Terry and I the Piano Man!

I do Like to Be Beside the Seaside!

Hello every-one – here we are part three as promised as I tell you about the final stage of the tour which this time took Paul and I onto Grenta Green. Sadly I have to confess I’m a little short of photos to illustrate this part of the tour. My battery ran out on my camera and although my mother very kindly sent the battery

charger onto Willington Hall I didn’t receive it in time before leaving for Scotland. The one good thing which came from this was I was able to book myself in for another night at Willington Hall on the bank holiday Monday. It broke my journey nicely and saved me from driving all the way from Gretna to Leighton Buzzard in one hit. Poor Paul however had to drive back straight after Sunday night’s show which I didn’t envy him for at all. At night it’s possible to wiz through with the roads clear of traffic and he was able to do Gretna to Portsmouth in 5 hours. Foutunetly for Paul he has a sports car called Mars Bar which can really move! Go Mars go!

As for photos you will have to forgive me I have had to pull a few from stock. Paul did take a few on his smart phone but as neither of us are very smart when it comes to tecknolagee he wasn’t able to e-mail them across to me. I am hoping he will be able to send them in time and when he does I will pop them up on facebook for you all to see.  However all is not lost I do have one. It’s from Terry the gentleman who delivered the Grand Piano to the Richard Greenhow Centre and for whom I sang for – So thank-you Terry!

Put On Your Tatta!

Paul and I drove onto Grenta Green on Thursday 27th. I was engaged to sing for the towns WW1 feel good centenary. Grenta and Eastriggs were created exactly 100 years ago as workers flooded into the area to work in Munitions which helped with the war effort.  The town had put on a special event which not only included myself but an old style music hall, a classic bus offering tours of the famous Munitions factory, a stylish WW1 tea room, heritage walks and educational workshops. On the Friday evening I was on stage at the Richard Greenhow Centre with the Scottish Academy of Music and the Annan Town Band. I had chosen my music very careful and performed “I do Like to Be Beside the Seaside” in my Edwardian swim suit as I thought it would be fun to wear the costume again. “Danny Boy” due to the beautiful arrangement which works wonderfully with piano and strings. “Put on Your Tatta Little Girly” so wore the white dress and hat with the tartan splash and “Love Will Find Away” from “Maid of the Mountains”. The last time I sang “Love Will Find Way” must have been 24 years ago so it was lovely to sing it again with the Palm Court Trio. A big thank-you to Musical Director and Scottish Academy principal Zelda Hill who invited me to join them. We had a short run through on the Friday morning and then had a full house for the concert on the Friday evening which was covered by Fergus Waddell of Annandale TV www.annandale.tv

Me in My WW1 Costume!

I partially enjoyed Lucy McCutcheon performance of “Poor Wandering One” which she sang beautifully and Jerry Robinson’s Pirate King who’s voice suited perfectly. Both numbers are from the G&S Operetta The Pirates of Penzance and sat very well in Friday nights show. The Junior choir were charming as they sang “Where did you get that Hat” and “How Much is that Doggie in the Window”.

On Saturday I was out and about performing in my WW1 suit 3 sets for the festival. My first two shows took place in the WW1 tea rooms at the Richard Greenhow Centre and then Paul and I went over to Eastriggs where we performed an hours show at Baxter Hall for the local community. Eastriggs has a wonderful museum called The Devil’s Porridge which is dedicated to the women who worked in munitions. I would have liked more time to have look round but by the time we had finished our show the museum was just closing. On Sunday I was at All Saints Church which stands right in the heart of Gretna Green. I had been billed as An Evening with Fiona Harrison – Music and Song from the early 1900s and I was thrilled to include some opera which went down very well with the audience. For the first half I appeared in my WW1 blue velvet dress and silk hat changing into my top hat and tails Vesta Tilly style for part two. Paul sang and wowed the audience with his voice before having to dash away.

Pack Up Your Troubles Makes the Papers!

Thankyou to Ian Barr and Craig Peacock who worked so hard to make this “Pack Up Your Troubles” event such a success!

In my next blog I shall be telling you about this weekend of 1940 shows which took me to Eaton Bray and my home town of Leighton Buzzard.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Getting Ready for the Weekend!

Ballet in the Hair dresses!

I know I promised you the third part to my Gretna Green tour this evening but since returning home I’ve been so busy catching up I thought I had rather neglected to tell you what was coming up this weekend – hence this inbetweeny blog. I confess I was so tired last night writing up my Willington Hall and Tarporley blog I had to pinch myself to stay awake which wont do! I had wanted to write more about the history as I loved it there only ran out of steam last night and needed to go to bed.

Since returning home I’ve had shows all this week and a very full mail box of e-mails to go through – I’m pleased to say I’m catching up and I know so many of you enjoy looking out for my blogs and following my career. In fact speaking of which I will be returning to France on the 15th Sept for a week and also in November with allsorts of lovely jobs inbetween. September is going to be another busy month with so much to do before I set sail. It had been my plan to launch my vintage magazine this month but it looks like it’s going to be October. I’m going to be out a fair bit this month so not around in the office to do those finishing touches although I’m very pleased with the way the magazine is coming along so far.

This weekend I have 3 shows to do. A Pearly Queen show tomorrow afternoon and then a double bill of music at St Mary’s Church, Eaton Bray on Friday evening 4th September. I’ve been booked to perform the “Magic of the Musicals” for the first half and finnish with “We’ll Meet Again” which reminds me I must check my brasses and give my shoes a polish. It’s a fundraiser for the church so if you would like tickets please contact Sheila Banks on 01525 221556. On Saturday evening I’m performing the music of the 1940s for a private party in Leighton Buzzard so it’s all go and I still need to check through my show plans. Next week I have a run of WAAF shows with the run up to the Battle of Britain and then I’m off to Goodwood on Friday before sailing over to Normandy. Busy busy!

Over the weekend I shall write-up part three and tell you all about my Grenta Green WW1 tour and the “Pack up Your Troubles” event. Speaking of which I was out and about in Aylesbury today performing my WW1 show. I was booked to perform at St Leonards and all the residents really enjoyed the songs. For many years these tunes had fallen from favour in preference to the 40s. It’s lovely to bring them out again as everyone knows them and they make for a refreshing change. This morning I was in the hairdressers having my roots done in prep for this weekend and the shows I have scheduled. I feel with all the travelling I’ve been doing of late I’ve spent far too much time sitting down. Inbetween having my roots done and manicure I needed a stretch so enjoyed doing a bit of Ballet before having my hair washed – So very Fiona.

Must Dash – Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Me at Willington Hall!

After a great weekend in Llandrindod Wells Paul and I made our way onto Cheshire where I had booked to stay a couple of nights at Willington Hall. When it comes to booking hotels on line sometimes the Hotels don’t always come up to the mark. However when it came to Willington Hall everything came together perfectly.

Built in 1829 by the Tomkinson family Willington Hall remained the seat to the Tomkinson family for over 170 years until it was bought by the Begbie family who turned it into a hotel. The wonderful thing

In the Grounds!

about Willington Hall is the peice and quiet not to mention the goodly sized bedrooms. It’s a popular venue for weddings and has delightful views of the Cheshire country side. It had been Paul and my intention to stay at Willington and visit Cheshire only we were still very tired after our shows in Llandrindod Wells. Finding Willington was a God send and we enjoyed having a couple of days rest before heading onto Scotland.

We had two days to kill and while we were there we visited the town of Tarporley which is only 3 miles away from Willington. Tarporly is famous for the Hunt Club which was founded in 1762 and still meets at the Swan today. Upstairs is a wonderful room dedicated to the Hunt Club which has a fabulous collection of Hunting art on the walls. I felt very privilege to have been invited to visit and I enjoyed Willington Hall and Tarporley very much. So much so that as I decided to book in for another night on Monday evening as I would be driving back from Gretna Green on my own and it made sence to break my journey.

Tarporley High Street!

I hate travelling on Bank holiday Mondays!

More news on Gretna Green and my shows at the WW1 “Pack Up Your Troubles” event in my next blog.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip

The Swan at Tarporley!

On stage with Winston Chuchill & Pete Wayre!

Paul and I Between Sets!

Paul Shopping for Collar Pins!

Meet the Gang!

On stage with Paul!

Karen doing my Hair!

Taking Tea in Llandrindod Wells!

Lets All Go to the Music Hall!

Me with Circus Entertainer Steve Kaos!

Hello every-one as you can see I’m back after enjoying 12 days away on tour. I have so much to share with you all about my time on the road that I’ve decided to split my blog into three parts this week.  If you’ve been following me you will know that this tour has taken me from Llandrindod Wells in Wales to Chester and onto Gretna Green in Scotland and back again. It’s required an amazing array of costumes as I’ve been covering a great variety of music and historical periods from Victorian, Edwardian and WW1 Music Hall to Opera, 1940s Swing to British Sing-along and just about everything else in the middle. I thought I had packed twelve suit carriers of costumes but in atchall fact I miscounted and it was fourteen carriers four hat boxes one wheelie case and two hold alls. Gosh what a lot of luggage!

It may not come as any surprise to learn that Paul wasn’t able to fit in my van for costumes so he decided to drive up and meet me in Llandrindod Wells in his own car which really worked out well. Llandrindod Wells is a funny place to get to from Bedfordshire as there is no real direct route and which ever way you go it’s a bit like the road to Tipperary. The Sat Nav seemed to enjoy taking me a completely different route to the one I’d carefully planned although I did get there in the end even though it took me four hours! I remember last year it was a bit wet and once again we were blessed with rain. Paul and I had been booked into the Portland House Hotel which is right in the centre of town. I can’t tell you how relived I was to reach the hotel as it was a very long and difficult journey. The Portland Hotel was once a bank built during the reign of Queen Victoria and has lovely large Victorian rooms. The only down side was my room was right up on the fourth floor and with no lift it involved a great deal of carriering. Fortunately our hostess Ruth very kindly allowed me to leave my costume in the laundry room on the third floor which helped greatly.

I had been engaged to perform 3 x 45 minute shows daily by the Llandrindod Wells Festival committee covering both 1940s and Victorian music. On this occasion the nine-day festival had been split into three with the opening weekend featuring the 1940s, Victorian from Monday to Friday and a Steam Punk event on the  closing bank holiday weekend. I was booked for three days and I featured a real variety of music and costumes. The event was opened by Winston Churchill Impersonator Derek Herbert who did a fantastic job. Derek or should I say Mr Churchill was extremely entertaining as he hosted the Miss Victory competition and Best Dressed 40s Allied Forces Man. On Saturday night the Metropole Hotel hosted a 1940s dance with the Hereford Big Band which was just wonderful and packed. Paul and I danced the night away and they had special guest Pete Wayre who performed during the bands comfort break. I joined forces with Pete on Sunday only the weather turned really nasty and we had to re locate from the Temple Gardens to the Glen Ask Hotel. It was such a shame as so much work had gone into the events which in some cases had to be cancelled due to bad weather. However come the evening Paul and I were at The Commodore Hotel performing with DJ and Dance experts “GI Jive”. This was Paul’s first build engagement and he went down really well not only with the audience but with the organisers as well. Performing is second nature to me so it’s unusually for me to feel nervous before I sing. I didn’t realise just how nervous Paul was but he coped with his nerves very well and left the audiences cheering. Llandrindod Wells has a wonderful community of people who support the festival every year. Thank-you every-one for your support and for making Paul feel so welcome on stage. With it being such a special night I even splashed out and had my hair done by Karen Beddington of KDB Vintage hairstylist. Check out her page at www.kazwatkins.wix.com/kdbvintagehair-1

By Monday Llandrindod Wells was still a little wet only this time I had changed costume yet again and gone back to Victorian Music Hall. Performing in my purple cape, top hat and tails and finishing off with a Pearly Queen set in Temple Gardens. On Tuesday just before leaving the festival Paul and I bumped into circus entertainer Steve Kaos on his penny farthing while enjoying a spot of lunch in the tea tent.

Next time I shall be writing about our next stage of the tour and Willington Hall.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Getting Set to Head off on Tour 1940s style!

I’ve Been Busy Sorting Out My Washing!

As you can see by the lateness of the hour I am once again burning the candle at both ends. I’m off on tour to Wales tomorrow for Llandrindod Wells’s festival which this year has been split into 3 parts. The 1940s, Victorian and Steam Punk. I’ve been engaged to perform for 3 days covering both the 1940s and Victorian Music Hall and as you can imagine I’ve been very busy all this week preparing my uniforms and costumes. I’m going to be away for 12 days. I’m heading onto Scotland straight afterwards for the WW1 Pack Up Your Troubles Festival which is taking place in Gretna Green. I shall be breaking my journey in Chester and then heading straight on into Scotland on Thursday so it’s going to be a very busy 12 days.

A tour like this requires a lot of costumes and I’ve packed up 12 suit carriers of wardrobe. I have 17 shows to perform all of which require costumes changes so Connie is going to be pack full to the brim. I though at one time having a van would give me more room but it’s surprising just how much space my costumes not to mention the four hat boxes take up. This weekend I will be performing 3 x 45 min shows daily in Llandrindod Wells plus

I’ve been Praticing My Songs for Gretna!

Sunday Night at The Commodore Hotel where Paul will be joining me on stage so I hope you can all make it along to the festival. Times are likely to change slightly but you can catch me on stage as follows Saturday 22nd 11am WRNS Show, 2pm Horay for Hollywood 3.30pm WAAF Show, Sunday 23rd 12pm ATS, 1.30pm US WAVES, 3.30pm 1940s glamour, Sunday Evening at The Commodore GI Jive + 40s Glamour, Monday 24th 11am Victorian Glamour, 1.30pm Burlington Bertie Set and to finnish  3.30pm Pearly Queen.

On Friday night I will be joining forces with the Scottish Academy of Music and the Annan Town Band for a Music Hall Evening at the Richard Greenhow Centre in Gretna. I’ve just been putting together my sheet music as I’m going to be accompanied by a trio on Piano Violin and Cello. I have a 9am rehearsal with the musicians on Friday morning with much to do over the weekend. On Saturday I’m booked to sing at the Edwardian Tea Rooms at the Richard Greenhow Centre before heading over to Backster Hall for another performance at 3pm. Sunday Evening you will be able to catch me on stage from 7pm performing my full Music Hall Show at All Saints Church so as you can see, it’s going to be a very busy 12 days!

You Can Catch Me on My Mobile this Week!

I shall be away from my desk and not back before the 1st September so if you need to get in touch please do call my mobile.You can find the number by clicking onto the “Contact Fiona” tab on the right hand side of this screen

I really must get to bed now as I’m so tied but rather thrilling Angela Adams has sent me through her photos from the 1940s photo shoot we did together at The Control Tower so I shall leave you with a few of my favourites. You can see more photos by clicking onto my facebook star at the top of this page.

Thankyou for following and I will catch up with you all in September

Toodle Pip!

What a Tangel!

Bexley Holiday Inn!

The Home and Colonial Cafe!

One of Terry’s lovely photos from the IOW

Hello one and all – I’ve just returned home after a very busy VJ Day which this year took me to Romford in Essex and onto Orpington Royal British Legion. I was engaged to perform the music of the 1940s for the clubs Saturday night VJ anniversary which went down so well with the club members. I had been a little worried about making the dash from Romford to Orpington but as it turned out all was well and the traffic was moving fine along the M25. Previously I had been engaged to sing for a 90th birthday party in Romford and I had planned my route quite carefully. The Sat Nav had wanted me to take the Woolwich ferry rather than go across the Queen Elizabeth bridge. I’ve never crossed the Thames on the Woolwich ferry but on this occasion it was important to keep trucking – who knows may be the Woolwich ferry will be something I will try out in the future.

I confess Saturday was a very long day and I was so pleased Paul was able to join me on stage and also as my sound engineer for my second show at the RBL. I had two sets to fill one 60 minute ATS sing-along set and the other a 75 minute dance set to finnish at 11.45pm. I had booked to stay over in Bexley at the Holiday Inn and by 2am which was when I reached the hotel I really had gone past the point of caring whether the pillows were soft or firm. Hotels so love to put labels on pillows these days which I find such a nonsense. As soon as I made it through that door I was straight into bed and out like a light only just making it down in time for breakfast this morning before they stopped serving at 11am. Gosh I was tied! I had promised to give my hair a good wash today and as I had forgotten to bring my conditioner it was a bit of a struggle. Much of my hair ended up in the bin – but I got there in the end!

On my way home I stopped off for lunch in Berkhamsted at “Home and Colonial”. Home and Colonial is a wonderful Antiques Emporium which has a delightful cafe on the 3rd floor. I often like to stop off for a bite when I’m in town and look at the vintage fashions many of which can be found in the basement. I find it very inspirational to be arround interesting antiques and I often get ideas for songs when I’m looking at vintage clothes. Today I saw a lot of smart 60s dresses which has made me think about expanding my 60s repertoire.

Don’t forget you will be able to hear me sing tonight at 10pm on Keith Skues Radio show. I met Keith on Wednesday when I sang at the RAF club in Piccadilly and Keith said he would play my South Pacific Medley as he enjoyed it so much. You can find Keith’s program on-line and also on I player by just Googling his name “Keith Skues” so do tune in if you can!

On Friday I’m off on tour over to Llandrindod Wells as I’ve been engaged to perform for the town’s festival which this year is split into 3 parts. 1940s, Victorian and Steam Punk. I’m performing for the 1940s and Victorian parts over 3 days so this week I’m sorting out my costumes and show plans. I wish I could stay for the Steam Punk part as it’s a varndra I’m very interested in  but I’m booked to perform in Gretna Green for the “Pack Up Your Troubles” WW1 Festival and I need to be on the road. In the mean time I’ve been sent some lovely photos by Terry Smith who caught me on camera at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Victorian event more of which you can see by clicking onto my Facebook star at the top of this page.

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

Taking Tea with Air Commodore Rick Peacock-Edwards & Keith Skues

Bill and I with the Queen!

All Set for Lunch!

The RAF Club Piccadilly

This week I have had the pleasure of singing in London at the RAF club in Piccadilly. I was engaged to sing for a very special luncheon arranged for Retired Officers who had been members of the club for 25 years of more. There’s something very special about the RAF club. This was only my second visit but when ever I’m there I always enjoy looking at the paintings. The club has a wonderful collection of aviation art only on this occasion a couple of the rooms were being refurbished. I remember from my time before seeing a life-sized painting of an officer in this Royal Flying Corp uniform and I had hoped to see it again on this occasion. The painting was in the downstairs gentlemen’s bar only the room was being refurbished along with the ballroom so I hope when I return in September to sing for the Battle of Brittain Dinner I will be able to see it then.

One of the Many Paintings on Display in the Club!

I confess there’s not much in life which scares me apart from driving and finding somewhere to park in London – although it’s like anything sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and just go for it. The more you do something the easier it becomes. On this occasion I was lucky enough to have my friend Bill with me who kindly drove and helped park up Connie. In actual fact the club is very easy to get to from Leighton Buzzard. It’s straight down the M1, onto the A5 and straight down the Edgeware Road to Mada Vale and onto Park Lane. Now I’ve done the journey I know I will be much more confident come September. All the staff at the club are very helpful and unloading is made very easier when you have many hands to help. On this occasion I was engaged to perform a sing-along show of yesteryear and I included many of my favourites. I sang a real variety from “Danny Boy” to “Me and my Girl” although the numbers which went down best were from the musical “South Pacific” which just goes to show you can’t beat a good musical. The luncheon was hosted by Mark Heffron who by chance I had met before. I met Mark a couple of years ago when I sang for the launch of Buckinghamshire’s Armed Forces day at The Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury – so it just goes to show what a small world it is.  A big thankyou to Rick and every-one at the club who made Bill and I so welcome. I’m looking forward very much to returning in September with my 1940s WAAF show and as you might expect The Battle of Britain Dinner is a very special event for the club.

By chance I met BBC radio presenter Keith Skues (Cardboard Shoes) who broadcasts his Box of Delights at 10pm on Sunday nights. He had been invited as a special guest due to the fact Keith had served for many years as a RAF squadron leader reservist and was awarded the Air Efficiency decoration in 1995. Keith will be mentioning the luncheon this Sunday in his program and will be playing my South Pacific Medely. So if you are around on Sunday evening to tune into his program please do or if not you can catch his program on I Player on-line.

I’m now all packed up to head off tomorrow morning for VJ Day. I’ve two shows back to back my first is a 2.30pm in Romford in Essex and then I’m on stage in Orpington at the Royal British Legion, Queensway. I’m staying over at the Holiday Inn in Bexley as it’s going to be a late night and then I’m off on tour next weekend over to Wales and up onto Scotland. More of that next week.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Have You Met Mandrel The Control Tower Cat?

Mandrel Checking Out the Bathroom!

My friends Christine and John of Timescape!

Christine and I at Pensthorpe Park!

All Set to Go On Stage!

I’m sorry I wasn’t able to include everything in my last blog due to it being such a full on week – but here is my second part as promised. If you have been following me you will know I’ve just returned from The Control Tower at Egmere, Walsingham after being made so very welcome by Claire and Nigel. The Control Tower is a beautiful B&B which has been lovingly restored and turned into a wonderful Art Deco home thanks to Clair and Nigel’s hard work. It’s true what they say a home isn’t a home with-out a cat and Claire and Nigel have two rescue cats called Window and Mandrel. Names which were used as call signs when the Control Tower was operational during WW2. When my photos come through from Angela Adams you will be able to see me with both Window and Mandrel although on my final morning Mandrel came up to see me in my bathroom. It seems I’m not the only one who likes Art Deco bathrooms as Madrel had a rolly polly session in the bath and then went on to play with the blind chain while checking I had removed all my clothes from the wardrobe.

Friday was a busy day as I had arranged to meet for lunch my friends Christine and John Drury of “Timescape” at Pensthorpe Park. Christine and John do a similar thing to myself and I first had the pleasure of working with them back in 2005 when I appeared at Thetford for a Dads Army event. It’s always great to meet up with other artists and we couldn’t have chosen a better day. Pensthorpe Park is very beautiful and has a lovely restaurant come tea room. This year you can catch “Timescape” on stage at the Poppy Line’s 1940s event which is taking place on the 19th 20th September. John and Christine can often be seen performing at Holt station as the line runs from Holt to Sheringham – a station I know very well.  This year I will be in Normandy and I know the Poppy Line event is a great 1940s event to be involved with. So break a leg chaps and have a good one. I wish I could be with you both! xxx

I’m very fond of Norfolk and like the area very much so I hope it wont be too long before I have the pleasure of returning. I would have liked to have  stayed for longer but as I had a show in the evening it was important for me to get home. On Friday I was engaged to perform my “We’ll Meet Again” show in the charming village of Chipperfield. Chipperfield isn’t far from Watford and quite perfect with beautiful old houses and a large village green. Friday’s show was a fund-raiser for a hospice and I’m thrilled to say the night was a complete sell out. Paul drove up to be with me and was able to join me on stage as Paul Roebyn only I still can’t quite work out how I should be spelling that. Is it Roebin or Roebyn I’m not sure. The show went so well we didn’t leave the stage before 11.20pm having raised lots of money for the hospice. So congratulations to Trude who worked so hard to make Friday’s show such a success

Show Time!

I’m out all this week and on Wednesday I’m performing in Piccadilly just up from the Ritz Hotel at the RAF Club in London. I’m also very busy on VJ Day with two shows back to back with a rehearsal to squeeze in on Monday morning in prep for my trip up to Scotland.

That’s about all my news for now Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!