December 2016 wins

The year was brought to a close with 3 Amaryllis bulbs and a play we could not attend.

November 2016 wins

2nd November – I won two tickets to Wind in the Willows at the Lowry Theatre, Salford.

I took my granddaughter Lucy to the performance of the new musical ‘Wind in the Willows’ I’m always worried by this sort of thing – will it be too grown up for her or will it be too childish for me. Well the good news is they got the balance about right.

Although the book is very popular I’m not sure there is enough of a story to it for a full theatrical production.  Also I didn’t think there were any really standout songs; I didn’t come away singing anything.

Having said that there are lots of plus points.  The real star of the show was the set. The sets was amazing! In the fast paced show they are constantly changing. We were treated to – the riverbank - Ratty’s rowing boat that moved around the stage - the outside of Toad Hall – the inside of Toad Hall – a gypsy caravan (with tap dancing horses) – a scene where they build a vintage car on stage – the creepy Wild Woods – badgers house – a court room –a prison - a full size steam train – a full size canal barge – etc. etc. etc. The team who designed and operate these sets deserve special praise.

Rufus Hound as the self-obsessed, bolshie Mr Toad was the acting star and thoroughly deserved his billing. Not the greatest singing voice, but his timing and energy really carried the production. I’d only previously seen him on panel shows and the like so I was impressed by his talent.

The overall cast were excellent, they managed through movement and posture to portray something of the character of the animals they were playing. They also deserve a pat on the back for the multiple costume changes and coping with the speed of the production.

The standout moment of the night was the hedgehog family singing the comic song ‘Crossing the Road can be Murder for an ‘edgehog’. Mother hedgehog singing with a broad Brumie accent. Really funny.

Julian Fellowes who wrote the stage adaption said – “I hope people who come to see it will be cheered by it, and will walk out of the theatre feeling warmer than they were when they walked in".  Well Julian, you and your colleagues certainly succeeded in that.

4th November -  I received an e-mail from Top Sante saying I had won a break at Seaham Hall near Durham.

A little bit of information and it turns out that it is the - ULTIMATE INDULGENCE break, which is described as follows:-

Immerse yourself in ultimate indulgence and experience a luxurious weekend of pampering. Take a journey through our wonderful hotel, on arrival your car will be valet parked for you and your luggage whisked up to your suite. After a leisurely check-in you can take a wander through our magical underground tunnel towards our award winning spa, where you can feast upon a delicious 2 course meal in our Ozone restaurant before a relaxing afternoon by the poolside and thermal suites which will prepare you for your mid-afternoon massages. Feeling fully relaxed retire to your suite where your king size bed awaits for an afternoon nap or a spot of reading then why not also enjoy pre-dinner drink in your suite before joining us in Byron’s Restaurant for a seven course evening meal. Enjoy a historic and atmospheric tour of our wine cellar to select your wine and drinks for the evening using your £100 voucher. Following your meal retire to one of our three lounges to round of your evening. Retire to your suite for the best night’s sleep you’ve ever had… Rise in the morning for a delicious breakfast in bed then leisurely make your way to the spa for your morning facial, relax and enjoy the spa. Finally finish you stay with an indulgent Afternoon Tea before you, reluctantly, leave our house for yours.

The Package includes:-

Two course lunch in The Ozone Restaurant

60 minute Serenity Signature Massage per person

60 minute Sundari Prescriptive Facial per person

Pre-dinner drinks with a seven Course Tasting Menu served in Byron’s Restaurant

£100 to spend in our wine cellar!

Leisurely Breakfast in Bed
Afternoon Tea on the day of your departure

October 2016 wins

1st Oct - Jack Daniels  t-shirt

6th October - Two tickets to BBC Philharmonic tickets at Bridgewater Hall for a programme which featured Walton, Elgar and Sibelius. Enjoyable night with the BBC Phil who were as professional as ever.  Some of the pieces were a little heavy, but some lovely moments too. 

7th October  – I won two tickets to the Ronnie Scott Story at the Charter Theatre, Preston.  

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The Ronnie Scott Story was an evening of dialogue, photographs, video and music presented by the house band from Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the Ronnie Scott Allstars. The concert told the story of both the man and the club. There was dialogue, pictures, video and lots of live jazz recreating some of the styles from the history of the club.  Really enjoyable night.

20th October - I won two tickets to Mozart by Candlelight at Charter Theatre,  Preston.  An evening featuring music and operatic pieces by Mozart in full period dress and by candlelight.

The band (sorry Ensemble) were all dressed in colourful period costume and powdered wigs; and were accompanied by three singers dressed similarly for the operatic pieces.

It was promoted as including excerpts from Mozart’s Operas such as: The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, and many more beautifully sung moments from his world famous operas. Also some of his most memorable musical pieces including; Symphony no. 40, Lacrimosa (Requiem D minor), and Eine Kleine Nacht Musik.. I’m sure it did, but as I’m too mean to but a programme I can’t confirm that for certain.

The show was enjoyable throughout, even for those like me who are not fanatical about Mozart or the classical genre. It was littered with familiar pieces, which could be appreciated both by the expert and the less knowledgeable audience member. The only real disappointment for me was the setting –billed as “by candlelight,” the ambiance was largely drowned out by the stage lights. Say what you like but the Mozart chap wrote some really good tune

September 2016 wins

1st.Sept - Four tickets to Diva's of Soul Concert, this concert was eventually cancelled so this became a non-prize

25th September - The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler book

July and August 2016 wins

22nd July  – I received an e-mail from a local organisation to say I'd won four tickets to a concert by artists and bands in a disused church in Blackburn. 

10th August - an Edition of Positive News

22nd August a ladybird book

May and June 2016 wins

10th May 2016 – I Googled my name and found I’d won a large cuddly Silentnight hippo from the Carpetright Facebook page.  Apparently the original winner had failed to claim it on time, so it was re-awarded to me.  I just managed to claim it with hours to spare.

No wins at all in June.

APRIL 2016 wins

29th April – I won an Executive Toiletry Kit. Saw my name printed in Sunday Times Travel Magazine as a second runner-up with the prize arriving a couple of days later.