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.”
Today I had the honour at singing at Lisa and Simon’s Vintage themed wedding. (more…)
May Bank Holiday meant only one thing; the return of the Tutbury Institute Beer Festival and 1940s weekend. I performed here last year on the Saturday night but had passed that baton on to Johnny Victory who was to perform instead.
I was honoured to be asked back to Operation Neptune in Belgium having first performed there 2 years ago. This small but perfectly formed event is one of our favourites; jam packed full of living history and some of the nicest people you would ever want to meet!
A few people had been telling me about the event at Thorne and how much they enjoyed it so a few weeks ago I dropped a call into the organiser to introduce myself with a view to the 2018 event only to be called back a couple of hours later to see if I was available for Sunday 14th May. As some of my closest ‘entertainer’ friends were also there and it being fairly local I jumped at the chance to get involved. (more…)
Well at least it didn’t rain! For the 3rd year in a row I had the honour of performing at the Nottingham 1940s Knees-Up on the band stand at Nottingham Castle alongside the wonderful Kalamazoo Dance Band. The 1940s Knees-up is organised by Nottingham City Council and has been part of their events calendar for well over 10 years.
2 years coming to fruition but I finally did it – I completed my Diploma in Music Theatre Performance and can now use the letters DipLCM after my name should I so wish!
The 1940s season has gotten well under way now with Crich last weekend and now GSRW Wartime in the Cotswolds. (more…)
