NEWS PAGE & BLOG


Hello one and all and welcome to my news page. Here you can see me as my two alter egos the ever efficient secretary Prudie Jones, Evette the Spivette and plain old little me as you catch up with all that is current in my world. Regrettably unlike Prudie my spelling is quite frightful at the best of times due to my dyslexia so I shall apologise now for anything which might be shamefully mis-spelt. In the mean time I hope you find this page fun, entertaining and informative and become a regular visitor to my site.

Chat soon & keep reading
Fiona Harrison
A Voice in a Million


Photos From Going 60s with Photographer Angela Adams!

These Boots are Made for Driving!

I know not all of you are able to follow me on Facebook so I thought especially for those of you who prefer to keep up with me through my blog pages I would put up a few of my photos from my 1960s photo shoot I did with Angela Adams in September. I’m still waiting for the USB stick to arrive which will house my whole collection. In the mean time here are a few teases to put you in the mood as I take you back to the Swinging 60s.

I hope you enjoy looking and Thank-you for Following! 😉

The Mad Men Look!

 

60s Chick!

Going Psychedelic!

That Little Yellow Dress!

Pretty in Pink!

Baby Love!


Making the Most of the Driveway Concert Weather!

Getting Set Up for my Show in Lavendon!

Goldfield Road, Tring!

I’m much later than normal this week with my blog as I’ve been busy trying to find a way forward in the current climate. The Autumn and Christmas season is looking bleak as more of my schedule shows fall away. It’s important to keep working and really the only way that can be done is to go into performing virtual shows. Sadly not every-one knows how to zoom and when it comes to the care home market most don’t have the equipment to make virtual zoom shows workable. When you add alzheimer’s and dementia into the mix many residence can find the whole experience too confusing.

I’ve given this a great deal of thought and the one technology every-one can use is a DVD player. All care homes have one, however to produce a DVD product of good enough quality to sell  would require proper investment. The DVD would need to be filmed using a minimum of two or three cameras and ideally I would need to employ a sound recordist too. To make a virtual show interactive the spoken word between songs is key and it’s important that it’s recorded clearly with-out distortion which can often occur if you rely solely on the camera’s microphone alone.

Singing and In Full Swing in Tring!

Speaking to friends who have been trying to do their shows by zoom, it’s often the sound quality which lets them down. This has given me much to think on and I only hope it might be something I can develope. The average persons attention span is nine seconds so for a film dedicated to the care home market to work it would require a considerable amount of editing and possibly subtitles.

Last weekend was the last of my Summer Driveway Concert season and now I’m starting to get requests for Halloween and Christmas. Last weekend was also my birthday and we were so

Dressed for the Autumn Weather!

lucky with the weather as I performed my Saturday show in the village of Lavendon which is just out-side of Olney and Sundays show in Tring. We had a good turn-out for both and oddly enough it was the first time I had had the pleasure of playing in both locations. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather will hold for this week. I have a couple of out-door shows to do still but after that it’s looking a bit hit and miss and I expect many wont go ahead.

That’s all my news for now. Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

 


Back from Danny House & The South Coast Tour!

Out-side Danny House!

Paul Getting Ready to Sound Check!

The seasons are changing rapidly and it’s certainly worrying times ahead as I figure out how I’m going to sing through the winter season as the country continues with its Covid rule of six lock down.  Last weekend was a complete wash out weather wise and I’m keeping my fingers crossed the weather will pick up and improve for next weekends run of Driveway Concerts. These will be my last ones of the season although I have been asked if I will perform my Halloween and Christmas Shows as out-door concerts which may be a way forward.

Had everything  g

Setting Up Our Microphones at Danny House!

one to plan, I would have been singing in Swindon tomorrow for a Masonic Lodge’s centenary. Also Paul and I were booked to perform up in Yorkshire for Pickering’s 1940s “War on the Line” event which should have been taking place this coming weekend. It’s hard to reconcile that this time last year we were flying out to Milan for our shows in Italy. What a difference a year makes and it’s now a case of making the best of it!

Due to the current situation last weeks South Coast tour was reduced from the usual six dates down to just two, once the weather broke, rain made my out-door shows impossible. Fortunately Paul and I had been booked to perform our Big Band and Swing show at  Danny House which was able to go ahead in the Great Hall. A wonderful open space where people can properly socially distance.

Paul and I sang all the Big Band and Swing favorites from Glen Miller, The Andrew Sisters, Benny Goodman, Frank Sinatra and more which went down extremely well with the Danny House audience. I’ve been booked to return next year with my 20th Century and Battle of Britain shows

Out and About with Paul!

which are dates I’m looking forward to very much. All we need now is a vaccine so we can be rid of this horrid Covid-19 and get back to some sort of normality.

This is usually a very busy time of the year for me with events, private parties and the Halloween season, but with the Autumn and Winter weather starting to set in it’s going to get more difficult performing out-side.

Last week Paul and I made the most of having some time together as we took Poppy for long walks and enjoyed lunch at The Cormorant in

Lunch with Poppy at The Cormorant!

Portchester. As for the future these are very uncertain times. In theory I’m fully booked for the year but in this current climate anything could happen, so watch this space and I shall keep you posted.

It’s my Birthday on Saturday and I’m praying for good weather as I perform the last of my Driveway Concerts. I’m hoping in the next few days I will receive my photos from the 1960s Angela Adams photo shoot I did in September, which will be something to look forward to.

In the mean time stay safe, toodle pip and bye for now! 😉

Poppy Waiting for Lunch to Arrive!

 

 


Remembering the Battle of Britain to Photographing The Swinging 60s!

Dressed up for My Battle of Britain Concert!

On Stage at the Crescent in Pitstone!

Gosh it’s been all change this week what with Boris Johnson’s latest announcement and the bringing in of more Covid-19 restrictions! As a result the Vintage Car rally I was booked to perform in Dunstable this Saturday has been put on hold until next year. However on the plus side as soon as I received the news, I was able to fill the date within the space of a few hours with a Driveway Concert.  So this Saturday you can catch me on stage at 3pm in Leighton Buzzard performing at Phoenix Close and on Sunday I shall be in Aston Clinton at Hyde Street singing all those wonderful songs from the 1940s, 50s, 60s & 70s.

As long as people socially distance and stay in family groups of no more than six watching me from their driveways, all is well. My Driveway Concerts are the one form of live entertainment which can go ahead which doesn’t break the rules. I’m the only entertainer I know who has been able to keep working this way and thank you to everyone for your wonderful support and encouragement.

The seasons are changing quickly and despite the beautiful weather this week the Autumn is

Barry Out-side his House with Joe’s Jeep!

coming on fast. When I’m out running I see more conkers on the ground which when I was a child was a treasured possession. I used to make them into bracelets and necklaces and my brother would play with them at school. I’m not sure if children would even know how to play conkers these days. They seem far more interested in their mobile phones than the wonders of nature which come free.

With a bit of luck I’m hoping I will be able to keep my driveway concerts running through to the second week of October before the weather changes. Paul and I should have been performing

On Stage at Old Farm in Pitstone!

in Pickering for the 1940s event on the 9th, 10th & 11th October but due to the Covid restrictions our booking has been rolled over to 2021.

We have been enjoying glorious weather and last Saturday I performed a special “Battle of Britain” Concert for the residence at The Crescent in Pitstone. Initially I had been booked to sing for a private party, but with the change in the guidelines, the party wasn’t able to go ahead. I streamed my concert live on Facebook and to my astonishment it has had over 2000 views to date and rising. Of course this year was the 80th

Mondays Battle of Britain Show in Halton!

anniversary of The Battle of Britain and we had a fantastic turnout as all the local residents came along with their folding chairs to watch my show. My friend Joe who lives just around the corner brought his WW2 jeep, making for a fantastic back drop as our hosts Barry and Sue decorated their house in patriotic flags.

The following day, once again I performed in Pitstone at Old Farm as the cul-de-sac came out to see me. I sang all the favourites from ABBA to Marie Lloyd and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing communities coming together through music.

Getting that 1960s Look!

On Monday I was also able to squeeze in a Battle of Britain Show at short notice in Halton. The weather conditions were perfect as I sang the theme tune from “Dam Busters” and “Those Magnificent men in their Flying Machines”.

I believe in making the most of every opportunity and back in August you may remember me telling you I performed a Driveway Concert in the village of Cottisford for a Vintage Vehicle Club. Two of the members have cars from the 1960s – an MG and a Jag – I’ve always felt I had something of a hole

Shooting the Fashions of the 1960s!

in my photographic library when it comes to documenting the 1960s.

The Covid restrictions has made my work ever-changeable and when it comes to arranging out-door shoots I usually like to arrange them for the months of May and September. These are the months where the light is just right. To begin with I couldn’t get the dates to marry up but then at the last minute I managed to get everything to click together and yesterday we were able to go ahead with the shoot.

The Audrey Hepburn Look!

I was a little worried about the weather with the temperature drop and rain predicted but fortunately we were lucky.  My friends David and Anna gave us permission to shoot in their paddock as their friends Peter and John brought along their beautiful cars.

I’m certainly not short of vintage clothes and for this shoot I wanted to chart all the different styles of the 1960s from the Mad men office look, glamour party girl, white boots and the mini to the late 60s/70s psychedelic look. I did this using six out-fits. I confess I don’t often appear on stage

Going Psychedelic!

in mini skirts but I have all the clothes should the show require it which was why I wanted to make the most of this opportunity.

Mini skirts aren’t the easiest thing to photograph if you want the shots to look flattering which is why it’s often best to employ a women photographer. One lady photographer I’ve worked with on many occasion is Angela Adams. She has an excellent eye and I’m looking forward very much to seeing the photos which will be me as you’ve never seen me before.

Despite yesterdays wind I wore my hair down for some of the shot which will give me a more natural look. Normally I’m in the hair dresses for hours before hand but I hope by wearing my hair down this look will be more compatible with the 1960s.

Next week I’m working away on tour along the south cost and

In the 60s style!

although three of the dates aren’t able to go ahead the other three dates are. Paul will be working with me on Monday night as we perform our Big Band and Swing Show “In the Mood” at Danny House and then I’m in Brighton the next day.

Thank-you for following, Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Loose Hair and White Boots!

 


Wycombe Museum, Manor Road to the Battle of Britain!

On Stage in Manor Road!

Bringing Manor Road  Together Through Music!

Getting Set Up at Wycombe Museum!

Wycombe Museum!

Although we are all living through difficult times it’s still very much business as usual, what ever usual might be which is forever changing. I have so many crossing outs and re written in shows in my diary that it’s hard to keep track. However last weekend was a dream. Not only did we have fantastic weather  but I had the pleasure of performing in two new locations, Toddington and on the Sunday I was at Wycombe Museum. I also managed to perform two “Last Night of the Proms” concerts which tied in with the 12th September.

My Saturday Toddington show was a Driveway Concert and it was wonderful to see the whole community coming together. The last real opportunity before we all have to go back to bubble groups of six. It was my first time in Toddington where to date my Driveway Concerts have centered around Leighton Buzzard, Mentmore, Pitstone and Wendover. Naturally I performed all the favorites and my audience was extremely appreciative. So thank-you to every-one who came to see me in Manor Road it was wonderful to sing for you all.

On Sunday I had been booked to perform “The Magic of the Musicals” at Wycombe Museum which is literally just around the corner from Hughenden Manor. Oddly enough I was at Hughenden Manor exactly one year ago performing for The National Trust’s 1940s event so it’s strange how fate can turn.

The Magic of the Musicals!

After the Show is Over!

Due to Covid the museum and tea room is currently closed to the public but the grounds are open and it’s possible to buy teas and cakes which are served through the hatch which can be eaten and enjoyed in the garden. While I was there a lot of people brought their picnic rugs and sat out on the lawn watching my show.

A lot of work goes into all my show plans and it’s important to get a good balance of music covering all the different decades. I found that during my Wycombe  show audiences seemed to enjoy my Disney songs and modern musicals most of all with a couple of requests for “The Greatest Showman”.

I thought it was high time I saw the musical and I watched it all the way through on DVD for the first time last week. Prior to this point I had seen a few of the songs on You Tube but the music never caught me. However when I watch “The Greatest Showman” in context I really enjoyed it. I remember the original score from the musical “Barnum” really well when I saw it back in the 1980s with Micheal Crawford in the title role. I have also sung from the show so it was interesting to have a new take on the story. Although I confess I found Jenny Lind a little annoying. She was the most highly regarded opera singer for her day and having her songs depicted as poppy power ballads did great a little.

Last Tuesday it was Battle of Britain day so perhaps not surprisingly that’s been the theme for this weeks shows. Tomorrow I’m in High Wycombe and then on Saturday I shall be performing my Driveway Battle of Britain Concert in Pitstone with another Driveway show scheduled for Sunday too. Battle of Britain shows continue through to Tuesday and then all being well I shall be performing for Dunstable Town Council’s Vintage Motor Rally the following Saturday songs from the 1930s through to the 1970s. With a bit of luck I might even be going back to the 1960s on Thursday but that’s another

Dressed to Perform my Battle of Britain Show!

story and I shall keep you posted.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

 


Earthquakes in Leighton Buzzard, Proms & the Rule of Six!

Consider Yourself at Home!

Stirling Place, Pitstone!

What a week it’s been! As ever I’ve been working hard performing my Driveway Concerts, making the most of the good weather, not to mention surviving earthquakes in Leighton Buzzard!

Yes you did read my blog correctly, an earthquake in Leighton Buzzard, which measured 3.3 on the richter scale hit us at 9.45 am on Tuesday morning. The epicentre was 3km north west of the town at a depth of 10 km and after the tremors many took to social media to report feeling shaking as far as Milton Keynes and High Wycombe. My cat Tigger was terrified but fortunately it was soon over and didn’t last for long as we all got on with the rest of our day.

It’s still a difficult time trying to sort out which shows are  going ahead and which ones will be put on hold due to Covid – 19. I have so many crossing outs in my diary and rewritten in shows that I hardly know if I’m coming or going. My driveway Concerts have been a life line and then yesterday the government announced the rule of six to limit households to no more than six people at any-one time in a house or garden. It’s still something of a grey area but I think I will be able to go ahead with my Driveway Concerts as long as people

On Stage in Weston Turville!

socially distance and stay in their family bubbles of no more than six at any-one time. I’m anxious to make the most of the good weather before we hit the late Autumn where the cold will make it too difficult to continue.

This weekend I’m fully booked with the run up to the Last night of the Proms. Today I was in Stoke Hammond performing my Proms concert and tomorrow I shall be performing Proms as a Driveway Concert for the residence at Laburnham Court in Leighton Buzzard. On Saturday I’m over to Toddington and then on Sunday I’ve been booked to perform “The Magic

Setting Up in Pitstone!

of the Musicals” at Wycombe Museum which I’m really looking forward to. I have a fantastic program planned and this will be my first show at the museum. I’ve been booked to sing 2 x 45 minute sets starting at 2pm and I will be including songs from My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, Oliver, Grease, South Pacific and more, so can’t wait.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of performing in Pitstone at Stirling Place and also in Weston Turville. Both shows went extremely well and thank-you to everybody who came along to see them. I shall leave you with a couple of photos from the weekend and thank-you for following!

Toodle Pip! 😉


Part Two – Off to Poole Pottery, Kingston Lacy & My Bank Holiday Driveway Concerts!

Out and About on The Bournemouth Tour Bus!

Driveway Concert at Columba Drive!

Welcome back to the second part of my holiday blog from Bournemouth which this time took me on the Circle Line Bus Tour to Poole and a special trip to the National Trust property of Kingston Lacy in the town of Winborne Minster.

Another Leighton Buzzard Driveway Concert!

From On Top of the Bus!

But more on that in a minute. Firstly I’d like to thank everyone who came to my Leighton Buzzard Driveway Concerts over the August Bank holiday. The weather was a bit hit and miss on the Saturday at Johnson Drive, but as the weekend progressed the weather got better. By the Monday we couldn’t have asked for more better weather! For those of you who follow me on Facebook, I expect you have already seen my video of Monday’s show which I streamed live from Columba Drive.

This Saturday I shall be performing

Enjoying Poole Pottery!

Poole Museum!

in Pitstone at Stirling Place and on Sunday I shall be in Weston Turville at School Road. So if you happen to be in the area it will be delightful to see you. I perform my Driveway Concerts at 3pm and for the moment I’m still performing a mixed show of music. Next week I will be starting on my Proms Concerts with the run up to the last night. So keep following my social media pages for the latest news.

Windswept at Poole Harbour!

Visiting Kingston Lacy!

Last Tuesday the weather took a turn for the worse as the rain and gale force winds came in overnight! My mother decided to stay in the hotel but I, not wishing to waste any of my holiday time, decided to take a trip on the Circle Line Bus Tour which leaves every hour from the centre of Bournemouth. It seemed like the best idea under the circumstances and by the afternoon the sun came out even though the wind remained strong.

The bus tour lasts for an hour and a half and it’s a fun way to see Bournemouth,  especially listening to the commentary and the jolly Bournemouth song which was extremely entertaining (but not necessarily for the reasons initially intended).

I decided to get off at Poole to see a few of the sights which included Poole pottery and the museum.

Like all companies, Poole Pottery has had an interesting history. It was originally founded in 1873. Jesse Carter purchased the “T. W. Walker Patent Encaustic and Mosaic Ornamental Brick and Tile Manufactory” from a bankrupt James Walker, who had established the business on the East Quay in 1861. Fortunately the name was not retained and the company became “Carter and Co.” In these early days the factory produced tiles and architectural ceramics for the burgeoning interior design market.

Carter’s son, Owen, was responsible for introducing ornamental and tablewares into the range during the early 1900’s, experimenting with lustre glazes and working with designers such as James Radley Young. This work was disrupted by the first world war, however, and following Owen’s death in 1919, new leadership was required.

After the war the restrictions on commercial pottery manufacture remained until 1952, although ornamental exports were allowed and a revised tableware range “Twintone” was deemed acceptable. John Adams and Truda Carter both retired in 1950, however, and another era began following the appointment of Alfred Read as head of design.

In February 2007 Lifestyle Holdings, owners of Royal Stafford, acquired Poole Pottery. This did not include the factory, and gift-ware production which was transferred to the Royal Stafford factory in Burslem in Staffordshire.

Although it seems slightly odd that Poole is now being made in the Midlands, the new owners have retained and developed the design characteristics of Poole and, lead by Head of Design Andrew Tanner, have recently introduced some attractive new patterns.

While I was in Poole I visited the Quay Shop which has a small studio section and lots of pots which catalogue the many Poole designs throughout the decades. At one time my father’s relatives worked for Poole Pottery and we have examples at home, so it was fascinating to see the development in design through the ages. While I was in town, I also visited Poole Museum which has an interesting collection of maritime history before I had to make it back on the bus.

For the last day of our holiday my mother and I visited Kingston Lacy. It was for many years the family seat of the Bankes family who lived nearby at Corfe Castle until its destruction in the English Civil War after its incumbent owners, Sir John

Inside the Library!

Bankes and Dame Mary, had remained loyal to Charles 1.

The house was built between 1663 and 1665 by Ralph Bankes, son of Sir John Bankes, to a design by the architect Sir Roger Pratt. It is a rectangular building with two main storeys, attics and basement, modelled on Chevening in Kent. The gardens and parkland were laid down at the same time, including some of the specimen trees that remain today. Various additions and alterations were made to the house over the years and the estate remained in the ownership of the Bankes family from the 17th to the late 20th century.

My Mother Enjoying the Beautiful Paintings!

In 1958 the house was designated as a Grade I listed building. The house was bequeathed to the National Trust in 1982 after the death of Henry John Ralph Bankes, along with Corfe Castle.

We were very lucky with our visit as the weather had improved considerably and with the Covid restrictions we could only sit outside with the coffee shop indoor seating closed to visitors. I adore looking around stately homes and Kingston Lacy isn’t too large. It has a wealth of beautiful paintings and lovely grounds to explore which I thoroughly enjoyed.

Out-side in the Gardens!

Now our holiday is over it’s back to business as usual as I continue with my Driveway Concerts and try and make the best of the Autumn season. Quite how the Autumn and Winter season is going to pan out I don’t know, but like many entertainers I’m taking one day at a time and praying for good weather, so I can continue to perform outside for as long as I can.

Thank you for following. Toodle pip and Bye for now! 😉

 

 


Part One – Bournemouth – The Russell Cotes Museum & A Cavalcade of Costume!

I Do Like to Be Beside The Seaside!

Our Bournemouth Hotel The Cumberland!

My Mother and I Dinning at The Cumberland!

Hello everyone. As you can see I’m back from Bournemouth after my mother and I made the most of our six days away. I’m now rushing to type up my blog between my bank holiday shows, which is why I’ve decided to split my Bournemouth blogs into two parts. It’s important to make hay while the sun shines and 2020 has been a topsy-turvy year to say the least. Nothing has quite gone to plan so to have a few days away was a real treat.

It’s been a year or two since I was last in Bournemouth. I often pop in from time to time with it being such a popular destination for entertainers such as myself. I’ve performed at many of the hotels and on this occasion my mother and I had booked to stay at The Cumberland – a beautiful Art Deco Hotel over looking the sea. It was built in the 1930s and sits on Over Cliff Drive which is a great place to go jogging in the morning which I made the most of.

The last time I sang at The Cumberland was for a Masonic Function back in the early naughties and it is just as I remembered it. It’s always a bit of a squeeze to get into the car park, but fortunately we were lucky and it was lovely to have a complete break from work. Our holiday was all about having a rest although we decided to take in a few of the sights which included The Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum which was just a short walk from our hotel and the costume Museum at Blandford Forum.

I love Victorian and Pre-Raphaelite Art and the Russell Cotes Museum houses a wonderful collection. The museum has an interesting history which you can read about below.

The Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum!

In 1901 Merton Russell-Cotes gave his wife Annie a dream house which he had built on a cliff-top, overlooking the sea at Bournemouth. It was an extraordinary, extravagant birthday present – lavish, splendid, and with a touch of fantasy.  They filled this exotic seaside villa with beautiful objects from their travels across the world, and lined the walls with a remarkable collection of British art, creating a unique atmosphere in a most dramatic setting. They bought the Bath Hotel on Christmas Day 1876 and later extended and extensively refurbished it, re-opening it as the Royal Bath Hotel in 1880.

Inside East Cliff Hall!

From 1884, the couple travelled extensively visiting Australasia, America, India, the Near East, Egypt, the Pacific Islands and Japan, collecting artwork and souvenirs. The resulting collections were displayed throughout the hotel’s public and private rooms, which gained a reputation for being an art gallery and museum. Many famous guests stayed at the hotel including the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), Oscar Wilde, actor Sir Henry Irving, artist, Sir Hubert Von Herkomer and Sir Benjamin Disraeli.

Eventually the collections outgrew the hotel and in 1897, the couple commissioned the unique and

Enjoying the Pre-Raphaelite Paintings!

eccentric East Cliff Hall. The house (now a Grade II Listed Building) reflects Moorish, Japanese and French decorative styles alongside contemporary Victorian design. The interiors provide a context for their extensive collections of artefacts, furnishings, sculpture and paintings. Completed in 1901, East Cliff Hall was one of the last Victorian villas to be built in the town.

My mother has visited the Russell Cotes Museum many times, but for me this was my first visit, but it wont be my last. Despite having to wear a mask during these Covid times it didn’t spoil our enjoyment and afterwards we had tea in the café.

Looking Around the Museum!

I was curious to see if there were any works of art still hanging in the Royal Bath Hotel, but sadly not. I think Merton and Annie would be very sorry to see how the Royal Bath Hotel looks today which is a poor reflection on how smart it must have been during their life times.

Times are changing and it was sad to see The Pavilion Theatre closed and many of the shop units opposite empty. Paul and I were at The Pavilion a few years ago when we saw in the new year. Despite the Covid changes there are still artisans selling their wares which is always delightful to see, and Bournemouth still has one

Out-side the Museum!

or two smart shops hidden away if you care to look – my favourite is “Imelda’s wardrobe” which sells the most divine shoes. Needless to say I couldn’t resist!

On Monday my mother and I ventured over to Blandford Forum to the Fashion Museum. This was my third visit as I first discovered the Museum by chance in the late 90s coming back from a show. The Blandford Fashion Museum is completely run by volunteers and you are always guaranteed a wonderful welcome. It’s located in Lime Tree House and was founded in 1996 by the

A Cavalcade of Costume at Blandford Forum!

late Mrs. Betty Penny MBE. The house is a beautiful Georgian property  built by John and William Bastard after the town’s Great Fire in 1731.

Mrs. Penny’s collection of costumes, known locally as the Cavalcade of Costume, form the nucleus of the present collection. However, since then the collection has almost trebled in size and continues to grow thanks to generous donations from the public.

The Arts Council gave the Museum accredited status in 2010, and renewed it in 2015. The last

Edwardian Fashion!

time I visited the Museum was 12 years ago so it was wonderful for us to see the collections again; this year featured the 1940s and Land Army to tie in with the 75th VE & VJ Day commemorations.

So often when I visit these places I’m just passing through but on this occasion my mother and I had more time to look as there is always plenty to see and we wanted to make the most of our holiday. In my next blog I shall tell you about our visit to Kingston Lacy at Wimborne Minster and my trip on the Bournemouth Circle Line Tour Bus.

Fashions from the 1940s

In the meantime I’ve been performing everyday over the August bank holiday with my Driveway Concerts which this weekend have taken me to Johnson Drive, Blakedown Road and Columba Drive – all around Leighton Buzzard. Next weekend I shall be in Pitstone and Weston Turville plus I have shows to perform during the week, as long as the weather stays bright. I shall leave you with a few pictures from Bournemouth with more news to follow in my next blog.

Keep Following. Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Red Shoes from the 1920s!

 


Back to Top