A complete change as we now begin rehearsing Poulenc's Gloria. We'll be back 'at home' in The Victoria Hall, Hanley for this one - with a full orchestra too! Read More…

The concert of Copeland's 'Old American Songs' and 'Songs and Sonnets from Shakespeare' by Sir George Shearing went much better than I could have hoped. Read More…

As part of my private music tuition practice I write a quarterly article for a local parish magazine. Here is a piece I wrote some years ago explaining the history and basic mechanisms of the piano… Read More…

Eat your heart out Great British Sewing Bee! I fancied I needed a new skirt. Three hours later - voila! A cosy evening dressmaking whilst listening to "Lord of the Rings" audio book (unabridged, of course!) Read More…

I was pleased to have some help digging over the strawberry patch. The hens did a good job in helping to scratch out dead leaves and offshoots. It was so overrun with strawberry runners that I hardly knew where to start - at least that didn't leave much room for weeds! Read More…

More sunshine meant that a Triumph Bonneville, a Triumph Speed Triple and a Suzuki SV650 needed a trip out again. A favourite run of ours is to Buxton through the Peak District National Park. Read More…

My husband bought me a surprise. It's a grab rail for our Triumph Bonneville, but I call it a Butt Bar - because my 'butt' butts up against it! Read More…

I thoroughly enjoyed the Women’s Institute meeting last night. The speaker was a Toastmaster who researched my name meaning and origins. He also had a wealth of funny anecdotes and bizarre wedding stories. I could empathise - as a wedding organist I’ve seen a few strange things! Read More…

Free range hens have to earn their corn - by digging over the garden! I don't mind them helping themselves in the herb garden though as "A worker deserves his wages." Read More…

With all of the recent World War Remembrance I recall the story of local effort - where everybody did their bit. Although the concept of peace and goodwill to all men is traditionally associated with Christmas time, such sentiments needn’t be restricted to just once a year. Here is an article I wrote in our parish magazine some years ago… Read More…

I thoroughly enjoyed a family day out to the Rhug Estate, Corwen, Denbighshire on a Triumph Bonneville, a Triumph Speed Triple and Suzuki SV650. We hoped that a bison burger would have rewarded a few hours 'in the saddle' but they'd run out - despite a field of Bison nearby. We'll have to go again sometime soon… Read More…

Madama Butterfly at The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent is possibly the most enjoyable opera that I've been to! Perhaps it was down to the good company that I had too. Read More…

Although I'm officially on holiday from teaching during the Easter holidays I've timetabled some extra theory lessons as exam entry time is fast approaching. Read More…

Woohoo! The sun is shining and I'm back out on the bike with hubby! Read More…

This little puppy managed to get oil all over his lovely white fur, Read More…

As part of my private music tuition practice I write a quarterly article for a local parish magazine. Here is a piece I wrote some years ago… Read More…

Here's an extract from my forthcoming eBook. It's written as a series of letters as I sit and wait in-between absent pupils. It gives some of the highs and lows of a private music tutor.
Read More…