Aberglasney Gardens - 27th June 2008

[graemek]

Thanks for your very complete & interesting report & pics Mark.

Your view of yourself as a photographer is far too harsh !!
Pleased to see the sound check is an important priority.

Gorgeous set list.

Oddly enough, with your on the spot coverage, Wales feels far closer than Japan from here instead of the direct opposite.

More....more......

Graeme

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Thanks for your kind comments. OK, time to move on to what happend next.....

After meeting up with Eugene and his party, we made our way up to the exit where Fiona had said Hayley would appear after getting changed. We were joined by just a handful of people who were waiting to see Hayley, including Andy and his wife (sorry, i didnt catch her name) who were at Buxton with us. Andy had some fantastic photo's of Hayley which he had enlarged for her to sign. Also waiting, was a lady and her young daughter and Andy very kindly gave the young girl a spare photo for her to get signed. Andy took quite a number of photos and I do hope they find there way to us here

Eugene and I left the others briefly, (with strict instructions to come and fetch us if Hayley came out) to go in search of Fiona, who was up at the gift shop, signing copies of her latest album. I had another chat with her and after telling her how good she sounded despite the damp weather, Fiona was telling me how this would be the last time she and Ian would be Hayley's support. I think she mentioned that Hayley would be supported by a string quartet in the future - do we know anything about that ? Fiona also said that it was strange to think that although both she and Hayley will be at Canterbury, they won't be performing together As Fiona said "its kinda sad really, but things have to move on don't they".


Here I am with Fiona. I didnt realise until afterwards that the flash hadn't gone off, so its a little dark, which is a shame because its a nice shot of us both - I think




After having a brief chat with Ian, I presented Ian & Fiona with Drew's video recording of the concert in Belfast. Drew, they were both really pleased with it and Fiona commented on what a good photo it was of Ian at the piano on the front cover . Both said to make sure that I pass on thier thanks to you.

OK, so now to reveal why on this occasion particularly, I wished that it could have been Ray who was Hayley's driver. Well, although Range Rovers ar big vehicles, they still only have 5 seats. Ray of course has a people carrier, which I believe have 7 seats. Stephany, in answer to your question " was Sophie with Hayley" the answer I am afraid, was no, she wasn't. I told Hayley that we thought we might see Sophie, to which she replied she would have come but, there was not enough room in the car Never mind, if you read this Hayley, I hope that you have both had a nice weekend together and that Sophie enjoyed herself.


Perhaps the best shot I took all evening - Hayley greets us





I'll be back for some more later. Some of you may remember that I had taken with me a gift for Hayley. All will be revealed shortly......

Mark

[grant]

Hi Mark and thank you for your continuing report and pictures - I can't wait for the finale!

It's very disappointing news to hear that Fiona and Ian will not be playing for Hayley anymore as I feel they contribute greatly to the whole 'Hayleyday' thing that we have all enjoyed so much in the past and I will certainly miss their playing. I presume Ian will continue to be Hayley's musical director?

It's also interesting to read that Hayley will be performing during the Canterbury Festival. It runs from 11th - 25th October so maybe that's why there is a weeks gap between Durham and Barrow.

I wonder how many more surprises Bedlam has in store for us?

Best wishes
Grant

[Martin]

Jun 29, 2008 12:15:35 GMT Mark said:

Fiona also said that it was strange to think that although both she and Hayley will be at Canterbury, they won't be performing together

My goodness, what a suprise! There is no news on the Festival website as yet other than tickets will be on sale in August.

Martin

[Nordly]

Excellent report/photos Mark!

Did Hayley cut her hair a little bit, or is it just me?

Songbird! I can't wait to hear Hayley's version (I'm assuming she will record it or something), so far the only version I know is All Angels so I'm excited about its being done as a solo!

~NL

[Richard]

Many thanks for your great report, Mark!

It's a pity you didn't get to meet Sophie, but hopefully you'll get another chance before too long. Now I can't wait to read about this mysterious present.

Although I wasn't at Buxton, I do remember that Andy's wife is Vicki.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[roger]

Jun 29, 2008 12:15:35 GMT Mark said:

Fiona was telling me how this would be the last time she and Ian would be Hayley's support.

Hi Mark,

Ouch, I didn't see that one coming. As has been mentioned, a few of us will be seeing Fiona and Ian next week so we will try to find out what we can. It seems pretty clear though so there may not be much more news than that. If there is, we will report it on Fiona's sub-board.

Apart from that disappointment, your report made a great read. Thanks very much.

Roger

[Karsten]

Jun 29, 2008 12:15:35 GMT Mark said:

Fiona was telling me how this would be the last time she and Ian would be Hayley's support. ... Fiona also said that it was strange to think that although both she and Hayley will be at Canterbury, they won't be performing together As Fiona said "its kinda sad really, but things have to move on don't they".
...
Mark

Hi Mark,

you're really a master of suspense - at least you revealed one more secret in the meantime.

Looking forward to the final part(s) and to Andy's photos.

It's sad to hear that Fiona and Ian will not be Hayley's support in the (nearer) future - at least Fiona and Hayley will perform in Shrewsbury at the same stage, if I remember correctly.

Cheers, Karsten

[gra7890]

Hi Mark,
Thanks for the latest installment, yes it was a pity about the flash, it would have been a very nice photo.
Unfortunately you may not get that many chances again : if 'they go in separate directions'.
I have not heard them together live but from videos and CD's I agree it is a great pity.
Also I am disappointed I may not now get the chance to hear them together.
I will be surprised if it is 'never again' but maybe not as a regular event
On the subject of change, I hope the change of driver and car was a one off

Best Wishes,

Graham

[martindn]

I agree that is is sad that Ian and Fiona won't be involved in the forthcoming concerts. They have always been the "A Team" t my mind. They seem to know Hayley so well, and perform so well with her. I don't know whether we can infer anything about Hayley's future concerts from this. She used a string quartet on the "Japanese Songs" album of course, which might imply performing more of these songs at future concerts. But then, Ian and Fiona were heavily involved in the album as well. If there is to be no piano than that rules out quite a lot of songs including the Japanese ones (but I suppose she might use a different pianist instead, or change the arrangements).

As for Ray, well, I suppose he likes to have a holiday some time!

Martin

[Steve H]

Jun 29, 2008 14:47:52 GMT @roger said:

Hi Mark,

Ouch, I didn't see that one coming. As has been mentioned, a few of us will be seeing Fiona and Ian next week so we will try to find out what we can.

Roger

As you say Roger Ouch! - That was a broadside I was not expecting, it sounds so final - I hope not, they are so good together.

Steve.

[drew]

Discussing future concerts after the concert in Belfast, I was a little surprised that Fiona and Ian did not have Dunstable in their diary, especially when it does not clash with any of Fiona's tour with her band.

Do I recall that Simon Lole was on the piano stool for Hayley on the Japanese tour. Will we see Simon and the regular (All Angels') string quartet with Hayley in future?

www.simon-lole.blogspot.com/

[Mark]

Jun 29, 2008 16:48:34 GMT gra7890 said:

I will be surprised if it is 'never again' but maybe not as a regular event

Best Wishes,

Graham

Hi Graham

I do hope that you are right. I also hope that I understood Fiona correctly. On thinking back to our conversatiion though, I'm sure that I'm right. I guess if you are able to find out more Roger, it would be good to know for sure.

Regards
Mark

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Sorry for the delay - anyway, here is (perhaps) the last part of my report.

Hayley suddenly appeared from the doorway we had been watching and greeted us with her usual smile and a warm "Hi" I waited as patiently as I could while Hayley signed various photo's and tickets for the handful of people who were waiting. Suddenly, Hayley spotted me and with a brief hug we said "Hi". I couldn't wait to tell her how much I was enjoying her Japanese Songs album and how thrilled I was to have heard her sing one of my favourites 'live' for the first time in the UK.

First of all, I gave her a copy of Drew's video recording of the concert in Belfast. She told me to make sure I thanked you, Drew. She seemed very pleased with it Then it was time to give her the rather special gift that I may have mentioned a couple of times i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif.

Some of you will know that I am a moderator on Connie Talbot's official forum. You may remember that I helped to arrange for the young singer to meet Hayley at the Buxton Opera House back in April. I wanted to find a way of thanking Hayley for taking the time to make this happen and so on behalf of the management team, I presented Hayley with a framed photograph of Hayley and Connie. (photo courtesy of our own Steve Hayter)

Here is a photo of the photo and the back of the frame, where I added a little thank-you note








I had it on very good authority that a silver frame would best suit the decor of Hayley's flat. Hayley was really pleased with it and I hope that she will find room somewhere to display the photo in her home.

Here are a couple of shots of Hayley opening the photo. It seems that I had wrapped it up a little to well











Finally, Hayley & myself, with the photo fully unwrapped






I could see that Hayley was clearly quite tired by this stage and it was time to go. Fiona had told me earlier that they were actually staying overnight somewhere close by. This is unusual, as they nearly always drive back to London after the show. Anyway, I was really glad that Hayley would hopefully be able to get a good nights sleep and would avoid a four hour drive home that night.

I told her that I would see her at Kilworth on the 21st July and that I would be bringing 'the reli's' to use one of her own expressions. My final words to her were to try to get some rest and plenty of much needed sleep. Hayley looked me sincerely in the eyes and said, holding up the photo I had given her, " "thank-you so much for this". Thank-you Hayley, for a wonderful and very special evening. The pleasure as always, was all mine

Best wishes

Mark

[grant]

Thank you Mark for the final part of the story.

I am sure Hayley will be delighted with the gift you gave her. It was a very special night for all of us, particularly Connie and I guess Hayley may have been thinking back to what she was doing at Connie's age. as well. Ahhh!

What a pity Sophie could not have been there, that really would have been the icing on the cake.

We'll have to talk about Kilworth and what your plans are. I've got a couple of concerts before then.

Best wishes
Grant