LIMOS and lorries, Land Rovers and Lancias, Buses and Bikes, the sporty to the spectacular….the 2013 Neale Wade prom had it all.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

They even had a double decker bus with the legend – Lets Party at the Prom- draped around it. Presumably in case any of the guests temporarily forgot they were out to have a good time!

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

OK the principal Jason Wing was out there somewhere (cool dude dark glasses hardly the most riveting of ‘disguises’) but in accordance with prom tradition style is definable in the main by the arrival smile.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

At Elme Hall Hotel in Wisbech last night the smile stretched way beyond the length of the glitziest limo…..where Wisbech students had partied seven days earlier the benchmark was set for the March contingent.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

For some it was a case of practicalities beckoning as a Fenland Association of Community Transport mini bus ferrying guests was quickly and easily forgiven.

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

And quite how far one young man had come by cycle was never admitted save to note he seemed remarkably unfazed had it have been the full 12 miles from March!

Cambs Times: Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams.Neale-Wade prom held at the Elme Hall Hotel, Wisbech. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

As with all proms, the parents, onlookers and families were to remain firmly on the outside looking in.

This was a ritualistic, coming of age end of school beginning of dreams moment for which adult exclusion, as far as was realistically possible, had to be maintained.

Neale Wade, as an academic pillar of the community, is in recovery as well as party mood.

The seeds have been set well and truly for the former – and on the evidence of last night the latter looks pretty good too.

Now all fingers are crossed that exam results due soon reflect the vitality, enthusiasm and rigour applied to the end of term prom.

Given the encouraging noises emanating from the school in recent months and its sustained good progress, the party may indeed have only just begun.