Telford (St.Georges) - 16 June 2007

[postscript]

Thomas, it was great reading your report. Non-UK visitors need to remember they have a unique contribution to offer. It is not just your views on a Hayley concert but we are interested in how you find our country and the sort of journey you had. Thank you, Thomas.

Peter S.

[Dave]

postscript said:

Steve's No 150 post--photos with captions.

stevehome said:

Fiona looks coy as Hayley tells the audience that Fiona has now settled down in London with her Music Director Ian Tilley.

Here is a classic example of the responsibility, semsititvity and consideration that HWI expresses across its membership to the performers we are so keen to support in every way we can and the way we are so careful not to intrude further than they invite us to with the special considerations they extend to us.

It was during 2005 that I discussed this possibility with Roger and we agreed to remove the completely inoccuous comment in one of my 2005 posts that 'they worked well together and clearly had a superb rapport'!
Peter S.

Hi Peter,

I remember that incident well and I suspect that what you originally wrote was a lot less innocuous that that! If I recall correctly, you wrote or implied that Fiona and Ian may have been an "item" and it was that, was it not, that we decided to modify in case you were wrong?

But now, it seems that you were absolutely right so let me congratulate you on your powers of observation... well spotted, Peter! We shall, of course, have to take a similar line in the event of any future comments like that, involving other people...

Cheers, Dave

[thomas]

Hi Grant!

Thanks again for your fabulous pictures.
I especially like the first of the "chocolate photos" in post #183. Hayley looks at the bar of chocolate as if a dream came true. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif I guess it did.

Thomas

[postscript]

dave said:

postscript said:

Steve's No 150 post--photos with captions.

Here is a classic example of the responsibility, semsititvity and consideration that HWI expresses across its membership to the performers we are so keen to support in every way we can and the way we are so careful not to intrude further than they invite us to with the special considerations they extend to us.

It was during 2005 that I discussed this possibility with Roger and we agreed to remove the completely inoccuous comment in one of my 2005 posts that 'they worked well together and clearly had a superb rapport'!
Peter S.

Hi Peter,

I remember that incident well and I suspect that what you originally wrote was a lot less innocuous that that! If I recall correctly, you wrote or implied that Fiona and Ian may have been an "item" and it was that, was it not, that we decided to modify in case you were wrong?

But now, it seems that you were absolutely right so let me congratulate you on your powers of observation... well spotted, Peter! We shall, of course, have to take a similar line in the event of any future comments like that, involving other people...

Cheers, Dave

Well done, Dave. I apologise that I left you out of the debate. We obviously have a slight difference between our memory cells as to what was said and what was originally written. Your memory I am not going to dispute. I posted just now irresistably as Roger, or you, or both declared, 'we'll declare you were there first with the news, when/if anything happens! There was also the consideration for their privacy--after all, in those 'backstage' or 'offstage' the artistes are relaxed and off-guard and we cerrtainly don't wish to intrude upon their relaxation time.

Peter S.

[thomas]

postscript said:

Thomas, it was great reading your report. Non-UK visitors need to remember they have a unique contribution to offer. It is not just your views on a Hayley concert but we are interested in how you find our country and the sort of journey you had. Thank you, Thomas.

Peter S.

Hi Peter!

I'm glad Hayley gives so many concerts in the UK because English is the only foreign language I speak more or less fluently.

Thomas

[thomas]

Here are some pictures from me! Unfortuneately my photos don't have the best quality anymore once the size is reduced. Hope you like them anyway.

Waiting for Hayley. Tim, Stuart H, Steve H, Simone, Martin, Mark, Teresa, Grant:


Ensured a seat in the front row waiting to begin. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif


A wonderful concert in a wonderful location:






Thomas

[roger]

I received the following message this evening via the HWI Visitor Feedback facility on the main site:

Re. Hayley Westenra concert, St. Georges Church, Telford,Saturday 16th. June.

Following Hayley's sell out concert, the local Shropshire Star newspaper ran a negatively spun article, commenting that the audience were disappointed with the number of items that Hayley performed and with Fiona Pears' presentation.

Hayley actually sung more or less the same number of items as on her previous visit with Nicy Spence.

In fact, I have discovered that these comments were made by the father of one of the reporting staff on the Star and in no way reflected the views of the overwhelming majority of the audience who were again delighted with Hayley's visit.

I have written a letter of complaint to the Editor, suggesting that she instruct her reporter to be rather more objective in her reporting, instead of listening to the ill-informed comment of a minority of one, and would encourage other members of HWI who were present to do the same.

Yours,
Peter Lawley, Vicar of St. Georges Church.

Any offers, guys?

Roger

[meldy]

Wow I really had to catch up, (I hadn't been here for a few days ) I would've loved to be there to hear "Abide With Me" in that beautiful church. Thanks for the pictures Stuart, Steve, Grant, Thomas, and Mark . Yum, chocolate, glad she like it!! That's an awesome surprise Stephany! an autographed "Treasure" album

Meldy

[Joe]

Hello Thomas,

Just wanted to say thanks for sharing your pictures from Telford.

Joe

[Stephany]

Hi Roger,
Thank you for the information.
As a reminder, an excerpt of "The Shropshire Star" article was posted HERE but the full article is now online. Everyone should leave a message in the comments box!
Grant, you will love the comment made by Jackie Hickman!

Hundreds hear Hayley
Shropshire Star
Monday, 18th June 2007, 12:18 GMT

Classical singing sensation Hayley Westenra took to the stage in Telford for a sell-out performance at a church.

She wowed a crowd of more than 400 when she made a return visit to St George’s Church, St Georges, accompanied by fellow New Zealander, violinist Fiona Pears.

But despite praise for the singer’s performance, she was criticised for the length of the concert.

Phil Collins, who had travelled from Cannock, said Miss Westenra’s performance had been “beautiful”, but he had been disappointed she sang only a few songs.

“She was held up by the weather, but you can’t help that,” he said. “Her singing was lovely. It’s a beautiful church, the acoustics were gorgeous.

“She sang three songs and disappeared off stage and left the violinist to do a couple then came back and did two or three more, then had an intermission for goodness knows how long.

“The impression I got was that the violinist was practising, there was no question she was a talented violinist, but that was not who we went to see.

“She sang no more than 10 songs and at £20 a ticket, we were just a bit disappointed. I didn’t feel cheated but I just didn’t think it was great.”

Mr Collins’s wife, Teresa, added: “It was absolutely brilliant, but we were a bit disappointed that she didn’t actually sing that much.

“What she sang was very, very good, but she could have sung more.”

I wasn't at the concert but I will gladly send a little write-up to the editor of the magazine via email...how will they know I wasn't here anyway? Seriously, she performed more or less the same number of songs she usually does - am I wrong?

Stephany
PS : Thomas, I absolutely love your pictures - thanks for posting! I like the one with all of you sitting in Telford...and the one Andrew mentioned is glorious!

[grant]

Hi All

Yes folks, I've added a comment to the Shropshire Star but you may have to wait a while to read it as the link says that it's "awaiting moderation" (Didn't know you worked there Roger!! )

I even managed to include reference to HWI web site - just hope they leave it in!

Best wishes
Grant

Edit: My 'comment' is now on line at the link Stephany provided and yes!! they've left the link in to HWI. - Wonder how many viewers will try it?

[Martin]

Well done Peter Lawley and Grant. Whilst we are used to Hayley sometimes getting very negative reviews from individual reporters it is gratifying to know that there is visible opportunity to put the records straight.

Martin

[roger]

Peter Lawley, Vicar of Vicar of St George's Church, has forwarded a reply he received from the Shropshire Star (see Reply #201 above]:

Dear Mr Lawley

Thank you for your letter about the Shropshire Star's coverage of the Hayley Westenra concert.

I have to say that I largely agree with you. Our review was somewhat mean-spirited and certainly made more of Mr Collins' disappointment than was necessary. To my mind it is a significant event when an internationally renowned artiste comes to a parish church in our circulation area and we should report it as such. I am sorry that, on this occasion, we have fallen below the standards you would expect of us.

I have spoken to all members of staff involved and made it clear that the report should not have appeared in its published version, which they now accept. I should tell you that it was not written out of malice but was merely a question of the reporter struggling to get hold of people who had been at the event in time for our deadlines.

I have asked for your letter to be included in our letters page as a way of redressing the balance a little.

If I can be of any further help please don't hesitate to contact me at this e-mail address or by phone on [deleted].

Yours sincerely,

Jon Simcock
Deputy Editor
Shropshire Star

Roger

[grant]

Well Done Jon Simcock!! He's obviously 'on the ball' and realised someone has goofed big time!!

Grant

[Stephany]

Thank you for the update, Roger.
Very well done, Jon Simcock...and a big BRAVO to Mr Lawley for reacting so swiftly. He seems a big fan of Hayley himself...maybe you should ask him to join us, Roger

Best wishes,
Stephany