I am thrilled to be back performing at Leyburn 1940s weekend which is taking place Saturday 21st July – Sunday 22nd July.
The programme of events is amazing as usual and as Major Swing is elsewhere that weekend this year I am working alongside DJ UXB and for the third time at Leyburn the hugely talented Colin Bourdiec. (more…)
I am absolutely thrilled to be taking part in the Best of Thorne again this year. The whole town joins in as part of the 1940s event and there is entertainment taking place all over.
The Sywell classic took place over 23rd / 24th September at the Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire and welcomed 15,000 visitors over the 2 days to experience the array of classic cars and aerial displays. (more…)
September 15th is marked as the commemoration day for the Battle of Britain so memorials were taking across the country both at RAF bases and in cities.
I was lucky enough to be involved in a local fundraising event recently where I met the team from Newark Patriotic Fund. The event I was at was also a memorial to a soldier who had lost his life 10 years previously in Afghanistan.
(more…)
On Wednesday 13th September I was invited to North Warren Residential Home to sing as part of their 1940s themed tea party. This was an event for residents but families and friends were also invited to attend. (more…)
On October 1st 2017, 9.30 am I have been invited to sing Requiem for a Soldier as part of a commemoration led by David Moore to remember those lost when a Lancaster Bomber crashed near Gunthorpe. Would be lovely to see people there.
A little late doing this post – have been so busy!
Woodhall Spa 1940s weekend in Lincolnshire was as busy as usual. The organisers estimate they had 45,000 visitors over the weekend – which is amazing.
On the Saturday I was performing outside the Book Fayre on the Broadway where we had a really good crown some familiar faces included Gary and Dave (the photographers), Pete Hibbard and Grahame Barrass. Following this in the afternoon we skipped across to the Inn for the evening set.
Here we were to do 2 sets of 45 minutes up to 8 pm at which point Steve Green and Damaris Jean were to continue with the evening. There were some familiar faces in the crowd from last year and plenty of dancers around.
This year we made the decision to stay over night as our friend Helen had found a great little B & B just outside of Tattersall – we even managed to fit Jim Purdey in the car!
Sunday was another lovely day and we joined Amanda, Steve and Lucy from the 40s Homefront on the bandstand in the park. I would have loved to have caught up with my fellow tall singer Paula Marie AKA The Vintage Vocalist but it’s impossible to get around.
Lots of highlights from the weekend but as always the flyover makes this event extra special.
See you next year folks!
It was Crich again! So happy to be back at one of my favourite shows of the year in such a fantastic place.
REQUIEM FOR A SOLDIER – I had a wonderful surprise that George Fretwell had posted a video on YouTube of a compilation of me singing Requiem for a Soldier (the theme to the Band of Brothers) .
I am incredibly proud of this recording and I have now sold over 100 copies of the CD meaning that I have raised over £100 for the Upottery Heritage Airfield Trust, which has now been donated, as well as more to come. A massive thank you to everyone who has supported this.
The music was written by Michael Kamen for the 2001 mini-series the Band of Brothers and this moving piece of music means a lot to some people.
Even more fitting it is 100 years ago today that my Great Great Uncle Frank Dye was killed in action aged 19. The following information is courtesy of my Aunt Sue.
“He was a gunner with the Royal Field Artillery born Sept. 1897, killed in action in Ypres Belgium on 8th August 1917, so aged just 19. He is buried at the Canada Farm Military Cemetery in Ypres, which is almost where he fell (or so we believe) during WW1 is was a dressing station, and it believed that the men who were treated there and lost their life, were buried there. He was the first son and only son to James and Frances Ellen Dye, who went to have 4 daughters.”