The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble

Well, this week  I arrived in the 2000’s and put a video clip of Nicola and Matt’s first dance at Dumbleton Hall, up on You Tube (with their kind permission of course). (Search for The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble)You cant hear the bass but you can see there’s a viby gig going on - featuring the Great Mike Hope on sax!!!!!
While we’re on movies - I was only too happy to lend the Charleston Charlies new antique wind up 78’s record player to our erstwhile friends The Cassablanca Steps for a bit part in their DVD. Splendiferous fellas. Everything is hotsy totsy now!

We’re still buzzing from a gig at Body Positive North West. It was a pleasure to meet everyone and to get such an enthusiastic welcome and enjoyment of the music we love to play. It was a first public outing for my wind up 78’s player - so we had a little 1920’s disco before and after the show.
We are delighted to lend our support to the green ribbon campaign to encourage and normalise HIV testing . It’s a great campaign.
check the Body Positive website www.bpnw.org.uk

What a great week so far. The Charleston Charlies trio tour of North and Mid Wales for the charity ‘Music-in-Hospitals’.
We’ve been spreading mirth and music around Wales and making new friends everywhere we go - playing The Charleston Charlies brand of 1920’s dance band music in 6 day care centres or residential homes , over two days. Thank you for all the warm welcomes and kind appreciation from residents, and for the pro active participation from the staff !
Highlights of the trip - we must mention the lovely Middlewoodbatch Farm bed and breakfast with the hearty organic breakfast -  also the oldest brewery in England at Bishop Castles 3 Tons - and the charming Columbian Coffee Cafe in Presteigne main Street - plus the antique shop where we picked up a wind up 78’s record player and some 78 records ( could this be the start of a career as a 1920’s DJ ?).
We had a lovely short walk along a section of Offa s Dyke walk way in our tails and white ties to the amusement of fellow walkers - but  we must proffer our apologies for bringing some of Offa s Dyke into the next venue.
I must thank the Charlies - The irrepressable Lord Wetherall of Chorlton-cum-Hardy for his wit, repartee and charm , and Lambs bass player Jon Thorne - for taking time out of his busy recording and touring schedule as a pop star - to do this tour affectionately pastiching the music of the 1920’s , 1930’s and 1940’s,  with his old mates . As its said in the song - Spread a Little Happiness !!!!!!!
On the car sterio - Dolly Parton , Barbara Streisand and Barry Gibb, Nancy Wilson, Doreen Edwards, Girls Aloud , Jobim.

Yes indeedy - a military wedding in Chester! Great bunch of people very up for it and on the dance floor from start to finnish. The joint was jumping! (Great to see the tradition of military art adorning the mess walls , too)

Dumbleton Hall - somewhere out of Harry Potter?
A beautiful Cotswold venue for a lovely wedding.
Two words for marvellous - Pete Fairclough (Drummer).
The lovely bride enters the room asking if anyone knows where Pete is. ‘ Will I do?’ Pete volunteers - explaining that he is able to perform most, if not all, the functions of a Pete quite successfully. Thoughts on the recession - there’s never been a better time to party.