What an absolutely super conclusion to a very successful season!The sheer
magic weaved by these sensational entertainers and their extraordinary
accompanist who thrilled us also with a solo version of the recently deceased
Jerry Rafferty`s song-Baker Street.

This was entertainment at it’s finest and the packed audience were rewarded
for making the trip to the theatre on a miserable, cold winter’s night were it
rained all day and was still doing so when we all left- `washed out` inside
(and out!) by the experience! The programme was composed of traditional tunes
expertly proffered (with so much enthusiasm) and `stamping ` their individual
style on the arrangements.

`A Thousand miles` was the second `encore`(we just did not want them to
finish)-this had the audience totally mesmerised and on their feet-clapping. A
very varied evening of music proving yet again that  `live `entertainment` is
far superior to anything the other media have to offer.

Jennifer Kersey.

Many still have the image of the farmer as the local squire who roams around
his estate in a luxurious car, surveying his `empire with a sort of regal
stance. Not so! It`s jolly hard work(just look at the current statistics of
suicides in this section of the community?) and for the lowly farmer it is a
daily cycle of `mucking out`, milking, herding, ploughing, picking and to say
nothing of the constant need to repair/renew  all the implements that go `hand
in hand` with farming, past and present.

Where I originate (I’m now an established `Essex girl`-and proud of it)there
used to be a saying-“you’ll never see a farmer on a pushbike”-implying that they
were all monetarily secure-maybe so for some, but not without tremendous effort
and long, hard working days.

This was made very apparent by the fascinating talk given by  Alex
Langlands and Peter Ginn, presenters of the `Edwardian farm` a
documentary programme currently running on BBC television.

The talk was interspersed with beautiful, nature video clips and many
photographs. Throughout the talk they were ever keen to emphasize that this was
a `hands on project` and they had to engage in all activities, in every type of
weather- from building outhouses for pigs, thatching, to ploughing fields with
traditional farm implements and digging out cesspits!

Anecdotes abounded -there were lighter moments, for example, when Alex told
us how he managed to defeat the sometimes insane and sometimes ludicrous `health  and safety `laws (which seem to abound in every aspect of life)“I just keep
schtum”(Jewish-`tight lipped`) so not telling the commissioning company(who have  their own team of `experts`, looking into all areas of `potential danger`) thus  avoiding  the resultant `forbidden` clause and the mountains of paperwork
which may ensue if he revealed that he was climbing on a high roof without his
shoes on, or eating strawberries grown on land that has a minute trace of
arsenic in the ground!!

A well presented evening, with ease of speaking and plenty of humorous
`banter`from both presenters.

Ruth Goodman (fellow presenter) could not be with us because of family
commitments.

Jennifer Kersey

Ian Skelly, a broadcaster and writer, who has worked with the Prince for many years, gave a very erudite talk with many illustrations.  When considering any project, be it to do with farming, nature, architecture etc he emphasised the need to acknowledge the wisdom of the past and to complete everything in such a way that ensures a sustainable future.   This was a thought provoking and interesting glimpse into the way the Prince of Wales sees  his role.

The evening was sponsored by an anonymous donor in recognition of all the work done by volunteers and charity trustees in the community

Audrey Owens
Press Officer

I have most definitely not been one of those happy with this opinion expressed
and neither (I suspect) are the many others in the society, in attendance for the
talk given by his close associate and adviser-Ian Skelly.
This very articulate person proceeded to tell us with minute detail about how
we used to understand and conserve the planet’s `fruits` in all areas and how,
over recent years, much has been lost by those who would advocate that
because it`s `old fashioned` then it must be no good and therefore needs to be
pulled down or got rid of!

The `replacements`, in many and vast area, have created their own problems
for the environment and now we are reaping the results of this mass lunacy!
His very articulate and engrossing speech gave us an insight into the invaluable
work the Prince undertakes-he is not a man without vision, but very caring
and is genuinely interested in conservation.

He does not advocate that we go back to `living in caves` but that all our
actions should be well thought out beforehand and the results must outweigh
the initial input and be environmentally friendly-we, rightly, are being pressed
to think more about the waste and rape of this earth ,where we all are
`caretakers` for future generations.

Wanton wastage (whilst many can hardly survive on meagre daily
consumption) the cutting down of rain forests at alarming rate, the subsequent
damage they do to the soil (to say nothing of the loss of CO2 to O2 conversion
they do) bland architecture, that can have a devastating effect on communities,
and chemical treatment of the land-these are all part of the Prince’s plan to
obliterate or at least reduce this trend and he is trying desperately to get
`uncaring man` to realise this must now happen, regardless of the financial
cost!

The questions asked by the audience towards the end of the presentation were
answered economically, thoughtfully and truthfully.
Another thoroughly fascinating evening-just where will we go next-Cindy
Hardy has the answer to that question?

Jennifer Kersey(painted lady)

Michael was an extremely interesting and lively speaker who told his life story in a very frank and amusing way. He answered many varied questions from the audience for nearly an hour, was never lost for words or honest answers to questions on politics, his various journeys on the railway for the BBC and almost anything else the members could throw at him.

The evening was attended by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Tendring District Council and was sponsored by Thompson, Smith and Puxon, Solicitors

Audrey Owens
Press Officer

The first half was speckled with humorous anecdote and this man was not at
all afraid to admit defeats along the very varied path of life he has so far
trodden. From adviser and close confidant of one of the most famous prime
ministers of all time – Margaret `Iron lady` Thatcher , to his many and varied
documentaries and appearances on political programmes to his regular columns on
many subjects in the news paper media.

In the second half he answered questions from the floor which again displayed
his polished, yet never compromising, expert way of communication-his replies
never too complicated but succinct in the extreme.

This was truly a spectacular coup for the society – Cindy Hardy continues to
amaze us with the sheer calibre and variety of the artistes she manages to bring
to Clacton throughout the winter period.

Jennifer Kersey.

]]> http://clactonartsandlits.com/blog/286/michael-portillo-3012012/feed 1 http://clactonartsandlits.com/blog/277/london-festival-opera http://clactonartsandlits.com/blog/277/london-festival-opera#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 09:06:00 +0000 Doug http://clactonartsandlits.com/blog/?p=277 Clacton Arts and Literary Society. 5/12/2011

The season came to a rousing close, on Monday night at the Princes theatre, with

the return visit of the ever popular London Festival Opera and their presentation `A Christmas night at the opera.`

Very ably accompanied by Jenny Trew at the piano, they gave an evening of light operetta , the ladies in sumptuous dress of the Victorian era and the men complimenting them in suitable male evening attire of the period. .

The stage `set` was the inside of a huge theatre, with tiered boxes and a lovely decorated Christmas tree completing the theme for this festive time. We were invited to join in with the carols in the second half.

Another very memorable event followed by the traditional `mince pies and hot  mulled wine.`(very welcome on a chilly night)

The next meeting is on January 15 when `Hatstand Opera` will present a `tongue in the cheek` look at this medium through the theatrical ages.

Jennifer Kersey.

He started his lecture by describing how he lost his passport and
luggage on Bulawayo station and yet managed to get into Botswana and set up camp
with thirty young people.   On their first night in the bush the camp was
“attacked” by hyenas but they survived unscathed.   That was the first of many
adventures.   The audience were enthralled by his stories and were very
surprised to learn that there are only 43 lions in Botswana but 60,000
elephants.

During the second half of the programme, David told the story of
Sir Seretse Khama and his wife, Ruth, and the problems their marriage caused
among politicians as she was a white woman in southern Africa where this was not
permitted.

The evening was sponsored by Mark Mobility Centre..

                                   Audrey Owens Press Officer

`Bent`-bias, tendency , inclination, to one’s heart’s
content…………
`Broad`-widely encompassing, extensive, of stated
breadth,
manifest,bold……………

I think that aptly describes the outstanding talents of the
Broadbent
family(three brothers and a cousin with the same surname)
who,
in this instance, are together known as `Stringfever.`
Their lovely,
smart, stage outfits, the humour (well balanced at all
times) superb playing
of the modern string instruments(with their
multiple sounds and no wires
anywhere to be seen)-each one a
`veritable virtuoso` in his own right!

No bad language needed, no judges’ panel, with their
inane
comments, no jungle-……`oh, what a joy to share this
magical
experience-I can easily see why they were voted as favourite
artistes
last time they visited us!`

Of special note was the point where Cindy and Patricia(do they
have
hidden musical talents?)were invited on to the stage for an
incredible
rendition of Ravel`s Bolero, whereupon all four were playing on
one
instrument-absolutely(and I’m always careful howI use that
word)
unbelievable and as the Americans would have us credit
every
movement in life-AWESOME!!!

This was a night of triumph-all who left were busy chattering
about it
and I`m sure it will come into conversation in a wider context
for
some time to come.

What else can one add to a perfect evening-Cindy and her team
have
amazed us yet again.

Jennifer Kersey.

The Broadbents, Giles, Ralph and Neal together with their cousin,
Graham, gave a scintillating evening of music on their five and six-stringed
electric violins, viola and cello.  Their energy was incredible and the music
marvellous.   They offered such contrasting music as Vivaldi, the Beatles,
Brahms, Ravel and some of their own compositions.   A great highlight was their
Movie Themes Medley in which the audience had to guess the films from which the
snippets came.    The most spectacular item was Ravel’s Bolero when all four of
them played it on the cello – standing on chairs and sitting on the floor – the
result a chaotic and evocative event.   They completed their programme with the
History of Music – in 5 minutes.   This was a masterpiece of compilation which
everyone loved.   As an encore they played The Lark by Dinicu, changing
instruments with each other.   Fantastic!

The evening was sponsored by the West Cliff Theatre.

Audrey Owens Press Officer