Armed Forces Day at the Royal Oak!

The Royal Oak at Aston Abbotts!

Me as a WAC at Ellesborough!

The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Ellesborough!

This week has been quite extraordinary. I usually try not to involve myself in politics when it comes to social media but as an entertainer it’s important to deliver shows which are both right for the client and judge the mood.  I have to confess like many I was amazed to wake up on Friday morning to find that the Great British Lion had roared and the majority of the UK had voted to leave the EU. The social media chatter before hand was mostly for opting out rather than staying in although like many I was surprised that the outs won the day .

I’m not sure whether it’s because of the Queens 90th Birthday celebrations, the world cup or the run up to the referendum but I have certainly seen an increase in clients wishing to book patriotic shows this summer. The song I’ve been singing this June which has captured the mood better than any other has been Rule Britannia. It’s been hitting the mark with audiences every time although quite where we stand at Westminster at the moment is anyones guess! Musically this extraordinary chain of events has been bringing out people’s patriotism and a desire to sing along to British songs be it “Land of Hope and Glory” or “Any Old Iron”. I still have a few more “Happy and Glorious” shows to do this month for the Queens 90th and then with the Summer season in full swing it’s back to Kari and the music of the 1940s.

On Saturday I was performing for Armed Forces Day and this year I had been booked to sing at The Old Oak a charming thatched country pub in the village of Aston Abbotts. We had planned to be out side in the garden but as the weather was slightly unsettled we decided to play safe and sing indoors. Paul joined me on stage too and also for my Sunday show in Princess Risbough. Saturday was a traditional ATS 1940s “We’ll Meet Again” show where on Sunday I had been booked to perform a US WAC one “This is the Army” just to be different. Although saying that I had also been asked to include “Rule Britainna” and “God Save the Queen” to commemorate the Queens Birthday. On the way home I took Paul out for tea and we stopped off in Ellesborough at the Church of St Peter & St Paul which is very lovely.

Next week Paul and I have a very busy weekend ahead of us as I’m booked to sing for Flywheel at Bicester Heritage. It’s a wonderful event as Flywheel celebrates historic motoring, aviation and military endeavour so if you would like to go check out their web-site at http://www.flywheelfestival.com I will be performing music from WW1 through to 1940 over 3 x 45 minute sets at 11.am, 1.00pm and 3.00pm. So I look forward to seeing you there. Paul & I will also be making a quick dash that Saturday evening over to Longhope in Glos after my last show at Flywheel. I’ve been booked to perform a special WW1 show to commemorate the Battle of the Somme at the Latchen Rooms so it’s going to be a busy weekend.

I must dash. Thankyou for following and Toodle Pip! 😉

Me with The Military Wives Choir!

Looking Smart in Mess Dress at Northwood!

It’s just a very quick blog tonight only because I need to get to bed and I must organise myself in time for the weekend. Last night I was at Northwood HQ performing for the Warrant Officers and Senior Ranks Mess Battle of the Somme Dinner along with the Military Wives Choir. I always enjoy doing Mess dos and this one was particularly enjoyable as I had been engaged to perform songs from the Great War. I came straight on from performing my first “Happy and Glorious” show that day in Amersham which gave me lots of time to set up and relax before stepping out on stage at 10.15pm. It was a very special occasion and a joy to sing at the Mess so I hope very much I get invited back again. Next weekend I have another Battle of the Somme anniversary to perform at in Gloster so it’s all go with the music of the First World War at the moment.

On Saturday I shall be performing at the Royal Oak Pub in Aston Abbotts for Armed Forces Day so I hope you can all make it along. I shall be on stage at 3pm-3.45pm and at 4.15pm -5pm so it will be lovely to see you. If you would like to book a table you can call the Royal Oak on Tel 01296 681262. It’s a wonderful place to dine and I belive they will be doing cream teas too so see you there.

I must leave it here tonight.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

Happy Birthday Your Majesty!

June has been something of a patriotic month what with one thing and another and last weekend was no exception. On Friday I had two “Happy and Glorious” shows back to back to celabrate the Queens Birthday and then on Saturday Paul and I were playing in Coventry at the Greyhound Inn for a very special occasion. This was my third engagement at the Greyhound and one thing I’ve learnt is when the Greyhound Inn put on an event they do it really well and pull out all the stops!

I had been engaged to perform a “Last Night of the Proms” style concert with a strong

Rule Britannia!

1940s sing-along flavour mixing classics such as “Rule Britannia”, “Roll out the Barrel”,”Jerusalem”, “I Vow to Thee, My Country” along with “Leaning on a Lamppost “and “Kiss Me Goodnight Sergent Major” while concluding with British themes and “Land of Hope and Glory”. It was a very special night as over 200 guests had been invited and all the profits were going to the Armed Forces charity SSAFA. As SSAFA was formed in 1885 I thought it appropriate to include some older sing-along tunes from WW1 which seemed to go down well with the audience. There was also a  wonderful marching band from Coventry and one lady from the audience, 94-year-old Joyce, better known as “Joyce the Voice” gave a fantastic rendition of “My Way” which brought the house down. Paul also sang and mixed sound for me as we performed 2 x 45 minute sets and enjoyed the ambiance of a fabulous patriotic evening. So a big thank-you goes out to Leigh and all the

Behind the Scenes at The Greyhound!

staff at the Greyhound for putting on such a wonderful event. You should all feel very proud!

Paul and I didn’t get back to Leighton Buzzard until 1.30 am so we decided to take it easy on Sunday and opted for a lay in. Last week I had considered about dashing into London and visiting the Vintage Fashion Fair in Hammersmith. I still have a few items on my shopping list which I can only source there but as it turned out we decided to go out for lunch instead at Cubblington. Afterwards I took Paul to see Ascot House which isn’t far from where I live. I love Ascott House as we would

Paul and I at Ascott House!

often visit when my brother and I were children during our summer holidays. My mother would always prepare a picnic and I have many a happy memory of playing in the grounds. The house is owned by Lord Rothchild and looked after by the National Trust. It has a wonderful collection of art and oriental porcelain and the house is set in over 30 acres. It was lovely to visit the house again after so long. I had visited the gardens a few years ago and belive it or not I had planned to film my “If I were the Only Girl in the World” video there. But sadly when it came to it we got rained off and I lost the only day available. In the end I found a house

Paul with the Roman Goddess Venus!

in Aspley Guise and filmed two days later once the rain had cleared. So it was lovely to see the house again introduce Paul to Venus!

To-day I’ve been working with film maker David Pustansky on my edits. I hope it wont be too long before I have some more videos to share with you all. After producing the 1950s and 60s showreel at the start of the year I’ve been keen to have a few full versions of some of the songs. So today we were able to finnish “Mr Sandman” and “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend”. We’ve also made a good start on my 1920s and 30s show reel although with a very full

On Screen in Post Production!

summer diary it may not be until late July or mid August before I have a day free when I can sit down with David again. It’s all very exciting and I have some new arrangements in production and dresses being made for the next stage, which is the 1940s. In January I will be filming the Music Hall numbers and then in February the Opera. So keep watching this space and I shall keep you posted!

This week it’s all about patriotic shows with a Pearly Queen one tomorrow and then two back to back on Wednesday. My evening show is taking place at the Officers Mess at Northwood and I’ve been asked to perform my WW1 “Pack up Your Troubles” show. It’s Armed Forces Day on Saturday and this year you can catch me on stage at The Royal Oak in Aston Abbot – but more on that in my next blog!

I’ve just seen the time so I shall leave it here tonight. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Rule Britannia!

This week has been something of a mixed bag of shows although it’s still full steam ahead with “Happy and Glorious”. What with the Queens 90th and all I quite forgot about Royal Ascot this week. It’s now becoming quite fashionable for Summer Garden parties to take on a Royal Ascot theme. This is where every-one cames dressed up in their best outfits sporting beautiful hats and the host serves Pims, finely cut sandwiches along with strawberries and cream. I did an Ascot Garden Party for the first time last year and I was invited to do another one this year too. For any-one who has ever read my show page, I have a show for just about everything and last year I put together a show for this very occasion – (which reminds me I must add it to my listings).

At first when I was first asked to do one I couldn’t think what to include and then I remembered the musical “My Fair Lady” and the ideas started to flow. The only Jockey song I have in my repertoire is “Yankee Doodle Dandy” – who came to London just to ride the Ponies, if you remember the lyrics. But as racing is the sport of Kings it’s easy to bring in “Putting on the Ritz”and “We’re in the Money” not to mention some of my old favourites from my Best of British repertoire.

Today I have been out and about performing “The Great American Song Book” and tomorrow I have two “Happy and Glorious” shows back to back. On Saturday I shall be performing at The Greyhound Inn at Sutton Stop in Coventy for a special Last Night of the Proms, Queens 90th Birthday celebration. It should be a wonderful concert as I belive there will be a brass band and we will be performing in a large marquee. Tonight I have been preparing my show plans which reminds me I must sort out and evening gown to wear.

Thank-you for Following and Toodle pip!

Me and My Girl – The Best of British Songs!

King David, The Queen and I at St Bedes Garden Party!

It’s just a quick blog tonight as I’m still trying to get everything sorted from France and catch up with my paper work and e-mails. If you have been following my face book pages you will have seen me out and about performing “Happy and Glorious” shows in my patriotic dress to tie in with the Queen’s 90th Birthday. Some of you probably have already realised that many of my dresses are interchangeable. My patriotic blue dress is one of my designs which I based on a 1940s pattern and re-modeled with interchangeable collars and cuffs. It’s proved a very useful costume as I have American, French and British combinations depending on whom I’m entertaining and the type of show I’ve been engaged to do. This weekend I changed to union jack collars and cuffs in honour of the Queens birthday which has made for a refreshing change from my usual white-collar and red piping combo.

My “Happy and Glorious” shows have been going down really well as I’ve been mixing songs like “Rule Britannia” with “Me and My Girl”, “Jerusalem” and “Burlington Bertie from Bow” which have all added to that wonderful Best of British theme.

Home Made Cakes!

On Sunday I was engaged to perform for a private garden party in Bedford which I really enjoyed. There’s nothing I enjoy more than a summer garden party and just like me every-one had turned out in their red, white and blue. Although we had a little rain the large doors folded back and opened up onto the patio so there was lots of space for every-one to move freely. I had had the call to go down to London to perform on the Tatershall Castle river boat for that evening but after due consideration I didn’t feel I could have got down into London in time for an evening performance. There’s so much to factor in when you take into consideration the traffic and parking so I felt I had made the right decision and enjoyed the Queens birthday performing in a beautiful garden in Bedford instead. I even managed to steal a photo with King David in his wonderful union jack T-shirt and photograph the cake competition.

Sleeping Tigger on His Favourite Rug!

Today I have been performing in Wendover with shows scheduled for the rest of the week. I was pleased to make it along to Joe’s after todays show as I had a belated birthday present for him from Normandy and both Joe and Shirley very kindly invited me to stay for tea. I’m keen to get back into my exercise routine and make it down to the gym tomorrow morning. I sprained my ankle on Saturday while I was out running. Fortunately it was just a light sprain and it’s healed now but I do seem to be a bit accident prone.

Speaking of which poor Tigger was at the vets when I got back from Normandy and came home later that day. Earley in the week he had caught a bird and one of the bones had stuck in his throat. Fortunately the vet was able to remove it and he’s now back to his normal self purring and eating like nothing had happened while enjoying a nap on his favourite rug!

Well I must dash as I still have e-mails to do. Keep Watching and thank-you for following!

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

Len, Harry and I in Arromanches

Hello every-one I’m back at last after a wonderful week away singing in Normandy for the D-Day commemorations. I didn’t get back until Thursday evening and since returning home my feet haven’t touched the ground. I had two “Happy and Glorious” shows back to back on Friday to commemorate

Pete Wayre and I between Shows!

Me with Miss Paramount!

Paul and I Sight Seeing in Arromanches!

Off Duty in Ste Marie du Mont!

Dead Mans Corner Museum!

Paul with his Trophy at E Castel Cafe!

the Queens 90th Birthday and another one today. In fact I’m fully booked for the rest of the month with Royal Birthday shows so it’s all go and I confess I still haven’t fully unpacked from France yet. This might go some way to explain why I’m a little later than normal writing my blog since returning home, so I hope the wait will be worth it for you all and you enjoy reading my latist news!

I have so much to tell you all about my time away and both Paul and I are regular visitors. We now know our way around Normandy very well and we were able to enjoy some time sight-seeing between shows too which was lovely. This year I had been invited back to Arromanches and I was engaged to perform two shows over the D-Day period one ATS “We’ll Meet Again” show for the veterans on Saturday 4th and a glamour 1940s show with an international flavour on the 6th after the air show. In fact Paul and I ended up doing a little more on the 6th as some of the air show wasn’t able to take place due to fog so we stepped in and entertained the crowds in between times. Perhaps it was just as well I came down into town wearing my WAAF uniform which not only gave a contrast of costume but suited the air show as I sang a selection from my WAAF show which was completely unplanned but suited the moment. Paul and I were also thrilled to see fellow entertainer Pete Wayre who had just dashed across from the UK after performing at Great Central railway’s 1940s event to enjoy the excitement of the commemorations.

This year Arromanches put on a fantastic show for D-Day and on the 4th I had the pleasure of meeting up with Miss Paramount a fantastic young French singer who little did I know saw me perform in Arromanches back in 2012. Apparently after seeing my show it inspired her to take up singing professionally and after enjoying Miss Paramount’s performance on Saturday afternoon Paul and I know she has a wonderful career ahead of her. I also had the pleasure of inviting Miss Paramount onto the stage during my glamour show on the 6th June and we sang “Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend” together. So Keep Up the Good Work Miss Paramount and here’s to the next time! 😉

The last time I played in Arromanches was in 2014 so it was lovely to be back in town again this year and to meet up with so many friends and catch up with veterans Len and Harry. If you’ve seen my D-Day video then you will recognise Len Cox. Len often likes to come up on stage and sing with me in Arromanches but this year we were also able to have a dance too. Paul not only worked with me as my sound engineer but also delighted audiences with his singing as Len and I danced to Paul’s rendition of “Night and Day” and “Fly me to the Moon”.

In fact Paul’s singing is coming along a treat and on Sunday I entered him into the Ste Mere Eglise talent show. I thought it would be a good experience for him as we swapped rolls and I loaded the music for him while working with the engineers at the sound desk. Paul was a real hit and wowed the audience with his Frank Sinatra’s “I’ve Got you Under my Skin”. He also won first prize, a meal for two, and a silver trophy – I felt very proud of him! Paul has a natural talent for singing and he has learnt so much about stage craft in these last two years since he has been working with me. I’m sure it wont be long now before he turns professional and records his first album. Keep Watching and I shall keep you posted! 😉

Me with the US Navy Band!

Afterwards I took him for a celebratory tea and ice cream at the E Castel Cafe which if you know Sainte Mere Eglise sits right on the corner of the square just past Aces High art gallery. As it turned out the E Castel Cafe was the perfect location to watch the military vehicles parade and the paratroopers after they had come back from their jumps at La Fiere. Paul and I sat up stairs and we had a wonderful view of the parade and I even managed to get a shot with the US Navy before they joined the parade. If you are ever in town I recommend you visit as the cafe is run by a charming  English couple who made us very welcome.

The Military Parade Ste Mere Eglise!

I’m pleased that while Paul and I were in Normandy we were able to do a bit of sight-seeing. On this occasion we were able to make it along to Dead Mans corner which is just outside Sainte Mere Eglise. They’ve really opened up the museum and I enjoyed flying over France in a simulated American bomber. We also visited Bayeux and had dinner at The Lion Hotel which was adopted by the press during the war and just about any-one who is any-one has stayed there ever since including Winston Churchill. Paul and I were also delighted to catch up with so many friends in Ste Marie du Mont and we were able to see Jean Marie Thomas’s act while we were in Arromanches.

Now we are back home it’s full steam ahead with the Queens Birthday celebrations. Next Saturday I will be in Coventry at The Greyhound at Sutton Stop for a special Last Night of the Proms performance. More on that in my next blog. In the mean time you can find more photos of our trip to Normandy by clicking through to my facebook page.

Out and About in Bayeux!

Keep Watching and thank-you for following!

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Back in Arromanches with the Veterans!

Remembering the 1940s!

Hello every-one as you can imagine I’ve been busy this week planning my shows, practicing my French and  packing my luggage in preparation for my D-Day performances which this year will be taking place in Arromanches. I know Arromanches very well as I’ve performed there many times before. I think this may be my sixth D-Day commemoration visit so I’m looking forward very much to singing and seeing the veterans, in particular Len Cox who often likes to join me on stage and sings along with my songs. Some of you may have seen my Arromanches video of Len and I together on stage in 2012. If you haven’t click onto this link which will take you through to my D-Day page and you can find it there https://www.fionaharrison.biz/french-1940s-dday-shows/

This year I have been engaged to perform twice in Arromanches with my first performance on Saturday 4th at 7.30pm or as the french would say at 19.30h. This will be a 1940s ATS “We’ll Meet Again” show and is due to last between 60 – 75 minutes. However I’m on after the Claquettes Americaines which are a French tap dancing group and no-one

Len Cox and I in 2012!

knows how long their act lasts for. I have a full stage to rig which takes a good hour although I usually like to leave myself an hour and a half just to be on the safe side. It may be a bit of a dash but I’m sure it will be alright on the night. I will make sure I bring my Lucozade so as to keep my strength up!

My second performance is on Monday 6th June from 9.30pm – 11.00pm or 21.30h – 23.00h. This will be a glamour “In the Mood” 1940s show consisting of British, American and French songs. Paul will be joining me on stage too which is all very exciting and I know he’s been working hard practicing his songs. Just before hand a large air show will be taking place from 17.00h – 20.00h. Arromanches is expecting something in the region of 10.000 visiters for the air show although I expect by the time I step out on stage my audience will be down to about 3.000. It’s all very exciting and Paul and I have a great show planned. So if you are in town it would be lovely to see you. I will be bringing along my albums which make wonderful souvenirs – hint hint! 😉

Wearing my French Flag Dress From Sundays Shoot!

Of course Paul and I are keeping our fingers crossed all will be OK with the ferries. We don’t sail until Wednesday morning but with the fuel shortages in France and with so many workers going on strike we hope all will come right by the 1st. What will be will be and there is no point worrying about it now. We just have everything crossed as we would hate to miss D-Day due to French strike action.

I head down to Portsmouth on the 31st May which also marks the centenary of the Battle of Jutland. If everything goes to plan Paul and I should be at sea on the 1st and it’s easy to forget just how important the Jutland battle was. My Grandfather fort at Jutland and it was the largest dreadnought naval battle in history. The British out numbered the German ships by three to two yet lost 5.672 men to 2.115 and three more ships than the eleven the Germans lost. The effects of Jutland were decisive despite British Navy losses the battle secured the status quo and British supremacy of the seas. It also reinforced the British Naval stong hold to such a point that the German Navy had to revert to submarine warfare which ultimately failed.

Paul and I will see you in Normandy!

Despite prepping for France this week I’ve been able to sort out a lot of loose ends. I now have all my contracts up to date and I was able to drop in my accounts to my accountant this week too. I was working with David this Wednesday looking over the film footage from the other weeks filming so I hope it wont be too long before I have a new 1920s 30s showreel  to share with you all. Colin also dropped in the photos from last Sundays photo shoot so it’s now full steam ahead with my Summer season.

This will be my last blog before heading off to France on Tuesday so I look forward to catch up with you all when I get back. In the meantime do check out my facebook pages as I will post up some videos and photos before I go.

Keep Watching and Toodle pip!

Getting Ready for Camera!

Looking for the Perfect Shot!

It’s been all go this weekend as I spent Sunday working with photographer Colin Aldous in the studio. As with all theses things I always make sure I do the preparation beforehand and I had booked myself in for a spay tan late on Friday afternoon after my “Happy and Glorious”show. I was straight round to Kim’s hair salon on Saturday morning making sure my hair was set and in place for Sunday. I’ve found from experience that a spray tan really helps before I go before the camera as I’m naturally very white. No matter how careful you are when applying the base make-up there always seems to be a line of difference when it comes to blending in so a spray tan saves so much time and worry.

On this occasion I was keen to record some of my late 50s early 60s dresses I hadn’t had a chance to have photographed before. When it comes to up dos from this period they always work well with evening dresses and I took along two formal gowns. One I had recently had re modeled by Judi a beautiful peacock velvet which I had re lined plus a gorgeous black sequin number. Both will be included into my web-site at a later date and I was also able

Before the Shoot at Kim’s Salon!

to get many of the dresses photographed I’d used in my 1950s 60s show reel. So keep watching this space! I also felt that this shoot was long over due since I’ve been including out-fit of the week on facebook.

I have to confess I have been doing rather a lot of late but it’s important to get all these jobs done now while I have the space to do so before starting on my Summer season. On Sunday Colin was able to shoot 12 outfits and Paul very kindly came along and helped me as my dresses. We were also able to get some great shots of Paul too. He’s planning to record an album sooner rather than later so this was a wonderful opportunity to work on getting some shots for the album cover.

In 8 days Paul and I will be setting sail for Normandy so this week I have much to sort out in the way of uniforms and dresses. I still have those last minute jobs to do

Vive La France!

and it’s important I check over my show plans and I have everything typed up and prepped ready for France. This year Paul and I will be staying along the coast at Port en Bessin although we have been engaged to perform two shows in Arromanches on the 4th and 6th June. I will have more to tell you about that in my next blog.

In the meantime enjoy the behind the scenes photos from Sundays shoot. I’ve enclosed a few with this blog but more can be seen by clicking my facebook star in the top left hand corner which will take you through to my

In a Glamorous Fashion at Saracen House Studio!

facebook page. I must dash now as I have a Magic of the Musicals show to do this evening and I need to get ready.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉