Abba 'n Queen at Wavering Down - June 15 2008

The Wurzel's fest last year was fantastic - to top it this year there is a double tribute band special on Father's Day on Sunday June 15, 2008. We''ll be there again now I have a car!!

Proceeds are for charity and full details may be found here....

Other news is that The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust is in fulls wing and you can download details of the Trust's aims and backers.

Help local charities by buying FH photos....

The annual list for open days at wavering Down has been added to the site. See Open days 2008.

Frankie Howerd fans now have a chance to own a collection of wonderful old family photographs of the Carry On star and his beloved country home in Somerset.

Wavering Down House, nestled beneath the Mendip Hills, has remained virtually untouched since the late, great comedian died of a heart attack 15 years ago.

Frankie’s home was a country retreat for his famous friends, including Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, Princess Margaret, Zsa Zsa Gabor and June Whitfield.

The Edwardian villa is still packed with 4,000 items of memorabilia, ranging from Bette Davis’s gift of a teapot to a portrait of Frankie commissioned by the Queen Mother.

The Frankie Howerd OBE Trust image library has been set up by Chris Byrne, who has raised more than £50,000 for charity by holding garden open days at the house. 

You can buy photos of this most theatrical of houses  (plus many old photos from Frankie’s family album) for £10 or less by logging on to RedStock Images at www.redstockimages.com.
Fifty per cent of all sales will go to charities supported by the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust.

*You can also read all about the comedian's life at Wavering Down House in Frankie Howerd's Star Life magazine. To order, please go to www.lifetimespublications.com. Or send your name, address and telephone number with a cheque (made payable to RedPR) for £6.99, including p&p, to: LifeTimes Publications, The Maltings, Old Coach Road, Cross, Somerset, UK, BS26 2EH

I have just joined redstock and bought my first image - it's really easy (use Paypal or credit card) to buy credits and choose the size of photo you require. You can select ones you'd like to "put aside" in a lightbox (saved area with preview facility) which is also useful. The photo below of Frankie with the horse was a purchase from RedStock.

BBC4 drama

9 April 2008 - BBC 4 at 2100.. David Walliams (co-star of Little Britain)appeared in a BBC Four play called "Frankie Howerd: Rather you than me". David has also been on a visit to Wavering Down and a splendid poto of him, Dennis and Rafe Spall (son of wonderful actor Timothy Spall) is on the Gardens page. The Frankie Howerd Trust OBE has been unveiled - read more here..

It is about the life of Frankie as seen through the eyes of his lifelong partner Dennis Heymer. Jane Tranter, fiction controller at the BBC, said "David is one of the country's most talented actors and performers, so we are delighted to have him on board for this fantastic season of dramas for BBC Four" Jane is lovely, by the way, as she had a hand in commissioning Dr Who a few years back - so she should get a Damehood in my eyes!

2008 - A "Carry on" bear all calendar -

Michael Quinlyn-Nixon wrote to me some months back - and it's easier if I print his words direct:
"I am an illustrator who specializes in teddy bear drawings and am currently working on a calendar featuring teddy bears dressed as Carry On stars from the Carry On films.  Peter Rogers has given me permission to produce this limited edition calendar (I only do 1,000 copies worldwide)"

Frankie Howerd, in his role as Francis Bigger from Carry on Doctor is featured as one of the months. Michael has just sent me some of the magnificent artwork from the calendar and I am hugely impressed. You can see more on the calendar page and also a link to Michael's site to snap up one of the limited edition prints - I am sure they will be collector's items very soon!!

2007 Open days at Wavering Down - a look back

Last year was a very busy time for the Village of Cross and Wavering Down. Chris and Dennis have gone from strength to strength, adding extra days to the planned "ordinary" open days. Please remember that the events are for local charities so please give generously.

The events for 2007 are now available here for you to plan this summer's outings! Have a look at the garden page and keep an eye on this site. As I receive information from the very kind NIgel Lincoln, I will put the information up ASAP - together with any advance booking details.

www.retrosellers.com - a fantastic site for nostalgia and retro - lots of articles on your favourites stars from Kenneth Cope to Alan Simpson - 60's bands - you will absolutely love it (or money back!!).

Open day review 17 June 2007 - Wurzels and whistles

Yours truly finally persuaded a friend to drive me from the Smoke to beautiful Somerset. Full details of a great day out, with cider, songs and very good company......