Rule Britannia!

Working on the Wizard of Oz!

This week I’ve been busy out and about performing Driveway Concerts and yesterday I had the privilege of being back in the recording studio for the first time in ages. Perhaps not surprisingly all the musical arrangements I had planned for this year had to be put on hold due to the pandemic. So yesterday was a real treat to catch up with Richard after so long and get back into the swing of things with the “The Wizard of Oz”.

I think having a rest from the normal and working differently has really been good for me. When I last saw Richard before lockdown I couldn’t quite get my head around the arrangement but now I’ve had time to think, the fog has lifted and I know exactly how I want Richard to put the medley together. A great deal of thought goes into my tracks and I pride myself on my musical arrangements. I’m very lucky to have someone of Richard’s calibre working with me, and over the years we have covered it all from Pacini to Rock and Roll.

It’s not easy trying to sing and breathe with a mask on, but when I’m at the recording studio it’s more about how music is going to go together rather than producing a wonderful sound.

On Stage at Willowbank Walk!

I can’t think of anything more exiting than a new musical arrangement. With the advances in technology, music just gets better and better – especially when you are working with talented people. Last year I commissioned Richard to produce the track “Feed the Birds” from the musical Mary Poppins. It’s phenomenal, and impossible to tell apart from the original.

This Wizard of Oz medley will tick a lot of boxes for me and if everything goes to plan I hope to have it ready to sing on the 15th & 16th August, when Paul and I play at Stonehurst Farm in Mountsorrel for their 1940s Weekend. I think Stonehurst Farm will be the first open 1940s event of the year, since the pandemic. Although numbers will be greatly reduced and everyone will have to abide by the social distancing rules, Paul and I are looking forward to the event very much. We are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather, and this year Poppy will be joining us on the farm too.

Singing in Almond Road!

I’m not sure how much of a showbiz dog she is but Poppy is certainly cute enough to play the role of Toto. We hope she enjoys the change of scenery and being with us on the farm. Who knows, she may even become part of the act! What is it they say “never work with children and animals”!?

Last Friday I performed the first of my Prom Concerts in Bedford (which went extremely well), followed by two Driveway Concerts in Leighton Buzzard at Willowbank Walk and Almond Road. Last weekend we were really fortunate with the weather and this weekend is looking good too. I don’t formally start the Proms season until the

Getting My Hair Colour Back on Track with Kim!

end of August / early September but it’s good to have the opportunity to sing these songs now in time for the last night.

This Saturday I shall be performing at The Parish Clerks House in the Oxfordshire village of Cottisford, and on Sunday I will be at 7 Castle Close in Pitstone as I continue with my Driveway Concerts. I hope to be back in the recording studio next Wednesday to pick up The Wizard of Oz which I’m looking forward to performing very much. In the meantime I shall leave you with a shot of me in the hairdressers, as Kim works on getting my hair colour back on track for Summer, and I crack on with my show plans for Stonehurst Farm.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

On Stage in Lime Ave!

Zina’s Birthday Tea!

This week I’ve been cracking on with my Driveway Concerts adapting to the weather and rescheduling where needed. On Saturday I had two shows scheduled in, but due to the weather, I was able to reschedule my earlier show in Leighton Buzzard to the August Bank Holiday.  My later show was for a 95th Birthday party in Wendover and although the weather made it impossible for me to perform in the street. Fortunately I was able to scale back and re-locate into a beautiful conservatory where we could all socially distance, albeit with reduced numbers.

It was Zina’s 95th birthday and I had been engaged to performed a selection of songs from the 1940s and Hollywood movie musicals. They certainly don’t write songs like that any more and all my numbers went down extremely well with the family, especially with Zina who had something of a crush on Howard Keel back in the day!

By Sunday the weather had improved as I performed in Limes Ave in Aylesbury. Once again it was a special occasion as the street came out with their folding chairs to celebrate two

The Show Must Go On What Ever the Weather!

birthdays – Valerie’s 82nd and Tilly’s 14th. On this occasion I sang a selection of songs which included all the old favourites from Grease, ABBA, Disney to Rock and Roll. At one moment we did have a few spots of rain but thanks to Herbie’s quick thinking, held up an umbrella over my equipment and battled against the wind before the bad weather blew over.

Now I’m back in the office I’m catching up with a few loose ends. I’m still waiting to hear if ‘Proms in the Park’ will be going ahead this year along with a few other Summer and Autumn events I have in the diary. In many cases I won’t know for

My Score to The Wizard of Oz!

sure until the very last minute as a lot depends on the local authorities. Although everyone is keen to get back to work and for events to resume, there is still a lot of uncertainty. Fortunately I’m in the lucky position where I have a plan B and my Driveway Concerts are as popular as ever.

This Friday I start on the first of my Proms Concerts in Bedford, and then I will be returning to Leighton Buzzard for the weekend to perform some more Driveway Concerts at Willowbank Walk and Almond Road.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my future shows and the music I want to put into production. I’m planning to be back in the recording studio on Monday with Richard to talk about my new “Wizard of Oz” arrangement. The last time I met with Richard was in the new year and at that time I couldn’t quite get my head around the arrangement. Now I’ve had time to think

Shopping in my Mask Have Accessory!

I have a clear idea of how I would like the medley to click together. I had thought we were going to run the session through using Facetime and perhaps if Richard had been able to get hold of the same “Wizard of Oz” score as mine we could have done that. There currently aren’t any copies available in the UK so this will require a meet up, although we will be working from opposite ends of the studio.

As we all get used to wearing masks in the shops I was thrilled to receive my custom made ‘Mask Have Accessory’ this week from my friend Chantal Mallett. Usually Chantal makes bespoke wedding dresses but during the pandemic she’s turned her hand to making beautiful masks. So, if like me you fancy something a little more glamorous from the norm, do check out her website. They are so well made and I love wearing mine.

http://www.maskhaveaccessory.uk

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

On Stage at Ashwell Street!

The Magic of the Musicals at Laburnum Court!

It’s been a full action packed week combining my original scheduled shows with Driveway Concerts. It’s encouraging to see life getting back to a new kind of normal with clients starting to feel confident to book future shows again. It’s been an extraordinary time but on the plus side my Driveway Concerts have made me visible to a whole new client base which in turn has brought new business.

Entertaining at Rowden Farm Barns!

Last Friday I had the pleasure of performing the “Magic of the Musicals” at Laburnum Court and then on Saturday I had two back-to-back Driveway Concerts in Ashwell Street and Fyne Drive. On Sunday I made my way over to Rowden Farm Barns in Mentmore, where we couldn’t have wished for better weather. All of my shows have been extremely well received and it’s fantastic to see communities coming together and getting united through music. For my Ashwell Show the community built me a stage which was wonderful.

Today I had a show in Royston and yesterday I had an appointment at the Wycombe Museum. The Museum is set in lovely grounds and is just down the road from Hughenden Manor right in the heart of High Wycombe. Although the museum is still closed to visitors the grounds are open and I shall be performing an outdoor concert there in September with “The Magic of the Musicals”, which I’m looking forward to very much.

Shuttleworth has also opened up again for air shows where people can watch from their cars, although I believe the museum is still closed to visitors. I’m still waiting to hear if the museum will be open for the Vintage Air Show on the 6th September which is when I’ve been booked to sing. Things are also looking very encouraging

All Set to Rock and Roll!

for August with Stonehurst Farm in Mountsorrel wishing to go ahead with their 1940s event. With the social distancing laws, numbers will be greatly reduced and it will be a pre-booked ticketed event, so a little different from before. I’ve learnt from experience to take one day at a time as anything could happen between now and then, but Paul and I are keeping everything crossed as we have some terrific shows planned.

In the meantime I’ve been thinking a lot about music and all the arrangements I want to get into production. The world keeps turning and despite the lockdown it’s important to stay on top of things. The other day I managed to find online an original copy of the Vera Lynn song “Be like the Kettle and Sing”. I’ve been wanting to perform this number for years but until now I’ve not been able to get hold of the sheet music.

Be like the Kettle and Sing!

This song is very British and was written by Tommie Connor, Walter Ridley and Desmond O’Connor. You could say it’s very similar in style to Noel Gay’s “Me and My Girl”. The song is bright and carefree which perhaps is just what we all need during this strange time.

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

Driveway Concert at Fallowfeild!

The world is turning and times are changing as we all do our best to adjust to the new normal. Today I was thrilled to have my first hair appointment in months as Kim set to work on my colour and gave me a trim. It’s good to feel a little more like myself as I strive to get my look back after so long. I feel my hair has lost something of it’s beauty during the lockdown and it was wonderful to spend a few hours today at the hairdressers being pampered.

It’s still very much business as usual and I have a busy week ahead combining my scheduled shows with Driveway Concerts. Yesterday I had the

Hair Beautiful!

pleasure of performing on a bridge over a large pond in a beautiful garden in Beaconsfield. Tomorrow I’m in Aylesbury with my “Hooray for Hollywood” show and then on Friday I shall be singing the “Magic of the Musicals” in Leighton Buzzard. I have a busy weekend ahead with two back-to-back Driveway Concerts on Saturday and one on Sunday, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather.

My Proms seasons is starting shortly with many clients looking for that Last Night of the Proms experience. With the lockdown I can offer an alternative without clients having to worry about booking a socially distanced orchestra.  Every year I like to run through my songs, especially Rule Britannia, as it’s easy to mix up the verses and it’s important I get it right along with all those other patriotic favourites.

Singing from the Bridge in Beaconsfield!

I’ve been thinking a lot about music lately and the numbers I want to put into production. I’m currently working on “The Wizard of Oz” which I would like to have made into a medley. I’m often singing songs in my head while I’m out running – thinking about musical combinations. “The Wizard of Oz” will tick a lot of boxes with Halloween coming up and also offer something

V for Victory Brooch!

fresh for Christmas and my 1940s shows. Although restrictions are being lifted I still think it’s unlikely that any 1940s events will go ahead this year. I’m still holding out for August’s Stonehurst Farm event and I’m waiting to hear back from Pickering. We all live in hope but realistically I think it would be safer to write this year off and start a fresh in 2021.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of performing a Driveway Concert in Fallowfield as members from the local Rock and Roll group came and danced to my music. I performed Rock and Roll and Swing tunes from the 1940s, 50s & 60s and included the Chuck Berry number “Roll Over Beethoven”.

Happy Birthday Tigger!

Most of my dates for the summer have gone now although with regards to my originally contracted events anything could happen. It’s very much a

case of taking one day at a time, and hoping a vaccine for Covid-19 can be developed soon.

On a brighter note I’ve taken to buying more things online. Earlier this week my 1940s original V for Victory brooch arrived from America. It took a month to get here and I was so thrilled to receive it. Now we all must wear masks in shops the shopping experience won’t be the same. I’ve also ordered a 1940s suit from America which I’m really excited about. It’s so thrilling to receive something in the post you’ve been waiting ages for, which brightens the day.

That’s all my news, except my cat Tigger had his 8th birthday on Friday. Stay Safe, Keep Well, Toodle Pip and thanks for Following!

Out for Tea in Southsea!

I’m sorry my blog is a little later than normal this week but if you have been following me on Facebook you will see I’ve just returned from spending a few lovely days away with Paul in Hampshire. It’s great to see things slowly starting to get back to normal and with lockdown it’s been ages since Paul and I were able to spend some quality time together. The 4th July was Poppy’s 11th Birthday so as soon as I finished my show on Saturday I made my way down to Portsmouth to be with Paul and Poppy.

It’s been such a treat to be able to pop into a café for tea while out walking and we certainly made

Paul enjoying his Fruit Tart!

the most of our time together as we visited Southsea and Lyndhurst in the New Forest. We decided to take a picnic with us to the New Forest, only we got ambushed by the wild ponies who decided to help themselves to our apples. After a bit of a drive around it was certainly safer in the antique shop and Mad Hatters Tea Rooms in Lyndhurst as we made the most of our new freedoms with the lockdown restrictions being less rigid than they were.

Now I’m home, it’s back to work and good to see more of my customers opening up to outside

Packing Up From My Driveway Concert in Babbage Grove!

performances. I’m still continuing with my Driveway Concerts and once again I’m booked up for this week. Last weekend I was in Babbage Grove. Tomorrow I’m performing a Big Band & Sing, Rock and Roll Show in Fallowfield. Then on Sunday I’m in Meadow Way performing for a Birthday. With many of the larger events cancelled for 2020 I had a few weekend slots available. I put my available dates up on Facebook and yesterday I was inundated with offers which means I’ve now filled my Summer!

Restrictions are being lifted and I have a couple of events I’m keeping my fingers crossed will be able to go ahead, although it’s still early days and I

Out in the New Forest!

like to make sure I have a plan B, just in case.

With the shops reopening I decided it was high time to invest in a couple of new pairs of running shoes. I needed a new pair before lockdown but I was unable to get to the shops in time. So last Thursday I made it over to Milton Keynes to “Up and Running”. It’s quite an art buying the right running shoes as the assistant checks your running style and gate. On this occasion I splashed out on two new pairs as my gym shoes dated back to the 1990s. I’m ashamed to admit that I bought them when I was working out in Japan. I can’t

Happy Birthday Poppy!

believe that was 1993 – older than the lady who served me who was born in 2000!

I’ve been running a lot during lockdown and I often like to be out for an hour everyday which enables me to do eight to ten laps around my local park. It’s helped me to tone up and lose a little weight which is so important.

Another of my projects has been working on a 1940s capsule collection. Earlier this year I purchased a black and white Lilli Ann suit which inspired my imagination. It needed to be altered

Trying Out My New Trainers!

as I had it tailored to fit my figure. I’ve just had a red blouse and matching trousers made so I can interchange and mix and match it in my wardrobe. The colour inspiration came from a 1940s Bakelite maple leaf brooch I had, which I plan to wear next year when I sing at Bretteville l’Orgueilleuse. Bretteville made up part of the Juno Canadian sector during D-Day.

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

My Old Running Shoes Ready for the Bin!

On Stage in Mentmore!

What can I say about last week! I’ve never known it so hot as temperatures climbed and my shows played on through the heatwave and later through the wind and the rain which followed. Luckily three out of my four originally scheduled shows went ahead and by the weekend I continued with my Driveway concerts. On Saturday I played in Aylesbury  for Armed Forces Day and later that afternoon I came back to Leighton Buzzard, changed costume and sang in Miles Avenue songs from the 1940s, 50s and 60s. I really enjoyed this concert as I had been asked to include plenty of Rock and Roll, Lindy Hop tunes for people to dance to which they did.

It’s great when every-thing goes to plan but by the time we came to Saturday the weather changed from hot to unsettled. In some ways I was quite relieved as I had been dreading the thought of wearing my ATS uniform in a heatwave. Temperatures dropped and the rain came in but fortunately it

Slightly Windswept in Burcott!

had been arranged for me to sing from a marque. By the afternoon the rain had subsided but the wind lifted and for one heart stopping moment I had to change computers when the wind caught my table cloth hitting the key pad of my computer causing a glitch. Oddly enough the wind caught my song on the beat taking it back to beginning and nobody even noticed as I sang through regardless and every-one continued to dance.

Phew – that was a close one!

By Sunday the weather was still a little hit and miss but as we say “the show must go on” and I had been booked to play in the village of Burcott

La vie en Rose!

in Wing. Burcott High Street is like a country lane and to it’s advantage it very sheltered. On Sunday there was still a lot of wind but in Burcott you wouldn’t have known. The rain come in just as I was about to set up so I delayed the show by an hour and sang at 4pm. This was the right decision and we all had a wonderful afternoon. Residences brought their chairs and closed off the lane as I sang a selection of songs from the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s which included Vera Lynn and Edith Piaf.

It had been my intention to film both of these shows but I was a concerned my phone might blown off the tripod again so i thought better of it.

We are living through extraordinary times and I’ve been enjoying the challenges that the lock down has brought, adapting my shows to suit family audiences and visiting new places. This is the new normal and at the moment I’m waiting for the good weather to return. This Saturday I’ve been requested to perform in Babbage Grove and I’m keeping my fingers crossed the rain will stay away. I should also like to have a few days away and catch up with Paul before getting back to work next week with my Stars and Stripes Show and more Rock and Roll.

That’s all my news for now and I shall leave you with a few photos. Sadly I forgot to take any shots on Armed Forces Day and in Miles Ave but I shall leave you with a great photo which was sent to me by Michelle Spicer at my “We’ll Meet Again” show in Mentmore on the 20th.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉