CRAZY WEEKS !

As i have said before time is flying by… so much to do so little time …..

Just worked on two productions for BOR PRODUCTIONS FOR THE MSC line so they have all left the costume unit HOW MANY COSTUMES !!!… now its time to get ready for the Christmas Productions for Impact artists with shows in FREADING,MAIDSTONE ,ARDINGLY AND ICC CETIC MANOR and the THE ROYAL HORSE SHOW AT EXCEL !

Dougie hasn’t been to well but is much better after a short stay in Hospital and my dear Mum again has been in hospital so a lot of rushing about ! also managed to do a bit of filming will keep that under wraps until I know the release date …. but a pic of the shoes may give it away …

Halloween was fun in the village very sweet that the families did a walk around the village tricking and treating Mike G was brilliant bless him… of course i did a halloween decor !

i sent my two girlfriends a sweet present how cute Molly and Bailey seems so long since I saw them ….

We have had very wet weather of late cleared a lot of the garden … had a ramp built for Dougie .. it helps greatly .but has caused mayhem with the garden .. but when the sun did come out caught a few nice pics of Wherwell ! Remembrance Sunday….was very touching watching the BBC at the Albert Hall BEAUTIFULLY STAGED … oh Watched a couple of good things …. MRS HARRIS GOES TO PARIS ( sweet ) My POLICE MAN Harry styles I thought was very good ….. FIRST SCRATCH Balled my eyes out ! and watched in two sessions THE CROWN !!! emmmmmm

Happy Days !!!

Autumn

The blue skies crisp air … the ever changing colour the leaves is stunning at this moment, although Its a beautiful time of year …I hate the leaves falling …. ( MY OCD!)

From Wherwell to Leckford water gardens it really is quite stunning ….

Wilkes Academy Auditions...

Some one else im so proud of with college in performing arts is Jonathan Wilkes, know him since he was a keen enthusiastic young performer creating Jonathans first act at the star in Blackpool Jonathan Wilkes and the Space girls hahah … we worked together for a few years and then he did pantomimes in Scotland for me and then in Brighton .. His career then took off … recording with his best mate Robbie Williams then his own album , lead to numerous tv shows before starring in west end musicals and big UK Tours

all the while creating Wilkes Academy with wife Nicky and Suzanne Mole …. I have visited the college many times .. a fabulous facility… always a joy to walk in the studios in Swindon.

I have worked with the students over the past years and they are all so really nice to work with, its a great atmosphere there .. So today it was audition time for the christmas shows I am working on….

Oh I wish i could use them all …. it never gets easier choosing …. lovely that Dougie came along … with wise words for the students …

Generation Dance class October

Great to be back in the studio with a crazy bunch of lovely people , they are mad !

for 2 hours they danced their socks off .. but getting the camera out… was hysterical … they all went into their performing days …. love em xxxx

CARL ALAN AWARDS

Well this year i was nominated which i was truly honoured by for life time achievement award

It was awarded to the legend of Betty Laine a hands down winner of such a award . for all her devoted dedication to her college Laine Theatre Arts … Its a long story, but i was the first boy to go to the college in 1976 which I think was the 3rd year of the college opening so it was all very new…

incredible dedication and hard work has made the college one of the leading colleges in the uk for theatrical training , the thousands of students that have gone through the doors is quite remarkable and a number of well known stars in entertainment trained at Laine.

we messaged each other which has been very nice indeed…. Thank you Miss laine x

Miss Betty Laine OBE and Phil Winston AT THE CARL ALAN AWARDS 2022

The Legend Angela Lansbury

Sad to hear of the passing of theatrical Legend Dame Angela Lansbury, memories of my childhood appearing in my first West End show

With a fabulous cast starring Angela as Mama Rose … was truly a amazing experience…. One I hold close to my heart … the amazing thing we were treated as part of the company not left out of anything …

I will always remember the very first complete run through in the rehearsal room in Clapham cup final day May 1973 … watching her Roses turn even at my young age I knew how special it was … the company in full admiration of her performance rose to a standing ovation .. there were tears of joy from the

Company I knew it was a moment always to remember. Angela was so kind and caring to us children … I still have the notes she sent me on her blue headed embossed cards … and my last performance she gave me a beautiful Hollywood book and sang to the tune of narcissus written by John Blyth a song

Dear Antony we all hope that you will go far dear antony speak to us when your a star

Your taps are tops,we hope no flops

And we hope you will be as happy as we have to know you ….

Wow I can’t believe I remember that as I write …

So Thank You Dame Angela for making my very first show so magical and making my mum

So proud …

Your amazing career and performances in everything you performed is truly the legend you are …. Xxx

HATS!

BEEN A BUSY TIME WITH GETTING COSTUMES READY FOR BOR PRODUCTIONS AND IN THE MIDDLE HAD TO CREATE A PEACOCK HEADRESS FOR A BBC COMEDY AND A PANTO HEAD DRESS FOR PATSY KENSIT FOR LHK PRODUCTIONS …

MY BRUV BIRTHDAY!

My dear mum hasn’t been too well of late a week in the hospital then got cover bless her

but she was well enough to go to the Fox in Crawley near us for CELEBRATION dinner which was lovely !

the food and service is so very good !

GENERATION CLASS SEPT

BACK IN THE STUDIO! HOW LOVELY TO SEE EVERYONE AND BACK DOING WHAT THEY ALL LOVE TO DO DANCE !

MEMORIES OF ROYAL EVENTS

I was very fortunate to work on some wonderful events for Her Majesty here is just a few highlights

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

No words come to mind to describe how we are all feeling at the saddest news we never wanted to hear . A remarkable Women the real Queen of our hearts . Her dedication to our country and the commonwealth is heartfelt.

My thoughts are with her family at this very sad time and to us all who some of us have never known our lives with out her as our Queen …

She has touched so many , honoured that over the years worked on many of her Royal Pageants and Royal Galas …with such pride ..

The most professional person I have ever seen

With the most amazing complexion x

Hearing Beautiful tributes from around the world to such a iconic women … our Queen ..

I wish our new monarch all the very best, it’s going to be a huge change in our lives …. A new beginning…. I WAS VERY HONOURED TAKING THE PIC IN THE YELLOW HAT X

RAIN !

oh boy we needed it!

ICC EVENT WALES

WELL … with out boot I was able to choreograph my first show since I had my injury !

slightly nervous but all was okay !! phew!!!

Worked with a great group of dancers and artists and the event went really well ! Thanks to them all and David and tony of Impact artitsts

Dear Maureen

I pay tribute with all my heart to a wonderful lady who was such a huge part of the dancing world and my early days of dancing the wonderful Maureen Flenly so sad hearing the passing of this remarkable lady …

She captured through the lens so many of our child hood memories with dancers all over the uk … everyone knew Maureen !!

She has a been a life long friend to my family for over 68 years … she brought so many friendships together … she brought Dance schools together as friendships…remarkable …performances she knew everyone and we were introduced to so many people and star names in the industry … she followed our achievements and can’t remember a dance competition with out aunty Maureen

My first show Gypsy was indirectly through Maureen … she touched so many of our lives

Thankyou dearest maureen for all the memories on behalf of us all from Butler Horner !

Would like to Thank Norma Arnold and Vicky McDonald for all the care they have given Maureen these past years … Xxx

Just a few of some of the hundreds we have of pics that Maureen took ! Xxx

On thursday the 13th the celebration of Maureen’s life was held at Kingston, a beautiful service with Norma Arnold looking as beautiful as ever arranging a lovely service in memory of maureen …

lovely to see friends from days gone by, Jan Hunt, Brenda Last, Genesia Rosato… it was very special lovely to be with my sister Janet and dear Mum xx

Time flying !

I think I need a safety belt .. for time its just flying past and not getting ones breath ..

JULY did I blink ? lots of dry weather not good for the garden but a few days heatwave thrown in for good measure, I did get a paddle pool which really saved the day !

Had visits from Lisa and Pat which was very nice also my Mother and Janet and brother Paul

We went up north for a few days to see Reece and all, ( got Few rooms painted in the process! while we were away.

Oh Blackpool ….. what can I say …. Had nice trips around , and a walk along the beach and down the prom by PB which of course brought back memories of my time there …it looked rather sad … I know its been a hard time for everyone in business .

Reece and his company have done really well with their sister company STAYS BLACKPOOL , some amazing properties they have, ones they have done and some from landlords very stylish indeed in great locations

We had some lovely food especially Thai cafe in Highfield rd really good ! A celebration barbecue at the Campbells which was lovely to see everyone even in the rain… Don worked so hard they are superb hosts kind and generous its a very special family …

A quick trip to Manchester and stay at the Lowery one of my fav Hotels the rooms are so spacious … and full of style meet Simon and Ash for dim sum and talk about the wedding !

Then home … to a house all upside down because of the decorator … so has taken me a week to get it back to normal did a lot of sorting tho and got rid of clothes ! by no means not a easy task ….

but im sure I could do more ……..got a hot tub ordered just in time as we are on hose pipe ban ! for Reece’s visit but unfortunately he had to cancel due to work commitments so I didnt cancel it … I had it for a few days So my sister and brother could enjoy it when they came for lunch …it was fun…

now I need to get on with some work thats popping in ….

DAD ...

It felt very strange this year not buying a fathers day card or a birthday card for Ivan my dad …

but we celebrated his birthday by releasing his ashes in old Portsmouth, it was such a stunning day the sky the sea at its best … so it was touching farewell to Dad … with Mum Janet Paul and Joans Son’s Paul and Terry.. we went for a light lunch at the Canteen so it was a day Ivan would of liked … he would of found some thing to moan about lol …

Our dear friend Jenifer ....

Jennifer passed away sadly this week ..

A life long friend of Dougie and Jamie and was one the family ….

they met her when she was about 14, renting a flat from her grand mother , they become buddies

Jennifer was one of a kind just fabulous with a captitol F … SHE HATED TO TALK !!!1 LOL

She lead a remarkable career being the buyer for Fenwicks then with Jim such a partnership created a very successful Toy shops … She loved life to the full , loved her beloved Jim and daughter Adrienne AND FAMILY WORSHIPPED THE GRAND CHILDREN … BLESS …

Will miss eve dropping her phone calls with Dougie and will greatly miss her cards in her unique style with such flurish ! it took you awhile to read her writing … her support in everything we did was lovely….

dear Jen what a pleasure to have know you xxx

Lovely Weekend

What could be better than seeing friends at the weekend coming down from Blackpool with the best girls in the world … Molly and Bailey the two Beagles I adore ..it had seemed ages since I saw them, it had been .they were delightful as ever , actually better behaved they seem so very happy and content and are just adorable and loveable as ever ..they seem still like puppies but Molly is in her 8th year …

Lucky with the weather no rain over the weekend … they arrived Friday afternoon tea served at the cottage !

just slightly camp …moi ! a nice catch up… followed by a walk around Wherwell and popped in to see Michael and Emma around their beautiful garden its stunning .. then back to thatch and dinner or tea a in joke … sitting outside at night first time this year but it did get a bit chilly for Dougie but it was a fun evening..

Reece my friend has started a new chapter in his life, his past relationship had run its course earlier this year and it was time for them both to move on… with a little bit of match making from his his dear mum Terry he has met Danny ..

so it was great to spend time with them and welcome Danny to the country … we all had met in Windsor so it was a very nice to spend time with them both and of course the girls …. Saturday breakfast in garden then trip into Winchester for a walk about … Dougie in chair me and my boot what a couple … Reece and Danny a great help for me with help with Dougie, its been a little difficult with my boot getting dougie in sand out of the cottage i pray the ramp is on its way !!! They suggested i with my new look Beard that i needed it trimmed so I went off as they went for a walk around Winchester , On return back to cottage we went to the new local BLACK CHALK WINERY and did wine tasting and nibbles it was very pleasant and fun on our door step…

back to cottage for more nibbles for a relax before dinner /tea at the Fox in Crawley which was lovely I really like it there the food and service is so very good … home and well needed bed

Sunday morning I was up bright and early watered garden pottered around as I do… I did get up a bit to early lol .. We then went for a walk on the old railway track i so enjoy that walk … it was okay with boot and walking stick … back to cottage a light breakfast as we were quite bloated from eating to much yesterday and we were going for lunch at the Grosvenor in Stockbridge for lunch …. Lunch was fab sitting in the court yard which is stunning … A sunday roast what could be better just perfect it was delicious Roast Beef at its best

A drive back through Leckford and a trip to the Leckford Waitrose garden center before heading back to the thatch and time for them to drive back to Blackpool … it all went so fast I’m sorry to say …

So it was a really lovely weekend … and spending it with Reece and Danny was very special x

The cottage 1

Its been quite a week … What with my boot on… and I broke my front tooth … leg healing I pray slowly !!!

but doing too much I am sure … the garden was calling and I find it great to help me have some think time ..

so with summer coming upon us … needed to play with the garden

also the great news we have a birds nest right near the front door and its hatched with two newly borns cant tell you how sweet it has been watching them xx