Pictures by Diane Vose

Kidnapping and battles involving a princess were all part of a drama held deep in the woods near Marlborough last Thursday.

But, as in all good fairy tales, good finally triumphed over evil in the annual interschools drama day in West Woods.

Children who took part were from Preshute, Kennet Valley, St Michael’s at Baydon, Broad Hinton, Chilton Foliat, Great Bedwyn, Ramsbury, St Katharine’s and St Michael’s at Aldbourne.

They were accompanied by members of the Plantagenet Society and St John’s students, who played the evil Darkens.

Organiser James Smith, headteacher of Preshute School, said: “It was a wonderful day out in the woods. The St John’s students were fantastic and the way they played their parts was out of this world.”

Mr Smith wrote the plot which was showed how the evil Darkens failed to kidnap the king but took the Wood Elf Princess instead.

The primary school children all played the defending army who, after a fierce skirmish, defeated the Darkens, recaptured the princess and restored peace and tranquility in the forest.

It was the ninth year that Mr Smith had organised the drama day in West Woods, which is owned by the Forestry Commission.

He said: “It was great, the weather was good and everyone agreed it was the best ever.”

After peace was restored, the children and their captives enjoyed a banquet and were entertained by some of their fellow classmates.