Sir.-In June 1974, Farnham enjoyed a glitzy and glamorous Royal Gala Opening of its Redgrave theatre. After 25 years, it closed and, sadly, now lies derelict.

Also in 1974, the Horseshoe Theatre Company - now renamed the Haymarket Theatre Company - opened in Basingstoke - and, 30 years later, it is still going strong.

During that first season, Horseshoe produced Brave New Town, a play about Basingstoke, with its first night on December 10.

On December 10 this year, we will be celebrating 30 years of our own Basingstoke-produced professional productions. There will be a large gathering of actors and directors, representatives of the town's amateur societies and other arts organisations, as well as the many friends of the company.

They will attend a performance of The Canterville Ghost, directed by the newly-appointed artistic director John Adams.

The guests, who will arrive from 6pm for the reunion, will be greeted by members of the Basingstoke Junior Choir and Kelly Hopkins Dance School.

Young musicians will be playing throughout the theatre before the show begins.

It is impossible to invite everyone who has been involved with the company over the past years but we hope we have invited representatives of each era and organisation.

Guy Slater will be bringing a party of 20 from the early days and Ian Mullins will be accompanied by several of his actors. Members of the original Horseshoe Club will be there and the Haymakers, staff and board members will be greeting everyone.

During the interval, Mr Slater, founder of the Horseshoe Theatre Company, will unveil a plaque commemorating the event.

I would encourage people to send their memories of the past 30 years to Joanne Mace at The Gazette, as staff at the newspaper, with its fine record and commitment to recording important local events, intend to produce a souvenir supplement in January to coincide with the official start of John Adams' tenure as artistic director.

I am also compiling a scrapbook of memories and messages of goodwill for December 10, which will go on display with other memorabilia on the night.

We have already started a waiting list for tickets, but if we have left anyone out who would really like to be there, please call me on 01256 322529.

This night of celebration is really for everyone who is proud of Basingstoke as a dynamic and cultural town and we really wish to involve you in some way.

-Hannah Williams, Basingstoke.