Hayley's Tour Diary - April 2006

[Raymond]

This just arrived in my mailbox.

TOUR UPDATE

Hi everyone!

It's me again!! Just a quick tour update!
I'm in Manchester at the moment, just come off stage and catching up on some emails! The crowd was wonderful and the venue -wow, that must have been the biggest arena on the tour -13,000 people in attendance tonight apparently! As you may know, I don't have my backing band with me on the European leg of this Il Divo tour, just a backing track (although hopefully I'll have a guitarist with me for the Wembley shows -we're rehearsing tomorrow), but I'm still having a ball up on stage!! I have to say, I do particularly like the arena shows. I think the crowds are always more relaxed in the big spacious environment and are much more likely to give the odd whistle and cheer -I can always handle a whistle!


Manchester is the 11th show of the European tour. I can't believe how quickly we're getting through them! That's got to be a good sign! Having said that though, some days I just wake up really lacking in energy and have to keep ploughing on. The wintry weather doesn't really help. I think the rain has been following us throughout the European dates! Please sun, show your beautiful face!!

Actually, the one time I do remember the sun shining was in Nottingham on Saturday 1 April, when I was asked to help lay the first slab of the New Market Square. What an honour that was! Here's a pic of me all decked out in my hard cap and steel-capped boots for the ceremony (charming, huh?!):







I also sang 'Amazing Grace' from the balcony of the council house, overlooking the square afterwards.

Coming up, I have many more dates on the Il Divo tour -I have to admit, I'm very excited to be touring throughout continental Europe, including many countries I've never been to before -I'm also going to be attending the Classical Brit Awards which I'm flying back to London for (oh, go on...vote for 'Odyssey'...if you must!!). :

Well...I better leave it at that folks for today. Have to pack up my things and head back to the hotel so I can get some beauty sleep for my big day tomorrow (yes, I'm turning 19!)! It feels like only yesterday that I was turning 18 years old!!

Take care, Hayleyx



I think it is interesting that you can see a 'Odyssey' CD in that hole in the first pic.

Raymond

[Richard]

Thank you for posting it so quickly Raymond!

I love the photographs of Hayley laying the first slab at Nottingham's New Market Square. While she's in Wembley, she could be very useful at the new stadium. The building work is a bit behind schedule! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes from London,

Richard

[Joe]

Thanks for the update, Raymond! I hope the Il Divo tour schedule isn't wearing Hayley down...she said that she's lacking energy when she awakens.

Oh, I hope that the CD in the hole wasn't covered with concrete! Hayley looks a treat in that construction gear!

Cheers,
Joe

[fusilier23]

More to the point, she isn't going to get hurt at the site, we don't want Hayley getting injured.

[stevemacdonald]

Hmm, she crashed her bike in Ghana, scraping up her knee, She slipped and fell on the ice whilst skating in Ottawa, And now, when she finally wears the proper safety outfit in Nottingham nothing bad happens. Kinda like toting along an umbrella so it won't rain, I guess.

[Dave Gibson]

Steeve,Umbrellas are for wusses,and Life is full of scrapes and bruises,and cuts ,and breaks,and shortfalls,and disappointments,and whatevers................................
Deal witth iitt!
tttfn,Dabve Gibson

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

It seems strange reviving this thread from last year, but I've just found some more information about Hayley's slab-laying in Nottingham's Old Market Square.

Source: www.oldmarketsquare.org.uk/winningvision/news/

STRIKING THE TONE FOR THE FIRST SLAB
4 April 2006

The new face of the Square started to emerge this Saturday (1st April) when 18-year-old international singing sensation Hayley Westenra laid the first slab in a special celebration ceremony.

The young star, described in a New York Times review as having "the voice of angel", opened for Il Divo at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday night.

Laying the first slab is quite a task as each one weighs over 16 stone and is far too heavy to handle manually. A special machine which acts like a powerful vacuum used suction to lift the slab up. Hayley then helped to maneuver the slab into place before tapping it down with a large mallet.

Through a competition which ran on Friday 31st March Diana Smeton from West Bridgford, Nottingham won the chance to join Hayley in this historic feat.

At 18, Hayley has charmed audiences across the globe selling more than 2 million CDs, and constantly being described as the latest Charlotte Church or even Enya. She is one of the youngest artists ever to perform in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena.

Old Market Square has now joined this list of prestigious venues as Hayley delighted the people of Nottingham with a song performed from the Council House balcony. The songstress even buried an album sleeve from her latest CD, Odyssey, underneath the first slab.

The winning artists from the Pride of Nottingham drawing competition, who have had their masterpieces displayed on the hoarding surrounding the site, were all been invited to attend the celebration ceremony.

Note Hayley was holding the mallet in her left hand.

Click on the link at the top to read the latest news about the redevelopment of Old Market Square.

Edit: I've added 2006 to the title of this thread.

Richard