Going Media!

This week has been something of a roller coaster. On Wednesday my mother and I paid our last respects to Sandra Wilson a lady who taught me so much during my Backstage days and who will be sadly missed by every-one who knew her. This Monday I have my God Fathers funeral to attend in Portsmouth so it’s been a rather sad week all round.

However in my line of work it’s important that the show must go on what ever your feelings so I’ve been busy performing too. On Tuesday I had a Pearly Queen Show and it’s been something of a mixed bag with “A Song for Summer” and a couple of “Stars and Stripe” shows thrown in. Tomorrow I have a wedding before I head off down to Portsmouth for the funeral. I still have a few loose ends to tie but one piece of good news. I  launch my new Media Page this week which has been long in the planning. Some of you may have already seen it but if you haven’t done so click onto the link where you can also hear a couple of my radio inter views on-line www.fionaharrison.biz/media-page/

This is only the beginning and I have extra content to add in which will take the shape of my own small on-line Vintage magazine. I’ve been looking into magazines and making a study of the language they use and how to write my own punchy titles. Vogue and Tatlar are by far the best and have a real talent for hitting the mark spot on every time. I was partially taken with Tatlar’s “Beauty and the Beach”. Other titles which caught my eye were “From Sultry beach style to crisp city cool”, “Suitcase Secrets” and “Get Your Glow On”. So a writing style I need to work on.

Tomorrow I’m  off to Kim’s hair salon as I get set for an up doo for tomorrow Wedding. I shall be in Bexhill next Saturday for the Roaring 20s at the De La Warr Pavillion and at the moment it looks like I will be on stage at 1.30pm and 3.30pm so I hope you can all make it along. Times may change slightly as there is so much going on but more of that later.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Welcome to Shuttleworth!

Nice Bike!

Hello every-one and what a wonderful weekend it’s been. This Sunday I have been performing at Shuttleworth for their Military Pageant Air Show and what a difference a year makes. Last year I was engaged to sing for their WW1 Commemoration event but the weather was rotten and many people cancelled their tickets due to the fact the air craft weren’t able to fly. This year the weather couldn’t have been better and was a complete sell out with over 5000 visitors. I was engaged to perform 2 x 60s minutes sets in hanger 3. One WW1 and one WW2 which I performed in my 1940s WAAF uniform. Shuttleworth is such an interesting museum and when ever I perform there I always like to look at the exhibits in between sets. I remember my father taking both my brother and I on a trip to Shuttleworth in the early 80s which left a strong impression on my memory. Little did I know as a child I would become a professional singer and would be engaged to sing at the museum years later.

This is my third year at Shuttleworth and often when I turn a corner I see something which I’d completely forgotten about but remember seeing as a

Out and About with Paul Between Sets!

child. I think this is what they call Day zar Voo (forgive the spelling but I think you can all work out what I mean!) Of course Shuttleworth is far more than just a musuem as they bring out the motor vichels and fly the aircraft on special days which very few museums do. A couple of years a go I arranged to do a photo shoot with some of the collection for my 1920s /30s page and you can see the photos here on my web-site so if you haven’t seen the photos do click-through for a look.

This year the Military Pageant Airshow featured WW1 and had lots of special guests in the shape of the Battle Bus on loan from the London transport museum, lorries and motor cars fromWW1 plus visiting aircraft which included aAvro Vulcan, a Blenheim, Spitfire, Yak 50 Aerobatics,Grunau Baby, Radar Kite and a Bristol Scout. The collection also has Edwardian -AvroTriplane, a BristolBoxkiteblackburnB2 and aDeperdussin to name but a few. I always put a lot of thought into my shows and thank-you

Meet the chaps from RAF Marham!

The De Havilland Goblin III 41

to every-one who came along to see me including Alan from L&D Radio, Mr and Mrs Etsell, Rob and Jackie Farrow and WW2 RAF veteran Bill who joined me on stage for We’ll Meet Again. Oh I mustn’t forget Bob, St Edmunds College and Alleyn’s CCF from RAF Marham. As luck should have it I’m booked to sing at RAF Marham on the 23rd July so you never know I might meet up with you chaps again which reminds me I need to sort out some B&B.

Tomorrow I’m booked to perform my Pearly Queen show and then a “Song for Summer” on Wednesday with two funerals one Wednesday morning and the other in Portsmouth on Monday so it’s going to be a strange week with all sorts of highs and lows. I’m also with Rachel my web-designer tomorrow and we hope to have very soon a new Media page. It’s long over due but very exciting as I’m planning to include my own little on-line magazine but more on that later.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Me with all the Girls at Aspire Style!

This week has been all go with a week of American “Stars and Stripe” shows with the run up to the 4th July. On Sunday 5th you can catch me on stage in Hanger 3 at The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden, Bedfordshire performing for the “Military Pageant”. More details about the event and the aircraft which should be flying can be found on the Shuttleworth web-site at www.shuttleworth.org I however will be on stage from 11am and at 1pm for 2 x 60 minute performances in Hanger 3. At the moment I’m not quite sure which way round I will be performing my shows as I’ve been engaged to perform one WW1 set and a 1940s WAAF show. The museum is expecting over 5000 visitors so much does depend on the weather. If it’s fine then I know it will be very slow queuing up trying to get through the traffic so I may well have to travel in my WAAF uniform just in case. I can rig in uniform where WW1 long skirts are not quite so easy to lift speakers in.

On Stage with Beautiful Dresses!

I said this week has been all about the 4th July but in actual fact I’ve been singing the 1950s and 60s too as well as the 40s. On Thursday I had two shows back to back my first was a “Stars and Stripes” show in Wing and then I dashed up to Aspire Style in Stratford Upon Avon for their special open evening. Aspire style sell lots of lovely vintage style dresses many of which are very similar in design to the dresses worn in the 1950s and early 60s. I myself have two of their gowns which I bought last year. On Sunday I just happened to be in town and I was asked on the off-chance if I was available to sing at their open evening which I was able to do. Sadly their original act wasn’t able to full fill the engagement and rather than except money I said I would perform for a new dress and a pair of vintage sun glasses. Well when it came to it the staff were so pleased with my performance I was given not just one but two beautiful gowns which are just divine. The first is a very prity mint

My New Frock!

green shirt waster which looks a little 40s in style and the second a pink early 60s cocktail dress with purple pansies which looks like one of the gowns from Mad Men. A big thank-you to Emiliana and Kirsty who invited me to sing at Aspire Style and I’m so pleased your event was such a success. If you are looking for something special to wear this summer and like vintage style do check out the Aspire Style web-site at www.aspirestyle.co.uk

Next week will be something of a rollercoaster as I have a wedding and two

funerals to attend before heading to Bexhill for “The Roaring 20s” event which will be taking place on the 18th July. More news on that later.

My New Sun Glasses!

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

All set for Armed Forces Day

Me with the Royal Signals and Mercian Band

It’s been an amazing weekend. This Saturday I was performing in Birmingham for Armed Forces Day and what an amazing event it was too with the Army the Navy and the Airforce and Royal Signals and Mercian Band all taking part. This year the event took place in Centenary Square which is right in the heart of Birmingham City centre. The weather couldn’t have been better and I was engaged to perform 3 shows – one WW1, one 50s and 60s and for the finally my ATS We’ll Meet Again show. This year the sun shone brightly and Birmingham City council had placed out lots of deck chairs which added to the holiday spirit. Last year we had dreadful weather and it was lovely to see so many faces who had braved the bad weather return for this years event.  I always like to add in something new so it was decided that I should perform the music of the 1950s and 60s for my middle set which went down really well with the audience as we Rocked Centenary Square to “Johnny B Goode”. We even got the biker boys to join us on their Harley’s! I finished my last ATS “We’ll Meet Again” set with Land of Hope and Glory as I handed out lots of union jack flags and got every-one waving while the Royal British Legion stood at the foot of the stage with their flags – A very proud moment!

Me with the Lord Mayor of Birmingham

A big thank-you to Raj and to every-one at Birmingham City Council who invited me to sing for Armed Forces Day. Saturday was a fabulous day and one of the best Armed Forces events I’ve done so thank-you. I’d like to say a special thank-you to John Milne and to David who did such a wonderful job on sound and to Gary for compereing. It was lovely to work with you guys so here’s thumbs up to the next one!

This weekend Paul and I decided to stay over in Warwick at the Holiday Inn Express which is just offthe

Out and About in Stratford Upon Avon!

the Stratford Road. It has a restaurant next door which is very convenient although the hotel expect you to pay an extra £7.99 a night to stay in their car park which I have to say I thought a little grasping. We also felt the breakfast was some-what incompleted. No bacon, only sausages, scramble eggs and beans. The orange juice had been watered down and the tea and coffee was served from a machine in a mug with no sources. However saying that the staff were very friendly and they did have Earl Grey tea hidden away in a cupboard which I had to ask for it. What a difference to the Fourteas tea room in Stratford Upon Avon. The Fourteas is one of my favourite haunts and it is just that a 1940s tea room with the added bonus of everything being off ration and beautifully prepared. When you order tea it comes in a proper tea-pot and you get a cup and sourcer which makes the drinking of it so much more enjoyable. Paul and I decided to spend Sunday in Stratford -Upon – Avon and after having elevensy at the Fourteas we had Sunday lunch at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre Rooftop Restaurant which has wonderful views of Stratford. A fabulous restaurant and a great place to meet up for lunch. When ever I go to the RSC I always enjoy looking at the costumes as they always have a few on display on the landing. I was particularly taken with a faries costume from “A Midsummer Nights Dream”. The bodice had been made entirely from leather evening gloves creating a wonderful effect.

A Costume made from Evening Gloves!

I shall be back in Stratford – Upon- Avon on Thursday evening for a Blitz Bash at Aspire Style Dress Shop, 24 Wood Street. Sadly they had booked a 1940s 3 girl harmony group but for some reason they weren’t able to full fill the engagement so by luck I was available and just happened to be in town to ask. It is so very important when booking acts that contracts are sent and signed. It’s often not understood that a contract works both ways. Just as the artist needs to feel that the date is secure and signed for its nessasary for the booker to acknowledge and send back their part of the contract as soon as possible to secure the act. I’ve just had a similar experience with a client who held onto my contract for 3 months, moved the goal posts and then changed their requirements during which time I received another offer.

This Sunday 5th July I will be performing at Shttleworth aerodrome , Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, for the Military Pageant. You can catch me on stage at 11am – 12pm performing my WW1 Show “Pack Up your Troubles” and then at 1pm – 2pm with my 1940s WAAF show “Those Magnificent Men” so I hope you can all make it along.

Must dash Thank-you for Following and Toodle Pip!

Back at my Desk – Ste Marie du Mont!

As ever I’m in a dash and just trying to get everything in place for Armed Forces Day on Saturday. I’ve been out all week performing “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree Shows” and I’m off tomorrow up to Warwick with 3 shows to do in Birmingham for Forces Day. This year I’m performing in Centenary Square in the centre of Birmingham 3 x 30 min shows daily. On Saturday you can catch me on stage at 13.40 – 14.05 with my WW1 show “Pack Up Your Troubles” 14.50 – 15.20 “The Swinging 50s and 60s” and then for the finally it will be my ATS “We’ll Meet Again show at 16.00 – 16.30 followed by the Royal Signals and Mercian Band as they perform a Beat the Retreat so I hope you can all make it along!

I’ve just got back from performing two shows today back to back so sadly I can’t blog for too long tonight although no matter how busy I am I will always do my very best to keep you all up to date with my movements. I’m sure many of you have already notice just how late I’m working by the times I post my blogs. A blog can often take me  3 hours plus to write due to my dyslexia but I do think it is important and I never stop working. Social media is a major part of my job now and it’s easy to underestamate its importance! So much work comes through my web-site so thank-you to every-one who follows me. It’s always lovely to hear from you when I’m out and about performing just how much you enjoy reading my blogs and looking at my social media pages.

Armed Forces Day Here we Come!

Talking about social media I’m pleased to announce Rachel has been working hard on my new media page which is long over due for my web-site. We have been looking at some new widgets which will make the page changeable updating with links from my Facebook and blog pages. So many web-sites have boring media pages so I want to do something a little different and give this page something of a magazine look.  Rachel and I are still working on designs and ideas but I know it will be very exciting when it’s all done.

I’m going to have to leave it here tonight but I was thrilled to receive Alexis Lahaye’s photos who worked with me on a shoot when I was out in Normandy. I posted up a few of his photos of me in my A2 flying jacket on my Facebook pages so keep watching and thankyou for following. Next week I’m at Shuttleworth for the Military Pageant Airshow but more on that later!

Must dash –  Toodle Pip! 😉

Paul and I Between Shows!

Off to My Next Show 1920s Style!

I Love this Car!

Paul as Paul Roebin by the Mobile Cinema!

This weekend Paul and I have had a wonderful time performing at the “Flywheel” event which took place in Bicester at Bicester Heritage airfield. It was the events first year and I have to say what a fabulous two days it turned out to be. All weekend we had non stop motor racing and flying displays from an array of motor vichels and aircraft dating back in time from 1908 to the 1960s. On Saturday we were a little concerned about the weather and later on that afternoon we did have something of a down poor which actually worked to my advantage. Every-one came into the Entertainments Marquee and I was able to conclude my final ATS show with Land of Hope and Glory. This went down really well with the audience as you can’t beat a good old fashion sing along with lots of flag waving to lift the spirits. By this time the marquee was starting to drip water and if you have seen some of Robert Etsell’s photos on my Facebook pages you will have already seen the drips on my ATS uniform. However all was well and just as I finished the sun came out and the air show was able to finnish with 9 bi planes flying in formation. I’m not sure but I think they were BE -2s which were the first purpose designed military aircraft but what ever they were they looked fantastic!

When ever I’m working at events I always find I have so little time to see the attractions and belive me there was so much to see and do at “Flywheeel”. I was very taken with the Vintage Mobile Cinema. Built in the 1960s to promote British industry it’s a stunning example of British transport and engineering. If you are looking for something different for your party then why not hire the cinema bus for your event. If you would like to find out more than do check out the Vintage Mobile Cinema web-site at www.vintagemobilecinema.co.uk

Paul and I felt just like film stars sitting in the directors chairs out-side the cinema and I only wish we had had more time to stay and see a film but I had three shows daily to deliver. This weekend I had the pleasure of working with two excellent bands 78 RPM on Saturday and Night Train on Sunday which is fronted by musician and brilliant musical arranger RichardWhennell who I’ve known for many years. Richard produces all my

One Stage Together!

backing tracks so it was lovely to see him up on stage with his band as I normally see him in the studio. 78 RPM had a beautiful girl singer with them whose voice I enjoyed listening to very much. I really enjoyed her performance of “The Varsity Drag” which is one of those numbers which just sets your feet tapping. Writain in 1927 by George Olsen I’d not heard the number before but now it’s one I would love to add into my 1920s, 30s show.

Sunday was an extremely busy day at Flywheel as many people returned for a second day as they had enjoyed Saturday so much. The sun shone all day and I finished Sundays show with my 1940s WAAF show which seemed very appropriate. Paul sang too and is starting to have his own following fans. He has now taken the stage name of Paul Roebin although we still haven’t decided on the spelling. Thank-you to every-one who came along and supported us – it was so lovely to see you all! Congratulations to the organisers Richard Grafton and Stephen Slater  at Bicester Heritage who made this event such a success. Next week I shall be playing in Birmingham for Armed Forces Day so I hope you can all join us on Saturday. More on that later this week.

Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

All Set for Flywheel!

It’s just a very quick blog tonight as it’s late and I still have all my uniform buttons and shoes to polish in prep for “Flywheel” this weekend. If you caught my last blog you will know I’ve been booked to perform 3 x 45 min shows daily over the weekend Saturday 11.30am – WW1, 1.45pm – 50s and 60s, 3.45pm – 1940s ATS, Sunday 11.30am – 20s & 30s, 1.45pm Glam songs from the 50s & 60s, 3.45pm 1940s WAAF Show.So I do hope you can all make it along.

I have a full day tomorrow and I can’t blog for long tonight sadly so if you would like to find out more about  the “Flywheel” event do click onto the festivals web-site at www.flywheelfestival.com There you can read press and find out about booking tickets although hurry as I think the reduced ticket price ends on Friday evening!

It’s promising to be a fantastic event and has been billed as a festival of Historic Motoring, Aviation and Military Endeavour so I’m looking forward to performing there very much. The event is taking place at Bicester Heritage, Buckingham Road, Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26 5HA and it’s the first time this historic site has been opened to the public for a major event. I have a wonderful selection of shows planned covering music from WW1 – to 1960s to complement the vintage vehicles and aircraft so I do hope you can all make it along.

Today I was performing for a private party in Wing for Ladies Day which was perfect as we had such delightful weather. All the ladies had their gorgeous hats on and the party took place in a beautiful garden setting and marque. Before I arrived a screen had been rigged up to view the racing live from Ascot and I belive quite a bit of betting had been going on with many a fortune won and lost this afternoon! Thank goodness the money played was only Monopoly – such fun! I always put a lot of thought into my shows but today I thought with it being a smart event I would include “Putting on the Ritz”, “Stepping out with my Baby”, tunes from My Fair Lady – after all who could forget the Ascot scene and those wonderful words “Move your Bloomin’ ….!”  Oh and just incase you are wondering no I didn’t say it – although every-one else did!!! Shock horror I almost fainted!

Well must dash now thankyou for following and I will catch up with you all when I return from “Flywheel”.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now! 😉

Off to Sing at Flywheel!

Hello every-one it’s been a very busy four days. Since returning home from Normandy I’ve been working flat-out to catch up with my paper work, not to mention smoothing out all those little annoying niggles which seem to get in the way of life. By which I mean a chip in my windscreen which was supposed to be filled in and now needs a replacement, my printer which decided to break down in mid job and a load of stockings which have just decided to go into holes and ladders. Oh what a newsence as I huff and puff!

However saying that I have more or less caught up and I was able to get my printer fixed this morning. Although I’m still worried about my windscreen. The only appointment I could get is for this Thursday and if you have ever had this job done before you will know you have to leave a 5 hour window which I don’t really have. It’s Ascot week and I’m booked to do a Ladies Day Show at 2.15 on Thursday so I may well end up trotting off to the venue on Shank’s Pony if things don’t go to plan!

Me with Stephen Slater’s WW1 Aircraft which will be at Flywheel!

Despite these annoying little hic ups I have a full week of shows. On Monday I was in Harrow singing “The Great American Song Book” at The Midddlesex New Synagogue. On Wednesday it’s “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” in Hazlemere, “Ladies Day” in Wing on Thursday, another “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree show” in Marlow on Friday and then I’m straight off to Bicester Heritage Airfield for the “Flywheel” event which is taking place on the 20th 21st June. It’s a public event celebrating the history of Aviation, Motoring and Military Endeavor and it’s the first time a major public event has been held at Bicester Heritage – so I hope you can all make it along. You can find out more information by clicking onto the web-site at www.flywheelfestival.com

We’ll Meet Again!

I shall be performing 3 x 45 minute costume shows daily over the weekend and you can catch me on stage in the entertainments marque at 11.30am, 1.45 pm and at 3.45pm durring which I shall be singing a variety of music from WW1 to the Swinging 60s. We have two splendid bands booked too. On Saturday “78rpm” who play in the 1930s Savoy style lead by band leader Michael Law who is also band leader to the Piccadilly Dance Orchestra. On Sunday Richard Whennel’s Jazz Band will be joining us on stage and who I’m sure many of you already know is the brilliant musical arranger and producer of my backing tracks so it’s going to be an amazing weekend. A wonderful gift for Fathers day. So if you are looking for somewhere to take Dad on Sunday “Flywheel is the place to be with so much to see and do for the whole family.

Over the weekend I will be singing a great variety of music covering songs from WW1 to the 1960s. The weekends show itinerary will run as follows so I hope you can all make it along as it would be a shame to miss us:-

Saturday 11.30am – 12.15pm “Pack Up Your Troubles”  Songs from WW1, 12.45pm – 1.30pm Band 78 rpm, 1.45pm – 2.15pm “The Swinging 50s and 60s”, 2.45pm – 3.30pm Band 78rpm, 3.45pm – 4.30pm  “We’ll Meet Again” ATS Army Show.

Sunday 11.30am – 12.15pm “Putting on the Ritz” Songs from 1920s and 30s, 12.45pm – 1.30pm Richard Whennel’s Jazz Band, 1.45pm – 2.15pm “Mr Sandman” Glamorous tunes from the 50s and 60s, 2.45pm – 3.30pm Richard Whennel’s Jazz Band, 3.45pm – 4.30pm “Those Magnificent Men” 1940s WAAF show

Meet Harry Bellafonte & Odette, Ginger Spice & Cliff Richard!

Dispite working at my desk this weekend I couldn’t resist on Saturday night popping along to All Saints Church in Leighton Buzzard for a very special fund-raising event which this year took the shape of “Stars in their Eyes”. When I heard that Canon Grant Fellows was doing Shirley Bassey I couldn’t resist and belive me the night didn’t disappoint. It was one of the most entertaining evenings I’ve ever been to with a lot of very scary Spice Girls, Cliff Richard as I’ve never seen him before, back by the Cliffettes, Harry Bellafonte and Odetta singing “There’s a whole in my Bucket” were a wonder to behold and who also brought with them a complete set of garden furniture. We even had The Inn Keeper “Thenardier” from Les Miserables! The church was packed and we were all in stitches from beginning to end which just goes to show what a wonderful group of good sports we have at All Saints Church!

Behind the Scenes with the Whirling Ball!

Just in case you are wondering who won – well it was the Canon singing Big Spender. For the finale he led the singing performing “One Day More” from Les Miserable as members from the audience stood up and sang all the various parts. I was particularly impressed by the young girl who sang the role of Eponine. I don’t know who she was but her voice was excellent and she really stood out as a star singing beautifully. So much work went into this production which had all sorts of little touches from dry ice as the artists walked out from behind the screens to films introducing the performers going about their daily biz. I also loved the way the way someone had hung the whirling ball on a step-ladder. Simple but Brilliant!

Thank-you All Saints for a Wonderful Night!

That’s all my news for now but on the 27th June I will be off to Birmingham for Armed Forces Day . Keep Watching and I shall keep you posted.

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!