BBC Children In Need (20 Nov 2009)

[Dave]

Sept 17, 2009 18:53:14 GMT Martin said:

Hi Grant and All

The special "pressie" was the new flyer for the forthcoming Winter Magic Tour which was only printed yesterday. Kathryn and Hayley only had the one copy but Kathryn was happy for it to be passed onto HWI. You will notice that Bedlam has added the Barbican concert to the tour itinerary.

Hi Martin,

Thank you and well done!

As the Barbican concert is now included, I have moved the relevant Concert thread into the Winter Magic sub-board.

Dave

[Jono]

Excellent photos, thanks Martin! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[graemek]

Sept 17, 2009 23:47:37 GMT graemek said:

As Far as I understand it, this is the frog song that they sang.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0auCDOERZyE&annotation_id=annotation_548683&feature=iv

I remember Rupert bear from my childhood but not the frogs chorus.

Feel free to correct me anyone.

Graeme

here are the lyrics. One of hayley's tweets contained the title:
www.rupertandthefrogsong.co.uk/home.html
WE ALL STAND TOGETHER

Win or lose, sink or swim
One thing is certain, we'll never give in
Side by side, hand in hand
We all stand together

Play the game, fight the fight
But what's the point on a beautiful night
Arm in arm, hand in hand
We all stand together

La la la la la la la la
Keeping us warm in the night
La la la la la la la la la la la
Walk in the light
You'll get it right

La la la la la la la la
Keeping us warm in the night
La la la la la la la la la la la
Walk in the light
You'll get it right

Win or lose, sink or swim
One thing is certain, we'll never give in
Side by side, hand in hand
We all stand together

Graeme

[Martin]

Hi All
Thank you for your kind coments. I haven't forgotten a report so hope to get that posted before the end of the day.

Martin

[Martin]

Hi All
I set out at just before 8.00am hoping to get there for gates open at 10.00am. It was a beautiful day but there was a strong cold easterly wind.

I arrived in time and made my way to the arena immediately in front of Lord Bath’s mansion ( a magnificent building). The entire centre area in front of stage was reserved for the schools taking part and the disabled visitors so I stood to the right of stage near the stage entrance area (which proved to be a wise move. ).

I thought I was going to be lonely on my own but a small crowd of excited Lee Mead fans looked after me!! Later on, I met the moderator from his unofficial website.

Events started late at 1130 and then at approx. 1200 Hayley came on stage with Lee to lead the recording of the Frogs Chorus. Only two “takes” were necessary and I urge you to watch it when it is shown on Children In Need day as Hayley was outstanding and clearly enjoying every minute.

After this song Lee left the stage and Hayley entertained the crowd with Pokarekare Ana and Both Sides Now using a backing track. No soundcheck had been possible so a few sound tweaks were necessary during the first number.

Now, prior to Hayley’s time on stage and immediately afterwards she stood in the off stage area talking to Lee, Kathryn and others for well over an hour. This gave me the opportunity to take the photos already posted and, luckily, have a couple of chats with Hayley. Meanwhile Lee’s fans kept him very busy!

There were event barriers between us and the celebs but Hayley being Hayley didn’t want to be separated in this manner and soon found a way through to the delight of the schoolchildren who by then had found their way around also. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hayley then spent a good 30 mins just with the children, signing any piece of paper they could find and, of course, having photos taken arm in arm with them. In fact, I did notice quite a few of the schoolboys getting big hugs!! I regret now leaving my short trousers at home!!

I also spoke to Kathryn about Hayley’s forthcoming schedule and she said that the next few months will be very, very busy for Hayley; not just in terms of concert appearances but also, I gather, embarking upon a busy schedule of promotional appearances here in the UK and also in Japan.

A bit of breaking news yesterday from them both, but not yet confirmed, is that Lee will be a guest singer at the Barbican concert in December.

I was really pleased to get the only sample tour flyer for HWI. Kathryn said that it was Hayley’s but she wanted me to have it meaning HWI of course.

There were other singers performing at the event but to be honest I was really too pre-occupied to take any prolonged notice. I am sure you will understand.

I left at around 1.30 pm when activities were coming to an end leaving Hayley to sign the last few autographs for the children and made my way back home.

Martin

[martindn]

Thanks for the report Martin. I look forward to watching that performance on TV.

Maybe the Barcican won't be the same as the other WM shows then.

Martin

[amptique]

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the great report and beautiful photos. It looks like it was a gorgeous day and you had a wonderful time.

Bill

[Richard]

Thanks for your excellent review, Martin!

Here's another good report from the Wiltshire Times:

Warminster schoolkids sing with celebs for Children in Need

12:07pm Friday 18th September 2009
By Victoria Ashford

Hayley Westenra and Lee Mead were among the celebrities at the event

Pupils from a village school near Warminster rubbed shoulders with celebrities at Lord Bath’s Longleat estate yesterday to record a fundraising version of the Frog Chorus for Children in Need.

Lee Mead, who won the role of Joseph in the West End musical after competing in the BBC’s Any Dream Will Do talent show, classical singer Hayley Westenra, and Irish soloist Red Hurley, sang alongside 72 youngsters from Horningsham Primary School and Terry Wogan’s Old Geezers and Gals (TOGS) choir, to record the CD, which is expected to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Carole Andrews, headteacher at Horningsham, said she was delighted for the pupils, all aged from four to 11 years old, and particularly thankful to Beeline, who transported them to and from the event free of charge.

“It is wonderful to be part of this community event and to accompany such amazing voices,” she said.

“We have been practicing the song and getting very excited about it this week.

“I do feel that we are privileged to be involved in this event and it sums up our relationship with Longleat.”

Hayley Westenra told the Wiltshire Times: “It’s really cool to be a part of this Children In Need album. It’s a fantastic cause.

“When I was invited to take part in this big gathering of people, I didn’t know what I was letting myself in for, but it has been a great day.

“It’s awesome here. Singing with all of these people and with the school children too, it is just the most amazing atmosphere.”

The CD, Bandaged TOGether, follows on from ‘Bandaged’, which was released in 2008 and raised £250,000 for Children In Need. The CD will be released in late October or early November.

As well as recording the Frog Chorus, Lee Mead sang a track from his album, Nothing Else Matters.

He said: “It has been a really fun day and I am glad it hasn’t rained, there is nothing worse then singing in the rain - there’s a song there somewhere.

“It’s great just to be involved in the whole thing and the crowds are great. The choir were really on form.

“It’s a lovely house here. The walk to my dressing room (in the house) is probably one of the weirdest walks to my dressing room I have ever done.”

Organiser Norman Macintosh said: “It has gone very well. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and get in to the spirit of what it is all about.

“We have encouraged lots of children to take part and to impress on them that they are helping children less fortunate than themselves through singing. That is the message we are trying to drive through.”

The orchestra on the day was provided by Kingswood School in Bath.

Click on the link at the top to see a few more photographs from Longleat.

Richard

[Jillian]

Thanks for the inside word, Martin! It's exciting to know that there will be a full schedule of promotion for the upcoming album! It's cool that Lee is joining Hayley as a special guest -- I hope they perform 'Stars Go Blue' -- that's a real favourite of mine!

[Dave]

Hi everyone,

With this Children in Need involvement (especially if Hayley appears on the actual night), Poppy Appeal, helping to sing this Paul McCartney song for the charity album (perhaps others, & a single too?) and I am sure other media appearances, it is all starting to look rather good now for Hayley, her new album and her Winter Tour.

Let's hope the Japanese tour (important though that is) doesn't interfere with any of the UK things (or vice versa)... so far it looks like they are well separated and Children in Need night (Friday 20 November on BBC1 TV) is well placed for Hayley, and her new album release (16 November) if she is invited to take part on the night.

I will add the TV show date to the thread title, if I can fit it in.
www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey/

Cheers, Dave

[Martin]

Sept 18, 2009 14:34:49 GMT Dave said:

With this Children in Need involvement (especially if Hayley appears on the actual night)
Cheers, Dave

Funnily enough, Hayley hasn't a concert on this night (20th Nov).

Martin

[Dave]

I have no inside information but I cannot imagine them recording the famous Frog Chorus and not showing it, somewhere in over 6 hours of TV on the night. Did the BBC record it on video too, Martin?

Edit: Oh, yes!. You said "when it is shown..."

Dave

[Joe]

Hello Martin,

Well done on all your coverage from this special event!

Cheers,
Joe

[Richard]

There's now a short video at BBC Wiltshire.

Over 2,000 members of the Terry Wogan fan club visited Longleat Safari Park on Thursday 17 September to sing the Frog Chorus. Terry's Old Geezers and Gals - or TOGS as they like to be known - came out to sing for Children in Need, and were joined by celebrities Lee Mead and Hayley Westenra.

Richard

[grant]

Nice video Richard! Couldn't see Martin though

Best wishes
Grant