This year I was offered a small job teaching acting in a local theatre school for children.
I didn't apply for it - it was just offered as a kind of a bi-product of what I have always done, which is working with others of all ages in putting on shows.
I was delighted.
And so, it turned out, were the young people involved in the course.
I have done amateur stuff, acting, singing, directing, writing for kids, making costume - all my life.
The first question I asked when entering school was 'Do you do plays?' When answered in the negative I offered to write one.
The teacher, a sensitive and wonderful person, allowed me to 'help' her put on a small play.
I loved it, the other kids loved it and so did our doting parents when they saw it.
It really was a cut above your average Nativity Play.
Or so they told me.
At five I believed what I was told.
I went on doing this kind of thing through school, into the youth club I volunteered at and into adult life when I found a local group keen to use my talents.
Of course I volunteered there.
But finally I had to start my own group.
This was due to my love for (obsession for?) the musical of Stephen Sondheim.
He is not much performed by amateurs in the UK.
His shows a very difficult to do well: expensive to stage, technically very demanding, and need a very good Musical Director and band.
I knew all this when I started up, but went on, regardless, to form the group, called 'Into Sondheim' (because we were) and put on 'Into the Woods'.
My wonderful son, a musician (bass player, keyboards and composer) worked for almost nothing, producing a version of the band parts for five or six people (I cannot quite remember now) and a group of very talented people, at least half of whom could not read music) worked on the production.
It was much enjoyed by performers and audience alike.
Since then we have performed the same musical again (popular request), 'Assassins', Sunday in the Park with George' and 'Merrily We Roll Along'.
The casts have included people of all ages and experience levels, and we have never turned anyone down who wanted to have a go.
You don't read music? OK.
we'll make tapes for you to learn from.
You've never been on the stage but are desperate to try? This is where to start.
Our next productions, two, actually, are to try to raise money for the next big project.
They are 'I Do, I Do' and 'Tomfoolery' - yes, neither of them Sondheim, but the end result we hope will be funds to perform 'Follies'.
Of course I will be seeking funds from very source possible - just went on a course to learn more skills to this end.
'Follies' is a wonderful show which calls for actors from about late teens to seventies.
It has a big cast, with lots of cameo roles for women of all ages.
Its cast reflects rather the well the fact that far more women partake in amateur theatre than men.
The reasons for this have been often discussed.
They cause arguments wherever you go in amateur theatre.
Men work too hard to be able to do it, women need something to fill their time, women are naturally better at singing etc.
, etc.
The sad fact is that not so many men perform.
I think it may have to do with the fact that when boys' voices break they get out of the habit of performing and take up sports and activities that fill their time.
I think they may not be quite as outgoing as women.
But we are not short of men in our group, or in our area.
And the other lovely thing is that there are many people in our town who are refusing to give up their amateur performing just because they are getting on a bit.
In one of the groups I am associated with I am among people much older than myself, whose skill and enthusiasm is boundless.
I am not thinking of giving any of this up yet.
Why should I with such great examples of continuing well into later life given me by my wonderful friends.
So, are you still performing? Would you like to start? Wherever you go there will be groups just waiting for you to contact them.
And you don't have to perform.
You could always help make scenery, costume, do fund-raising and publicity for them.
You will meet lots of lovely people, extend your friendship circle and keep on enjoying life.
I just might give up in twenty years or so.
But only if they force me to.
It is the source of pleasure and the provider of vibrant and wonderfully talented company.
No - I don't think I'm giving up any time soon.