It’s a small world, so they say – and I can certainly testify to that after this past weekend. A little under a year ago, an enquiry landed in my in-box. Was I, it asked, available for a spot at a Remembrance Sunday event near Sleaford in Lincolnshire? It was being held at the Anglia Motel – or, more specifically, in the shed which adjoins the café. Housed in here is a collection of military vehicles, including a tank, and a purpose-built stage to allow for concerts to take place.
The proprietor of the Anglia Motel (and café), a popular stopping-off point for people heading to Norfolk, is a splendid chap by the name of Harold. He has made it his mission to ensure that the few remaining D-Day Veterans are able to return to the shores of Dunkirk, together with their carers, so that the sacrifices made by so many in 1944 continue to be honoured and respected by those who were fortunate enough to return home. Sadly, that number continues to get fewer and fewer each year. Matched by Harold’s own generosity, he has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds, which down the years has enabled so many old soldiers to bow to their fallen comrades. If you ever find yourself travelling along the A17 in Lincolnshire, be sure to stop by. Just inside the door to the café is a display that tells the story of the annual excursion across the channel.
A few months prior to this, I’d had an enquiry from a couple in Cambridgeshire, asking about my availability to perform at a family party to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. Not only were Anne & Peter the nicest people you could ever wish to meet, so too were their extended family, who of course were there to celebrate with them. Imagine my surprise when earlier this summer, I was performing in the garden of the famous Three Moles pub near Petworth in Sussex. Now, my sister, brother-in-law and their three sons live just a hop and a skip away over the border in Surrey, and so took the opportunity to come along and watch the show. However, on the evening itself they were not the only familiar faces. At the interval, who should approach me, laughing away, but Anne & Peter, who had seen the gig advertised and decided to have a weekend away, including coming to see me perform. It was an absolute delight to see them both.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, and once again an enquiry came in asking if I was available for a lady’s 80th birthday celebrations being held in Peterborough. Her name was Maddie, and she along with her daughter and grandaughter loved the 1940s and wanted that to be the main theme of the party. As it happens, I was available, yes – and so was up bright and early this Sunday morning just gone, and heading for the A1 and Cambridgeshire once again. I’m sure in common with my fellow artistes, we are always curious as to how the client found me. It’s not something you necessarily ask straightaway, but while setting up at the venue, it was Dave who casually asked Tara, Maddie’s grandaughter, how they had got to hear about me.
It seems Tara had gone on the local Facebook page asking if anyone could recommend a 1940s singer - and my name had cropped up – by whom and saying what exactly, I’m not sure. But it was obviously glowing enough for Tara to take a look at my website, like the look of what I do, and get in contact. Again, I don’t know for certain, but I do think there’s a good chance it was someone who had been at Anne & Peter’s party and had been impressed enough to recommend me over a year later. It just goes to prove another adage in this business of mine – work gets work. Whoever it was had put my name forward, I am very grateful to them.
Not really an example of a small world, though, is it, I hear you say. Well, all set up and ready to go ahead of the first guests arriving, I was chatting with Tara’s husband, Paul, and family. I happened to mention that I undertake a lot of work in Lincolnshire and the surrounds, and mentioned about Harold and last November’s Remembrance Sunday event. “Harold is my uncle,” exclaimed Paul. Having discussed Harold and his unstinting efforts in aid of the Veterans, we all agreed that it was, indeed, a small world indeed.
Surrounded by her friends and family, and lots of love, happily Maddies 80th birthday celebrations flew by. At the beginning, I’d been given the honour of ‘crowning’ her with a sash and tiara. Booked as a 1940s singer, I stuck to music from that era during my first set, selecting from a playlist that Tara had kindly sent to me in advance. For my second set, I went more modern, which for me means 50s & 60s, even a spot of Kylie, all of which enticed a few to take to get up and dance. I was delighted to be handed a lovely ‘thank you’ card from the family at the end, along with a slice of birthday cake to take home with me - and later still a nice review praising my professionalism from the first point of contact right through to the actual delivery.
It’s always nice to see the whole package acknowledged in this way. Offering a professional service is vital for these type of bookings, which create important family memories. The fact that I do is, I like to think, the perfect example of how work really does get work!
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