Report by Margaret Dewick....
At 1pm there were several people at Billy's grave laying flowers and taking photos. I spoke to Vince Eager and thanked him for coming, saw Bruce Seaton & family, George Wycherley, Michael Roche, Daniel Heeney & Danny & Emily Rivers. Bruce & Shirley Baker gave me a lift to the hall where I met Vic & Paul Staines. Started getting refreshments ready for the rush!
Billy's songs were playing on the sound system when people came in and greeted each other. Everyone got stuck into sausage rolls, cakes & hot drinks and we got the news that Jean, Mags & Marie were stuck in traffic on the M1 as there had been an accident. Greeted Frank Bull who was perusing the merchandise table along with new helpers Albert & Gail.
Paul Staines, our host for the afternoon, started off singing a few songs in his usual brilliant style, starting with 'I'm Lost Without You' and finishing with 'Forget Him'. Wonderful Paul - what a great voice! Vince Eager asked to do his performance next as he had to be away early. His voice almost raised the roof! He sang 'The Wonder of You' & 'American Trilogy' then spent about 20 minutes telling us about his time touring & sharing a flat with Billy. Most of it was quite humorous as they got up to a few pranks! Everyone loved these tales. Thank you Vince for taking time to entertain us.
Paul had a 'Billy Quiz' going between his songs. Lots of questions about Billy's life and career. There were three winners who received nice prizes from Paul. Jean, Mags & Marie arrived to great applause just after 3pm. She greeted us all & sang 'In Thoughts of You' in her usual sweet way. Jean pulled out the first winning ticket in the raffle. Lots of happy people won prizes including Bruce Seaton's three year-old grandson Billy who got a big teddy bear. Jean had brought along a framed picture of Billy with a poem written by Maureen Bowden, one of the founder members of Billy's fan club. This was auctioned & bought by Paul Staines who presented it to me who was also bidding. Thanks a million Paul. Jean spoke to us about Albert who was too ill to make the journey but said he was thinking about us. We all sent him our love.
Several other people got up to sing including Michael Roche, Bruce Seaton, & the great Danny Rivers who later did an encore. Daniel Heeney sang 'Well I Ask You' in his ever enthusuastic manner. Sorry I can't remember all the singers as I was serving teas & selling raffle tickets during the proceedings!
Paul sang a few more songs finishing with 'I'll Show You' which was wonderful. Paul was a great host as well as a great singer. Thanks to everyone who came.
MILL HILL SEPTEMBER 2010
Danny Rivers & Vince Eager, Billy's friends and fellow performers
