Welcome to Chelsea Hospital!

As you can see after a busy week I’m back at my desk burning the midnight oil keeping you all up to date with my latest news. I don’t mind admitting to Blog once a week as I do is a serous commitment. With my dyslexia it usually takes me between three to four hours to write a blog and often I don’t get to bed before 2am. Social media is now the life blood of being a performer and it’s important I keep you all up to date with whats happening and where I’m going. So do keep following my news as a lot of work goes into what I write and it’s lovely to hear when I’m out and about that you follow me.

Out-side the Hospital!

In fact September is exceptionally busy and I have much to write. Once again I’m fully booked for the month and today I’ve been performing the first of my WAAF shows with the run up to Battle of Britain week and all the celebrations to commemorate the RAF centenary. Today I’ve been working down in Camberley, tomorrow I’m in Abingdon then Peterborough on Wednesday, Woburn Sands and Milton Keynes on Thursday, Aylesbury on Friday and so on and so forth.

Last Saturday I had the privilege of performing in London at the Royal Chelsea Hospital CP Club. In fact I first applied to sing there back in 1998 and thanks to a recommendation the opportunity eventually came to pass  20 years later. So I guess the moral of the story is if at first you don’t succeed try, try again although in this case I think it was due entirely to my friend Jim who was able to pass my card onto the right person.

Kim Meeting Up With Chelsea Pensioner Audrey!

So thank-you so much for your kindness Jim and for making this happen for me.

A lot of work and care goes into all my shows and when I was asked to perform at the Chelsea Pensioners Club I was advised that the pensioners love to sing-along although they do get an awful lot of Opera and Vera Lynn. This is why I thought my 20th Century show would go down well with the audience. I was right and it’s interesting to note the changing tastes.  The songs I think which were most popular were the Music Hall, Hollywood Musicals and the Rock and Roll years from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. I even had people up and dancing to “I Know him so

Getting Ready For My First Set!

Well” from Chess and “My Heart will Go On” from Titanic. The 1940s although loved has been somewhat over played and I finished the first half of my show not with “The White Cliffs of Dover” and “We’ll Meet Again” but with “So in Love” from “Kiss me Kate” which is one of my favorites. I was even requested to sing Edith Piaf and I managed to squeezes in La Vie en Rose.

On this occasion I had the pleasure of working with my friend Kim who is the most glamorous sound engineer in the business. She is a fantastic hair dresser and the combination of having a sound engineer who can do hair is priceless. I

Meeting the Audience!

often feel my hair lets me down and although I can do all the basic hair up dos I often think something is lacking. Sometimes it’s just a change of hair style which can add a whole wealth of dimension to a performance and on this occasion Kim was able to work her magic in minutes. She give me a Downton Abbey look for the first half and a slight 60s beehive for the second which went beautifully with my dresses.

This coming Saturday 8th September you will be able to catch me on stage performing in Priory Park, Dunstable for “Proms in the Park”. The BBC Concert orchestra are playing live at the Royal Albert Hall which is being televised on a big screen into the park so people can enjoy the music and bring a pick-nick. I’ve been booked to perform 2 x 30 minute sets at 6pm – 6.30pm  and during the interval which will either fall at 8.40pm – 9pm or at 9pm – 9.20pm depending on how the concert pans out. At the moment I’m not sure if I will be

Kim And All the Nice Girls Love a Sailor!

performing both of my sets on the stage in front of the big screen or one set on the roof of Priory Church. I may not find out until Saturday as it’s down to the sound company to rig the stage. Although it would be exciting if I was up on the roof. I’ve not done a concert like that before but if know me I’m game for anything!

I still have my songs and dresses to sort out as these sorts of concerts often require big gowns. I’m just praying the weather will be fine on Saturday evening. I only received the BBC concert orchestra’s play list today so it’s up to me to complement their selection which is fairly

Backstage at the CP Club!

traditional with all the usual ingredients you expect for Proms. As yet I haven’t quit decided what I will sing but I think it will include some Hollywood along with something appropriate to tie in with the RAF and Great War Centenary.  So bring your pick-nick and do pop along to see me on Saturday as it’s promising to be a wonderful evening.

Next week it’s full steam ahead with WAAF and Battle of Britain shows. I will be performing at Hughingdon Manor on the 15th & 16th September for the National Trusts 1940s event but I shall tell you more about that in my next blog.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip!

Friends Together!

On the Beach with Poppy!

Sight Seeing in Dartmouth!

Hello every-one I’m back after a delightful eight days away in Totnes and as you can imagine I’ve come back to a pile of paper work and a heavy schedule of shows which will be taking me through to the end of September. I confess I’m already starting to feel the stress as I have some important shows to do this month and like anything it’s all in the preparation. The only way to succeed is to think ahead and if you fail to prepare properly then you prepare to fail which I mustn’t do.

Tonight I’m getting ship shape for tomorrows show which is taking place at the famous Royal Chelsea Hospital in London. It’s a great honor to be asked

Poppy & I Enjoying Dartmore

to perform for the pensioners  and I’ve been engaged to perform my 20th Century show which has something for every-one. Opera to Rock and Roll as I prepare to sing my way through the decades from 1900 to 2000. Nearly every-one in show business has performed there and it probably wont come as any surprise to learn that Katherine Jenkins  is a regular visitor to the club.

I’ve just finished my show plans and I now need to find something suitable to wear for tomorrows show. I still haven’t unpacked properly from Devon so after a good night sleep I will return to my wardrobes and with a clear head I’m sure I will find two out fits which will fit the bill perfectly. I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to singing for the pensioners and tomorrow I will be working with my friend Kim who will be doing sound for me, so it will be just be like old times!

I only arrived home yesterday and I’ve already started to put my photographs up onto facebook. Paul and I wanted to give Poppy a holiday so we met up in Totnes as Paul drove

Paul at the Two Bridges Hotel!

the motor home and booked into the Caravan site at Steamer Quay. The camp site is very dog friendly and I can’t tell you how much Paul, Poppy and I needed this holiday. Poppy lives with Paul’s mother and as Paul and I spend much of our time going from show to show there isn’t a lot of down time as turn around from performances can be tight. It’s important to be organised and well prepared so to have a whole week with no shows set aside purely for relaxing was a real treat.

It’s true I could tell you so much about our holiday as we visited a few of the sights, although we were all very conscious of the fact we had come

Tea with Paul at The Cliff Top Cafe!

Out-side the Babbacombe Theater!

away to relax.  We spent most of our time sleeping late and pottering about with no real firm plans apart from doing the round robin. The Round Robin is a full days experience as you start by catching the ferry at Totnes which takes you down the river Dart to Dartmouth with commentary. Then after an hour or two in Dartmouth it’s over to the other side of the river to pick up the steam train which takes you onto Torquay and from there it’s an open topped bus ride back to Totnes.  As yet I haven’t put up all my photos of our holiday but do keep following my facebook pages as over the next week you will be able to see my whole set.

Some of the other places of interest we visited was Dartmoor Prison Museum where I learn’t jail isn’t spelt jail but gaol. (That still looks very wrong to me!) On the way back we had high tea at the Two Bridges Hotel which was a favorite destination for Vivien Leigh back in the day with it’s deep leather armchairs and antique furniture. We also visited Bygones museum which has three floors of British advertising history and is just around the corner from the Babbacombe Theater in Torquay which I played at in the early noughies.

All 3 of us Doing the Round Robin!

Of-course no trip to Devon would be complete with out sampling the homemade cakes  and cream teas at the many tea rooms and cafes along our way. Our favorite was Greys in Totnes which is dog friendly and I particularly enjoyed looking at all the retro and vintage textiles at the Friday Totnes  Flea-market thanks to Amanda of Shabby Chick. While I was in Totnes I visited the fashion museum which had a wonderful WW1  exhibition and Stone Fabrics which is a real Aladdin’s Cave.

When ever I’m out and about I’m always looking for the unusual which turned up in Dartmouth at the Foxx Exchange

Buying Bunting from Amanda at Shabby Chick Totnes!

when I came across the most wonderful pair of retro sunglasses. That’s all my news for now as I really must get to bed.

Keep Following and Toodle Pip!

Buying Retro Specs at The Foxx Exchange, Dartmouth!

Down on the Farm!

August has been a full action packed month. Last weekend Paul and I had the pleasure of playing in Leicestershire at Stonehurst Farm and Motor Museum in the town of Mountsorrel. We had a quick turn around as the previous weekend we were singing in Newark at the Air Museum, and since returning I’ve been out everyday performing the “Swinging 1950s and 60s” along with a few “Song for Summer” shows to tie in with the August summer season.

If you caught my Facebook pages you will know Paul and I  were able to catch some wonderful images of our time at Stonehurst Farm as we

Meeting the Animals!

went back to the 1940s for the farms War Time event. So thank-you to every-one who came along to support us and to Tom Duffin and family who made us all so very welcome. Paul and I perform at many events but Stonehurst Farm offers something very different so we were delighted to pull out all the stops and perform eight forty five minute sets which included seven costume changes over the course of the weekend.

Stonehurst Farm is a family run business where every member of the family has an important job to do. First established in 1951 it’s a working farm where you can meet and feed the animals, enjoy

Paul Enjoying the Farm!

tractor and pony rides plus it has a fantastic motor museum, shop and a delightful cafe which serves the most delicious home made cakes and hot lunches. I especially enjoyed the home made cheese scones – Mmmm my favourite! This Farm has something for every-one and Paul and I particularly enjoyed looking around the motor museum which has an impressive display of vehicles all owned by members of the family dating right back to the 1920s & 30s

This was Stonehurst’s 1st combined 40s event as last year the show only consisted of an

Inside the Shop!

encampment. It was such a success that the farm were keen to get more involved and to attract many more of it’s regular family visitors it take part in the Living History experience. I had been engaged to perform 3 x 45 minute sets daily in the barn by the motor museum and cafe and all through the day we had a steady flow of visitors as the event stretched out through the farm and onto the filed where the re-anactors performed a battle.

A great deal of thought goes into my show plans and after performing in Newark last weekend I wanted to include some variations. I didn’t want

On Stage and Ready to Roll!

to sing the same repertoire combination as before so I added in a big band and swing set on the Sunday which went down very well with the audience. You can’t beat the 40s for glamour! Paul and I also performed 2 x 45 minute sets on Saturday evening as the farm served a hog roast which was delicious!

A really fabulous event and Paul and I are looking forward very much to returning next year.

In the meantime I shall be away tomorrow as I head off to Totnes for 8 days and when I return I’m booked to perform at Chelsea Hospital on the

Meeting up with Re-anactor Eddy Marsh!

1st September for the Pensioners in London. I’m then fully booked for September with “Battle of Britain” shows to tie in with the RAF centenary year and on the 8th September I shall be singing in Dunstable, Prory Park for  “Proms in the Park”. You can catch me at Hughingdon Manor, High Wycombe  on the 15th & 16th September singing & compering for the National Trust’s 1940s event but I shall tell you more about these events in more detail a little closer to the time when I return.

I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back from Totnes on the 31st. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

A Working Vintage Vehicle!

Enjoying the Museums War Time Garden!

First Show of the Day!

Meeting Up with Friends Brian & Viv!

Hello every-one the season is in full swing and as you might expect I’m out singing every-day this week after a fantastic weekend in Newark performing at the Air Museum’s 1940s event. Paul and I sang both days and for those of you who follow me on facebook I expect you have already seen my photos, of which there are many. We were

extremely lucky with the weather. The sun shone all day Saturday and despite the heavy rain in the night Sunday was dry too even though it was a little over cast during the day.

It’s always great to return to a venue especially the Air Museum who have a wonderful team of people who go out of their way to make every-one welcome. So thank-you to Colin and all the volunteers who worked so hard to make this event such a success. Over the course of the weekend Paul and I  sung our way through the full 1940s monty of shows and on Saturday night we even mixed in the Ho

key Cokie with Nessun Dorma! Strange things can happen after a few drinks when people let their hair down, especially mine! So enjoy the photos and thank-you to every-one who came along to support the event – here’s to next year! In the mean time let me tell you about what’s happening this weekend.

This Saturday and Sunday you can catch Paul and I performing at Stonehurst Farm and Motor Museum, Bond Lane, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, LE12 7AA. Once again we have been booked to perform 3 x 45 minute shows daily plus we will be singing for the Saturday night dance 2 x 45 minute sets. The evening dance is open to the public and tickets will be available to buy on the door which also includes a Hog roast. You can find more details on my facebook page about this event by clicking the link

Meeting Up With Colin!

Paul Looking Very Smart Between Sets!

https://www.facebook.com/fionaharrisonavoiceinamillion/?fref=mentions

Dressed to Impress with Chris & Jane Gravett!

My show sets this weekend will be Saturday 18th Aug, 11.30am ATS, “We’ll Meet Again”, 1.30pm Songs from the Movies, “Hooray for Hollywood”, WAC Show, “GI Jive”. Saturday Night Dance “In the Mood”. Sunday 19th Aug, 11.30am US WAVES Show “Anchors Aweigh” , Big Band and Swing Show “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, Grand finally WAAF Show “Those Magnificent Men”. So I hope you can all make it along as it would be delightful to see you.

Other public events you can see me at this season and ones you might like to put in your diary include:-

Flying High!

Saturday 8th Sept I will be singing in Dunstable at Priory Park for Proms in the Park,

15th/16th Sept Hughingdon Manor  1940s Weekend,

6th Oct Leighton Buzzard’s Centenary as the town commemorates the Great War and the RAF.

Enjoying Newark Air Museum as a WAAF Officer!

13th/14th Oct War on the Line – Pickering Recreation Club & Levisham Station

More dates and details about these forth coming events to follow soon. Keep Watching so Toodle Pip and bye for now! 😉

Modeling in the 1970s Style!

Hippy Chick!

I’m afraid it’s just a quick blog tonight as I’m up to my ears in paperwork, and just when I thought I was getting ahead of myself too. I spent the whole of last weekend at my desk writing and I’ve had to go back to the drawing board with one of my projects which has put me behind a little. So it’s a few more nights of burning the candle at both ends until I can get all my jobs written up and completed. I’m now coming into a very busy season. It’s full steam ahead so I haven’t a moment to spare.

On Friday I was working with Harry of H100 -photography on a photo shoot in Northampton. Harry had engaged me to wear a selection of my Victorian and 18 century costumes as he specializes in photo manipulation. This is where you take an image, cut it out and place it in a different location. It requires a great deal of skill to do  convincingly and some of Harry’s work is superb. He also very kindly took some photos of me in my Carmen Miranda costume which I hope to add to my web-site in due course. Harry has  sent me 8 fab photos through already but due to a

Modeling to White Screen!

technical issue I wasn’t able to up load them to Facebook apart from two. So if you get the opportunity do click onto my page and take a look.

While I was there I was also able to pick up the photos from the 1970s photo shoot which are all fantastic. Once again you can see a selection by clicking onto my facebook page and I hope it wont be too long before they start to appear on my web-site as i build my pages. So keep Following!

This weekend  I shall be off up to Newark on Friday to perform at the Air Museum’s 1940s event. So I hope you can all make it along. Paul and I have been booked to perform 3 x 45 minute shows daily plus we will be singing for the Saturday evening hog roast. We shall be on stage on Saturday 11th Aug performing at 11.30am “The Fleets in Port Again” Wrens Show, 1.30pm “Hooray for Hollywood”, 3.30pm “GI Jive” US

Being Carmen Miranda!

WAC show. Saturday Evening “In the Mood”, Music to sing and Dance to. Sunday 12th Aug, 11.30am “We’ll Meet Again” ATS Show, 1.30pm “Anchors Aweigh” US WAVES Show and for the grand finale to commemorate the RAF’s 100th birthday I will be concluding with my WAAF  show “Those Magnificent Men”. It’s promising to be a great event so I hope you can all make it along.

This week I’ve been performing everyday and it’s the same next week too when I will be heading off to Stonehurst Farm and Museum in Leicester but more of that in my next blog. In the mean time I shall leave you with a few of Harry’s fabulous photos.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

I Like You Very Much!

Arriving in Style at Cottisford!

Hello every-one these last few days I’ve been making the most of a few down days to catch up with all my odd jobs including the most boring one in the whole world namely my accounts! After such a busy Spring I wasn’t able to get my accounts into my accountant before my Normandy tour but after devoting last Saturday to the task I was able to catch up and get my accounts delivered to my accountant today. Hurrah! It’s a good job done and a great weight off my mind, knowing I’ll have less to do come January!

August and September’s schedule is going to be a

All Set & Ready to Sing!

busy one and I want to make the most of my time at home before I take to the road again. I say time at home despite the fact I’ve been out performing at Garden parties more days than not. I’ve also had the pleasure of working with photographer Harry of H 100 Event Photography and I have another shoot scheduled with him in Northampton on Friday.

If you caught my last blog you will know Harry worked with me on a 1970s shoot last week. I haven’t seen the photos yet but as I’m expanding my repertoire into the 1970s it’s important I have the right images to complement my music. In September  I will be with Iain my web-designer  working on a new page for my web-site and I’m planning on using some of Harry’s photos for the page. Another of my Autumn tasks is to expand my  sound cloud profile so I will be back in the recording studio in a couple of weeks time with Richard recording some new sound bites.

1960s with a Latin Twist!

It’s important to have a good Google footprint when it comes to web-sites as Google prioritizes on content. Some of you may have noticed I launched another video this week, “Hands Knees and Boomps a Daisy”. So if you haven’t seen it yet do click onto my You Tube button and you can watch it there!

I’m always planning ahead and next April Paul and I will be back out in Italy performing for Graffignana’s 1940s event. We are also looking ahead to D-Day and having the right look is essential. Today I was thrilled to take receipt of  a Lilli Ann suit I had bought on line and which had

Let’s Party!

come to me all the way from Australia. If you know your vintage labels you will know just how collectable and desirable Lilli Ann is. Navy blue with wide shoulders and mother of pearl buttons this suit will be ideal for my European tours and I can’t wait to wear it.

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of performing in the charming village of Cottisford for a private party at The Parish Clerks House. Many guests arrived in their vintage vehicles and despite the change in the weather a jolly good time was had by all. I had been engaged to sing a selection of songs from WW1 through to the 1970s which went down really well with the guests. I’ve become something of a regular visitor to the Cottisford Annual Bash as all the proceeds go to Friends of Collisford Church and with David and Anna being such good hosts the event is always well attended.

A Great Afternoon!

This week I’ve been performing a mixture of “A Song for Summer” shows and “The Swing 50s and 60s”. Last Wednesday I was asked to mix in a Latin theme to my 60s show and on Thursday it’s back to the 40s with “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”.

This weekend I will be back in the office as I have an article to write  and I need to do a bit of research before I start typing.

That’s all my news for now. keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

Looking Stylish at Cottisford!

On Stage in St Albans!

It’s a baking hot summer and as you might expect my garden party season is in full swing. 2018 has been the summer for BBQs and cream tea events and tomorrow I’m off to perform for a BBQ which is sporting a 1950s & 60s theme with a Latin American twist. So lets hope this lovely weather continues although I don’t mind admitting I would like to see a little rain as I find these hot nights very oppressive.

Last Saturday I was in St Albans  performing for a Summer BBQ at Grace Murile House and then on Sunday I was over in Northampton singing at Templemore. My journey to Northampton didn’t go with-out incident. I was delayed on the M1 due to two serious accidents but as every-one was so relaxed at the Garden Party starting the show a little later wasn’t a problem. I had been engaged to perform my “Seaside Special” show which has all the seaside favorites from “It’s Bitsy Teeny Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” to “South Pacific” and “I do like to be Beside the Seaside”.

Going 70s!

I mentioned in my last blog this weather reminds me of the Summer of 1976 which was the inspiration for today’s photo shoot. As I expand my music into different decades it’s important I have the right visuals to go with my songs and thanks to a very kind neighbor I was allowed to use their 1973 Volkswagen Combee van as a back drop.

For today’s shoot I styled three looks the first Hippy, the second chocolate flake inspired and for my third look I wore a red and white cheese cloth Gypsy blouse as I went back to nature. Today I had the pleasure of working with Harry and Suzanne of

Behind the scenes!

H100 Event Photography along with my friend Lynda who helped me with my body lines and styling. I’ve already posted up a few of my behind the scene shots up onto face book although the shots I think might have been the best shots of all are the ones we took in the long grass so we will just have to wait and see. It’s always very exciting to wait to see the photos from a shoot. As soon as I receive my photos I shall share them with you so keep watching this space.

That’s all my news for now and it’s getting late and I must get to bed. Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

Looking for that perfect 70s shot!

Going 60s at Pickering!

Paul Doing His Sound Check!

Hanging Out With The Stones!

Oh what a week! This weekend I’ve been dashing from Summer garden parties in Buckinghamshire to singing the 60s in Yorkshire. Since returning home it’s been full steam ahead with the Summer season which is why I’m a few days late with my blog. It probably wont come as any surprise to learn I have a lot on my plate at the moment and next week I’m booked to do a 1970s photo shoot which requires some thought in it’s preparation.

I confess out of all the historical periods I represent the fashion of the 1970s is my least favorite and I really couldn’t put it off any longer. With all this hot weather the time is now to shoot as it’s just like the summer of 1976. The light is right and the grass is yellow which is perfect photographically for the time. Coming from a fashion background styling isn’t a problem and I can’t tell you how many revolting 70s outfits I’ve tried on in the last few months in my quest for that perfect 70s look.

In-fact yesterday I was in Bletchely and I walked past a charity shop which had this awful psychedelic caftan thing with split puff ball sleeves and a bodice over laid in blue nylon lace. It was horrendous but perfect for the 70s and the hippy trail but I couldn’t bring myself to spend £6 on an item which made me feel physically sick. However tonight I was able to spend some time on styling a few outfits together and I think I’ve found three looks which  work for me – gypsy teamed with floppy hats and John Lennon specks. Hair wise I’m going for something very natural, towel dried and un-styled. As you’ve never seen me before as I usually spend hours in the hair-dresses before a shoot  – so watch this space and I shall keep you posted with my photos as and when.

In My Early 60s Fashions!

This Sunday Paul and I were up at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway performing for the railways 1960s weekend. It was good to be back as I last played there for the stations 1940s event in 2007. I drove up straight after my garden party show on Saturday afternoon and I met Paul at our B&B, The Old Forge at Wilton. It’s always a delight to stay somewhere wonderful and we were given a lovely warm and friendly welcome by our hosts Julie and Phillipa and their dog Maisie. This is one B&B I would thoroughly recommend http://www.theoldforgewilton.com

I had been booked to perform 2 x 45 minute

Our Hosts Julie & Philippe with Maisie!

1960s sets on the Sunday at Pickering Station and once the organizers had heard that Paul would be joining me they were keen to hear him sing. Paul is a success where ever he goes and we will be returning to Pickering in October to perform for the 1940s War Time Weekend on the 13th 14th October.

On this occasion we had the pleasure of singing the music of the 60s and working with bands “The Sonics” and “The Stones” who were both superb. I particularly enjoyed The Stones. They were all excellent musicians and their Mick Jagger not only looked like Mick Jagger but was extremely

Sound Checking with Mick!

humorous and entertaining to watch.

I wore two different out-fits for my sets the first was early 60s in design with petticoats to tie in my my opening Big Bopper number “Chantilly Lace” and for my second set I went psychedelic which suited my Supremes and Dusty Springfield numbers better. We had Liam Forristal of Startruck Events on sound who did us all proud and a great time was had by all as the sun shone down all day. It was a pleasure to be at Pickering again and to be part of such a well organised event. Nothing was over looked right down to a full length mirror and fresh fruit in the dressing room. who could ask for anything more.

As I said earlier Paul and I will be back at the NYMR in October this year and as we were already contracted to Pickering we will be returning to perform in Italy in April 2019 instead.  I will have more news on that closer to the day.

Enjoying the 60s Nostalgia!

That’s all my news for now other than I have some new videos on there way so keep watching this space and I shall keep you posted. If you follow me on Facebook I hope you all caught Patrick’s footage of me in Arromanches singing the Jersey Boys number “Oh What a Night”

Keep Following and Toodle Pip! 😉

On Stage with Sound Engineer Liam!