Post by carol on Jul 2, 2017 20:43:49 GMT
We travelled up to Stamford on Thursday, staying overnight, as we could not stay on Friday night because I had a book signing on Saturday. We knew we had to drive home after, so were hoping the gig would not end very late. Stamford is a very interesting town, so we had a wander around it. The brickwork is Cotswold Stone, and there is a bridge with the river running by, and a big grassy area where many people were walking, even though there had been a few light showers during the day. It was also market day on Friday, so we browsed some of the stalls.
About 4 o'clock we drove out of town and found a tea place, and ate, and then returned to Stamford to park. There were places opposite the theatre, and we were lucky, we got one near to the entrance. As it was raining, we sat there for a while, and then it eased off, so we went towards the entrance, and I was pleased to see Dee and Andy standing outside. It's been a while since we met up, before Joshua was born, so it was really nice to catch up with them. Dee told me that poor Gill Wiek was stuck in traffic on the A1.
After a while Kirsty came up, we had not me before, I recognised her from her facebook picture, so we chatted, and then to my great delight, I saw Ann and Peter coming up the road. That made our day, as we haven't seen them since we went to the panto in Crewe, and as Ann had not been feeling well, I want to thank her for braving it, and coming! Bless you Ann! We eventually went in, and I was struck by the character and quaintness of the Corn Exchange. It had a warm welcoming atmosphere, and I knew we were in for a great evening. And what a lovely friendly group of Gareth fans, Kelly Whitehead was sitting behind me, so I met her for the first time, I think she was with her mum, and of course Sharon and Caitie, who we had arranged to meet, came in too, they had been stuck in traffic.
Our seats were great, a perfect view, Ann and Peter were over the other side, and during the interval Peter came over to chat to Keith, so I took his seat and chatted to Ann. Then a lady that I recognised as Gill Wiek, who I have chatted with on Facebook, sat down beside me, and we had a chat, and she introduced me to her partner Dave, who was very nice too. It was really nice to meet all of them, and put a face to a name at last.
Gareth has another guitarist, I think his name was Mark. He was very good, although I have got used to Pete, and Gareth as usual was very generous in his appreciation of him, getting us to clap him heartily. Gareth was dressed in very tight trousers, and the hat he now wears to perform, which I think is edgy, I really like the look. He was very effervescent, bubbly and happy, and he absolutely wowed the audience. He sang mostly his own songs, which I never tire of hearing, only a couple of covers, but He can sing anything and make it his own. His voice is strong and yet sweet like honey if that makes sense, he doesn't sound like he is forcing the notes, and I did talk with him about that afterwards. We were of course told to switch off all mobile phones and cameras, so like a good girl who didn't want to be slung out, I did just that. But later when he invited us forward to party, I think it was just too much for the fans, out came their mobiles, and they were turning with their back to the stage, and Gareth was messing about behind them pulling faces for the pictures. Keith was chatting to Peter, so I just watched the others, wishing I had a bit more courage to speak up, and get into the middle, but I was enjoying watching the fun anyway, and it was such a great atmosphere.
Gareth finished off with SITS, several people including Sharon went up to sing with him, and then did an encore of DON'T STOP ME NOW, and there was a young girl who was longing to sing with him, so she came up on stage and sang, she had a really nice voice, and we all clapped loudly. We all filed out of the theatre, Keith had already checked out the stage door, but Gareth's car was parked by the main entrance, so we all decided to wait there. I think that a huge amount of the audience had waited to meet him after, which was great. The atmosphere was happy, everyone expectantly waiting, and then suddenly ,out he came.
When it was my turn, I got a lovely hug when he greeted me, and then a picture. These pictures are so special, and Gareth is always so willing, bless him. Then Ann went up, and also got a hug and a picture, I am posting the one that Keith took, but she may want to add another one later. Then Sharon and Caitie got pictures and we all moved aside for the other fans to have their turn. I must say it was a very civilised fan gathering , no pushing, or people dashing to the front, and everyone got their turn. We left soon after that, and were pleased to see it had only just gone 10, the earliest I have ever been out from a Gareth gig. I know some of the fans were going onto Lichfield on Saturday , and Kelly especially had her birthday at the weekend, so what a lovely way to celebrate it!
The only thing that did disappoint me was the theatre was only half full, and I know this is because a lot of people didn't know about it. We all do our bit by tweeting about it, but its not enough at the last minute, it needs to be advertised a long time before it happens, so people can make their plans to go. I hope this is something that will be addressed in the future, obviously when he is in panto, that always sells out, but his own personal gigs need more publicity.
Here are the photos of a wonderful evening, in great company.
love Carol xx
PS Am having trouble with Photobucket, so may have to add the pictures later.
About 4 o'clock we drove out of town and found a tea place, and ate, and then returned to Stamford to park. There were places opposite the theatre, and we were lucky, we got one near to the entrance. As it was raining, we sat there for a while, and then it eased off, so we went towards the entrance, and I was pleased to see Dee and Andy standing outside. It's been a while since we met up, before Joshua was born, so it was really nice to catch up with them. Dee told me that poor Gill Wiek was stuck in traffic on the A1.
After a while Kirsty came up, we had not me before, I recognised her from her facebook picture, so we chatted, and then to my great delight, I saw Ann and Peter coming up the road. That made our day, as we haven't seen them since we went to the panto in Crewe, and as Ann had not been feeling well, I want to thank her for braving it, and coming! Bless you Ann! We eventually went in, and I was struck by the character and quaintness of the Corn Exchange. It had a warm welcoming atmosphere, and I knew we were in for a great evening. And what a lovely friendly group of Gareth fans, Kelly Whitehead was sitting behind me, so I met her for the first time, I think she was with her mum, and of course Sharon and Caitie, who we had arranged to meet, came in too, they had been stuck in traffic.
Our seats were great, a perfect view, Ann and Peter were over the other side, and during the interval Peter came over to chat to Keith, so I took his seat and chatted to Ann. Then a lady that I recognised as Gill Wiek, who I have chatted with on Facebook, sat down beside me, and we had a chat, and she introduced me to her partner Dave, who was very nice too. It was really nice to meet all of them, and put a face to a name at last.
Gareth has another guitarist, I think his name was Mark. He was very good, although I have got used to Pete, and Gareth as usual was very generous in his appreciation of him, getting us to clap him heartily. Gareth was dressed in very tight trousers, and the hat he now wears to perform, which I think is edgy, I really like the look. He was very effervescent, bubbly and happy, and he absolutely wowed the audience. He sang mostly his own songs, which I never tire of hearing, only a couple of covers, but He can sing anything and make it his own. His voice is strong and yet sweet like honey if that makes sense, he doesn't sound like he is forcing the notes, and I did talk with him about that afterwards. We were of course told to switch off all mobile phones and cameras, so like a good girl who didn't want to be slung out, I did just that. But later when he invited us forward to party, I think it was just too much for the fans, out came their mobiles, and they were turning with their back to the stage, and Gareth was messing about behind them pulling faces for the pictures. Keith was chatting to Peter, so I just watched the others, wishing I had a bit more courage to speak up, and get into the middle, but I was enjoying watching the fun anyway, and it was such a great atmosphere.
Gareth finished off with SITS, several people including Sharon went up to sing with him, and then did an encore of DON'T STOP ME NOW, and there was a young girl who was longing to sing with him, so she came up on stage and sang, she had a really nice voice, and we all clapped loudly. We all filed out of the theatre, Keith had already checked out the stage door, but Gareth's car was parked by the main entrance, so we all decided to wait there. I think that a huge amount of the audience had waited to meet him after, which was great. The atmosphere was happy, everyone expectantly waiting, and then suddenly ,out he came.
When it was my turn, I got a lovely hug when he greeted me, and then a picture. These pictures are so special, and Gareth is always so willing, bless him. Then Ann went up, and also got a hug and a picture, I am posting the one that Keith took, but she may want to add another one later. Then Sharon and Caitie got pictures and we all moved aside for the other fans to have their turn. I must say it was a very civilised fan gathering , no pushing, or people dashing to the front, and everyone got their turn. We left soon after that, and were pleased to see it had only just gone 10, the earliest I have ever been out from a Gareth gig. I know some of the fans were going onto Lichfield on Saturday , and Kelly especially had her birthday at the weekend, so what a lovely way to celebrate it!
The only thing that did disappoint me was the theatre was only half full, and I know this is because a lot of people didn't know about it. We all do our bit by tweeting about it, but its not enough at the last minute, it needs to be advertised a long time before it happens, so people can make their plans to go. I hope this is something that will be addressed in the future, obviously when he is in panto, that always sells out, but his own personal gigs need more publicity.
Here are the photos of a wonderful evening, in great company.
love Carol xx
PS Am having trouble with Photobucket, so may have to add the pictures later.
