Hanging out the Washing at The Control Tower!

On my Lunch Break between Shots!

Looking Through the Photos with Angela!

My Beautiful Bathroom!

The Sitting Room!

Getting Ready for the Shoot!

Claire and Nigel!

Mandrel Checking Out My Bath!

It’s been such a busy seven days that I’m having to write-up this weeks blog in two parts. For those of you who follow me will know I’ve been away on location in Norfolk working on a photo shoot with photographer Angela Adams. I had quite a tight turn around from Monday after returning home late from the Isle of Wight Railway’s Victorian event and then I was off first thing on Wednesday morning with a completely new set of costumes. I’ve been planning this photo shoot for ages. I always put a lot of thought into my outfits and colours which need to work in harmony with the location. I spent over a year sourcing various items and I can’t wait to see the photos when Angela has worked her magic.

Many of the photos from this shoot will be making their way into a magazine and are to tie up with a 1940s article I’m writing for next year. I shall be launching my own on-line magazine this Autumn and as I’m sure many of you already know I like to have lots of lovely photos for my web-site which I can call upon as and when. What’s been rather thrilling on this occasion is I was able to use the Control Tower at Egmere which was once part of Old North Creake Airfield during WW2. The Control Tower has been lovingly restored and turned into a fabulous B&B thanks to Art Deco enthusiasts Claire Nugent and Nigel Morter. I booked myself in for two nights but I enjoyed myself so much I wish I could have stayed for much longer. One of the reasons I choose the Control Tower was for its wonderful Art Deco style and fabulous interiors. I was partially taken with the beautiful bathrooms which are all original 1930 suites. What’s amazing is Claire and Nigel were able to source the suites on-line through ebay. To lay out in a 1930s bath is a truly wonderful experience as bathroom suits were so much larger then. I discovered I could lay out whole and point my toes and still not touch the ends of the bath which just goes to show how much smaller the world has become. I loved the fact the bath had rolly polly sides, sleek lines and the taps were mounted onto hexagonal stands which just goes to show how brilliant 20th century Art deco design is. It’s as good today as it was back in the 30s. Claire and Nigel also have two rescue cats called Window and Mandrel who were named after two of the control tower’s code names. I love cats and while I was staying Mandrel came up to my bedroom and joined me in the bathroom which just goes to show I’m not the only one who likes Art deco bathrooms!

Before I left for Norfolk I popped into Kim’s hair salon in Quainton and Kim was able style my hair into a 1940s Victory roll which looked fabulous. Come Thursday I was shooting all day with Angela and I’m looking forward very much to seeing the photos. A big thank-you to Lisa too who assisted and to Claire and Nigel who were so accommodating and gave us full run of their home. We worked all day and Angel was able to photograph 8 of my outfits. Everything from WAAF Officer to 40s knit wear. As soon as my photos come through I will share them with you all so keep watching and I will  keep you posted.

The Control Tower is quite the place to be and while I was there Claire and Nigel had a documentary crew in. If you would like to stay at The Control Tower here is a link to their web-site at www.controltowerstays.com Nigel and Claire made me feel so welcome and it’s a must for any-one who loves Art Deco design. On Friday morning I didn’t want to leave as I had enjoyed my stay so much. Friday was a full day as I had arranged to meet up with friends Christine and John of “Timescape” for lunch at Pensthorpe Park and to drive home to Bedfordshire. I was engaged to perform that evening at  Chipperfield Cricket club for a 1940s “We’ll Meet Again” show but I shall be telling you more about that in tomorrows blog.

In the mean time you can see more of my behind the scenes photos by clicking onto my facebook page.

Keep Watching and thank-you for following!

Toodle Pip! 😉

Off to the Isle of Wight!

Hello every-one it’s been a very busy weekend. I’ve just returned from performing at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway’s Victorian event and I have something of a quick turn around tonight. I didn’t get in until 9pm last night after driving back from Portsmouth as my ferry was delayed and then it made more sence to go just after 6pm so as to miss the rush hour. In fact this worked out really well and I sailed through taking the A34 rote missing the M25 completely. I’m a bit worried about next week . I have two shows back to back one in Romford and the other in Orpington. Quite how I’m going to get through on the M25 I

Paul and I between Shows!

don’t know but I’m hoping things might improve by then. In the mean time I’ve been busy all day getting everything ready for my photo shoot for Thursday. I’m off first thing to see my friend Kim who is doing my hair for the shoot tomorrow morning before heading over to the Control Tower nere Walsingham in Norfolk. I still have a few last-minute things to pack but I’m more or less there even though I still have my brasses to polish and my hats to sort out. As soon as I return I’m performing on Friday night at Chipperfield Cricket Club nere Watford my 1940s “We’ll Meet Again” show. If you would like tickets please contact Trude on 07979 221682. Food is also included in the ticket price and the event begins at 7.30pm. So I hope you can all make it along as I have a wonderful show planned.

Lets All Go to the Music Hall!

Come and Meet the Gang!

Me In My Pearly Queen Costume!

Out and About at Quarr Abbey!

As you can see I never stop and I always have a lot to think about and plan for. Last weekend couldn’t have gone better and it was lovely to be back at  the Isle of Wight Steam Railway again. Paul came with me this year as my sound engineer and did a fabulous job on sound. He also sung and delighted audiences with his vocal style leaving the crowds cheering for more. The wonderful thing about this event is it has a lovely atmosphere which so many events have lost in recent years. The Victorian strollers always look so elegant and we have some fabulous characters from solders to sailors, Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, Brunel, flower sellers,  and even a couple of convicts. I always try to catch Mr Alexandra’s show if I can. He is a true showman who comes complete with his own theatre. Sadly I’m  never able to see a whole show as I have 3 of my own to do and I have to allow for lunch and costume changes. This year I mixed my costumes and wore 5 different outfits only repeating my top hat and tails. It’s the only thing one can wear when performing Burlington Bertie and boy do I love singing that song! On Monday I shall be going back through my sheet music with a pianist making sure I’m familiar with the piano arrangements. So often I make changes by adding in key changes which makes the music more interesting when it’s arranged for orchestral backing.  When I head up to Gretna Green for the “Pack Up Your Troubles” festival I shall be working with a trio in Music Hall so I’m looking forward to that very much.

While Paul and I were on the Isle of Wight we were able to take in some of the sights and visited Quarr Abbey. Time always seems to be too short and I really must return for a holiday making a point to do all the things I’ve always wanted to do. Gosh it’s late and I must leave my blog here tonight. My next blog wont be untill next Saturday as I have so much to do between now and then.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Me As Burlington Bertie!

It’s just a quick blog tonight as I’m all packed to head off to the Isle of Wight tomorrow for the Island Steam Railway’s Victorian Event. I’m heading down to Portsmouth a day early due to all this Calais nonsense. The number of vehicles staking up along the M20 and M25 has made travelling a real night mere, regardless of whether the objective is to go to Kent or not. Needless to say I’m planning to avoid the M25 completely, head over to Oxford and cut down the A34. So I’m keeping my fingers crossed all will be well. I have some great Music Hall shows planned for this weekend and I’ve been looking forward very much to returning and performing some of my Music Hall favourites. As every I’m taking more costumes than I really need but one thing I will be wearing is my Top Hat and Tails for my Burlington Bertie set! I’m booked to perform 3 x 45 minute shows daily one Victorian Glamour, One Top Hat and Tails and one Pearly Queen so I hope you can make it along. I will be performing on the platform at Havenstreet Station between steam trains.

Today I saw some of the profs for my new on-line Vintage magazine. It’s all very exciting and there is so much to it choosing the scripts and fonts, arranging the photos and deciding on the styling. I hope it wont be long now before we go live although I keep coming up with new ideas and sometimes I must say no more. So like I keep saying watch this space and I shall keep you posted!

In the mean time I had a fitting today for some of the outfits I will be taking away to Norfolk for the photo shoot next week. I head off next Wednesday with not much of a turn around from the Isle of Wight but as you all know I love to be busy and I’m looking forward to capturing that 1940s home front look at the control tower with photographer Angela Adams.

Time for bed now I think Keep Watching and I look forward to sharing my photos with you when I get back.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Put on Your Tata!

These last couple of days I’ve been busy organising my diary and planning for the month ahead which is going to be a jolly busy one. I’m off to the Isle of Wight on Friday for the Victorian Festival and then on my return I head off over to Norfolk for a 1940s photo shoot. I’ve been planning this shoot for ages and it’s going to be wonderful working with photographer Angela Adams on location. The last time I had the pleasure of working with Angela was a few years ago at Earsham Hall when she photographed some of my 1920s and 30s dresses. This time we shall be capturing a behind the scenes look of the 40s. I don’t want to give too much away as these photos are for a magazine but needless to say I know we will capture something very special from the eye of a woman! Much planning has gone into the shoot and for some of the shots I don’t want everything to match too perfectly. It’s important to get everything just right and I’m looking forward to going in front of the camera and being creative.

Taking of being creative I’ve been working on my new on-line vintage magazine. It’s all very exciting and really started out as nothing more than a scrap-book idea. However after talking to Rachel my web-designer she suggested other ways of presenting my material and I rather liked the idea of designing my own magazine. It gives me a opportunity to publish some of my larger photographs just like a glossy magazine might and present them in a way which Facebook and Pintrest can’t. I’m going to start small and build up gradually. In time I will be adding in articles, vintage fashion – how to get the look ect but to begin with I will only have a few pages. The wonderful thing about this project is I can start a new and give the magazine a completely new look taking inspiration from Tatla and Vouge. So keep watching and I shall keep you posted!

Towards the end of the month I’m working in Wales and heading up to Scotland and Gretna Green for the WW1 Pack Up Your Troubles Festival. On Friday 28th August I shall be joining forces with The Scottish Academy of Music for a Good Old Days concert. On this occasion I will be accompanied by a trio so it’s important I look over my sheet music.  All my backing tracks have been created from my original sheet music but sometimes I have key changes put in to make the arrangements more interesting. This is why it’s important to go over my dots and check the arrangements. Some Music Hall numbers work best with live backing which is why when you adapted to backing tracks medleys can sometimes work better with modern audiences. I call this “cut to the meat”. I’m looking forward to going back to basics and performing the numbers with live backing which is how I always use to do it back in the day and of course how they were played in the Music Hall era. I have two 10 minute sets to fill in the concert which work out to be around 6 numbers – 3 per set. I would like to do something different from my own Music Hall show I’m performing on the Sunday night but at the moment I can’t make up my mind although I would like to include “Put on Your Tata” and “Vilia” from the “Merry Widow”

which I shall be singing this weekend in the Isle of Wight.

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

All Set To Go On Stage at RAF Marham!

Setting the Stage!

The Princess Louise Room!

The Breakfast Room!

Paul at The Abbey!

Outside The Abbey Our Beautiful B&B!

This week I have been out and about over to Norfolk performing at RAF Marham for  a Hanger Dance Party which was part of a RAF Family fun day. Paul was able to join me as my sound engineer and delighted audiences with his singing too. For this job I used my full rig of 6 speakers.  Large metal hangers are never easy to sound so its important to rig wide and to cut off all the effects. It can be a little like singing in a tin can as hangers have a natural reberation so you have to cut the effects and sing dry which balances with the venue. I was engaged to perform 2 x 45 minute 1940s sets, one sing along as a WAAF Officer and the other in 40s glamour featuring all those wonderful swing tunes for dancers. The event took place on Thursday evening which was attended by over 600 people and boy did we get the joint jumping. Paul was a real hit with the audience and what a fabulous venue the hanger turned out to be. The stage was set with a back drop of two air craft and was decked out in flags so thank-you to every-one at RAF Marham and the events team who made this evening such a fantastic success.

RAF Marham isn’t far from Kings Lynn and on this occasion I was able to find a beautiful B&B localy in the village of Stowbridge called The Abbey. I found The Abbey on-line and I discovered it was once a Nunary back in the day. Founded by the Augustinian order of Nuns in 1181 on the site of St John the Evangelist and remained in location until the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536. Sadly on I wasn’t able to meet the owners Niall and Grania on this occasion as they were away in Rome but Ginny their house keeper made us feel very welcome and welcomed us with a pot of Earl Grey tea and home-made scones on our arrival. I booked the Princess Louise Room as I was partially taken with the decor and bath – so very me!

If you are looking for somewhere lovely to stay nere Kings Lynn I would throughly recommend the Abbey so do check out their web-site at www.theabbeybandb.co.uk

Today I have been performing for a Summer Fate in Watford my “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” Show and yes belive it or not I did just that – sing under an Apple Tree which couldn’t have been more perfect. In fact todays show couldn’t have gone better as we had delightful weather and I know the fate was a great success for every-one who was involved. Next week I’m fully booked with shows and I head off to the Isle of Wight steam railway on Friday for the Victorian event which is taking place at  Havenstreet. I’m looking forward to wearing my bustle and then no sooner do I return and I’m back over to Norfolk for a photo shoot at the Control Tower.

www.controltowerstays.com So Busy Busy

That’s about all my news for now other than I’m working on my new on-line magazine which will tie in with my new media page – so watch this space and I shall keep you posted.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Paul and I in Bexhill at the De La Warr!

Between Sets at Bexhill’s Roaring 20s Event!

Sorry I’m a day behind with my blog this week but since returning home from Bexhill I found myself so exhausted that I had to take a day off from paper work. After my Monday morning show I fell straight into bed. In fact I slept for 15 hours yesterday and today I’ve been catching up between shows. Once again it’s a busy week and I have much to do before I hit the road on Thursday and head off to Kings Lynn and RAF Marham for the bases special Family Day. I’ve been engaged to sing in the evening for the RAF Dance which reminds me I still have my show plans and buttons to polish so I had better jump to it as I have a show tomorrow afternoon and so much to do in between times.

If you caught my photos on Facebook you will know I’ve just come back from performing for the Roaring 20s event which was staged out-side the De La Warr Pavillion in Bexhill. I’m thrilled to say Bexhill broke the world record for the most people doing the Charleston dance all at once. The record was privasaly held by Australia who had 356 people where Bexhill had 503 dancers so well done to every-one who took part. As it happens I performed 3 times on Saturday and sang a variety of songs from the 1920s and 30s which allowed for 3 costume changes. Intialy I was engaged to perform on the terrace but I was swaped over to the main stage where my performances worked in with all the veracious dance troupes.

Putting on the Ritz at the De La Warr!

I have never seen Bexhill so busy as it was on Saturday. They estimated 25.000 and yes I’m sure there were 25.000 people there. Many people had brought picnics and the grass outside the De La Warr had all sorts of wonderful Vintage Cars upon it. My favourite being Bruce Moore’s 1932 Chevrolet Confederate Deluxe Special Sedan. So stylish and very me!

On Sunday Paul and I headed into Hastings Old Town and I caught up with my friend Anne Finch of Blitz Knits who knits all my 1940s jumpers and yes I did treat myself to a new sweater although it was hard to choose which one as they are all so lovely!

Well must dash now as I have so much to do.

Blitz Knitz – One of Anne’s 1940s Jumpers!

Keep Watching and I look forward to catching up with you all when I get back from RAF Marham

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Off to The De La Warr!

It’s just a quick post tonight as I’m all packed to head off first thing tomorrow morning down to Bexhill for the Roaring 20s event. The event is taking place on Saturday out-side the De La Warr Pavilion. The De La Warr sits right on the sea front and was built-in the Art Deco style by architects Erich Mendelsohn and Serge Chermayeff who won an architectural competition initiated by Herbrand Sackville the 9th Earl De La Warr, after whom the building was named. So quite the perfect location – even if the De La Warr wasn’t built until 1935 but I wont tell if you wont shhhh!

I’m really thrilled to be returning to the De La Warr as it’s a theatre I know really well. In 2001 I played it 6 times in one year and I’ve performed in many different productions on that stage from classical concerts with Opera South East to my own touring theatre shows “We’ll Meet Again”, “Down Paradise Row”, “From Cobbles to Rock” and “How HOVIS Won the War” to  name but a few. On Saturday I will be performing out on the band stand which I’ve not done before and I’m looking forward to doing so very much. I’ve been engaged to perform 2 x 45 minute shows daily one at 1.30pm and the other at 3.30pm although times may change slightly due to so much going on. At 1pm there is going to be an attempt to beat the world record for the most people performing the Charleston dance and then I’m on stage straight after so it’s all very exciting. I’ve just picked up a new song for the occasion “If I had a Talking Picture of You”. It’s one of those numbers I’ve been wanting to do for ages so I’m trilled the right event and opportunity has come along so I can. I picked up my new track on Tuesday and I’ve been rehursing it all week. I love this period in music and on Saturday I will be performing a mixture of tunes from the 1920s and 30s with a few going back a little further to Music Hall so I hope you can all make it along. Last year the event attracted 15,000 visitors but this year they are expecting 25,000. So see you there! To find out more click onto the Roaring 20s web-site at www.bexhillroaring20s.org.uk

Must dash as I need to get to bed. I have shows everyday next week and on Thursday I’m performing at RAF Marham so lots to do.

Keep Watching Toodle Pip! 😉

Gillian, Peter, Graham, My Mother and I

The Church of St Albans, Portsmouth

This weekend has been quite extraordinary. On Saturday night I was at Susan and Graham Humphrey’s Wedding which had a James Bond black and white theme. I so wish I had brought my camera but as I had swapped my usually large Kelly bag for something smaller I wasn’t able to fit my camera in. Oh Drat! Susan and Graham had hired 3 James Bond character look alikes which took the shape of Odd Job complete with hat, A Daniel Craig James Bond and Jaws who was a little over keen to bite my neck I have to say! However I just told him to think of “Moonraker” and to imagine me with plates and glasses which he did as we danced the night away – Such Fun! So tall and what teeth! I wonder how he cleans them? It’s not every night a girl gets to dance with Jaws!

After the highs of Saturday night and in complete contrast my mother and I have just come back from Portsmouth after attending the funeral of my God father Kenneth Byrne. Uncle Ken was truly the very best of men and he will be greatly missed. Ken’s funeral was held today at the Parish Church of St Albans, Copnor, Portsmouth and was a full Requiem Mass which was attended by all who knew him. Ken served 22 years in the Royal Marines and it was wonderful to meet up with some of his old military pals and hear them tell of the  scrapes Ken found himself in while serving out in Korea. I loved the one about the bank he blew up only to find that all the American Dollars he and his pals thought they had liberated were counterfeit.

My mother was born and grew up in Portsmouth so knows the church of St Albans really well. She was married there and I was Christened at St Alban’s so in some ways it was a little like coming home today. I’m really pleased I was able to take a photo of us all together today as this may be the very last time Gillian, Graham, Peter my mother and I all come together. Although a little older Gillian, Graham, Peter my brother and I all grew up together and my father would often take us all out on trips when we were down during our holidays. Now Ken and Barbara have both gone I feel this marks the end of an era and Portsmouth wont quite feel the same.

I had forgotten just how lovely the interia of St Alban’s Church is. It was built-in 1914 although the font dates back to the fifteenth century and originally stood in the first Portsea Parish Church in Kingston, Portsmouth. Durring it’s life the font has stood in the church of St Mary’s and was later presented to Copnor and dedicated to St Alban in 1914. Isambard Kingdom Brunel was baptised in the font in 1806 and Charles Dickens in 1812 when the font was at St Mary’s Church. I was christened in the same font in 1970 – what a history!

The Famous Font!

Tomorrow I’m back in the recording studio picking up a new 1920s track of “If I had a Talking Picture”. One of those little gems I plucked from my Mrs Mills Party album song book. I’ve been wanting to do this song for years and with the Roaring 20s event down in Bexhill this Saturday I thought now would be the ideal opportunity. Richard has just sent me through the rushes and it sounds super!

I have a very busy week all this week with shows every day so it’s time for me to dash!

Keep Watching and I shall keep you posted on my show times down in Bexhill on Saturday.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!