I hope you are having a great summer and surviving the heatwave. The internet is full of hints and tricks, but sometimes it’s the simplest ones that are the most effective. I noticed a car I had parked next to had a towel over the steering wheel – a genius solution, as steering wheels can get very hot in the sun and burning your hands on it as you drive off is never fun!

Another great summer hack – wear appropriate clothing for the hot weather. Last week, myself and the RATS Addlestone drama group ignored that one as we headed to Runnymede Live in Victory Park, Addlestone, dressed in full panto costume!

In December, we are putting on a production of Aladdin following the hugely popular Sleeping Beauty, which we performed back in January. For the second time, Emma and I are involved as part of the chorus, as there are fewer lines to remember – but I am told there will be songs and dances to learn.

Back to summer and Runnymede Live – we were there to tell the people of Addlestone about the panto and, of course, to do that we needed to be in costume. I picked out a prince’s outfit and off we went, walking round the park, handing out flyers and sweets to families.

It was very hot and we got very sweaty, but it was so nice to be back with friends from RATS and meet new members who are getting involved in the panto this year. We also had a stall with a raffle and a “name the rat” competition.

The Runnymede Live event itself was a great community day out, with food, stalls and live music. The brilliant weather made it the perfect opportunity to relax in the park and soak up the surroundings.

We really love being part of RATS. As an amateur drama group, it is a real community – people from all walks of life coming together with a passion to entertain the community. Working closely together during rehearsals, we become good friends, with lots of laughter filling the room as we practise.

The result is a brilliant pre-Christmas show that we know will be fantastic. Don’t take my word for it though – book tickets for Aladdin at www.ticketsource.com/ratsdrama. If you book before the end of August, you will receive a 10 per cent discount on the ticket price.

Tickets are reasonably priced, so families can enjoy the magic of panto without breaking the bank. The shows are at Addlestone Community Centre at 7.30pm on December 11 and 12, with a matinee on December 12 at 2.30pm.

There will be a fundraising quiz night coming soon before the panto – keep an eye on the RATS Addlestone social media pages for more details.

Listen to my radio shows on Radio Woking every Sunday from 9am to noon and every Wednesday from 7am to 9am. Life on the Edge with Edge Disability Consultancy airs every second Sunday at noon.

You can also hear Emma and me on Surrey Hills Community Radio every second Monday at 9pm, while Life on the Edge airs every first Monday at 10am.

Send me a voice note via www.speakpipe.com/jonandrews or email [email protected].