantastic night’s entertainment. The music icon burst onto stage wearing his trademark leopard print jacket and shoes and skin tight trousers and launched into Having A Party, much to the delight of a spirited crowd who were already on their feet and in full voice. An athletic show saw Rod the Mod in flamboyant form, shaking his hips and sliding across stage between tracks.

Festival moment of the Year: It was a massive welcome home for Southampton's favourite musical son as Craig David took to the stage to rapturous applause and cheers.

Headlining the first day of the Common People festival less than a mile from where he grew up, the international grime / garage star proved he is back at his absolute best 15 years after the release of his debut album Born to Do It.

"You can take the boy out of Southampton, but you can't take Southampton out of the boy" the emotional star told a packed crowd of party-goers.

Film of the Year: There's only one choice for me - Bridget Jones's Baby. More than a match for the original, the third outing for Bridget is a laugh out loud delight from start to finish. The who's the daddy plotline was brilliantly, well, conceived, and takes the franchise in a whole hilarious new direction. For every woman who sang power ballads with Bridget while simultaneously downing a gigantic glass of wine, she's now being courted by two highly desirable men, giving hope to everyone.

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