EASTER

After a busy week rushing around all over the place even a trip to Western Super Mare !

GARDENING… PAINTING SHEDS AND TRYING TO CATCH UP ON WORK !!!! COSTUMES…

I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO EASTER ….

in my own crazy way I decked the cottage and garden with eggs and easter theme…dont know why I do it as we didnt really have any visitors … well it made Dougie smile …..

it started on Good Friday … lovely treat lunch at Rick Steins in Winchester which was lovely… then in afternoon had a small tea party in Garden weather was actually very nice .. Emma and family came which was fun… and in evening just chilled and watch a whole 10 episodes of something ! losing track of what I have watched … Saturday naff raining weather so stayed in pottered about as I do … Sunday we went to visit my Mother and sister Janet Paul and Judy For a very nice Sunday Lunch ….. Monday god knows what I did it flew by …. but made Dougie triffle huge success ! then it was to face the week ! it went so quickly

Reece and Danny loved their tv trousers lol … and Easter Basket … I wonder if they understood the dummy hahaha everyone seemed to love their cards etc and easter eggs … I reflected when I was a child that one knew the true meaning of EASTER .. TV used to be full of interesting programmes re the true meaning that seems to have all gone by the way side and its commercial eggs ….. actually the eggs were very disappointing this year no imagination … hey ho im sounding like Victor Meldrew !

ROYAL HORSE SHOW WINDSOR 2023

WE WILL BE BACK AT WINDSOR, ON THE SOUTH LAWN WITH ENTERTAINMENT THIS MAY 11TH TO 14TH

Just working on costume ideas !

Happy Mothers day !

Love seeing the posts on social media of everyone sending their love to all the mums …

it always has a been a special day , brings back memories of childhood always getting my mother dafffs as it was always the first bunch of this time of year ….. how times have changed as you can get them so early now!

so Happy mothers to one and all and especially for our dear Mum , she will miss hearing from dear Richard and Lynda who are no longer with us …but Paul janet and I will be having lunch with her x

A few days away ! heaven .... HAPPY VALLEY !

So a few days away WHICH WAS VERY SPECIAL… Just getting Dougie away a change of scenery for him… and the bonus seeing our dear friends … We drove up to Manchester first to stay in one of my favourite hotels The Lowry and lovely to see Boss Simon George had a fab Chinese meal at A1 in George street the cha su was heaven …. then the next day we drove to DAISY LEE FARM , Reece had found this cottage and it was just perfect.. the style, design was stunning …. so we had a few chilled days enjoying the atmosphere and company … Reece and Danny and my favourite girls Molly & Bailey… ( SO LOTS OF CUDDLES ) first day it was four seasons of weather in a matter of minutes .. snow sunshine rain and wind ….

It was on the moors just by Huddersfield …. we played games … cooked walked and a little wine … then on the last day Don and Terry joined us for more party games and quiz ‘s and Don cooked a fab indian meal which I loved … then it was all over so quick…. oh no … but lovely to spend time with the Campbells and Danny …. so great to just switch off which I normally find so hard to do , but managed too !

then it was the drive back to reality ….. so Thank you Reece Danny Don Terry and Molly & Bailey for such a lovely time x

GENERATION CLASS MARCH

Great to see everyone ! we had a fun class supporting red nose day raising £160 so thats great !

they are all such a lovely group of people .. it really is special xx

WOW! It's March 2023!

Wow I have been a long time not writing my blog !!! so a quick as possible catch up …..

just don’t know where time is flying by so fast I will need a safety belt at this rate.

November was quite a month, Dougie unfortunately was not too well and had a week at the Winchester hospital ,but got him home and was soon back at being Dougie , On the work front it was full swing ahead with the Christmas parties all over the south of England had a great team Joan Golden, Jackie Travers and Lisa Lee , Huge thanks to Wilkes Academy for the fabulous dancers I was able to work with .. they were terrific .with costumes galore !!! the biggest Thanks goes to the amazing Jill Bowyer who works with me at the unit the mad house of the costumes . she is just brilliant ! The Generation Christmas class was fun and joyous

Very sad news our dear friend and master of Events Sir Major Michael Parker passed peacefully after a short illness …. He was such a wonderful man, Funny, Hysterical , creative Kind ,warm I so looked up to him and marvelled at how amazing he was …. love ed so loved his stories … my heart goes out to dearest Emma and Ollie and family xxx god bless you dearest Michael

December flew by what with the christmas shows it was then producing the Finale at the International Horse show at EXCEL ! how many costumes not only that but a huge challenge in costuming the show jumpers in the sunday completition Dress up ( that was harsh no mean feast ) Again lucky to work with the students from BIRDS college who were just amazing I never want to hear I MADE YOU LOOK ever again !

Fab to work with Reece Campbell on such a hectic time he his the best at calm ….. the sunday night was pretty hectic but had a great team of dressers and make up who were all just the best …. SO A BIG THANKS TO Reece Danny, Lisa, Joan,Ali Trev and the face painting team so all went well

All this just finished just before Christmas so had a nice quite time recharging the batteries ..

Christmas Eve managed to got to midnight mass with brother Paul and Judy Christmas lunch with Dougie my brother Paul Judy and my dear Mum at the Grosevnor in Stockbridge …

The rest wasn’t to long as had a gala in Wales at ICC for New Years Eve Spent midnight chimes on the M4!

SO now it’s 2023 ! how did that happen …. crazy time horrendous the return of all the costumes from all over the place that all needed washing !!! added to that I filled the unit with extra costumes from Impact to go through … adding to that a refurb on Bor production Costumes so thanks to the amazing Jill we are getting there !!! and the unit has been freezing !!!! Lovely visit from Jeff and Robert to the cottage x

Had a lovely visit to the cottage Reece Danny and the best Molly and Bailey such a lovely chilled weekend with lots of missed cuddles from Bailey ….

A few meetings underway for fourth coming events in the year . which have stared well , the Jan Generation class went really well a great turn out … omg Im in to February I think i blinked and missed it , it seemed a very social Month … The lovely Pipkin,Kirsty and fab Sandy H came for a afternoon tea … great gossip afternoon that was .. always lovely to see Lisa lee when she pops down … then it was celebrations for Dougie’s 91st Birthday how many cakes did we go through hahah how long did that birthday last … that was never ending on the actual day had quite a quiet one … but the next day a surprise visit for lunch with Joan Sophie lynda and Donna really lovely … then it was the Generation Birthday class with the most amazing cake from all the dancers . Dougie was knocked out at all the lovely cards and presents and lovely messages … serval trips to see my dear Mum, my sister is incredible looking after her husband who is not well , bed ridden and nil by mouth for the past2 years and also looking after our mum … she needs a medal think she would prefer a crate of Wine lol x found time in fitting to do the church flowers for 2 weeks trust me to get Valentines week .. did I go over board lol xxx but i found sanctuary in being in the church I’m not religous but I believe in my God … laid flowers and pottered a few at Micheal’s side how he loved snow drops xxx

Move over Dougie it was my birthday too on the 26th 63 OMG 63 OMG 63 THATS HARD TO SWALLOW HAHAH it is a shock …. so amazed at all the lovely birthday wishes and cards ( although very exhausting reading and replying ) love it really… was very touched indeed lovely lunch at the fox with family But 63 this no joke !!!

Now its March 2023 ….. and on the catch up of things I let pass … I had found that I had moved my study around and never got to my desk never got round to keeping up with everything so have re arranged back and already i feel the flow for me to sit at my desk a whole lot better !

Had a lovely lunch with Emma she is doing really well …. a lovely lunch with Jackie Travers, A visit From Simon BOSS bless him going through quite a difficult time … time will heal … he is such a smashing man I feel for him …. let’s hope it all sorts its self out

So now its Generation class coming up this weekend and next week a few days away with Reece Danny and the 2 girls … Up to the peak district so looking forward to that … will be great for Dougie a change of scenery !

Happy days xxx make the most of it !

below is pics … in a bit all over the place xxx

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 !