It is the start of a new month and the summer is truly with us, I had a wonderful afternoon at St Mary In The Baum church in Rochdale, performing with flautist Elizabeth Lawton and accompanied by Russell Lomas.
When we set off this morning it was a beautiful sunny July day, ideal for travelling to the church. My Nan and her two friends Barbara and Jean travelled with Gill and I to the recital. It was a great way to start the day and we were all in good spirits when we arrived.

The refreshments that the church make available to visitors were of there usual high standard and we were all very tempted to tuck in. I sang a selection of songs by composers such as Poulenc, Quilter, Handel and Schubert.
Elizabeth Lawton performed pieces by Kohler, Clarke and Dring before we finished the recital with all three of us performing “Une Flute Invisible” by Saint-Saens.
After the recital was over it was nice to catch up with old friends and discover new ones. My Nan and her friends enjoyed the performances and afterwards we all walked in the town where we found a great local market and had a good browse around the stalls.

It is a busy week ahead for me as I am to compete in two categories this year at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in North Wales. It is a beautiful town and I do so enjoy performing there. It is so interesting to wander around the festival stages and venues and watch performers from all over the world.
Thanks you for sharing Charlotte. It’s great to see all this smilles and eyes with stars lights 😉 All my best wishes for your competitions !
Merci, I’ll try to do my best 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
You are th best ! and I’m sure all your friends and followers are agree with me !!!
I’m sure the recital was lovely, and I wish you all the best in your competitions coming up!! Keep smiling…:)
I had lovely feedback Sheila, it was the first time Barbara had seen me live, it bought a tear to her eye, I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not :).
Best wishes
Charlotte
what a lovely time, thank you for sharing… enjoy your summer!
We had such a chuckle because we all went in one car, it was the first time I’ve seen my Nan trying to get a word in edge ways he he.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Looks like you have good start of the summer – Have fun!
You’re right it is a good start to the summer. Lots of summer sunshine streaming through the windows.
Best wishes
Charlotte
It’s always nice to see your photos and read about the lovely events that you are part of. Best of luck in next week’s competitions. 🙂
Thank you Deborah, there was a very warm, holiday like atmosphere in the church.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good luck to you Charlotte!
Thank you I’m bottling the lucky wishes, I’m singing in early morning breakfast slots next week so it’s a good thing I’ve been getting up at 06:45 for a few weeks 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
We are rooting for you. 🙂
Cheers Eric I’ll think of that on Wednesday morning 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Great behind the scene view of your performance! I also want to say for you to have the best fortune in the upcoming competitions. Enjoy it and the rest will follow!
Thanks Steve, my Grandparents are coming with me so that’s always lovely and enjoyable.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I just realized how tall you are.
I put my flats on for the photos Don because in those red heels I’m very tall, I think I’m 5ft 7″ most of the women in my family are 5ft to 5ft 3″.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I love the red shoes – but you went shopping in them? My feet are hurting just thinking of it. Good luck in the competition.
I changed into white flat pumps to walk around, I don’t wear heels very often and the floor in the church was shiny for an amateur heel wearer 🙂
Best wishes
Charlotte
Oh thank goodness. I already had you scheduled for bunion surgery down the track LOL. BUT the red ones ARE gorgeous.
Ha ha, no I’m a Clarks sensible shoe girl for walking and around the office which reminds me my start time today is 9am. The red ones are gorgeous though you’re right 🙂
Good Luck in Wales 🙂
Thank you I’m there now, early start tomorrow.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Best wishes for success in your competitions! You will knock them out with your beautiful voice! Xo
Thanks Janice, it’s a tough competition and a real stretch for me but I like a challenge.
Best wishes
Charlotte
thanks charlotte jean and i had a lot of catching up to do we hadn’t seen each orther for at least 35 years, gave your nan a rest tho haha good luck for your next one in wales and it was nice to see your mum as had not seen her for years xxx
It was amazing to see my Nan quiet ha ha. Mum was telling me all about working with you in her first Saturday job and how it only seems like a few years ago. I’m glad you all enjoyed it, it was lovely to see you in the church.
Best wishes
Charlotte
beautiful building to sing in, hope you changed out of your beautiful shoes before you went walk about . 🙂
Enjoy the Eisteddfod
Yes I did, when it comes to footwear I learnt my lesson last year, wedges and high heels don’t walk well. I’m hoping this lovely warm weather stays for a few days.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Good luck with your competitions! 🙂
Thanks Stephanie, I’ll try to get some photographs so you can share my experience.
Best wishes
Charlotte
I’m glad your recital went well in Rochdale. I love Llangollen too and I enjoyed taking part in the competition many years ago as I’ve mentioned before. Have a lovely time and good luck!
Thanks Clare, I’m looking forward to it. I’ve got a very early morning slot.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Enjoy reading your post. You look beautiful! Love the dress and shoes!
Thank you the dress from Debenhams in their sale last weekend, the shoes I’ve had for ages, very dramatic colour.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Was sent a video of Susan Boyle singing “You raise me up” with the Scottish Conservatory of Music. Looked for you.
Sadly I was in Italy when that opportunity came up but quite a few of my friends were in that performance J. Lucy Kay, who has just graduated from the Conservatoire, and was runner up in Britain’s Got Talent this year credited Susan Boyle with giving her the idea to audition for the show after performing with her last year.
Best wishes
Charlotte
Charlotte, We had a lovely afternoon on Wednesday, You were wonderful as always. Also enjoyed Une Flute Invisible, its very magical .xx
I worked on my French a lot for Une Flute Invisible I’m really happy you enjoyed it. Elizabeth’s flute playing is just wonderful isn’t it she’s mid-way through her master’s degree at the RCS.
See you soon
Charlotte