He played duets with a Mrs Mills, not thatone. The club was in the old 'better part of Sidcup' so naturally I didn't know about them until afterwards. being in the 1930s modern part. 
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"Gladys & Ted - Tickling The Ovaries for YOU!"Originally posted by salymap View PostHe played duets with a Mrs Mills, not thatone. The club was in the old 'better part of Sidcup' so naturally I didn't know about them until afterwards. being in the 1930s modern part.
Seats at all prices!
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I first heard "The Grocer" as a pianist. He kept his flat in The Albany, Piccadilly, when he became PM and would often nip home for an hour's Bach at lunchtime. I worked next door in Burlington House. In summertime lying in the sun on the warm lead roof above the Royal Academy with sarnies from Fortnum and Mason's or Jackson's was made extra pleasant by his piano playing. He was rather good.
No, we do not have bendy buses in Salisbury, though, thanks to the Wilts and Dorset Bus Co, we have some of the most bad-tempered and rude bus drivers I have ever known....having said that, there a few are angels.
Ted as a conductor? He lived for a few years in Salisbury and, I believe, died here. He is interred in the Cathedral. His conducting was a mixed blessing. He usually used an ad hoc session band called the English Symphony Orchestra. His concerts raised a lot of money for the restoration of the cathedral (which is still going on). Sometimes he was what Mr GG calls "a bit of a vanity conductor". At othertimes he inspired them and choruses to great things. Most memorable was a Bruckner "Te Deum" which matched Eugen Jochum's wonderful version. His glorious soloists were Sheila Armstrong, Felicity Palmer, Christopher Ventris and Stafford Dean. No expenses spared, that was preceded by a glowing account of Beethoven's 4th Piano Concerto with Moura Lympany. A friend took me to Ted's post concert party, a jolly affair as it was two days after his public criticism of Mrs Thatcher and shortly before Geoffrey Howe's great attack on her. I got to know him lossely then. The soloists were good fun, especially Dame Moura. I wish I had taken up her invitation to come grape-picking on her vineyard in France and I loved her story about Tory Central Office trying to persuade her to marry Ted to stop the "rumours". Ted had a couple of pubs in the area he frequented with his detectives on Sunday lunchtimes. He was glad if he saw a familiar face as it meant he could let the heavy mob go to the other end of the bar and leave him alone to talk with someone else. He loved Czech music and to chat about it. He gave a good "New World" in the Cathedral. He was embittered by his treatment by the Right of the Conservative Party and preferred to talk about music.Comment
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Excellent stories nicely told Chris.
I was glad to hear that he could relax and enjoy himself with good company. He often seemed to be so buttoned-up, a typical shy person I suppose.Comment
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Chris, you dark horse you knew our MP. All we got locally was a Carol Concert every year which I believe was always sold out at once. His local agent was an old school friend of mine who seemed to get on well with Ted.
If he loved Czech music his heart was in the right place. A much misunderstood man I always thought.Comment
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Did somebody say...MRS. MILLS?Originally posted by MrGongGong View Post
Originally Posted by salymap 
He played duets with a Mrs Mills, not that one.
thats a great shame
I don't care how dumb everyone thinks this is--I can't put this on without smiling! And as a Youtube commenter once said, "It's always a sign of a good night when I wake up and my Mrs Mills record collection is scattered on the living room floor".
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Yes indeed
who needs Brendel when you have MRS. MILLS?
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"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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I have always felt a sneaking sympathy for the wretched linnet. I do hope among all the dillydallying somebody remembered his birdseed.Comment
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Morning, sharp ground frost in Kent, London borders. I suppose we still have the March winds to come in April.Brrr.Comment
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Mornin', salymap. Oh, sorry; it be afternoon. Well, the forecast be April Showers. Just as well, we ain't ad much rain since beginnin' o' March and the ole Avon be droppin' fast again.Originally posted by salymap View PostComment
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Ar aye, better the ole Avon than the murky ole Thames on yon doorstep ain't it ole fella?Comment
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Don' yew diss Le Big Fleuve in ma hearin', momma.Comment
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I would throw this computer in the Big Fleuve [??] if I lived near enough, Sonny. Have a good day. I spend more time waiting for pesky machine to do something I ask it to do than I do typing. Hope you get your rain ChrisComment
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