All Set For Bletchley Park!

I’d like to begin my blog tonight by thanking every-one who came to see me open Bletchley Park’s Concert Series last Saturday. I’d like to say a special thank-you to all the BP staff who made this such a great event. The sun shone all day and it was wonderful to see you all. I had been looking forward to this show immensely due to the fact I had commissioned a number of new musical arrangements which I was keen to perform.

It can be a little nerve racking performing a song for the first time but I’m pleased to say all my

The Fleets in Port Again”

rehearsing paid off and I didn’t put a note or word wrong. I opened my second half with “Busy Doing Nothing” from the 1949 film “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court” which went down extremely well along with my new arrangement of “Apple Blossom Time”.

Last year I performed my ATS “We’ll Meet Again” show and this time I returned with my Wrens show “The Fleets in Port Again” plus “In the Mood” as I changed into my Hollywood glamour for my second set. I was keen to included the song “The Girl in the Little Green Hat”, which is a

The Girl In The Little Green Hat!

charming, jaunty little number from the 1930s. I first heard this song performed by Will Young in the film “Mrs Henderson presents” and I thought it would be a great addition to my Wrens show.

The song speaks of “A lake in a park, and a house by a lake, there’s a girl in the house in the park by the lake, and the girl in the house by the lake in the park, is the girl in the little green hat”. This made me think of Bletchley Park which was why I was keen to commission the song and have a backing track made. I wanted the song to work in

Setting Up Back Stage Before the Show!

context of my Wrens show which was why I changed a couple of the words to mention a Wren instead of a girl. The song now tells the story of a Wren on her day off wearing a little green hat. This has been a great addition to my show and works perfectly.

I was thrilled that photographer Harry Purdom was able to join me at Bletchley Park to document my show. Harry worked with me last year and we were able to produce a flicker book video using his photos while I sang “Long Ago and Far Away”

Out and About before the Show!

as the sound track. It’s my intention to produce “The Girl in the Little Green Hat” later this year although trying to get the shots on Saturday wasn’t easy. The sun was very intense and it wasn’t until later in the day when the sun started to go down we were able to get the shots we were after.

It’s been an extraordinary summer with soaring temperatures and endless sunshine. I’m investing a lot in my photography this year and tomorrow I’m off up to Mountsorrel, Leicester to perform at Stonehurst Farm and Motor Museum’s 1940s

Inside Bletchley Park!

Event. Unfortunately Paul is unable to join me this year as he has come down with Streptococcus a nasty ear infection which is effecting his hearing and balance. He’s currently on a course of antibiotics and he’s going to be out of action for a couple of weeks until he is able to heal. It’s really disappointing for him as we had planned to make it a long weekend and we were all set to do a photo shoot on the Monday.

Paul sends his apologies to all of those of you who were looking forward to hearing him sing

Meeting Up with My Friend Rob Bailey!

this weekend and he’s looking forward to catching up with you all when he is better.

We are sending Paul all our good wishes, lots of love and do get well soon xxx.

In the mean-time the show must go on and I will be covering the whole weekend. Here is my itinerary and I hope very much you can all make it along to see me. The event is taking place at Stonehurst Farm and Motor Museum, Bond Lane, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, LE12 7AA and

Enjoying the Grounds!

I shall be performing 3 x 45 minute non repetative costume shows daily plus the Saturday night dance which i shall be performing in two sets from 7pm – 7.45pm & 8.15pm – 9.15pm

Saturday 13th August 11.30am “The Feets in Port Again” – WRNS Show, 1.30pm “Stage & Screen” – Hollywood Glamour, 3.30pm “Stars & Stripes Show” American Songs, 7pm “In the Mood” Saturday Night Dance.

Sunday 14th August 11.30am “Straighten Up

Stonehurst Farm 1940s Event 2022

& Fly Right “- WAAF Show, 1.30pm “Underneath the Arches” Pearly Queen Show, 3.30pm “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” 1940s Glamour. For more info click the link and it will be delightful to see you!

https://www.stonehurstfarm.co.uk/

I shall leave you with a few of Harry’s photos from Bletchley Park.

Keep Following Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉