Jan Leeming - The Official Website

CHRISTIAN THE LION

13th August 2008

CHRISTIAN THE LION

A while ago I was sent an email attachment by a friend who knows of my love for animals and in particular 'Cats'.  When I watched the video on You tube, I couldn't believe that it was the same John Rendall that I know who, with a friend, had bought in Harrods a Lion Cub which eventually grew too big and through the auspices of Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers had the Christian the Cub, reintroduced into the wilds of Kenya.

I was trying to find the clip for a friend and googled 'Christian the Lion' - and to my surprise there were pages devoted to this lovely creature.  There's some very grainy footage but it's well worth watching, particularly the reunion, in Africa with the grown Lion and his London friends, John and Berg.  If you haven't seen it, do have a look - its' absolutely gorgeous.

SHOREHAM AIR SHOW

Last year I wingwalked at the Shoreham Air Show Press Day and helped raise funds for the RAFA Charity.  This year I hope to be flying with the Blades - a four ship team of ex Red Arrow Pilots - on Friday to publicize the Shoreham Air Show to be held later this month on 29^th - 31^st August.  I say 'hope' because if the winds are anything like they were today, I doubt very much that the display will go ahead.  Apparently down here in Kent the winds were reaching 50 - 60 mph.  The trees were bent double and I almost did a Mary Poppins down Deal High Street.  Short of a tornado, I've never experienced winds like it nor the weirdest of weather where it would be brilliant sunshine one minute and then teeming with monsoonal rain the next.  You couldn't put up an umbrella or it would have blown inside out. I gave up with my hair and looked like a good companion for Worzel Gummidge.

RENE MOUCHOTTE

Rene  is the French Pilot who flew with the RAF in World War 11 and whose inscription I sponsored on the Foxley Norris Wall at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel le Ferne.  I've just discovered that he was born on August 21^st 1914 and sadly died on 27^th August 1943. He was awarded the Legion d'Honneur and the Croix de Guerre and there are pages and pages devoted to him on the Internet.  I'm trying very hard to find out whether he has any living relatives. So if  you can thrown any light on the subject, I'd be very grateful.

Talking of the Battle of Britain, the Memorial Trust is staging a 'Glamorous Evening of Musical Nostalgia - Fly with the Stars (A Tribute to the Few).  It will be staged at The London Palladium on Sunday 7^th September.  There will be a vast line up of stars including Roy Hudd, Millicent Martin, Su Pollard, Claire Sweeney and Robert Hardy just to mention a few.  I'm not part of the line up but have been persuaded to join them on stage to do 'The Lambeth Walk'.  So if you fancy a good evening out filled with Nostalgia where the Stars of Today recreate the Hits of 1940, either phone the London Palladium on 0844 412 4657 or book tickets through the Internet.

ROME

A while ago I joined a London Club which arranges Dinners, Outings and Holidays and my first foray is to go with some of the members on a short trip to Rome.  I've always wanted to go there and had planned to go with my son Jonathan but he's now been hit by Cupid's arrow and I'm sure would rather be with his beloved than his mother!  As I wouldn't entertain the idea of going to Rome on my own, I thought I'd grab the opportunity (Carpe Diem and all that)  to go with the club and I must say the organisers have put together a superb programme for the few days of our visit.  I'm really looking forward to the trip and Tamby my cat is going to be brassed off with me again as he goes into the Cattery.  Mind you Kate looks after him so well, I think he regards the place as his second, third, fourth or fifth home - the neighbours tell me he is always inviting himself into their sun-rooms, gazebos, gardens etc.

Will close for now and do have a look at the You-tube clip of Christian and think about an Evening of Nostalgia on Sunday 7^th September.

Jan

 

BRUGES and IEPER (YPRES)

6th August 2008

BRUGES and YPRES

Went with friends for a few days to Bruges.  What a beautiful city it is - wonderful architecture at every turn, canals, lace and chocolates!!!  I think Belgium is regarded as being the home of the best Chocolate in Europe.  I'm not a great chocolate lover but cannot resist Leonidas.  Fortunately, down here in Kent we don't have any outlets so I'm saved from myself. 

Although we loved the city and the sights, we couldn't get over how expensive it was to eat out.  On our first evening we made the mistake of dining just off the Main Square.  Doreen and I fancied Beef Stroganoff - the beef was OK but it was not Stroganoff which should be made with strips of beef in a mushroom and sour cream sauce.  Ours was a lump of beef covered in the next best thing to a Provencale sauce.  We had four main courses, two desserts and one bottle of wine and the bill was best part of £160.  The music, which attracted us to the restaurant in the first place, was too loud and pretty awful. The next night our meal was slightly better and also less expensive.  But I have to say I had the best cake I've every tasted in a wonderful Tea Room called Detavernier and it was worth the cost.

We felt the boat ride on the canal was good value (especially compared with the food prices) and we had a good guide.  However the Carriage ride was a rip-off. 

On Sunday we went to Ypres (now called Ieper) to visit the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Dead of the First World War.  Tyne Cot is only one of many cemeteries in and around Ypres but it is the largest British War Cemetery in Mainland Europe. It was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and inaugurated in 1927.  There are more than 170 smaller cemeteries in the area.

At Tyne Cot there are buried 11,956 soldiers of the Commonwealth and on the Screen Wall at the back of the cemetery there are the names of a further 34,957 missing soldiers.

There is a new Visitor Centre and a very moving exposition of photographs of the dead - and a youngish voice reads out the name and age of the deceased.  This recording is broadcast in the background as one makes one's way to the Visitor centre.  It is all highly emotional.

My friend Doreen found out only a few months ago that her Grandfather died in The Great War and she had the reference number for his gravestone in the Reservoir Cemetery actually in the town of Ypres.  It was a relatively small cemetery but very well kept and we found her grandfather's engraved stone.  Doreen thought that probably no one in the family had ever visited the grave and it was an emotional moment as she laid a red rose against the stone.

We stayed in Ypres for the rest of a very rainy afternoon in order that we could have an early dinner and attend the Ceremony of the playing of The Last Post at the Menen Gate.  The Gate has inscribed on it  a further 55,000 names of the missing dead.

The Last Post had been played at the Menen Gate every evening at 8.00 pm since the end of the First World War and throughout the Second World War.  A crowd of about 400 gathered for this moving but simple ceremony.

I cannot tell you how drained we all felt on our return to Bruges.  You simply cannot begin to imagine the carnage of that war - men were simply slaughtered like animals and the conditions in which they lived were appalling.  We visited the Passendale Museum and experienced a 'Dug Out' - tunnelled under the ground - insanitary and primitive  conditions and the constant boom of guns.

At the Tyne Cot Visitors' Centre a New Zealander told me how a whole company of Kiwis were killed.  Apparently they were sent down a Trench but they couldn't get out and over because the end was barred with barbed wire and they were just mown down.

It was meant to be the War to end all Wars - What a sick joke - yet only two decades later there was another World War and there have been wars somewhere in the world right up to the present day.  Will men never learn!

At the Menen Gate, I was pleased to see several wreaths laid by School children - one from the Technical School just up the road from me in Sandwich.

I read that even today, 90 years after the war, remains of approximately 30 men are unearthed annually.

I'd always been aware of the dreadful loss of life in the 1914 -18 War but nothing brought it home to me like the endless white stones in the Cemetery at Tyne Cot - many bearing the inscription 'Known only to God' and the thousands and thousands of names of the missing posted on the Wall at Tyne Cot and the Menen Gate.

THE WIZARD OF OZ ETC.

30th July 2008

The Wizard of Oz was most enjoyable and they made the transition, from that well known and much loved story on film, to a very acceptable stage version.

There wasn't a single weak link in so far as the acting was concerned - they were all excellent and some of the choreography was stunning - the March of the Winkies had me mesmerised - I couldn't make out how they did it.  The Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion were every bit as good as the originals in the film.

They say never work with children and animals - and there may be some truth in it - for the little chap who just about stole the show was Toto - the dog - an absolutely gorgeous Westie ( I think or he may have been a Cairn - Standard Poodles are my dogs so I'm not up in the little breeds)

I didn't have time to get a paper today as I had a meeting with a Radio Station (watch this space) and also  lunch with the Chief Executive and also the Fund Raiser of 'Orchid'.  But I understand the crits weren't brilliant - So Who Cares what they say - many a show has gone on to be a huge success after being damned by the Critics.  The late Jack Tinker always seemed to be a fair critic but I get the feeling nowadays they are just out to condemn - bit of The Emperor's New Clothes methinks.  I saw Menopause the Musical in Capetown and haven't laughed so much in years.  It was a lousy title and I gather the critics here murdered it - it died an early death.  But then the critics are also running down Mamma Mia which apparently everyone is thoroughly enjoying.  My maxim is that if I want to see a show I will go whatever the critics say!!!!

Poor old critics - I am giving them a hard time.  But what do they do productively - they don't write plays or musicals, they don't act or sing - they are largely negative and condemning.  It's the same with Art Critics.  How many artists in the past died in poverty and yet today, because Homo Sapiens puts a value on their work, they change hands for millions.

Apparently The Wiz is sold out for it's six week run at the Southbank and so it should be - it's magic for the children and the Grown-up kids amongst whom I count myself.  Incidentally my Red Shoes were more of a hit than I - a few folk took pictures on their mobiles of my shoes!!!!!!!

So, if you've children or grandchildren and you can get seats, then go and have a thoroughly lovely time - Just Follow the Yellow Brick Road.  One small word of caution, do warn the little ones that there will be some very loud bangs in the show - I nearly jumped out of my seat the first time the Wicked Witch appeared.

And if Toto is ever up for adoption, I want to be first in the queue.

At the Orchid Lunch we discussed the Kilimanjaro Trek next June.  Jonathan and I very much want to take part but whether I, in particular, can get fit enough remains to be seen.

In my visit to the Radio Station I bumped into my 'Jungle' Buddy - who nearly fell off his seat seeing me outside the window of his Studio.  I'm talking about Toby Anstis - my chum in the Jungle and the one who shouldn't have been voted off when he was - I think there was a bit of genuine button trouble - there were others who deserved to be voted off long before Toby.  And no, I am not being considered as a Presenter on Heart FM but there may be something in the pipeline.  Watch this space.

Must go as I've a very early start tomorrow - going off with friends for a Day trip to Ma Belle France.  Then the next day, even earlier to go off with Doreen and another couple to Bruges for four days.  A few weeks ago, I'd nothing in the diary for the rest of my life, now August is totally full and September is filling up too.  Don't know how I ever found time to work Full time.

Au revoir maintenant - E Bientot.  Jan

FARNBOROUGH - RED ARROWS - BLADES

26th July 2008

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW

 I love Aerobatic display flying and if you want to see  little planes doing all sorts of 'Magic' in the air, then you don't go to Farnborough.

Farnborough is much more of a Trade Show with Big Boys Toys but the show is big enough to have some aerobatics from accomplished pilots in some pretty fantastic Aeroplanes. 

The Red Arrows were there, of course, but with low cloud they had to do a rolling display  and for effect they doubled their smoke - still absolutely magnificent and brings a lump to my throat for all sorts of reasons.  I was fortunate enough to fly with them in display in 1983.  Can't believe that is a quarter century ago.  Apart from the birth of my son, I think I'd rank flying with the Arrows as the best experience of my life.

I also paid particular attention to The Blades - a four ship team of Ex Red Arrows flying a different but equally fantastic display.  I was particularly interested because, all being well, I will be flying with them at the Shoreham Air Show Press Day on 14^th August.

Last year at Shoreham I wingwalked for the RAFA Charity and the Blades offered me a flight. Sadly during a re-enactment of a Battle of Britain dog fight, a Hurricane went into the ground and we felt that, in deference to the pilot, we shouldn't go ahead with the flight.  So it has been postponed till this year.  The Blades run a company which offers Corporate hospitality and the chance, for a fee, for anyone to experience the thrill of flying with these personable and accomplished pilots.

Also last year  I was  offered a flight in one of the few two-seater Spitfires.  That really is something and an experience many men would give their eye-teeth to have.  So far we haven't managed to arrange a date and again the flight will be undertaken to promote a charity.

So why was I at Farnborough?  I was wearing another hat.  I am, to give me my Grand Title - Director of Communication and Media for a Company called INSPIRE.  John Baker and David Cheney have been building the business and working very hard.  Matters are coming to fruition and I hope soon  to be able to fulfil my role.  Inspire offers Bespoke Training and strategic planning for people right across the spectrum of Aviation and is a member of FAC - Farnborough Aerospace Consortium.

Just in case you are interested - Inspire's Website  -  inspiretraining.org                emails inspiretraining@aol.com

Still loosely on the subject of Flight, I went out to lunch with a friend today and we happened to come back on the A20 so I made a slight diversion and took her to see the Battle of Britain Memorial and the Wall bearing the names of almost 3000 pilots who lost their lives in the last war.  And of course I paid my respects to Rene Mouchotte - the pilot whose name I've sponsored on the Wall.  My friend was very impressed with the memorial which, although she's lived in this area for years, she didn't know existed.  It was a gloriously sunny day and she commented on the serenity and wistfulness on the face of the sculptured pilot.  If only the weather had been better two weeks ago - it poured with rain and the Flypast was cancelled.

A FEW CATCHUPS

I'm sorry I forgot to remind you that there was going to be a Big Article in the Health Section of last Sunday's Mail.  Apart from the usual reference to age and other personal details, it was an excellent article about Jonathan's Testicular Cancer and carried the message loud and strong that you men must Check Yourselves Out.  Orchid were very pleased indeed.

Have just checked and the site is still operative.  The link is http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1036519/How-Jan-Leemings-beloved-son-conquered-killer-cancer-dare-speak-name.html

Am having lunch with the Orchid people on Wednesday when we'll discuss the way forward and whether I might be fit enough to do the Kilimanjaro Trek planned for next year.

Also forgot to tell you that, if you'd like to see a picture of me in a swimsuit at the age of seven with front teeth missing, get a copy of the August Edition of Woman and Home - p.48.  Come to think of it, I could put the picture into the Gallery which I might do.

Have just received a copy of this Month's Higher Nature magazine in which I talk about lifestyle and the supplements I take.

I've also got another project on the go but I'll tell you more about that in the coming weeks.

Bye for now 

WANT TO HEAR A CHEETAH PURR!!!!!

17th July 2008

AT LAST.

Thanks once again to the genii at SAV, you can now hear a Cheetah purr and get the Ahhh! factor from seeing some adorable 2 month old Cheetah cubs.  Just click onto the Gallery.

I'll tell you more about Cheetah Outreach and Oudtshoorn but at the moment I've got to get ready to go to the Farnborough Air Show at which I will be wearing my other hat about which I will also tell you more.

On my journey, it is only a short detour to Capel le Ferne and the Battle of Britain Memorial - so I shall be stopping off to pay my respects to Rene Mouchotte and looking for the names of the other French pilots who were killed fighting for our freedom.

Bye for now, Jan