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Post by Andrew on Jun 5, 2007 16:36:38 GMT
Hi Stephany, With a 'Whispering Hope', so do I!!! Thank you for your kind thoughts. Andrew  |
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Post by Andrew on Jun 5, 2007 16:42:34 GMT
Hi Elizabeth & Andrew Many thanks both of you for your good wishes. I just wanted you to know that we were thinking of you last night and what a shame it was that you couldnt be with us again  Andrew, you certainly were not forgotten, as when David was introduced to Hayley as "a good friend of Andrew" Hayley instantly replied " I see that he's decked you out with a tie then " Best wishes to you both Mark PS - Hope the exams went well Andrew Hi Mark, Thanks- you've definitely cheered me up now!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifAndrew |
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Post by grant on Jun 5, 2007 17:12:06 GMT
Part 3 - The Finale
The front of house lady seems to be warming to us because we haven’t been ejected yet and she says “We’ll sort something out”. We avail ourselves of the adjacent drinks vending machine whilst we are waiting. Several times I think I hear Hayley giggle. We are getting anxious and are beginning to think that we are going to be left here until Hayley is back in London!
At last FOH lady returns with an instruction to “follow me” and we are taken down to the Green Room. She explains the reason for us being kept waiting is the size of the area being used which, I have to agree isn’t huge.
Hayley is still talking to a dwindling number of guests whom we believe are Competition winners. We are offered, and accept, more wine and await our precious time with Hayley. She has noticed our presence and as soon as it is polite for her to do so, she approaches with a beaming smile – “Hi Guys”
We have Hayley virtually to ourselves. Danielle is with Hayley and she introduces her self to Roger and we all offer greetings. Fiona is still about, but no sign of the other musicians and the only other people ‘hovering’ are BBC staff.
We each have our own agenda for Hayley and I sometimes wonder how she copes with camera flashing; CD’s being thrust at her for signing; new people to meet and have her picture taken with. Hayley smiles and carries on, picking up the bits of conversation aimed at her and filing the necessary bits for action when the time comes. And she always seems to know which camera is the one to look at!
Hopefully each one of us will fill in our relevant details as time passes. Me, I have a CD for Hayley to sign for Elizabeth; a lady in the choir at my church. Elizabeth thinks that I am going to lend her my copy of Treasure for her to listen to. Is she going to get a surprise when she finds she’s got her own signed copy! I also asked Hayley to pose holding the CD so I can give Elizabeth a print as proof of the occasion. Interestingly, as I was setting up the camera, I noticed Hayley open the CD, remove the insert and hold it on top, no doubt to avoid glare from the flash on the plastic case. That girl thinks of everything!
It has also been on my mind that I can’t remember ever seeing a picture on HWI of our two intrepid photographers, namely Steve and Stuart, with Hayley and I suggest to them that I would like to take one. Both seem pleased with my suggestion, saying that people generally seem to think they prefer to be ‘behind’ the camera
I should perhaps mention here, that a group photo has been proposed, but it keeps being high jacked with signings and things. Hayley is signing a photograph for someone and is sat at one of the tables. I sat opposite and, as she looked up, made my suggestion.
“Are you going to do that? Lets log that then” says Hayley, pointing a finger at her temple. To many, the moment would have been lost, but not to me. In the most adorable way, Hayley had made a decision and taken charge. Too many things were getting in the way of the group photo and Hayley, for whatever reason, had decided it would be next.
“After the group photo then?” I suggested. “Yeah?” from Hayley – As if to suggest that I had made the decision and she was in full agreement, though we both knew who the decision maker was! I love those little exchanges with Hayley; always different, always special.
We must have had a good half hour with Hayley by the time the BBC staff decided it was time to for us to go home. Sadly, we had to agree, well lets face it, it’s doubtful we would willingly leave Hayley’s company now isn’t it?
One last thing for me to do is give Hayley the bar of dark organic chocolate I had brought for her, which she accepted with wide eyes and a big grin – especially as David had had the same idea leaving Hayley to protest “But it is the good stuff!!”
With our final goodbyes said, we reluctantly made our way from the building to once again go our separate ways. David and I walking the 2 miles into town to chat about Hayley and the wonderful evening we had just spent in her company. Actually, it was probably more than 2 miles as I turned left too early and luckily realised we were heading for the M4 (sorry David!)
Footnote:
Peter asked Hayley about her New Zealand tour to which Hayley replied “My diary keeps changing”. It would appear, however, that she has it in mind to spend a good amount of time ‘at home’ early next year, suggesting that the tour is likely to take place in February.
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Post by geralynnk on Jun 5, 2007 17:12:49 GMT
Hi All! Many thanks to Roger, Grant and Caite for your wonderful reports from your memorable evening with Hayley. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. Caite, you lucky girl! You must have been thrilled. Hayley looks happy and beautiful as always. But then, she always is. If it is possible, I would love to have a videotape of her performance when it is aired on the BBC. Grant, I think you really do like to keep us in suspense. I'm looking forward to your final installment with great anticipation. (And the photos too). Best wishes! Geralynn  |
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Post by geralynnk on Jun 5, 2007 17:15:41 GMT
I guess we didn't have to wait too long. :  Geralynn |
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flip8
Junior Member 
*twitch*
Posts: 88
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Post by flip8 on Jun 5, 2007 17:22:13 GMT
Excellent report, Grant! Glad to hear both you and Hayley had fun! She likes dark chocolate, eh? My brother'll be happy to hear that. Apparently, it helps improve the memory. Wonder if anyone's told her, yet...  |
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,700
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Post by Dave on Jun 5, 2007 17:51:23 GMT
Thanks for your detailed and accurate concert reports Grant, it brings it all back to me as if it was yesterday. What? oh... yes, it was yesterday!  To help fill the pregnant pause while we await the real goody photos from our site photographers (who unlike me had to go to work today!) I think I'll post another photo of Hayley's dress so here it is:  Hayley in a mini-group photo with... But there is an interloper in this one... looking quite happy though, don't you think? Does anyone know who it is? Come on now, reveal yourself! Clue: it isn't Grant!  Cheers, Dave |
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Post by timj on Jun 5, 2007 17:51:26 GMT
Thanks for the posts everyone, sounds like a great time!! TimJ
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Post by Mark on Jun 5, 2007 18:03:46 GMT
Hi everyone Thanks from me too Grant for the whole report, I have just re-lived the entire experience all over again. It was such a lovely evening, the wonderful hospitality we received from the BBC included By the time Caite M.J & myself got back to our hotel it was getting on for midnight and we suddenly realised that we hadn't eaten since lunchtime  That was soon taken care of thanks to the hotel receptionist, who suggested we phone for a pizza i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif So there we sat, three Hayley fans, in the hotel bar sharing a (very messy) pizza in the wee small hours of the morning. It felt like the perfect end to a perfect day Mark. |
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Post by grant on Jun 5, 2007 18:10:06 GMT
Loved your description of the dress Caite and the shoes! Hayley really does have great dress sense! ..... and Mark, guess you've realised why I didn't reveal the story about Caite!!! Durrrrr!! Best wishes Grant |
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Post by Stephany on Jun 5, 2007 18:13:34 GMT
Loved your report, Grant...you should definitely write "The World at Her Feet 2".  This is a fabulous picture of Caite&Hayley. Absolutely gorgeous! Mark, I love the "Pizza-debrief" idea. |
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Post by elizabeth786 on Jun 5, 2007 18:14:05 GMT
Thanks Mark for your comments- I'm so glad that you had a great time at the concert (Thank you for thinking of me). Hopefully we'll meet again (along with other HWI members) at another Hayley concert soon -Elizabeth p.s. Andrew- I hope your exam went well, best of luck |
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Post by Andrew on Jun 5, 2007 18:14:27 GMT
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Post by Mark on Jun 5, 2007 18:15:19 GMT
Hi Grant Yes, your right, the penny has well and truly dropped  So sorry Roger. Mark |
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Post by comet on Jun 5, 2007 18:19:02 GMT
Ouch.
Poor Hayley's toes are all squished into those shoes.
Does she not kick them off for comfort ?
What price... elegance.. she does look beautiful and Hayley makes the dress look good not the other way around..
comet
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Andrew, you certainly were not forgotten, as when David was introduced to Hayley as "a good friend of Andrew" Hayley instantly replied " I see that he's decked you out with a tie then " 
That was soon taken care of thanks to the hotel receptionist, who suggested we phone for a pizza 
So sorry Roger.