Steve H
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team / Official Site Photographer & Videographer
Posts: 1,756
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Post by Steve H on Apr 6, 2008 17:57:39 GMT
Thank you Grant and Stephany.
Now for some pictures from the concert, as usual lighting was difficult, but I had the choice of three seats, for the first half of the concert I sat with James from the USA, Thanks James for the use of your spare seat., row 2 was great.
I was honored to sit with Connie, Sharon and Gavin after the interval in row seven, it was quieter back here and less conspicuous to the camera police! Steve H
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Steve H
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team / Official Site Photographer & Videographer
Posts: 1,756
|
Post by Steve H on Apr 6, 2008 18:48:08 GMT
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Post by Caitlin on Apr 6, 2008 19:20:50 GMT
Hi everyone! I think I only have a couple things to add about the concert/my weekend "up North." First, I got my wish for snow! While it WAS hailing/snowing before the concert after it was snowing light beautiful flakes. It made the evening complete. James, Dazza and I had a wonderful walk back to our hotel in the snow so I got to enjoy the snow. I truly enjoyed the concert and while it was my last Hayley concert in the UK (this year, not counting the Brits) I wasn't sad about it. I had a fabulous time. I asked Hayley about the color of her dress and she said "orangy-coral" and I told her I thought coral and she agreed. For everyone who told me they couldn't sing or weren't very good I must say you were wrong. Even Hayley agreed that our singing was good! But thanks for following me when I led everyone in Happy Birthday. I must admit I was worried only a few would follow and it wouldn't have had that very special hwI effect to it. Also, I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to a lot of you properly. It has been so wonderful to get to know you over the course of the year through Hayley's music that brought us together. I'm sure we shall meet again someday. Thank you for all the reports and pictures so far! <3 Caitlin
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Post by Dori on Apr 6, 2008 19:30:58 GMT
Hello everyone, Thank you so much for all the wonderful photos. It's like I went to sleep and it was Christmas the next morning! Absolutely stunning. So it was Connie who came! Oh, and what a sweet heart. I bet Hayley was thrilled, and Connie too! She's a darling. I can't wait to see more detail on Hayley's new dress! Also, thank you SO MUCH for the photos of the painting details on the ceiling. As an Art History student, I appreciate each and every photo I see of that kind of 'historical' art. (Not so much moder ) So thank you. Much appreciated. All I can say is that I wish I was there. Lovely to see photos of Elizabeth. She looks like a lovely woman, and I am certain that she enjoyed the concert. Thanks for the congrats, Grant! Can't wait for more! Dori
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Steve H
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team / Official Site Photographer & Videographer
Posts: 1,756
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Post by Steve H on Apr 6, 2008 19:33:39 GMT
This is my favourite one of Hayley with little Connie!Steve H
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Post by dutchjoyce on Apr 6, 2008 21:13:13 GMT
AAAhhhhhhhhhhh..................... I'M BACK HOME !!!! I see i have a lot to catch up............. I had a wonderful weekend, good flights, and met a lot of NEW HWI members. Good to see you all again!!! Come back later, JOYCE.
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Post by Gene on Apr 6, 2008 21:16:11 GMT
There isn't much that I can add except congratulations to everyone who attended (and even to those who didn't). I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for the wonderful stories and eye-catching photos. Life can be SO GOOD at times! Gene
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Post by Nordly on Apr 6, 2008 21:49:11 GMT
that dress looks amazing- as does the green Celtic dress too. I look fowared to seeing more
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Post by Andy on Apr 6, 2008 21:49:18 GMT
Hi all Just thought I’d sign on and say what a fantastic evening we had in Buxton! This was only the second time that Andy and I had seen Hayley in concert, but it was our daughter’s first, and did she enjoy it!! I was a little wary about taking her because, although I knew she really liked to listen to Hayley’s cds, I thought she might get a little restless during the performance (as most 6 year olds would do) but not a bit of it! Her face was an absolute picture when Hayley walked on stage (and so was Andy’s!), she then sat through the whole evening as good as gold, glued to Hayley and clapped very hard after each song. Andy and I were thrilled to bits. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifAfter the performance, we were lucky enough to meet Hayley with the other HWI members. My daughter had written a short letter to Hayley, which had been passed to her before the performance (thanks Grant). When Hayley asked my daughter what her name was, and she said Bethany, Hayley remembered straight away that she had written to her and she went on to make Beth feel like a princess, giving her a very big hug which Beth thought was wonderful (and has since told everyone about it). She has now decided to ditch the High School Musical posters in her bedroom for………..Hayley! Then it was Andy’s turn! Hayley signed his book had a chat with him. At the end, she gave him a hug too, and a kiss. Andy has decided that he will never wash again! He is still in cloud cuckoo land and can’t get over the fact that he finally got to meet Hayley. (Note to myself – give Andy list of jobs to do in the house, whilst he is in a great mood!) Before last night, my own thoughts of Hayley were that she had a fantastic voice and seemed a very nice young lady. But I have to say that after being able to meet her and watch her around her audience, I am now a very big fan! She’s obviously an international star, yet she made those around her feel special, and was so at ease with everyone. She didn’t say no to anyone requesting a picture or a chat or a hug (Andy’s still smiling) and she stayed with everyone for such a long time, even though she had a long journey to make. And oh, that voice! As to the HWI members there, what a lovely bunch! It was nice to see you again Grant and very nice to meet Elizabeth. Thanks for arranging to pass on Bethany’s note to Hayley. And to Gordon, great to talk to you at the B&B! What very nice people, and credit to those who travelled from overseas, that’s dedication. I’m sure we’ll meet some of you again. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifAll the best Vicki
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Post by Karsten on Apr 6, 2008 21:55:31 GMT
Hi everybody (and especially all 'Buxtonians'), I hope, that all went home safely in the meantime - first of all Ray and Hayley, who had the longest way home in yesterday's snowy and icy night, I suppose. I'm just in via Manchester and Frankfurt Airport, loading down the files from this great concert and gathering. First here's a photo of Hayley's new frock, known to me as the coral one. (According to our expert Caitlin something between red and orange...) More to come, promised - but I've to work tomorrow. Bye for now, Karsten
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Post by martindn on Apr 6, 2008 22:01:53 GMT
Wonderful pictures, Martin. It does seem to have worked perfectly! Thanks Stephany, it was nice to meet you, if only briefly. Glad you got home OK. Hayley was worried about you going to the station alone, and although I think Buxton is probably much safer than some places, you can't be too careful. It must have been a hard day for Hayley, and my admiration for her grows all the time. After what must have been a four hour journey, starting at a guess about 9am the setup and rehearsal with at least one unfamiliar musician, the performance itself which was world class, with only one minor blip, then the private meeting with Connie (I was at the stage door when she went in, I thought I knew her from somewhere but it was Sue who knew who she was from "Britain's Got Talent- those of you from other countries might not know that she made the final of this major national TV talent contest aged six - so believe me she will make it one day Sue heard her parents say that she learns songs amazingly quickly) then the huge queue for the signing and photos, then finally getting round to a record assembly of HWI people. I was towards the back of the queue, and by the time I got to meet Hayley (for the first time incidentally) the Opera House staff were starting to ask us to leave - otherwise it could have gone on all night. They had homes to go to even if some of us didn't! The staff are all unpaid volunteers I understand, and we must have really tried their patience, since the performance ended around 9.30 and we were still there at almost midnight! I was aware that there were still others waiting to meet Hayley, so we rushed through my signing and the photo, and I don't think I even had time to thank Hayley properly - the best I could manage was a "Happy Birthday as we were shepherded out of the door - I hope she will forgive me. After that Hayley would have had to gather her things together, then a four hour drive home. Sue said she had noticed pillows in the back of Ray's car, so hopefully Hayley would be able to get some sleep on the way home. She would probably get home about 4am. Although Sue, who is much wiser than me, felt we shouldn't be bothering Hayley who would have enough on her plate without us, and we should just go back to the van after the performance, I wanted to be part of this special occasion. So we were, and it isa something I think we will both remember all of our lives. OK another picture Martin
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Post by dutchjoyce on Apr 6, 2008 22:04:11 GMT
Hi Karsten, Good to see, you arrived safe home. I'm only reading,reading, and looking to wonderful pictures. Thanks,Grant,Graham,Steve,George,Martin, Karsten for posting. I have to go to sleep now........i have to work too tommorow. Come back later!!!! JOYCE.
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Post by grant on Apr 6, 2008 22:10:17 GMT
Hi Vicki, Andy and Bethany It was great to meet up with you again and to finally meet Bethany. I am so pleased that she enjoyed her evening. Sorry I didn't get more time to chat, there was so much going on, but it was a very special evening. When Hayley asked my daughter what her name was, and she said Bethany, Hayley remembered straight away that she had written to her and she went on to make Beth feel like a princess, giving her a very big hug which Beth thought was wonderful (and has since told everyone about it). I was delighted to read this! I had hoped Hayley might mention the note and dedicate a song to Bethany. When she didn't, I wondered if the note had been filed as a birthday card for later and overlooked. But obviously everything worked out in the end. Hope to see you all again soon. Best wishes Grant
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Post by Dori on Apr 6, 2008 22:19:01 GMT
Hi everybody (and especially all 'Buxtonians'), I hope, that all went home safely in the meantime - first of all Ray and Hayley, who had the longest way home in yesterday's snowy and icy night, I suppose. I'm just in via Manchester and Frankfurt Airport, loading down the files from this great concert and gathering. First here's a photo of Hayley's new frock, known to me as the coral one. (According to our expert Caitlin something between red and orange...) More to come, promised - but I've to work tomorrow. Bye for now, Karsten Thank you so much for this detail, Karsten. It is second best to Hayley's green dress - which used to my favorite. I LOVE it! Can anyone detect what the straps are made from?? It kind of looks like diamonds, but I doubt that. Perhaps crystals?? Dori
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Post by grant on Apr 6, 2008 22:22:38 GMT
High Martin
Thanks for your comments. We did manage a particularly long session with Hayley - I calculated she was signing/receiving cards/posing for photos and greeting her subjects for the best part of 75 minutes which must be close to a record.
It is important to bear in mind, though, that this is not a chore for Hayley, she loves to do it and she loves meeting her fans. I spoke to Ray about travelling and he expected it to take about three hours to drive home and Sue is correct about the pillows, Ray has said that Hayley will sleep on the drive back if she is tired.
Best wishes Grant
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