A WONDERFUL musical tribute was paid to Peni Parfitt by her amateur theatrical group at The Phoenix Theatre & Arts Centre in Bordon on Saturday, attended by family and friends, writes Maureen Reid.

The Phoenix Players put on a fantastic show featuring songs, sketches and even a monologue from Peni herself that had been recorded years before, all of which would have been relevant to Peni’s 40-plus year association with the Players when she started this group up with Ken Burt.

Peni died aged 80 after a short illness, and a previous accident where she had to be airlifted to hospital by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance had slowed her down considerably.

Of Peni, some might say she was a no-nonsense, formidable type of person.

But at her heart there was a softness, great deal of laughter and compassion for others.

It was shown how much she was thought of by the number of ex-Players who had moved away from the area, some coming from Fareham and Gosport, to take part.

There were also video messages from those who couldn’t make it as far afield as Paris.

A raffle was held during the evening with the proceeds split between the air ambulance and the Players to help fund their future productions, all of which are done on a very tight budget of their own making.

I finish my personal tribute simply by saying: Rest in peace Peni, you will be sorely missed.