Taking a Tea Break at Shabbytique!

Paul doing his Sinatra Thing!

As every I’m in a bit of a dash again tonight trying to get everything ready for tomorrow and the start of my Christmas season as I go over songs and sort out dresses for a very full month of shows! I’m getting better with each day but I still haven’t quite got over my cold yet but the show must go on! On Sunday I was working at Waltham St Lawrence for Shabbytique Fairs singing 20 mins on and 20 mins off all through the day with my friend Paul who does a wonderful Frank Sinatra. Between us we kept the crowds well entertained as it was really busy as every-one seemed to be out shopping for Christmas. Tomorrow is my first Christmas show of the season and then I have a straight run of 38 shows which will be taking me through to the end of the month, so much to do!

You can catch me in the Best of British magazine this month on page 75 under a gift for Christmas. I have taken out a half page advert where I am offering a special offer to Best of British readers on two of my albums “The Good Old Days” and “Liberty”. So do pop down to WH Smith and pick up a copy. Other interesting articles in the magazine this month include “Shop Front Secrets” behind the scenes of Open All Hours and one article I’m looking forward to reading very much “Keep the Home Fires Burning” songs of the Great war.

That’s about all my news for now. Keep Watching and I shall catch up with you all later this week

Toodle Pip and Bye for Now!

My New Cloch Hat!

It’s been a funny week this week particularly as everything started out so well! On Monday I gave myself a really good work-out at the Gym and I spent the rest of the day working on my new designs for my web-pages only to come down with an awful cold by Tuesday! I try very hard to avoid colds but this one hit me rather hard and I had to spend all of Tuesday in bed. I’m still not quite my self  but as I was booked to do a show on Wednesday I put my best foot forward, as the show must go on, and yes I did it! If I’m honest it did knock me a bit for six but the odd thing is the client thought it was the best show I had ever done for them and thought my voice sounded great. It seems when I have a cold my voice sounds deeper and more sexy! I’m still not quite sure how to take that – but then thinking about it mezzo’s always get the sexy roles in Opera and I quite fancy doing a Carmen!

I’m still a little under the weather, but I am a last starting to feel better. I have so much work to do and many phone calls to make before the Christmas season I really can’t afford to roll over and give up. Tomorrow I have another show to do which I must see through and then I’m booked to sing at the New Hall in Waltham St Lawrence on Sunday – so it’s important I get well. Last night I must have been away with the fairies. I went to bed very early after my show and I had a night of weird dreams so goodness knows what was in that leomonsip! Today has been my first day back at my desk as I had appointments to keep and a dress fitting. Next week I shall be in Rochester at the Dickens Festival and I have commissioned a beautiful cape which will go over my Victorian coat and give me extra warmth when performing. It’s so important to have the right clothes for the time of year which don’t only look right but keep you warm too. I was thrilled to find the fabric for the cape when I was in “Waywards” in St Leonards last week. Judi has made a wonderful job of the cape which will look just the ticket. Oh speaking of period clothes I must tell you this – the other day I was able to pick up the perfect cloch hat to go with my 1920s coat after loads of searching. Some of you may have seen the pictures of me wearing the coat when I sang for the Priscilla MacBean Ceremony last week. I was ever-so worried there might have been rain for the ceremony as the hat I wore is made of straw and quite wrong for the season.  Fortunately we were lucky and I got away with it, my straw didn’t look out-of-place and now I have been able to find the perfect cloch wool felt in gold. So all is well and I wont be worried if it rains!

Time for bed now I think. Thanks for following and Toodle Pip!

On Stage at Leighton Middle School!

Leighton Middle School is Famous for it’s Beautiful Grounds!

Wish Me Luck As You Wave Me Goodbye!

I promised you all the second part to my blog today after a busy week and no sooner did I return from Hastings I was back to school with Leighton Middle here in my home town of Leighton Buzzard. This must be something like my 8th year going into schools and my lesson plan is all about the music of WW2 and how social events brought about the changes in popular music. When ever I go into schools I take along my props and costumes and I get the children to try on my hats when singing “The Army the Navy and the Air Force”. I owe so much to Miss Short who was my music teacher at Leighton Middle School and if it wasn’t for her I probably wouldn’t be a professional singer today.

When I went up to my middle school from juniors I wanted desperately to do drama and be in the school plays but because I was dyslexic I couldn’t read the scripts and I found myself excluded. So I found another way to express myself through dance and I joined the school choir instead . Miss Short recognised my potential and I sang solos and choreographed my own dance routines as I loved Ballet and later danced in the schools musical production of  Capella. Leighton Middle has a wonderful music department which is all down to the dedication of Miss Short and her empathy for others in recognising talent. Eventually I was able to play a part in the school play but this didn’t happen until I was 15 at my Upper School when I was cast as the Artful Dodger in Oliver. I remember raising a few eyebrows when I said I wanted to audition for a boys part – but play Dodger I did – even if it took until I was 15 before I could read the script!

What I enjoy most about going into schools is working with children and harnessing their energies. Making the lessons fun and bringing in a few facts about the war as they sing the songs. When I talk about rationing the favourite seems to be “Yes we have no Bananas” as I get the children to do actions and they always enjoy waving flags at the end for “We’ll Meet Again” and “Wish me Luck as You Wave Me Goodbye”.

Today I’m booked to do my WW1 Show “Pack Up Your Troubles” in Ealing at the Ealing No One Club and then next week it’s 50s and 60s and the 20s and 30s before we get set for the Christmas Season. Gosh where does the time go to!

That’s all my news for now as I must sort out my costumes for tonight and decide which WW1 costume to wear.

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Me with “Priscilla Mac Bean”

The Lifting of “Priscilla Mac Bean”

Me In One Of Anne’s 1940s Jumpers!

1930s Hat Flicks from Antiques and Art!

Shopping for Fabrics at Wayward in St Leonards!

Tea with Paul in Bexhill!

Hello every-one I’m so sorry I’m a bit behind with my blogs this week but I’ve had a very full week one way and another working down in the Hastings area. In fact I’ve done so much this week I have decided to split my blog into two parts so I can keep you up to date with my news. For those of you who follow me on face book I expect you have already seen many of my photos. It has been all go – and stated last Friday with me driving down to Hastings after my show in Milton Keynes. As you might imagine the traffic was dreadful on the M25 especially going over the Queen Elizabeth bridge. I didn’t arrive in Hastings until 9.15pm having set off at 4.30pm from Milton Keynes!

My reason for being in Hastings was all down to my friend Dee-Day who had engaged me to sing for the “Priscilla Mac Bean” Ceremony and Parade which took place in Hastings Old Town on Saturday 15th November in front of the RNLI station. The Priscilla Mac Bean life boat had been renovated for the occasion by volunteers as a memorial tribute to the Rye lifeboat “Mary Stanford” which capsized in 1928 on the 15th November losing all 17 crew members. I was engaged to sing two hymns at the service “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and “Amazing Grace” after which a minute’s silence was held before the life boat was pulled through the old town by the Blue Watch and the Hastings Bonfire Boys Society. For those of you who live in the South Coast area you might have caught the story on the regional news as it was covered by both the BBC and ITV news teams. The whole town came out to see the Priscilla MacBean as she was lifted and laid to rest just outside the Stables Theatre in Hastings Old Town. A theatre I know very well having played there some years ago. I felt very proud to be invited to take part in the event and afterwards I sang  songs at the reception from the 1920s and 30s for all the people who had taken part in the ceremony.

Of-course I’m no stranger to Hastings Old Town and I first started coming down to Hastings in the late 90s. Most of the shop owners know me really very well. Hastings is full of retro fashion and antique shops and I often like to visit my friend Anne Finch of “Blitz Knitz” who knits all my 1940s jumpers. Anne knits a lot for TV and film and while I was in town I made an appointment to see her and yes you guessed it, couldn’t resist! When it comes to buying vintage clothes the south coast is great for sourcing the best in fashion. While I was in Rye I picked up some wonderful hat flicks at Antiques and Art on the corner of Ferry Road and the lady there told me about a wonderful shop in St Leonards, Norman Road  which is just along from Hastings called “Wayward”. Wayward sell vintage fabrics, buttons and haberdashery a 7th heaven for me and after two hours in the shop (which was far too short) I came out with a large bag of must have fabrics and trimmings for my next project – A Victorian cape!

Perhaps it was just as well I had a show to get to as I could have spent all day at “Waywards” but then I do love the South coast and on this occasion I was able to share my love of all things Vintage with my friend Paul as we enjoyed tea in Rye and “Yesterday’s World” in Battle. On this occasion I stayed at a wonderful B&B called Muffins in Hastings and travelled back on Wednesday night after my show in Bexhill. On Thursday I was singing at Leighton Middle School as I took the children back in time with the music of WW2, but I shall tell you more about that in my next blog

Part two to follow tomorrow – Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Photos from Wednesday’s Shoot – Me in The Studio!

I Love My Radio!

Wear Your Poppy with Pride! Me at Lent Rise!

It’s been another busy week with Remembrance and all sorts. On Tuesday I spent the 11th hour at Lent Rise residential home in Burnham. At 11am we all stood for the 2 minutes silence and watch the pictures live from the Tower of London which was very moving. The home had engaged me to perform my “We’ll Meet Again” 1940s show straight afterwards and all the residents had a wonderful time singing the songs. Now I’m back home I’m all set and more or less packed for Hastings. Tomorrow I have a 2.30pm show in Milton Keynes and then I’m back on the road as I head off to the south cost.

This weekend I have been engaged to sing at the Priscilla MacBean Ceremony which is a memorial tribute to the Rye lifeboat “Mary Stanford” which capsized in 1928 on the 15th November losing all 17 crew members. I’ve been engaged to sing a couple of hymns at the ceremony and then songs from the 20s and 30s at  the reception afterwards. Today I met up with my pianist friend Ross and we went through the hymns “Eternal Father Strong to Save” and “Amazing Grace”. Eternal Father has a few funny words like bidd’st, didd’st and tumult which I must get right as I’m singing unaccompanied. To be honest I’m a bit worried about the weather as it can be hard work singing on a sea front without a microphone in the wind and the rain. But fingers crossed all will be well and please, please don’t let it rain!

I’m planning to be down in Hastings for a few days as I have a few more shows to do on the Tuesday and Wednesday, before heading back on Wednesday evening. Then I’m back to school on Thursday as I take class at Leighton Middle School and talk to the children about the popular songs of  WW2.

Oh yes and before I forget I’ve just had a few of my photos back from last Wednesday’s photo shoot. Every so often I like to go into the studio and record  my dresses and costumes for my web-site. Rachel and I are currently working on some new pages and these will be used to illustrate my Video and Sound Sample pages so watch this space. I haven’t had time to go through them all yet as we took over 750 photos but here are a few for now – enjoy!

Keep Watching and Toodle Pip!

Me in a WW1 Trench at Swarbridgeworth!

Me singing at Waddesden Village Hall!

Paul Singing Sinatra at Shabbytque!

Today I have been out and about singing in Harrow performing my “Great American Song Book” show at the Middlesex New Synagogue in Bessborough Road. I first performed there a year last July and I have since become a regular visiter to the Synagogue performing a verity of different shows. Todays show “The Great American Song Book” is one of my favourites as it includes music from some of the best-loved writers of the 20th century, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter – so you could say all my favourites!

I’ve also been busy this weekend too. On Saturday I was booked to perform in Sawbridgeworth at the Memorial Hall for the towns WW1 event. I was engaged to perform my WW1 show “Pack Up Your Troubles” and afterwards I was invited into the trenches. Friends of the Memorial Hall had especial built a trench as an attraction  and with all the re-enacters inside it looked very realistic indeed. I expect a few of you have already seen my photos on Facebook!

Sunday was remembrance and Paul and I were singing at Waddesden Village Hall for Shabbytque Fairs. At 11 am we held a minute’s silence and far off in the distance we could hear a lone bugler playing the last post which was all very moving. After the minutes silence I sang “Requiem to a solder” and then 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off all through the day which seem to go down very well. Paul sang too, and proved to be a real hit with the ladies! I’m next singing for Shabbytquue on the 30th November when the fair moves to Waltham St Laurance and as you might imagine I’m looking forward to that very much.

Tomorrow I have an early  11am show to mak remembrance in Burnham and then on Friday I’m off down to Hastings for the launching of a lifeboat memorial, – but more on that later.

In the meantime I must get to bed. Thank-you for following and Toodle Pip!

We’ll Meet Again!

Me at the Hair Dressers Getting Ready for my Photo Shoot!

Behind the Scenes From Wednesday’s Shoot!

Don’t Forget to Wear Your Poppy This Sundy!

As ever I’m in a dash again to get everything ready for this weekend of remembrance. Once again I’ve had a busy week and this time I was out and about in Stoney Stratford doing a photo shoot on Wednesday with my friend Colin. When ever I do a photo shoot I always like to put in a lot of preparation, and for those of you who follow me on Facebook you have probably already seen my behind the scene shots at the hair dresses! I have so many beautiful costumes I want to share with you all which is why I like to have them recorded photographically, this way you can enjoy them as much as me! I wont get my photos back until after this weekend but do keep following and as soon as I do I shall post up a few of my favourites for you to see on facebook – so watch this space as they say!

In the meantime I shall be off to Sawbridgeworth tomorrow for remembrance Saturday. I’ve been booked to perform my WW1 show “Pack Up Your Troubles” and the event is being staged at the Memorial Hall. With the Great War centenary a trench has been recreated as a center piece and I’m looking forward very much to performing for the town once more. There will also be lots of military vehicles on display so I know it will be a fantastic event. The event begins at 10.30am and guests can be driven in a military vehicle to the airfield memorial near Trimms Green.  I’m booked to perform at the Hall for 2pm so I have my costume already packed and pressed! For remembrance Sunday I shall be singing all day at Waddesden Village Hall for a Vintage Fashion Fair.  So for all you lovers of Vintage Fashion do come along. I will of course be observing the minute’s silence at 11am. These things are so important and we must never forget our fallen! Speaking of which I caught up with my friend Joe Marling – “The Poppy Man of Pitstone” on Monday on my way home from Normandy. Joe stands outside Masons Stores in Pitstone every year without fail collecting for the Poppy appeal. Last year he single-handedly raised £2300. and he is keen to beat his target this year. So if you haven’t bought your poppy yet do pop along and see Joe as I know he would be delighted to see you.

One last thing before I dash – don’t forget to pick up your November copy of the Best of British magazine. If you don’t know it’s available to buy in WH Smith and it’s a must have for anyone who loves nostalgia. This month the magazine are running a competition where you can win a signed copy of my latest Music Hall and Variety album “The Good Old Days”. Five albums are up for grabs and all you have to do is answer the question on page 75. It’s ever-so easy and the anser can even be found in this blog post so do have a go and good luck every-one!

If you want to find out more about my many albums and CDs just click onto my CD page of this web-site and you can read through all my play lists.

Well that’s all my news for now and don’t forget to wear your Poppy this Sunday. Keep Watching and Toodle Pip! 😉

Out and About in Ste Marie du Mont!

Paul, Sandra, Jim and Me!

Joe Marling the Poppy Man of Pitstone!

Paul and I with Philippe!

Hello every-one it’s been a fantastic weekend and I’m not long back from Normandy after performing at Salle des Fetes de Sainte in Ste Marie du Mont for the towns annal 1940s dance. It was lovely to be invited back after my performances in June so a big thankyou goes out to Jim and Philippe who made this possible and to Sandra who gave Paul and I such wonderful hospitality. If you have been following my blogs you will know I travelled down to Portsmouth after my Halloween show on Friday and we then caught the over night ferry to Caen/Ouistreham. Paul and I docked in at 6.45 am and we drove our way to Raids which isn’t far from Carentan and not so far from Ste Marie du Mont.

I was engaged to perform 2 x 45/60 mins sets of 1940s swing dance music which went down really well and I also musically moved things on a little to the 1950s – 60s with some good old American Rock and Roll. Ste Marie du Mont isn’t far from Utah Beach so during the war it was liberated by the Americans which is why I thought the rock and roll would go down well. I concluded my show with Edith Piaf’s Mon Dieu and I’m now looking forward to returning next year. I’m already working on new French songs and I have some ideas about  arrangements which I’m looking forward to putting into production. I’m afraid my visit to Ste Marie du Mont was only a lighting stop and once again Paul and I caught the overnight ferry home on Sunday night, docking in at 6.45 am this morning. When ever I travel to Caen I always make sure I book a cabin and get my head down straight away. A cabin can make all the difference as I’m not very good at sea. The last two times I came over on the fastcat into Cherboug and was very unwell so for me the cabin is a must!

On my way home from Portsmouth I called in to see my friend Joe who at this time of year parks his 1940s jeep outside Masons stores in the village of Pitstone and collects money for the Poppy Apeal. I think last year he was able to raise £2,300. which is a great achement. This is why Joe is known as  The Poppy Man of Pitstone and he’s keen to beat last year’s target! So if you live locally do visit Joe and buy a poppy from him not forgetting to wear it with pride!

It’s late and I must get to bed as I’m in the hair dresses tomorrow morning getting ready for Wednesday’s photo shoot! More on that soon in the mean time Toodle Pip and thank-you for following! 😉