Latest news with #ErskineVeteransCharity
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
One-man show marks 155th birthday of Lanarkshire music hall legend Sir Harry Lauder
Tenor and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall is reviving the much-loved Scottish Opera show Lauder this summer. He was Scotland's first successful international entertainer – a South Lanarkshire lad whose unique stage image and performances brought world fame. Now, to mark the 155th birthday of legendary Scottish entertainer Sir Harry Lauder, tenor and broadcaster Jamie MacDougall is reviving the much-loved Scottish Opera show Lauder this summer, in Edinburgh. It will be at Portobello Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday, August 4 and 5, at 7pm (tickets here), and there will also be shows in London and Buxton. Ticket sales from the Edinburgh and London performances will go to the charity Erskine Veterans Charity, for which Jamie is an ambassador. It provides support to Veterans in Scotland, through care homes and a Veterans Village. Sir Harry, who was an international music star and at one point the highest-paid performer in the world, was greatly affected by his son John's death at the Battle of the Somme in 1916. He raised huge sums of money for injured serviceman, donating his music royalties to veterans supported by Erskine Veterans Charity. An exploration into the public and private personas of Sir Harry, Lauder was originally presented by Scottish Opera in 2017 as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Theatre Royal Glasgow. This production of the musical play has been adapted by director Kally Lloyd-Jones and Jamie from the original script by comedian, actor and impresario Jimmy Logan. In London, Tom Carradine is music director and pianist, and in Buxton and Edinburgh it is former Scottish Opera head of music, Derek Clark who also curated the featured Harry Lauder songs. Sir Harry premiered his classic song 'I Love a Lassie' onstage at Theatre Royal in 1905 when he appeared in his first pantomime, Aladdin, and in Red Riding Hood in 1910 he performed 'Roamin' in the gloamin'. Featuring these well-known songs as well as 'Keep Right on to the End of the Road' and other familiar favourites, Lauder includes news footage of Sir Harry's funeral and film reel from the trenches. Jamie MacDougall said: 'I am thrilled to be bringing this tribute to Sir Harry Lauder to audiences in London, Buxton International Festival and Edinburgh for the first time. I was 10 when I was taken twice to see Jimmy Logan in Lauder at the King's Theatre Glasgow. That was the start of my life-long association with these wonderful songs and Sir Harry, an entertainer who was the first truly global star. I am honoured to be an Ambassador for Erskine, and hope audiences can come along to see this special show and raise money for an incredible charity.' Jimmy Logan wrote and starred in Lauder which he performed for the first time in 1976 in Edinburgh, before it toured around the world. It was also broadcast on television and Logan revived the show in 2000 for the Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Scottish Opera extends thanks to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland's Archives & Collections, custodians of the Jimmy Logan Archive including the Lauder scripts and scores. Jamie will also take the one-man show to London's Hoxton Hall on June 22, and Buxton International Festival on July 17.
North Wales Chronicle
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Veterans don Union flag hats and dance to 1940s tunes at VE Day street party
The event at the Erskine home near Bishopton, Renfrewshire, saw some 400 people gather in a courtyard in the warm spring sunshine, where bunting, balloons and a large marquee had been set up, in a recreation of the street parties held to celebrate VE Day 80 years ago. Inside the tent the home's residents chatted over slices of cake and cold drinks at cabaret-style tables, while a trio of singers helped roll back the years with performances of a series of classic tunes. Many veterans clapped their hands and sang along to the likes of We'll Meet Again, In The Mood, and Rum And Coca-Cola, and some even took to the dancefloor in the company of members of the home's staff. For Erskine Veterans Charity chief executive Ian Cumming, the event was an opportunity to celebrate 'the courage of those who changed the tide of history for the better'. He continued: 'If they hadn't won then the world would be a different place. 'The peace and stability they brought us as a result of that victory we've benefited from for decades.' Asked about what the event meant to the home's veterans he said: 'They love it. 'They'll know the significant of it, the defeat of Nazism and expansionism. 'They'll know the sacrifices made, the great toll taken on their forebears, and some of them served during the Second World War and they saw it first hand. 'So those people will have an opportunity to take the stage and tell their stories and be applauded. 'But everyone who served in the armed forces understands that they are effectively putting their lives on the line. 'So it's a celebration of the people came back, and also a chance to reflect on those that didn't.' The Erskine home is for veterans of all ages, and the event was attended by people of a wide range of ages and military experiences. Alex Bremner, an 89-year-old who did his national service in the RAF in the 1950s, recalled his experience of VE Day as a nine-year-old boy in Glasgow. 'All I can remember … is going round the houses looking for firewood to throw in your bonfire,' he said. 'We stayed in Townhead in Glasgow and we just went round the doors asking if there's any wood you want to get rid of, and used that for the bonfire.' He also recalled his parents' experience during the war, explaining that his father had served in the Merchant Navy and had not been at home when the war ended. He said of his mother: 'I remember her reading the papers. 'She was always in tears thinking about what the troops were going through.' For Erskine trustee and former army reservist Colonel Mike Edwards it was important to 'push the boat out' to celebrate veterans of the conflict. 'They're all of a certain age, and many of them will remember VE Day for real,' he explained. 'It's important that whilst we can we can, because won't be able to do it forever, we can really push the boat out and say thank you to these amazing veterans.' Contrasting their experience with his own military career he said: 'They didn't volunteer, they were conscripted to fight evil, tyranny, and fascism, and they were prepared to give their lives and many did. 'And the veterans here celebrating today lived through that experience. 'They remember VE Day. 'We're fortunate to share VE Day 80 with them. 'But they were there, they lived that day and it's really important to mark how these amazing people stood up and fought against evil, tyranny, fascism, to keep Europe free and the UK and Scotland free as well.' There were also a number of young cadets at the event, who were helping serve food and drinks to the participants. One, a 15-year-old lance corporal, said it made him 'happy' to be there helping to make the residents happy. He added that it was important to remember the conflict, both to help prevent it from being repeated, but also to celebrate the people who fought in it, 'because they helped our country in a very big way'.
South Wales Argus
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Veterans don Union flag hats and dance to 1940s tunes at VE Day street party
The event at the Erskine home near Bishopton, Renfrewshire, saw some 400 people gather in a courtyard in the warm spring sunshine, where bunting, balloons and a large marquee had been set up, in a recreation of the street parties held to celebrate VE Day 80 years ago. Inside the tent the home's residents chatted over slices of cake and cold drinks at cabaret-style tables, while a trio of singers helped roll back the years with performances of a series of classic tunes. Many veterans clapped their hands and sang along to the likes of We'll Meet Again, In The Mood, and Rum And Coca-Cola, and some even took to the dancefloor in the company of members of the home's staff. Veteran Andy Kirkland kisses a member of staff at a tea party at Erskine Veterans Home (Andrew Milligan/PA) For Erskine Veterans Charity chief executive Ian Cumming, the event was an opportunity to celebrate 'the courage of those who changed the tide of history for the better'. He continued: 'If they hadn't won then the world would be a different place. 'The peace and stability they brought us as a result of that victory we've benefited from for decades.' Asked about what the event meant to the home's veterans he said: 'They love it. 'They'll know the significant of it, the defeat of Nazism and expansionism. 'They'll know the sacrifices made, the great toll taken on their forebears, and some of them served during the Second World War and they saw it first hand. 'So those people will have an opportunity to take the stage and tell their stories and be applauded. 'But everyone who served in the armed forces understands that they are effectively putting their lives on the line. 'So it's a celebration of the people came back, and also a chance to reflect on those that didn't.' The Erskine home is for veterans of all ages, and the event was attended by people of a wide range of ages and military experiences. Staff and veterans dance at a tea party (Andrew Milligan/PA) Alex Bremner, an 89-year-old who did his national service in the RAF in the 1950s, recalled his experience of VE Day as a nine-year-old boy in Glasgow. 'All I can remember … is going round the houses looking for firewood to throw in your bonfire,' he said. 'We stayed in Townhead in Glasgow and we just went round the doors asking if there's any wood you want to get rid of, and used that for the bonfire.' He also recalled his parents' experience during the war, explaining that his father had served in the Merchant Navy and had not been at home when the war ended. He said of his mother: 'I remember her reading the papers. 'She was always in tears thinking about what the troops were going through.' For Erskine trustee and former army reservist Colonel Mike Edwards it was important to 'push the boat out' to celebrate veterans of the conflict. 'They're all of a certain age, and many of them will remember VE Day for real,' he explained. 'It's important that whilst we can we can, because won't be able to do it forever, we can really push the boat out and say thank you to these amazing veterans.' Veterans at a tea party (Andrew Milligan/PA) Contrasting their experience with his own military career he said: 'They didn't volunteer, they were conscripted to fight evil, tyranny, and fascism, and they were prepared to give their lives and many did. 'And the veterans here celebrating today lived through that experience. 'They remember VE Day. 'We're fortunate to share VE Day 80 with them. 'But they were there, they lived that day and it's really important to mark how these amazing people stood up and fought against evil, tyranny, fascism, to keep Europe free and the UK and Scotland free as well.' There were also a number of young cadets at the event, who were helping serve food and drinks to the participants. One, a 15-year-old lance corporal, said it made him 'happy' to be there helping to make the residents happy. He added that it was important to remember the conflict, both to help prevent it from being repeated, but also to celebrate the people who fought in it, 'because they helped our country in a very big way'.
Glasgow Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Veterans don Union flag hats and dance to 1940s tunes at VE Day street party
The event at the Erskine home near Bishopton, Renfrewshire, saw some 400 people gather in a courtyard in the warm spring sunshine, where bunting, balloons and a large marquee had been set up, in a recreation of the street parties held to celebrate VE Day 80 years ago. Inside the tent the home's residents chatted over slices of cake and cold drinks at cabaret-style tables, while a trio of singers helped roll back the years with performances of a series of classic tunes. Many veterans clapped their hands and sang along to the likes of We'll Meet Again, In The Mood, and Rum And Coca-Cola, and some even took to the dancefloor in the company of members of the home's staff. Veteran Andy Kirkland kisses a member of staff at a tea party at Erskine Veterans Home (Andrew Milligan/PA) For Erskine Veterans Charity chief executive Ian Cumming, the event was an opportunity to celebrate 'the courage of those who changed the tide of history for the better'. He continued: 'If they hadn't won then the world would be a different place. 'The peace and stability they brought us as a result of that victory we've benefited from for decades.' Asked about what the event meant to the home's veterans he said: 'They love it. 'They'll know the significant of it, the defeat of Nazism and expansionism. 'They'll know the sacrifices made, the great toll taken on their forebears, and some of them served during the Second World War and they saw it first hand. 'So those people will have an opportunity to take the stage and tell their stories and be applauded. 'But everyone who served in the armed forces understands that they are effectively putting their lives on the line. 'So it's a celebration of the people came back, and also a chance to reflect on those that didn't.' The Erskine home is for veterans of all ages, and the event was attended by people of a wide range of ages and military experiences. Staff and veterans dance at a tea party (Andrew Milligan/PA) Alex Bremner, an 89-year-old who did his national service in the RAF in the 1950s, recalled his experience of VE Day as a nine-year-old boy in Glasgow. 'All I can remember … is going round the houses looking for firewood to throw in your bonfire,' he said. 'We stayed in Townhead in Glasgow and we just went round the doors asking if there's any wood you want to get rid of, and used that for the bonfire.' He also recalled his parents' experience during the war, explaining that his father had served in the Merchant Navy and had not been at home when the war ended. He said of his mother: 'I remember her reading the papers. 'She was always in tears thinking about what the troops were going through.' For Erskine trustee and former army reservist Colonel Mike Edwards it was important to 'push the boat out' to celebrate veterans of the conflict. 'They're all of a certain age, and many of them will remember VE Day for real,' he explained. 'It's important that whilst we can we can, because won't be able to do it forever, we can really push the boat out and say thank you to these amazing veterans.' Veterans at a tea party (Andrew Milligan/PA) Contrasting their experience with his own military career he said: 'They didn't volunteer, they were conscripted to fight evil, tyranny, and fascism, and they were prepared to give their lives and many did. 'And the veterans here celebrating today lived through that experience. 'They remember VE Day. 'We're fortunate to share VE Day 80 with them. 'But they were there, they lived that day and it's really important to mark how these amazing people stood up and fought against evil, tyranny, fascism, to keep Europe free and the UK and Scotland free as well.' There were also a number of young cadets at the event, who were helping serve food and drinks to the participants. One, a 15-year-old lance corporal, said it made him 'happy' to be there helping to make the residents happy. He added that it was important to remember the conflict, both to help prevent it from being repeated, but also to celebrate the people who fought in it, 'because they helped our country in a very big way'.
Leader Live
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Veterans don Union flag hats and dance to 1940s tunes at VE Day street party
The event at the Erskine home near Bishopton, Renfrewshire, saw some 400 people gather in a courtyard in the warm spring sunshine, where bunting, balloons and a large marquee had been set up, in a recreation of the street parties held to celebrate VE Day 80 years ago. Inside the tent the home's residents chatted over slices of cake and cold drinks at cabaret-style tables, while a trio of singers helped roll back the years with performances of a series of classic tunes. Many veterans clapped their hands and sang along to the likes of We'll Meet Again, In The Mood, and Rum And Coca-Cola, and some even took to the dancefloor in the company of members of the home's staff. For Erskine Veterans Charity chief executive Ian Cumming, the event was an opportunity to celebrate 'the courage of those who changed the tide of history for the better'. He continued: 'If they hadn't won then the world would be a different place. 'The peace and stability they brought us as a result of that victory we've benefited from for decades.' Asked about what the event meant to the home's veterans he said: 'They love it. 'They'll know the significant of it, the defeat of Nazism and expansionism. 'They'll know the sacrifices made, the great toll taken on their forebears, and some of them served during the Second World War and they saw it first hand. 'So those people will have an opportunity to take the stage and tell their stories and be applauded. 'But everyone who served in the armed forces understands that they are effectively putting their lives on the line. 'So it's a celebration of the people came back, and also a chance to reflect on those that didn't.' The Erskine home is for veterans of all ages, and the event was attended by people of a wide range of ages and military experiences. Alex Bremner, an 89-year-old who did his national service in the RAF in the 1950s, recalled his experience of VE Day as a nine-year-old boy in Glasgow. 'All I can remember … is going round the houses looking for firewood to throw in your bonfire,' he said. 'We stayed in Townhead in Glasgow and we just went round the doors asking if there's any wood you want to get rid of, and used that for the bonfire.' He also recalled his parents' experience during the war, explaining that his father had served in the Merchant Navy and had not been at home when the war ended. He said of his mother: 'I remember her reading the papers. 'She was always in tears thinking about what the troops were going through.' For Erskine trustee and former army reservist Colonel Mike Edwards it was important to 'push the boat out' to celebrate veterans of the conflict. 'They're all of a certain age, and many of them will remember VE Day for real,' he explained. 'It's important that whilst we can we can, because won't be able to do it forever, we can really push the boat out and say thank you to these amazing veterans.' Contrasting their experience with his own military career he said: 'They didn't volunteer, they were conscripted to fight evil, tyranny, and fascism, and they were prepared to give their lives and many did. 'And the veterans here celebrating today lived through that experience. 'They remember VE Day. 'We're fortunate to share VE Day 80 with them. 'But they were there, they lived that day and it's really important to mark how these amazing people stood up and fought against evil, tyranny, fascism, to keep Europe free and the UK and Scotland free as well.' There were also a number of young cadets at the event, who were helping serve food and drinks to the participants. One, a 15-year-old lance corporal, said it made him 'happy' to be there helping to make the residents happy. He added that it was important to remember the conflict, both to help prevent it from being repeated, but also to celebrate the people who fought in it, 'because they helped our country in a very big way'.
