I was asked to be their Ambassador to launch the 'Winter Warmth Campaign'

Had to be in London very early on Monday and did back to back interviews all morning with Radio Stations up and down the country and one TV appearance on The Politics Show - which had me quaking in my boots.

The poverty figures for pensioners make stark reading.  One in three pensioners is only able to heat one room in which they live and one in four spend more time in bed in an effort to keep warm.  Many pensioners live in 'fuel poverty' - that is where they spend more than 10% of their disposable income on heating and lighting.  Many are trying to exist on a basic pension of 7,000 p.a.  - I'd like to see an MP trying to live on that - it probably wouldn't cover their restaurant bill for a month.

There's 5 Billion (yes billion not million) in unclaimed benefit sloshing around in Government Coffers and the very people who've earned it are not claiming - maybe they are too proud or are put off by the ridiculously long and obtuse forms they have to fill.

I could feel my anger rising but what do we do.  There are the Benefit cheats who are quite prepared to live off the rest of us who've worked and paid our taxes and then there are those who could genuinely claim and don't.  It beggars belief that we are - or should I say were - one of the most affluent countries in the world and yet we now have an education system, a health system and heaven knows what other system which ranks very low in the European tables - a decade of Labour Government- chucking the money around to those who didn't deserve it, chucking money into Public services but paying the top brass far more than they were worth, and living on Tick.  Brown sold off our Gold Reserves cheap and now goes with a begging bowl to the Arabs - it beggars belief.

I'd better stop before I get clapped in the Tower.

Mind you I wrote an impassioned letter to David Cameron.  Last year a friend in Tory Central Office made sure that it got to Mr. Cameron and I got a reply (albeit written by the Secretariat) but with five lines in his own hand.  This year, my friend had retired so I got a pleasant reply from a woman in the Secretariat.  Do Politicians really understand what is going on and how most of us - who aren't rich - live?  Rhetorical question.

LAST VOYAGE OF THE QE2

I may not have financial riches but I am very blessed on occasions - and not only with smashing friends, a lovely family and a fantastic son - but I sometimes get a lovely experience offered to me - like this four days on the QE2.  I felt honoured and excited originally but now I'm thrilled to bits to be a part of this historic occasion - the last voyage of the Queen Elizabeth 11.  Watch this space and I'll let you know all about it.

 A bientot, Jan

Last year I purchased a machine so that I could transfer old Videotapes of my work onto DVD.  As a technophobe, I couldn't work the wretched thing.  Last week my computer totally froze and I had to ask my friend Paul for help.  As we were re-booting stuff and had time on our hands, he said he'd look at the offending machine.  It was actually quite an easy exercise to operate it but the instruction manual (written by a boffin no doubt) was completely confusing.  (I think Instruction manuals should be written by Amateurs and preferably those whose first language is English)

Anyway, last night I was about to transfer my 'section' of the Show, when something made me decide to sit and watch the whole programme.  I am so glad I did - it really was a wonderful trip down Memory Lane and, sadly, so many of the stars who took part are no longer with us.

The 1982 Royal Variety Show was the 53^rd such extravaganza and the third to be staged at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.  However it was a  FIRST in that it was decided to have a theme rather than random acts.  The theme was the 'Magic of the Musicals' - right up my street as that's what I loved as a young girl, teenager, and woman and still do.

The Show was attended by H.M. The Queen Mother and also Princess Alexandra.  There were excerpts from musicals such as West Side Story, Cabaret, and Oklahoma as well as a little known one from the turn of the last Century called 'Flora Dora'.  The latter was such great fun - very dated but performed by a chorus line of well known men dressed up as women and the women dressed as men.  The Male chorus line included well known souls such as John Inman, Bernie Winters and Leslie Crowther.

Those who take part in the Royal Variety Show give their services free and the money raised goes to the Artists' Benevolent Fund.  Every year there are not only stars of British Theatre and Television but Internationally Famous Folk.  In 1982 we had Howard Keel (star of the late 50's/60's musicals such as Oklahoma, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers etc),  Ethel Merman, Jack Jones and Topol.

As a youngster I was a devotee of the Musicals which transported me into a world of Fantasy and Romance and of course I loved Stars like Howard Keel.  So I actually had the pleasure of meeting him again.  I say again because in the late 70's I visited friends in Queensland, Australia and Howard Keel was performing at a Legion Club and I went backstage to meet him.  I will never forget this Gentle Giant of a man who towered above me and the way his deep voice seemed to reverberate through me.  He was charming and delightful- every bit a star even though he was touring Legion clubs in Australia.  Then, of course, he had a renaissance with his role in Dallas. 

I went onto the Internet to read up about his career and goosebumps went down my back.  Here I am writing this on the 8^th November 2008 and discovered that Howard Keel died on 8^th November 2004!!!!!!   So why should I have chosen to watch that video last night when I have never before watched it in it's entirety?

It is an honour  to be asked to take part in The Royal Variety and we had great fun with the act in which I was involved.  Gloria Hunniford, Esther Rantzen and I performed the song 'Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better' from the Musical 'Annie Get Your Gun' (which starred Howard Keel). 

We were, naturally, dressed up as cowgirls in high heeled white boots and  delicious red-embroidered white leather fringed-skirts and waistcoats.  We sashayed all over the place but the highlight for me was when I actually managed to hit Top C there in the hallowed portals of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.  It would have been too easy to give it to Gloria who is a singer so it was left to little old me.  I can't tell you how nervous I was.  However we carried it off and it was hugely enjoyed by the audience.  In fact we appeared to share the most applause of the night with Angela Rippon who did a high-kicking number from Chorus Line. I suppose the applause was mainly because the audience were seeing us doing things totally out of context.

Just for interest I'll give you a list of just some of those who took part - in no particular order.

Howard Keel, Ethel Merman, Topol, Christopher Timothy, Roy Hudd, Richard Stilgoe, George Cole, Dennis Waterman, John Hanson, Vince Hill, Leslie Crowther, Lorna Dallas, Peter Skellern, Roy Castle, Sheena Easton, Frankie Howerd, Moira Anderson, Bucks Fizz, Jack Jones, Millicent Martin, Angela Rippon and then the three of us - Gloria Hunniford, Esther Rantzen and yours truly.

Just remembered another incident from that night.  Because of the time factor and theatre availability- the whole show is put together rapidly (in one day I think) but the individual acts are rehearsed elsewhere so you don't actually get to see other performers  until The Night.  We all take something glamorous to wear for the final curtain.  I had a gorgeous Gina Fratini gown but during the run through, I noticed that Lorna Dallas was wearing exactly the same dress for her number and discovered she also intended to wear it for the Curtain Call.  I had to make a frantic call home and arrange for another evening dress to be brought in.  I know they say 'Imitation is the highest form of flattery' but I don't think Lorna would have been too pleased if we'd both been wearing the same dress at the curtain call - lovely though it was.

I took part in another Royal Variety in 1985 - that time with Michael Aspel and  Russell Harty.  We performed the Triplet Song from an old show 'The Bandwagon'.  I know I had the tape but can't put my hands on it at the moment.  I do hope I didn't lend it to someone who hadn't returned it.  I've never seen that show in its entirety either.  

HELP THE AGED

I've been asked to be the Ambassador for Help the Aged as they launch their campaign to help old people keep warm this winter. 

Interviews will probably be undertaken on TV on BBC Breakfast and the Politics Show as well as  Radio Interviews.

Personally,  I think it's scandalous that old folk, who have paid their taxes all their lives and lived through the war and contributed to our society, should not be kept warm in their old age.  Apparently many are too proud to seek help (they were the generation who regarded handouts as shameful) and many simply do not know how to claim benefit.  And I understand that the Government has 5 billion in unclaimed benefit. Doesn't surprise me really when you see the multitudinously paged forms which are handed out for filling in.  

So, in a small way, I hope I can help many more pensioners to 'Keep Warm this Winter'.

Take Care.  Till next time - Jan

Great fun.  I simply couldn't believe it was 40 years since I'd trod the boards at the Oxford Playhouse.

The evening was very enjoyable - some acts far better than others -  but the star of the show was Giles Brandreth.  I met him years ago and interviewed him a few times, usually over his knowledge of Pantomime and his wife used to be a researcher on a Children's programme called 'Tom Tom' on which I worked until a car accident put me out of the frame and Michelle took over as the Presenter.  All a long time ago.

Giles is a very talented performer - his sense of timing is superb.  No wonder he did a spell as a Politician.  I really do think many Clergymen and Politicians are Actors Manque. 

Monday saw me at the Hall for Cornwall watching 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie.  The performances and staging were extremely good but I found the play very dated (having been fortunate enough to compare it with the evergreen writing of Oscar Wilde only the week before).  I did find it amusing that in place of the rhyme with which we grew up (and as children saw no offence) Ten Little Nigger Boys had become Ten Little Soldier Boys - until the  politically correct bridgade decide to hit that one too.  

It was lovely to see Ray Lonnen - whom Doreen and I met on our cruise back from Capetown to Southampton - and have a drink after the show  with him and other members of the cast. 

I wonder if the people of Cornwall realise how fortunate they are to have The Hall.  Down here in Kent we just don't get 'out of town' productions.  It really is almost a cultural desert and I simply don't know why.  The only element in our favour is our proximity to France!!!!!

I should by now be in Sunny Capetown but I have a Television Commitment - about which I cannot talk - so am here in the most Foul Weather.  It's been grey all day with heavy rain and wind and was dark at 4.00pm - sort of fits the financial mood doesn't it?

There's not much on the horizon for a while - and I can't talk about the TV - so I think I might continue my 'letters' by telling you more about my beloved Cheetahs.

Incidentally there was a story in the papers this week about a Cheetah which had escaped from a Zoo and the papers played it up to the hilt - the terrified child in fear for his life.  Cheetahs have never been know to attack a human being.  They are the 'scaredy cats' of the Cat family - timid in fact.  Yes, a swipe from a paw could inflict a nasty wound but they'd not  kill. 

On the cruise back from Capetown to Southampton earlier this year, I learned a little know fact that the Cheetah is descended from the Wolf.  Think that one through - Wolf - Dog - Tameable - Very different from the members of the Cat family - Leopard, Lion etc.  And Cheetahs were kept as pets - think of the friezes in Egyptian tombs and, coming more to the present, the pet cheetahs owned by Juanita Carberry of The White Mischief - Happy Valley set.

My computer totally froze last weekend and whilst it was being re-booted, my friendly Computer man suggested we took a look at the expensive piece of kit I purchased a year ago which was to transfer Video Tapes onto Disc (space saving and saving in the deterioration which occurs with Tapes).  I hadn't used it because I didn't understand the instructions which were totally, completely and unnecessarily complex.  I really do think Instructions should be written by amateurs and not by the cognoscenti.

It was such fun - I looked at Tapes of my Jonathan when he was about six weeks old and at Tapes of interviews which I conducted on that excellent programme 'Pebble Mill' - way back in the 70's.  There's the lovely Robert Morley being totally adorable (and took me to lunch) - David Shepherd, Andy Williams and my much treasured interview with Omar Sharif to mention but a few.

Wherever you are - and I'm amazed at the people who are kind enough to 'Hit' my site because they are all over the world - I send you affectionate greetings.

Jan

It is uncanny how perceptive was Oscar Wilde - all the shenanigans in politics and the skulduggery could have been picked straight out of today's goings on and yet Ideal Husband was written in 1895 but could have been written today. Wilde really was a man ahead of his time.  Today his life and sexuality wouldn't be accorded a second thought.

Ideal Husband was thoroughly enjoyable and I felt it was such as shame that the theatre was only half full.    If we had a 'Churchill' down here in Kent, I'd be going to virtually all the shows but for some unaccountable reason, we just don't get productions like this staged at the Marlow in Canterbury which doesn't have the most exciting repertoire.  I simply don't understand why we can't have 'pre-London' runs.  I'm told we are too close to London which is rubbish.  When I lived in Buckinghamshire, we got some superb productions, ballets, plays etc at the High Wycombe Swan and HW is only a half hour from London.

It's either feast or famine - I'm going to the 70^th Anniversary Reunion at the Oxford Playhouse on Sunday and then on Monday to an Agatha Christie at The Hall for Cornwall in Truro.  I'm going to be in Truro anyway and have had an invite to 'And Then There were None' which will be particularly pleasant because Ray Lonnen is in the cast.  Doreen and I met him on the Oriana when he was performing on board ship with the Ray Cooney Players.

APPLE MAC's

I've been an Apple devotee since 1988 when I hosted a Conference for Apple and bought my first Computer and Laser Printer.  I think, even with a discount, they cost me 3,500!!!!!  At the time Apple were, and I believe still are, much more user friendly than P.C's and, as I am a technophobe, I went for an Apple graduating from one of the first machines to a compact Desktop and then a Laptop and now I'm on my second.

I have to say that I was very disappointed when the coating started wearing off  certain keys on my previous MacBook but after almost three years put it down to 'wear and tear'.  Imagine how upset I was, when after nine months of use the same keys on my new MacBook Pro also started to wear.  There's a great deal of complaint about it on line. 

However, I happened to be at Bluewater Shopping Mall the other day and there they have an Apple Store.  I explained my problem to Stu and Dave and they, very kindly, exchanged the faulty keys for me.  However, despite this, I really don't think that the coating on keys of a machine costing nearly 1,500 should be so thin that it wears off.

I am a touch typist and type an enormous amount but I really don't think this should affect the keys the way it does.

Anyway, I do think it is a problem which Apple should address.  Meanwhile I am very grateful to Stu and Dave because I like to keep my machine looking as good as new and, for the moment, it looks new again.  I only wish we had an Apple Store closer to home - say Canterbury - and then I'd join up for their tutorials.  I've only ever learned to use the Computer through trial and error and if something goes wrong I'm completely stymied.

Probably because I met Omar Sharif at Collioure a few weeks ago, last night I started watching a DVD of 'Lawrence of Arabia'.  It's a long film with an Intermission so I'm going to shut the computer down and go watch the second half and drool over Sharif and O'Toole.  Must remember to dig out the Video Recording of my interview with Omar back in the 70's.  I think we will both have changed a little!!!!

Take care,  Jan

Life is a trifle quiet at the moment but I've just received a lovely invitation to the 70^th Anniversary Celebrations of the Oxford Playhouse at which there will be many well known faces.

If you've been reading this website and looked at my CV, you will notice that I earned a living in professional theatre whilst living in Sydney, Australia.  On the death of my fiancée I made a rather rash and emotional decision to return to the UK.  Theatre work was very hard to come by, and not having wealthy parents who could support me, I had to earn a living and that's how I landed up in Television which has been my life and career for more decades than I care to remember.

However, apart from appearing in 5 Pantomimes, I did have one season in Real Theatre - and that was with the Oxford Playhouse in 1968.  If I remember correctly, a member of the repertory company was taken ill and they needed a replacement in a hurry.  One of the cast members, Lewis Fiander, had seen me in theatre in Sydney and recommended me to the legendary Frank Hauser.  I auditioned and got a season at the Playhouse.  I must say the two plays were not exactly going to set the world on fire.  One was, I think the first, and probably the last performance of Robert Browning's 'Pippa Passes' and the other was Ben Jonson's Epicoene (The Silent Woman).  In my humble opinion, neither play was going to be a great crowd puller but I was thrilled to be part of this illustrious Rep. Company.  Another member of the cast was a young (weren't we all) Stephanie Beecham long before she rose to World Fame.  She was stunningly attractive and still is - 40 years later.  I don't suppose she will be at the reunion as I think she spends a lot of her life in America.  But Giles Brandreth and Graeme Garden are attending on the Sunday - our paths have crossed several times when I've interviewed them.

It's a pity I can't attend on both the Saturday and Sunday nights as there are a few people performing on Saturday with whom I'd like to re-acquaint.

Anyway, that's something to which to look forward.

                                                                                      ************************************************************** 

I understand that the number of women joining Kindred Spirits (Internet Dating Website) has increased dramatically - apparently after I said on GMTV that  it was a 'safe' way of meeting members of the opposite sex.  So, I may have had a couple of weeks of hassle but at least some people have benefited.  My site is still closed and I am undecided as to whether I'd open it again. 

 Take care.  Jan

Well!  Who would have thought it?  I interviewed Omar Sharif on a BBC Magazine Programme called Pebble Mill back in the late 70's.  There I was, with two friends, having lunch in the delightfully scenic Port of Collioure - not far from Perpignan - and saw some film trucks.  They were filming 'J'oublie que tu dire' (if I've got it right - 'I forget what you say'!) and the star was Omar. 

I explained to the delightful restaurateur of La Marinade  that I'd interviewed him years ago and she conveyed this information to one of the Assistants.  He bothered to come and speak with me - I wrote a little note to Omar and the next thing, I was standing talking to him.  I'm sure he wouldn't remember me from a bar of soap but I distinctly remember that interview as though it were yesterday.  For any of you who used to watch Pebble Mill,  the head guy was Donnie McLeod and he always did the 'Personality Interviews' but on that particular day, he was fogbound in Aberdeen and I filled in.  It was a pre-recorded interview for transmission the following day.  Mr. Sharif was doing a tour promoting Waddington's Games.  We recorded the interview and at the end he asked if I were married - which I wasn't at the time.  I was given the next day off but when I returned to Birmingham and the Pebble Mill Studios, one of the researchers told me Omar had phoned in my absence and asked to speak to me.  Probably just as well I wasn't there ...........!!!!!!!

It really was an absolute pleasure to meet him again.  He is still incredibly good looking and has that gift of making every one to whom he speaks feel as though they are really special.  Well, I felt very special and it made an already lovely day, simply Wunderbar!

PERPIGNAN AND BARCELONA

So what was I doing down in the South Western Corner of France!  My friends and I were travelling to a Juice Plus Conference in Barcelona and had decided to avoid Airports and take the less frenetic journey by TGV  down to Southern France.  It was a great journey - only marred by a ridiculously long Taxi wait at the Gare du Nord.  We waited an hour and only caught the TGV at the Gare du Lyons with 5 minutes to spare - So much for our leisurely lunch.

Discovered later that the Taxi Drivers in Paris charge 300,000 Euros for their licence on retirement (it is their pension fund).  Young people cannot afford to pay this sum so there is a dearth of Taxi drivers and the passengers are paying the price.

We stayed two nights at the Aragon a delightful B & B in Perpignan (clean, simple, no nonsense and and excellent Continental breakfast)  We had a day tour to Elne (where I fell in love with an apartment and would have bought it had I had the ready cash) Elne boasts a fortified church with a superb  marble cloister - a great attraction for visitors.  We lunched at the Port of Collioure - and not only did I meet Omar Sharif but a very pleasant group of people from the Westcountry who asked if I were 'Jan Leeming'.  They used to watch the Nightly News Programme which I presented for 7 years alongside the lovely Bruce Hockin.  They had a gorgeous greyhound with them - she was a rescue dog and a bag of bones when they found her.  I know that many greyhounds are abandoned when they are past their best as racers - how cruel people can be.  But it's good to meet kind folk who take them in and nurse them back to health.  Sorry I didn't get their names but I will try and get a picture of them and the greyhound up on the site.  You know I'm a technophobe and anything more than writing my blog is quite an effort.

Then it was on to Barcelona and the first major mistake.  None of us knew the Avenue Diagonal was 18 kilometres long (yes 18 and my finger didn't slip on the key) and my hotel was too far away from the Conference Centre - so I ended up paying top wack for a room more centrally situated.

The Conference was extremely informative and the Gala Dinner and Dance absolutely delightful.  I danced until they brought the lights up.

We managed a couple of the Tourist Bus Tours and WOW what a fabulous city is Barcelona.  At every turn you are gawping at the architecture and so much of it is of the 'Modernista' movement - which I probably know better as Art Noveau.  Of course a vast amount of these 'Over the top' buildings are the oeuvres of Gaudi.  I simply don't know whether he was Mad or way beyond his time.  However you respond to his works, he certainly generates heated discussion. And as for his main work - still not finished almost a hundred years after his death - the Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia!!!!!  It's weird, wonderful, exciting and you could study it for weeks without ever exhausting all its strangeness.  It looks like a mix between a Disney edifice and something shaped out of wet sand.  Actually it defies description.  When they started building it, the  Cathedral stood in meadows and now it's cheek by jowl with modern apartment blocks and looks totally incongruous - probably not much more so than the Pompidou Centre in France (which I dislike intensely).  i kept wondering how Gaudi got the City Fathers to agree to allow him to build his Cathedral.  He'd never get away with it today.

In Barcelona even the standard apartment blocks are beautiful and so many have the most intricate iron lacework balconies with lovely Art Nouveau decoration over the windows and doors.  I simply couldn't believe how stunning it all was and definitely want to go back for another visit.  I didn't think any city could compare with my beloved Paris but Barcelona, in some respects, eclipses it.

I've been so lucky to have visited three fabulous cities in the last few months - Bruges with it's glorious mediaeval architecture,  Rome and it's antiquity and now wonderful and exciting Barcelona.

Haven't got any more trips lined up, but life is ever changing and I really do believe in 'Carpe Diem' - Grab the day.

Fond wishes to you all.  Jan

Must be brief but will fill in more when I'm back from Barcelona.

Stevie spent more than an hour playing, what to me were nondescript numbers, before he got to the ones which made him famous and it wasn't until the end that we were treated to Superstition and the like.  I was rather disappointed and as for the behaviour of people at concerts - well!  Can they really not go for a couple of hours without drinks and chips and pizzas - there was a constant to-ing and fro-ing which I found very disconcerting.

I must however praise to the heights an incredibly good looking young man in Car Park 2 (call sign Oscar 67)  who helped my disabled friend and myself well beyond the call of duty.  He reminded me of that song 'San Jose' and the mention of the out of work actors, pumping gas and parking cars.  Maybe he was!  Despite booking two weeks ago, our so-called 'disabled car parking spot' was far too far for my friend to even attempt to walk to the Arena.  He arranged for us to leave Park 2 and repark in Park 1 and went to a great deal of trouble.  Even then the walk was far too long for my friend but on the way home, we had the services of a delightful young lady - Kesia (I hope I've got her name correct) who brought a wheelchair and 'drove' it all the way back to the car.

I didn't like O2 at all and will expand further next week.  My dear Son has talked about getting tickets for Tina Turner but I think I'll turn the lights down, get a good bottle of wine and listen to the CD in the comfort of my home.

Drive safely and take care.  Jan

Although Monday was the official commencement of Autumn, I knew it was Autumn this morning when some of my window panes had misted up on the inside.

I always rather like Autumn preferably after a good summer.  But I don't think I can remember a worse summer than this one - my summer clothes hardly came out of the wardrobe.

Have just been for a long walk on the beach.  I do a circuit of about three and a half miles - walking on the pebbles (harder on the legs) for half the walk and then coming back along the path.  I really get so angry at the rubbish I see.  Why is it that people come to the beach for a picnic or a barbecue - lugging all the paraphernalia with them - eat their meal and then leave the rubbish behind.  Would they discard rubbish on the floors in their own homes - maybe they would.  And then there's the rubbish left by the fishermen and also thrown overboard by the Boaties. What has happened to people that they cannot respect the needs of others.  And then we all end up paying even more in Council Taxes for the rubbish to be cleared.  I'd better get down off my high horse.

It's been a weird week - like the curate's egg 'good in parts'.  Of all the articles in newspapers about my Internet dating, the only one sanctioned by me was in the Femail Section of the Daily Mail on Thursday.  The others were just cobbled together from old cuttings - so much of which is inaccurate and untrue but unlike Richard Branson, I'm not allowed to say so.  The Story to which I took the most exception was The Express - I didn't get a copy but the Headline attributed to me -  seeking another husband  - couldn't be further from the truth.  I need a husband like a hole in the head.  As for the others, I preferred not to see them.  What you don't see, doesn't hurt you.

The stories in The Mail generated much comment on line. I suppose two thirds were supportive and kind and the rest were horrid.  Sad isn't it that I forget the good ones and only remember the bad.  They say 'Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but Words will never hurt me'. I beg to differ.  I've been hurt so many times by the damned press.  Do they think, just because one is well known, you don't have any feelings!

Anyway, the people who matter most to me don't think I did anything wrong.  My son was very supportive and that means a lot to me as he is also very protective and any man wishing to take me out would have go get past Jonathan's vetting procedure!!

Life is a funny old thing isn't it.  I do firmly believe that 'Nothing happens by chance' and that whatever happens was meant to be.  Had I not had a small operation on my nose two weeks ago and felt wretched and alone after the procedure, I probably would never have thought of the Internet Dating.  Had my flat sale not fallen through last year, I'd be living in the West Country where I have younger friends who would have included me in their social circle and, again, I'd not have gone on line.  BUT I did and it generated a lot of publicity.  And though I do not believe in the saying 'There's no such thing as Bad Press' I have to admit that it raised profile.  Someone accused me of Stage Managing it all - of course I didn't - I'm simply not that clever or devious.    I looked at Kindred Spirits purely on a whim last Friday.  My agent knew nothing about it, nor did my son.

THE SINGER

I said last week that I'd tell you about the Depardieu film. This was the second offering from 'Interludes' - the club set up by some friends of mine in order to show films and stage One Man Shows.

The Singer was in French with subtitles and, like last week's Ruby Blue, it was a 'sweet' story.  Gerard Depardieu is now seriously over-weight with a large stomach, a smashed up nose and unruly hair but there is a 'Kindness' that emanates from him.  I found him extremely attractive in the film (probably brought out my mothering instincts as he seems like a little boy lost) so fully understood why the young woman fell for the charms of this ageing singer.  I can't remember her name but she was very attractive in a kind of Audrey Hepburn way - classy.

Tonight's offering is a one-man show 'Not in My Name' - the trial of Niccolo Machiavelli.  I'm told that the actor Michael McEvoy is very good - we'll see.

STEVIE WONDER

My lovely son is treating me to Stevie Wonder at O2 on Tuesday.  I don't like big venues and all the accompanying hassle of parking, loo queues, drinks queues, but there are a few artists for whom I am prepared to suffer - Lionel Ritchie, Tina Turner and Stevie.

BARCELONA

Then I'm off to Barcelona for a few days.  I've become involved in distributing a superb Nutritional Supplement called Juice Plus and they are having their Annual Conference.  Normally I wouldn't bother going to anything like this but I have wanted for a long time to see the Gaudi Cathedral.  Living on my own, I would never make such a journey but I'm teaming up with a few others and we've tacked on some extra days to go down by train through the beautiful French Countryside and into Spain.

Juice Plus is a form of dehydrated fruits and vegetables.  Even if you eat healthily it is well nigh impossible to ingest 5 fruits and veg. per day.  Also, I do worry and wonder about our soil which has been subjected to pesticides for decades. 

The crops harvested for Juice Plus are grown in the best soils possible, many in California,  picked at just the correct moment of ripeness (and how often do we get ripe fruit these days?) and then the water is drawn off leaving all the goodness of 17 different fruits and vegetables in a powder form which can be taken as capsules or in a drink format.

The product is full of anti-oxidants which fight the free-radicals in our bodies.

CELEB AIR

Unfortunately Jonathan and I had to pull out of the programme on Friday.  Jonathan went down with flu and I've not felt a hundred percent since my small op.  Shame really as it would have been fun and given the two of us hours of quality time together.

PAUL NEWMAN

Oh sad.  I'm just listening to Classic FM and on the news they've announced that Paul Newman has just died.  I always loved him and he had the most gorgeous piercing blue eyes. I also loved him because, despite his fame and good looks, he had a very long and happy marriage to Joanne Woodward - and long marriages in the Entertainment Business are more a rarity than a certainty.

Thank you Paul for all the enjoyment you gave us over the years.  Wish I'd met you.

Till the next time.  Best wishes,  Jan

Now you've found me, I  hope you will come back and visit again.

Have had to put this up in a hurry but will be writing my regular weekly 'Newsletter' and will tell you about a lovely Gerard Depardieu Film I saw last week.

Friends of mine have brought a touch of culture to Deal and have set up a Stage and Screen Club called 'Interludes'.

They opened their season with a delightful film entitled 'Ruby Blue' which starred  Bob Hoskins and Josiane Balasco.  Josiane is a French Actress of high renown and very much in demand.  Apparently she commands higher fees than Catherine Deneuve.

I nearly didn't get a seat for the Command Performance.  Having phoned last Thursday I was told they were completely booked out but the Gods smiled and someone cancelled so I duly trotted along to the St. Georges Parish Hall on Friday evening.  (Just as an aside, the Cemetery of St. Georges is where so many of my ancestors were buried - those on the Pettet side)

The Hall was packed.  This was probably due to many factors - it was a new event, the film starred Bob Hoskins and was shot around Margate, Ramsgate and Deal.

Ruby Blue was made on a shoe-string budget and this showed in places but that is not to detract from the enjoyment of what was a most entertaining film. It dealt with many of the morality issues of the day but with an overtone of an unlikely romance. Although there was much bad language, the film was free of violence and had a tremendous 'Feel Good' factor.  The scenery was delightful and I'd never really realised how attractive is  this part of the world.

Bob Hoskins and Josiane can command huge fees so it was obvious they had taken on 'Ruby Blue' purely because they liked the script.

The film was made due to the tenacity of the Writer Jan Dunn and Producer Elaine and a donation by Screen South.

After the film we were able to chat with Jan, Elaine Wickham and Jo Nolan the Chief Executive of Screen South.  I so admire people who have a vision and cling to it.  There was talk of another film relevant to the Second World War and the Battle of Britain which took place over the Kent Coast.  Don't want to say anything more at the moment but I might just be involved in a subject dear to my heart.  Will let you know if anything comes of it.

'Ruby Blue' is heavily booked by Cinema Clubs up and down the country.  So, if it comes anywhere near to where you live, do go and see it.

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Ventured out on Saturday to a Ball (Dinner Dance really) in London run by the Club I joined recently.  I say 'ventured out' as I've never been to a Dinner Dance before without a partner and  don't think I will again.  Although there were some interesting and pleasant women, dancing with my own sex is not my idea of fun so had to sit with my feet tapping and feeling like a wallflower. 

Have to say that I was very impressed with the standard of service and the food at the Royal Gardens Hotel in Kensington.  It's a long time since I've been to a function in a London Hotel and my memories were of indifferent service and even more indifferent food.  At the Gardens, the serving staff were attired in very smart Burgundy uniforms, served all the people at each table at the same time and the food was extremely good considering they were catering for a large number.

The entertainment, although very good, was far too loud during the Dining part of the evening. It was almost impossible to talk above the saxophonist so it was out of the question  attempting to have discourse with any other than those immediately to the right and left of you.  That was a shame because there was a very interesting artist with whom I should have liked to converse.   The disco was also excellent with a very good choice of music. 

A great deal of hard work had gone into the organisation and I'm sure a great night was had by all.  It was also good to see that the Dress Code of Long Dresses and D.J. were strictly adhered to.  I'm tired of going to 'Posh' functions which require 'Smart Casual' and basically allows folk to turn up in anything. Call me old-fashioned but it's good to dress up for an occasion and feel really feminine.

Not a lot in the diary at the moment but there are a few possibles with regard to work so shall keep fingers, toes etc. crossed!!

Till next time - all good wishes,  Jan.

A Tribute to the Few

My son Jonathan and I went to the Palladium on Sunday night to see 'Fly with the Stars'.  It was a Charity Gala Performance in aid of The Battle of Britain Memorial Trust in the presence of Prince Michael of Kent.

The show was superb - rather like a scaled down Royal Variety Performance.  As it was an evening of 40's Nostalgia, I was a trifle concerned that Jonathan wouldn't enjoy the show.  I needn't have worried - he loved it and was very touched at meeting a couple of the Veterans of The Battle - a handful of whom were in the audience and at the After Show Party.

As with the Royal Variety - all the stars gave their time for free.  The line up included Brian Conley (extremely funny and also a very good singer), lovely Millicent Martin, Alistair McGowan (whom Jonathan was thrilled to meet and talk with), Charlotte Page, Su Pollard (whom I've not seen for ages but she greeted me as if we'd been together yesterday and was concerned about Jonathan's health - having seen the Article about his Cancer), Robert Hardy (whom I interviewed an age ago on the Pebble Mill at One programme) and Trevor McDonald.  Haven't mentioned everyone as the list of talent was endless. 

One of the funniest numbers was 'Please Leave my Butter alone' performed by Celia Imrie and Sally Ann Triplett in their forties wrapover  'pinnies' and with their hair done up in turban-like headscarves.  I can dimly remember women looking like that during my childhood!!  And my own mother wore a 'pinnie' although I never saw her in a headscarf.

Another lovely number was performed by the 1960's Tiller girls - all probably drawing their pensions but dancing superbly and all of them had fine pairs of pins.

Su Pollard surprised many of us by her remarkably good and strong singing voice and then we learned that she is to appear in a new musical called 'Shout' - as it will be going on tour, keep a look out for it.

I met Trevor, and his lovely wife Jo, at the Airport in Belfast last year on my way back from cooking for Children in Need.  On Sunday, they had their charming and very good looking son with them so Jonathan and he were talking universities.

The four-man group Blake sang 'Up Where We Belong” - four gorgeous hunks and I'm sure many in the audience were wishing they were up there on stage with them.

There were the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Central Band of the Royal Airforce, looking resplendent in their uniforms and playing sublimely.  And of course, there were the delightful Pearly Kings and Queens.

The Palladium was full and I do sincerely hope that the audience was not heavily 'papered' - when they give the seats away rather than have them empty - because it really was a superb show and deserved to raise as much as possible for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust.

So why am I writing about a show which was only on for one night, predominantly to bring your attention to the Battle of Britain Memorial and what you might be able to do to help.  Also, I'm hoping the response was good enough that there will be another show next year.  It was so worth attending. 

If you are interested in helping in even a small way, you could sponsor the name of a pilot - a Member of The Few -  as I did when I was 'given' Rene Mouchotte.  It can cost as little as 25.

If you are interested, phone Group Captain Patrick Tootal on 01732 870809.

And I will end this little piece by quoting Sir Winston Churchill's immortal words .....

Never in the field of human conflict

Was so much owed by so many to so few

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Went to see 'Duchess' which I thoroughly enjoyed.  Thought Ralph Fiennes was superb. He had very little dialogue but what he conveyed without words was the art of a true actor.  And on the one occasion when he let himself smile, you actually felt sorry for this hard, manipulating chauvinist.

I'm afraid I am Kiera Knightley'd out.  She is lovely but my credibility is suspended because of having seen her star is so much over the last couple of years.  She looked absolutely stunning and was moving when her baby Eliza was taken away from her.  But for most of the time, she just looked gorgeous as she pouted and smiled her way through the film.

The settings were stupendous but then it would be hard not to be pleased with the likes of Althorp and various other gorgeous establishments.

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On the personal front, I'm going along this week for a taste of Salsa - if I like it - or more to the point am able to do it, I shall take it up as a hobby.  I do so love to dance and it's very difficult when you don't have a partner and are way beyond the age of going to Disco's.  Mind you I did disco till they put the lights out at 4.00 am whilst on board the Oceana on the Norwegian Cruise earlier this year.  Although he pretended to be cross with me, I think Jonathan was rather proud that his mother could keep up with the young dancers from the Shipboard Shows.  Come to think of it, I was rather proud of myself.

Then there's The Butterfly Ball at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington which I shall be attending this coming Saturday. 

Take care - a bientot.   Jan

Like everyone else, I've had my fair share of ups and downs in life but I do count myself very fortunate to have been offered experiences which aren't offered to everyone, purely because of my work in television.

On Friday last week, as part of the Press Day to publicize the Shoreham Airshow, I flew with THE BLADES.  WOW, what an experience.  They are a four-man team of Ex Red Arrow Pilots who do a spectacular Aerobatic Display - very similar to that of the RAF Red Arrows. 

I flew with Andy Offer (Blade 1) the Team Leader.  Although I was privileged to fly with The Red Arrows many years ago, I have to say that my experience with The Blades was even more exciting probably because they fly at a lower level and you feel like part of the plane.  Andy was incredibly considerate and repeatedly asked if I were OK.  Not only was I OK, I simply wanted to go on and on forever.  We did 4 Loops (and may I be presumptious enough to correct a common misconception - one doesn't 'Loop the Loop' - one flies A Loop), 2 Barrel Rolls, a Half Corkscrew and flew Upside Down.  Words fail me as to how wonderful it felt - I really did feel like a bird and simply wanted to take off into the sky and fly forever.

Back to earth - let me tell you a little more about the Blades.  You too could have the experience I had if your Company, Business, Corporation would like to spoil you with a Bespoke Corporate day out.  The Blades' home is at Sywell Aerodrome near Northampton where their top quality hospitality suite is just a few feet from the Airfield.  When you aren't flying you'll be able to watch other guests take to the skies and even watch them in the cockpit in real time through the state of the art in-cockpit camera system.  (Ladies beware - the G force pulls your face and you don't look your best but What the Hell ........) There are other treats in store for you if you choose a day out with the Blades so why not investigate their website -  Google The Blades Aerobatic Team - and you'll get all the info.

I hope I'm not infringing any copyright if I type out the words of an absolutely beautiful poem written by Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee Junior (412 Squadron) - killed on December 11, 1941.

HIGH FLIGHT

OH! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things

You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence.  Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long delirious, burning blue,

I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace

Where never lark nor even eagle flew -

And while with silent lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space,

Put out my hand and touched

The Face of God.

Just typing that has brought me out in goose-bumps.  Had he lived one wonders if he would have earned his living as a poet, author or writer of some description.

Rene Mouchotte, the pilot, whose name I sponsored on the Memorial Wall at the Battle of Britain Memorial, also wrote in a poetic and literary style.  How tragic that they all died so young.

SHOREHAM AIR SHOW - 29^th - 31^st August

If you live in the vicinity and have an interest in Aviation and Aerobatics, this is a must for all the family.  I went last year and felt it was one of the best shows I've ever attended.  To my way of thinking, Farnborough and Fairford are selling 'Heavy Metal' but the smaller air shows actually demonstrate the marvel of Flight.  At Shoreham, there's something for everyone - Static displays of old aircraft, aerobatic displays, entertainment for the children.  It is a wonderful day out.  And you will see The Blades in Action amongst a line up of some of the best the Aerobatic World has to offer.

UPDATE

THE BLADES

I'm not sure if there was an article  in the printed version of the Daily Mail about my flight with the Blades but there certainly was a Video on the Internet.  It's of about 15 minutes duration but I don't know how long it will remain on line.  If you google Daily Mail - TV Showbiz and then Search under Jan Leeming - the Blades - hopefully you'll find the piece.  It really was an incredible experience and when I watch it, I can feel myself back in the air again.

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

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.

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

 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 

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

My son pointed out that if you missed CASH IN THE CELEBRITY ATTIC which was broadcast on Tuesday 8^th at 5.15pm on BBC 2, there is a BBC Website on which you can view programmes for up to 7 days after the event.

As the transmission time would not have been good for those of you working and commuting, I thought I'd share this with you.

 Go to: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ckcx7

If ever I watch anything in which I've taken part, I usually end up digging my fingernails into the palms of my hands with tension.  Must say, I think the Programme Producers and Editors did a very good job.  I actually enjoyed the programme which is quite rare for me as I'm my own worst critic.  However, I didn't think the lighting was kind to any of us.  I had to look in the mirror to see whether I really did look that bad!!!!!  Seriously though, when one is in a studio and properly lit that's OK but on these outside broadcasts they have to do the best they can and it's not an easy job.

My biggest pleasure was in the constant mentioning of Orchid who must have got the kind of publicity they couldn't pay for - Terrific.

Bye for now, Jan

This was the 68^th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain ( and 2008 marks the 90th Anniversary of the founding of the RAF)  The Ceremony takes place at Capel Le Ferne  about halfway between Folkestone and Dover. This is the area over which much of the Battle of Britian was fought from July to October 1940.  There is a very impressive Memorial. It takes the form of an immense three bladed propeller, each blade 38 metres long, cut into the cliff top.  In the centre, the stone figure of a lone pilot is seated on a sandstone base on which are carved the badges of the squadrons and units who fought in the Battle of Britain.

The Service is a glittering affair with not only the top Brass from the UK but also representatives from the Armed Services in Australia, America, Canada etc.  Those who have them wear their Decorations and the Ladies are invited to wear hats.  I bought one yesterday but the weather forecast was such, and the hat so big, I thought I could have been swept away by the wind and landed in France!  So I went comfortably clad and hatless.  Many of the women in attendance looked very glamorous.

Sir Donald Sinden, Nick Owen, Diane Keen - to mention a few of the personalities - were in attendance and of course, the stars of the occasion were the few remaining veterans and, like last year, I was fortunate enough to be sitting next to a 93 year old.  OK, he sometimes lost the thread of his stories but he was very interesting.

The heavens opened at the end of lunch, just before the Service began and for a while it was a possibility that we would have stayed in the luncheon marquee and had the service there but in the end it all took place outside.  The Service is relatively short and very moving but, for me, the event which brings the tears to my eyes is the old veterans marching so proudly.  When you think of the thousands of young men, some hardly out of their teens, who were killed, maimed, blinded and burned, in doing their duty for their country, and you look at so many of the 'feral' youth of today, you wonder where it all went wrong.  But, I suppose the War was so long ago that it is an irrelevancy to the modern youth.  Few of them would even stop to think that, had it not been for the deaths of brave servicemen, England would be a very different country - a conquered nation.

Better not get me on to the subject of the lack of morals, shame, respect and basic  honesty - or I'll 'tub thump' all day.

At the Memorial Site there is also an impressive Granite Memorial Wall listing the names of almost 3000 who fought in the Battle of Britian.  Donations towards the cost of the wall are still being sought and members of the public are invited to sponsor a pilot for a minimum donation of 30.  Last year, I filled in a form, sent a cheque, and thought no more about it.  Then I received a letter asking if I had any special request.  Being of Huguenot extraction I replied that it really didn't matter but if there were a French pilot's name which needed sponsorship then I'd be very happy with that.  So I sponsored Rene Mouchotte  - the First Frenchman to command a squadron of the RAF.  He was shot down over Belgium in 1943 and his body was washed up on a Belgian beach.  Later his family had him re - interred in France in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery NE of Paris.  I've visited that incredibly interesting Necropolis but my purpose many years ago was to see the tomb of Heloise and Abelard - 12^th Century Lovers with an amazingiy romantic  story - even more amazing because it was true.  You will also find the tombs of such illustrious people as Chopin, Bizet, Oscar Wilde, Edit Piaf, Jim Morrison and the list goes on and on.

Now I want to go back and find the tomb of Commandant Rene Mouchotte.  

If you look him up on the Internet, there's masses about him and you will find that there are many streets in Paris and other cities named after him just as there are streets named after Jean Moulin.

Many years ago we visited the War Museum at Caen and I was fascinated to learn more about Jean Moulin - the French Resistance Fighter.  The reason being that we had our holidays in Provence for a decade and on the road into Salon we travelled along the Rue Jean Moulin.  On the side of the road was a very haunting sculpture in memory of him and I could never decide whether it was a figure parachuting down to earth or a figure being tortured and hanging from chains.  Jean Moulin was betrayed and died at the hands of the Germans.  (A little note of interest, I thought he looked like the film star James Mason)

Anyway, if you want to know more about these two brave men, who fought for our freedom, then do a Google search on the Internet.

Better sign off now.  Take care,  Jan

P.S.  I am beginning to get a little feedback through the Website, so I repeat if there are any questions, about my life in Television and Theatre, or work with Cheetahs etc. please press the Contact button and Simon will always pass on requests.  If you don't  get in touch, I'm going to run out of subjects about which to write!!!!!