Latest news with #WinterGardens
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Photos of David Bowie in Dorset in the 1970s on display in Poole
An exhibition has been showcasing candid photographs of David Bowie, including some taken by a close friend during a trip to a seaside town in the MacCormack captured the images of Bowie when he had a gig at Winter Gardens Bournemouth on May 25, had been friends with the star since their schooldays and went on tour with him as a backing vocalist and exhibition at Canvas Gallery in Poole will run until Saturday before it moves to Canvas Gallery Winchester from 24 May. "I certainly got shots of him that a professional photographer, doing a gig, clicking away, wouldn't have got," Mr MacCormack said he recalled the day the Ziggy Stardust tour reached Dorset."I remember Bournemouth because I took a couple of snaps of fans. There was a Rolls Royce there," he said."You've got to remember that almost overnight he became a sensation through Ziggy Stardust. That was the point at which his image exploded onto the world." 'Holiday snaps' Another photo captures Bowie sleeping on the Trans-Siberian Express during the Ziggy Stardust tour, which visited Russia. Mr MacCormack said: "I was up earlier than him and I just saw this picture and I thought 'how fabulous, what a great composition.'" The collection, called Canvas to Canvas, reveals a different view of Bowie, only seen by those who knew him personally. "We had costumes made for us, which were outlandish, and we were taught how to dance and apply makeup, but it was all a fantasy thing. I travelled with David because he was my friend."I wasn't taking photographs for anything other than holiday snaps." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens receives £500k grant
A Grade II listed building on a seafront has been granted £500,000 towards its Winter Gardens, in Great Yarmouth, was given the funding by Historic England to help restore it into a community Victorian glasshouse, on the Norfolk coast, is the last of its kind standing, although it closed to the public in Calladine, East of England regional director of Historic England, said the grant would help "breathe new life" into the building, "securing the future of this rare and remarkable structure". Originally erected in Torquay, the building was transported and reassembled in Norfolk in grant forms part of collaborative funding, including £12.3m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and about £6m from the UK Towns Fund. The building's original features - including cast and wrought ironwork - will be restored as part of the for the Winter Gardens will include creating community spaces and café areas to be used for leisure, entertainment and Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ''The restoration of the Winter Gardens is hugely significant for people in Great Yarmouth – and nationally.""We are extremely grateful to Historic England for this major grant support as our team of heritage experts breathes new life into this landmark building on the seafront," he added. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Wales Online
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Man makes unearthly music from household objects with hilarious results
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A wacky musician who wowed Britain's Got Talent (BGT) judges had pensioners in stitches. Dennis Frere-Smith moved from the sublime to the ridiculous when performing in Caernarfon, Gwynedd. After a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In, the veteran entertainer put aside his trumpet to produce some unearthly but hilarious tunes on a teapot, a garden hose and even a shower head. The routine, which also included a sink plunger and watering can, was similar to the one that won him acclaim on BGT last year. After initially rolling his eyes, judge Simon Cowell gave him a standing ovation. At the time, Amanda noted: 'It just reminded me of good old fashioned entertainment. There is no other show on earth where you'd be able to play a hosepipe – perfect for Britain's Got Talent.' There was also a thumbs-up from fellow judge Alesha Dixon but Bruno Tonioli described Dennis's performance as a 'waste of wind'. Dennis advanced onto the following round and performed his routine on the famous London Palladium stage - but he failed to reach the show's semi-finals. Despite this, his crowd-pleasing performance at Pendine Park's Bryn Seiont care home in Caernarfon was definitely a Golden Buzzer moment. Sign up now for the latest news on the North Wales Live Whatsapp community Among those to get out of her seat was Betty Driver, 87, a former professional dancer who often performed at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. 'That was a great show, I really enjoyed it,' she enthused. 'I couldn't help but get up and dance to some of the songs.' (Image: Mandy Jones) Dennis sang and played a selection of hits ranging from Frank Sinatra to Bobby Darin and Cliff Richard. He also performed a medley of wartime songs in preparation for VE Day in May. 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' had a special meaning for Ethna Williams, originally from County Dublin, Ireland, who latterly lived near Holyhead. She said: 'It was lovely to hear him sing and especially when he came up to me (during the song) and held my hand.' Former police officer David Edwards, from Dolwyddelan, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, correctly identified the opening bars of 'Bring Me Sunshine', a song regularly sung by comic duo Morecambe and Wise on their TV shows. He then joined Dennis to recreate the dance Eric and Ernie did as they left the stage. 'I enjoyed Dennis' singing very much,' he said. 'He's got a very fine voice and he's a very talented musician.' (Image: Mandy Jones) Dennis, from Norfolk, rounded off his hour-long session with a stirring version of You'll Never Walk Alone. Now in his late-60s, Dennis joined the Scots Guards as a musician on leaving school and later became a teacher before becoming a full-time musician and entertainer. He said: 'I was teaching music at a school in Buckinghamshire and was asked to take a group to entertain at a care home. There was no one available so I went along and did it myself – and I've been visiting care homes ever since. 'My mother is now in her 90s and I know how much pleasure elderly people get from music. I enjoyed performing for the residents here in Caernarfon very much, they were a great audience.' (Image: Mandy Jones) Dennis said his BGT appearance last year had since given him new ideas for his act. 'Amanda Holden challenged me to play When the Saints Go Marching In and go faster and faster – and with other instruments,' he said. 'So I've prepared a backing track with the help of my son and added a watering can and a funnel to the others that I play. I'm hoping to develop a new show for the theatre and cruise ships market.' Nia Davies Williams is Bryn Seiont Newydd's musician in residence. She was blown away by the performance, saying it evoked happy musical memories for the residents. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'The effect of music is well known,' she said. 'It seems to linger longer even among those for whom a simple conversation seems to be very difficult. Having Dennis her to sing those old familiar songs from their earlier years does the residents the power of good.' Look for places near you
North Wales Live
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Man makes unearthly music from household objects with hilarious results
A wacky musician who wowed Britain's Got Talent (BGT) judges had pensioners in stitches. Dennis Frere-Smith moved from the sublime to the ridiculous when performing in Caernarfon, Gwynedd. After a rousing rendition of When the Saints Go Marching In, the veteran entertainer put aside his trumpet to produce some unearthly but hilarious tunes on a teapot, a garden hose and even a shower head. The routine, which also included a sink plunger and watering can, was similar to the one that won him acclaim on BGT last year. After initially rolling his eyes, judge Simon Cowell gave him a standing ovation. At the time, Amanda noted: 'It just reminded me of good old fashioned entertainment. There is no other show on earth where you'd be able to play a hosepipe – perfect for Britain's Got Talent.' There was also a thumbs-up from fellow judge Alesha Dixon but Bruno Tonioli described Dennis's performance as a 'waste of wind'. Dennis advanced onto the following round and performed his routine on the famous London Palladium stage - but he failed to reach the show's semi-finals. Despite this, his crowd-pleasing performance at Pendine Park's Bryn Seiont care home in Caernarfon was definitely a Golden Buzzer moment. Among those to get out of her seat was Betty Driver, 87, a former professional dancer who often performed at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. 'That was a great show, I really enjoyed it,' she enthused. 'I couldn't help but get up and dance to some of the songs.' Dennis sang and played a selection of hits ranging from Frank Sinatra to Bobby Darin and Cliff Richard. He also performed a medley of wartime songs in preparation for VE Day in May. 'It's a Long Way to Tipperary' had a special meaning for Ethna Williams, originally from County Dublin, Ireland, who latterly lived near Holyhead. She said: 'It was lovely to hear him sing and especially when he came up to me (during the song) and held my hand.' Former police officer David Edwards, from Dolwyddelan, near Blaenau Ffestiniog, correctly identified the opening bars of 'Bring Me Sunshine', a song regularly sung by comic duo Morecambe and Wise on their TV shows. He then joined Dennis to recreate the dance Eric and Ernie did as they left the stage. 'I enjoyed Dennis' singing very much,' he said. 'He's got a very fine voice and he's a very talented musician.' Dennis, from Norfolk, rounded off his hour-long session with a stirring version of You'll Never Walk Alone. Now in his late-60s, Dennis joined the Scots Guards as a musician on leaving school and later became a teacher before becoming a full-time musician and entertainer. He said: 'I was teaching music at a school in Buckinghamshire and was asked to take a group to entertain at a care home. There was no one available so I went along and did it myself – and I've been visiting care homes ever since. 'My mother is now in her 90s and I know how much pleasure elderly people get from music. I enjoyed performing for the residents here in Caernarfon very much, they were a great audience.' Dennis said his BGT appearance last year had since given him new ideas for his act. 'Amanda Holden challenged me to play When the Saints Go Marching In and go faster and faster – and with other instruments,' he said. 'So I've prepared a backing track with the help of my son and added a watering can and a funnel to the others that I play. I'm hoping to develop a new show for the theatre and cruise ships market.' Nia Davies Williams is Bryn Seiont Newydd's musician in residence. She was blown away by the performance, saying it evoked happy musical memories for the residents. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'The effect of music is well known,' she said. 'It seems to linger longer even among those for whom a simple conversation seems to be very difficult. Having Dennis her to sing those old familiar songs from their earlier years does the residents the power of good.'
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Only Fools... show in Blackpool halted after 'medical emergency'
The opening night of Only Fools and Horses The Musical in Blackpool was halted after an audience member fell ill. Blackpool's Winter Gardens said Monday's show, based on the long-running BBC TV comedy, was postponed and the Opera House theatre evacuated after a "medical emergency" in the front stalls during the West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said it attended the theatre and had taken a man to hospital for further Winter Gardens said its thoughts and well wishes were with the man and his family, and thanked everyone for their patience. It said ticket holders would receive an email with details of how to transfer to another performance or request a musical stars Paul Whitehouse as Grandad and audience members are also reacquainted with much-loved characters including Del Boy Trotter, Rodney and Cassandra, Trigger, Boycie and show is billed as a celebration of "traditional working class life in London in 1989".The musical is touring the UK and the Republic of Ireland after a record-breaking four-year run in London's West End. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
