Jan Leeming - The Official Website

Cash in the Attic - filming

26th April 2008

Cash in the Attic

The crew came down to my flat on Friday to film the 'rummage' and choice of articles for the Auction on May 6^th in Chiswick.

Jonathan couldn't spare the time to be with me so I asked my friend Doreen to come down.  The crew come with 2 cameras and like to be filming concurrently and I couldn't be in two places at once. 

The team arrived at 9.00 and proceeded to turn the flat upside down!  Jenny Bond - the presenter for this edition is a delight to be with - highly professional of course and great fun as well.  Paul the valuer was also good to be with.  The whole team worked extremely hard and we hardly stopped all day - except for a snatched sandwich break at lunchtime.

They were delighted with my EUROVISION SONG CONTEST DRESS with Jenny declaring that it looked much better on than off - as I can still get into it, I modelled it for them. I'm also considering giving another three dresses - 2 by my friend Roland Klein and one by Zandra Rhodes.

Paul was extremely pleased and excited over  the  Oil Painting which our new-found friend from the Cruise had so generously given me for the Auction.  It's a stunning painting of a Belgian Bull by an artist called Albert BenAroya.  It's now been in the flat for over a week and I've really fallen for it.  I'd bid for it myself but it needs either a Stately home or a minimalist flat and I have neither.  Doreen, who wasn't too impressed, had also fallen under it's spell by the end of the day.  I think it's because the more you look at it, the more alive it appears to be and the Bull really does have a docile and kind face. The anatomical detail is amazing. I think back to the Bull I had to lead by the nose in Celebrity and how that huge one-ton creature was so calm and placid.  BenAroya is a modern painter and, I'm told, highly collectable, so the Painting might prove to be a good investment.  He specializes in Animals and Judaica - I'd love to see some of his Wild Animal paintings.

Paul was very generous in his assessment of the humble offerings of two pieces of my work from Silversmithing Classes and a ring from Jewellery class.

Don't know if he was only being polite but he also admired the Watercolour I've donated.  Most of my paintings have either gone already to Charity Sales or been given to friends so I've only a handful left.

I also gave the one item (apart from my Akubra Hat) which they allowed me to keep after I left the Rainforest in I'm a Celebrity - it's a skimpy T-shirt with my name and phone number on the back (phone number to call if you wished to vote for me!!!!!)

There's also a large collection of 'Commercial' Perfume Bottles.  I used to collect antique ones but when they got to cost more than £20, I stopped way back in the 70's.  I cannot bear to throw away beautiful objects so turned my attention to Modern bottles and cannot believe how much perfume I've gone through over the years.  I simply don't have the room to display them anymore so they may as well brighten up someone else's life and bring some money to a good cause.

I've said they turned the flat upside down and I couldn't believe all the rummaging done by the team - most of which I'm sure will end up on the Cutting room floor.  I'm still trying to find my Powder Compact and a few other items!!!

Doreen thoroughly enjoyed herself and was very accomplished on camera.

Jenny conducted a pleasant interview on the beach and in my living room.

The cat got the hump as he's used to grazing on his food in the bathroom.  It was occupied so often - he hightailed it out of the flat and didn't come back till evening.

Although the day was exhausting, it was greatly enjoyable and at least Doreen and I didn't have a long drive after a hard day's work.  Poor Jenny faced a 5 hour drive home and Paul had to drive back North.

So I repeat, if you tune into my Website and read this, please put in a bid either in person or by phone.  Doreen and I will be attending the Auction. The proceeds will go to Orchid - the Male Cancer Charity undertaking research into the main three male cancers - Testicular, Penile and Prostate.  It's a small charity and doesn't spend a huge amount of it's budget on PR. 

With any luck, and if I can get fit enough and don't suffer from Altitude sickness, Jonathan and I might be undertaking a trek up Kilimanjaro next year for Orchid.  Then I think I might just have to call my adventuring days to a halt - STOP WHILST YOU ARE ON TOP.  I've been very fortunate to have taken part in some amazing adventures over the last few years and count myself a Very Lucky Lady.

Incidentally, just a little aside - there are a couple of very nice photos of Jonathan and myself at the Opening Night of Gone with the Wind.  If you'd like to have a look, the link will be found if you Google 'Daily Express'.

Gone With The Wind - The Musical - First Night

23rd April 2008

GONE WITH THE WIND

Was fortunate to be invited to the premiere and took my son, Jonathan with me.

Nothing is worse than arriving at a premiere looking like a damp lettuce leaf.

 I have to plan my forays into London. So the plan was that I'd drive in, park the car at Trafalgar Squate, taxi to Jonathan's workplace and then taxi to the Theatre - the New London in Drury Lane.

 Fortunately the weather was with us, so taxis were in abundance.  It was quite strange walking down the red carpet with my handsome son and having the cameras whirring and the flashlights popping - just like the old days when I read the News.

 THE SHOW

 I couldn't conceive how they could transfer Gone with the Wind to the stage - but Trevor Nunn did it superbly.  Despite thoroughly enjoying the show, I don't really think one can conceive of it as a Musical.  Years ago I played Natasha in War and Peace and this is how I think Gone with the Wind should have been treated.  Nunn used various characters as Narrators to fill in the gaps historically and the whole treatment worked very well. 

 The Stage Show was faithful to the film almost down to the last detail - but MUSICAL it ain't.  I can't remember a single note from the show - despite ovations on several occasions - mainly for the songs sung by the Black members of the cast (is one allowed to say that) - they were show-stoppingly stupendous.

 I thoroughly enjoyed the show and did use the lace hankie in my bag which had replaced the usual tissues but as a Musical, I don't think so.

 Darius who played Rhett was absolutely superb - although about 20 years too young to play the part, he was thoroughly convincing.  He had that superb mastery of voice which saw him fly from octave to octave effortlessly - such a change from what I call “the Andrew Lloyd Webber Nasal Voice' where everything comes out at a high pitch sounding like a rather twangy instrument.  Sorry, but although I am not a singer I can appreciate the nuances of the Human Voice.  Too many of the youngsters today rely on that pushing from the neck and throat instead of sending up the volume from the stomach  - and correct intercostal diaphragmatic  breathing.  Enough of the technicalities.

 If Darius were 30 years older or I were 20 years younger - WOW - he really has got the Wow factor.  That it not to overlook the leading lady - she was eerily like Vivienne Leigh and a totally accomplished singer and actress.

 If there are any irregularities in the typing, it's due to my second glass of Merlot and the cat telling me off for not being here last night giving him his treats - don't get excited - I was sleeping on the floor at my son's flat!!!!!!!

 All in all, I would say - Do go and see Gone with the Wind - especially those of us of an age to remember it's launch.  It's a tremendous production - very enjoyable but I woulnd't put it in the category of a Musical.  And I  would be surprised if it has a long run which is shame as it really is a Superb production with many fine performaces.  I can't think of a weak point in the casting.

 I will certainly go to see it again - A GREAT THEATRICAL EVENING.

 Love Jan

 Having seen some of the damning crits today - FRANKLY MY DEAR I DON'T GIVE A DAMN - just GO and see it.  My opinion of critics is that they are there to denigrate.It's like the story of the Emperor's New Clothes - it they say he's wearing a wonderful suit, people go to the event, if they say it's not so good, people stay away.  GONE WITH THE WIND is an excellent theatrical experience.  Don't go expecting a hummable musical - but if you loved the Film and want to see a stage version - then GO - regardless .   

CASH IN THE ATTIC

21st April 2008

Just been visited by the 'Celebrity Cash in the Attic' team.  Considering that I've downsized my home twice in the last ten years, I'm staggered at the 'stuff' I've still got - some of which I'd forgotten I had.

What happens is the team visits to see what one is prepared to offer for the sale which benefits a charity of your choice.  I've chosen to donate the proceeds to 'Orchid' the Male Cancer Charity for which my son recently did a sky dive in Capetown (whilst on holiday with me)  and raised almost £4,000  in sponsorship.  Orchid is a small charity and needs all the money it can get for research into the three main male cancers - Testicular (which my son has had)  Penile and Prostate.

I've offered

1. My Eurovision Song Contest Dress (1982) and which still fits!!!!
2. Other dresses by designers such as Roland Klein and Zandra Rhodes           
3. Two pieces of silver ware made by me at Adult Education Silver Classes
4. A Ring made at Adult Ed. Jewellery
5. A piece of Costume Jewellery by Les Bernard (American jeweller - well-known)
6. A Brooch and Earrings by Andrew Logan - who made many pieces of jewellery to adorn and complement the clothes of Zandra Rhodes
7. Some of my books - autographed
8. Some signed photos of me with my Sponsored Cheetah
9. T- shirt worn by me in Celebrity
10. A large collection of 'Commercial' Perfume Bottles.  I used to collect the antique ones until they got too expensive and then turned my attention to all the beautiful bottles in which scent is packaged.  Can't believe I've gone through that much perfume in the last few decades.

And other items

The team decide what they want out of the above and a few other bits and pieces  and then they go to auction in Chiswick on 6^th May.  Apparently my 'Lot' will be auctioned around lunch time.

 SO IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BID, DO COME ALONG OR PLACE A TELEPHONE BID - when I have further details I'll give them to you.

 I shall be there on the day and delighted to meet and talk with you.  When I know the transmission date I'll pass it on

PLEASE BE GENEROUS.                                                                 

Oriana Cruise

19th April 2008

Well here I am back on land.  The Cruise was fabulous. 

The Oriana was on the last leg of a World Cruise and my friend Doreen and I boarded at Capetown for the 6^th and last leg back to Southampton.  The Ports of call were not the most exciting but the trip was enormous fun and Doreen and I giggled our way through 2 hilarious weeks.  To begin with we kept getting lost - wrong deck - wrong end of Ship - all complicated by two decks along which one couldn't traverse because of the Galleys.  By the time we'd sussed this, people were being so helpful 'Lost again are we - where do you want to go?' that we just let them enjoy themselves at our expense.

The Ports of Call.

LUDERITZ Very glad to have stopped at Luderitz and visited Kolmanskoppe - the Ghost Town.  So called because it was literally abandoned in the 1950's and nature is claiming it back - with many of the abandoned houses virtually up to the door lintels in sand. We had a fabulous guide called Natalie who made the trip totally enjoyable with all her little anecdotes mixed in with the facts and figures.  One point that sticks in my mind was a photo on the wall of the workers face down with gags over their mouths - WHY - well one could literally pick small diamonds out of the sand with tweezers and the gags were to ensure they didn't swallow any.  When they discovered much bigger diamonds at Kimberley, I think, everyone upped sticks and left Kolmanskoppe.

The town was hardly large but the houses were and Natalie called it Milllionaires' Row.  Small though it was, it had a decent sized Theatre and a Ten Pin Bowling Alley.  There was a gym with the old 'Horses' from my school days.  How I loathed Gym and trying to jump over those blasted Horses.  I think I'm fitter now than when I was at school!!

Another point which impressed me was all the stencilled decoration on the painted walls - all in the Art Deco style and some still as fresh as the day they were painted.

I PROMISE I WILL FIND OUT HOW TO PUT PICTURES ONTO MY WEB - 'cos I've got some smashing shots of the houses etc.

WALVIS BAY - Doreen and I booked for the Desert Tour and were impressed with the Geological strata and the 'Moonscape' terrain as well as seeing the  - I've forgotten the name -  plant which lives to over 1,000 years.  Weren't impressed with lunch in the 'Oasis' - wasn't a drop of water in sight - plastic tables and chairs and a very indifferent and greasy finger buffet topped off with fruit juice.  Ah well, incurable romantic that I am, I suppose I couldn't expect to see Omar Sharif riding out of the desert.

ST. VINCENT in the Cape Verde Islands.  Just as well we didn't plan a trip as we didn't even manage to dock.  The Captain inferred that another ship had a bigger wad of money than we did.  Apparently this happens not infrequently and berths are given to the highest bidder.

TENERIFE - by this time we were taking advice from the regular and hardened cruisers and were told not to bother with any trips.  Afterwards we regretted that we hadn't done the Puerto  Santa Cruz trip.  Ah  well!

MADEIRA - joined forces with another couple and hired a taxi which took us to most of the beauty spots on the island which is very attractive.  But then, I love mountains and sea.  The only event we didn't have the time to savour (because of lengthy queues) was the Toboggan Ride in a Basket down the very steep hills.  Initially Doreen said she wouldn't do it and when she saw the queues and realised she couldn't do it, she said how much she would like to have done so!!!!!!!!!

Of course, weather-wise, we left Capetown in balmy weather and left the cabin door open at night - lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves and the warmth of the atmosphere but as we came further north, the weather, naturally changed and the door remained shut.

THE CRUISE

Doreen had never been on a ship before and my only experience of a long sea voyage was returning from Australia to the UK many many years ago - so for both of us it was going to be an experience.  AND WE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

My Four Talks were very well received and must have had an audience of approximately 500 each time.  I had worked very hard on them - taking an Apple Keynote course in Capetown in order to be able to illustrate the talks.  My hard work paid off because I found that having practised and practised and using Doreen as my critic, I delivered them all without notes.

The passengers were fulsome in their praise which made the hard work worthwhile.  Got some great feedback as to why they watched Celebrity etc.  Quite a number of the men told me (in front of their wives) that they'd been in love with me back in my Newsreading days - it was all very lighthearted and great fun.

Some people spend much of their lives cruising and one couple were on their 11^th.  Although we loved it, I don't think we could do three months.  Mind you the day is jampacked with experiences.  You can learn to Linedance, Ballroom Dance, Tap; play Whist or Bridge; learn how to use a computer (P.C. unfortunately - had it been Apple I'd have been there); you can make yourself a beaded necklace; play deck quoits, practice golf shots and on and on.  That's just during the day.  In the evening you can choose from all manner of entertainment - from Variety Shows to Classical Piano Concerts, from individual comedians to the superbly funny Ray Cooney Theatre Company with their wonderful Whitehall-type farces. 

They had my talks, talks on Old Movies, Jewellery and for me, best of the lot were 10 Talks on Wildlife given by Gavin Robinson - a Conservancy Ranger from Zimbabwe.  His talks proved so popular that he was moved from the Cinema seating 300 to the Theatre with seating for 650.

We were very well fed - too much so and my winter skirt was a trifle tighter than when I left the UK in January.  Mind you Doreen and I ate like sparrows compared with many of the passengers who managed to devour cooked breakfast, cooked lunch, afternoon tea and a 5 course dinner.

The staff were friendly and polite and the Cruise Director, Sally Sagoe, and the Captain Charlie Carr couldn't have been nicer.

If Charlie ever wanted to give up the sea, he could earn his living as a comic.  We were very fortunate in having dinner with Sally in the Gary Rhodes Restaurant on one evening and our last night was graced by having Charlie at our table.

In my final Q & A I started to thank the passengers for all their lovely comments and good will and broke up.  Sally came to my rescue but I fought for a couple of minutes to get back on an even keel.

We were both dreading the end of the voyage as we'd really bonded and had a wonderful time and now were facing going to our separate empty flats.

Finally, just before leaving the cabin to disembark. there was a knock on the door and a steward stood there with the most beautiful bouquet of flowers with the message - Welcome Home, Fairy Godmother (reference to the Panto at Christmas) - they were from a fan and I walked off the boat feeling like a Queen.

It's taken me two days to unpack and find homes for everything and now it's into the dreaded paperwork.

BUT I said I'd let you know how it went as soon as I landed.

Bit of excitement - just been invited to the Opening Night of Gone with the Wind (the Musical) - That's on Tuesday and I'm being escorted by my son.

Then taking part in a Celebrity Cash in the Attic.  I have decided to donate the money raised to Jonathan's Orchid Charity - it's devoted to research into Male Cancers - Testicular, Penile, and Prostate.   He's raised just under £4,000 with his sponsored Sky Dive - so if I could get somewhere in the region of £6,000 out of Cash in the Attic - it would be lovely to give a rounded sum of £10,000 to Orchid.  Well if you don't aim high ........  One of the passengers whom we befriended has very kindly given me to auction a superb Oil Painting of a Belgian Bull by an Artist called Albojuk Benaroya - born in Uganda and now living in Israel.   If I lived in a big house or had a different kind of flat, I'd buy it myself, - it is Exquisite.

Must sign off as I've so much paper work to sort and put in order.

Till the next time,

Affectionately, Jan