Armed Forces Day at the Royal Oak!

The Royal Oak at Aston Abbotts!

Me as a WAC at Ellesborough!

The Church of St Peter & St Paul, Ellesborough!

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

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

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

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

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