WE'VE had Le Grand Depart, now Talking Stock Productions presents Le Grand Return at Settle's Victoria Hall next Friday, February 6.

It is not a piece about cycling, but a gentle comedy about friendship, remembrance, war and peace - and admission is free.

Written by Alan Stockdill, the play is set in 1994 as the 50th anniversary of D-Day looms. Tommy, Alf and Edwin are incarcerated in Coldrick Nursing Home and, despite his ever-worsening heart condition, D-Day veteran Tommy is determined to break out and rejoin his old comrades on the Normandy beaches.

Alan was inspired to write the story after hearing the heartwarming tale of 89-year-old Bernard Jordan, the veteran who really did abscond from his residential care home last June to return to the D-Day beaches. He died at Christmas.

Alan said: "I’m thrilled to be bringing my new play to Settle. Talking Stock brought another play there last September and found both the venue and its audience charming.

"We’ve got a brilliant and talented cast who I know will do this production proud. We promise a great night of laughter, poignancy and maybe a few tears.”

Free tickets are available from 01729 825718 and there will be a collection on exit which will be split between North Craven Age UK and Victoria Hall.