May is just the most beautiful time in England. Everything has gone completely berserk, bursting out all over…. I took a camera around the grounds this wonderful sunny late afternoon in May to capture the amazing atmosphere to share with you. I am spoilt for choice. So here are a bunch of ../pics to delight the eye. You have to imagine the sound of the swifts as they circle around in the sky in huge swishes of air catching the insects for their supper.

  First off there is the border to the side of the herb garden. This is just outside my kitchen door. So even if it is raining I can pop out while I am cooking to pick whatever herb I need – thyme, sage, basil, marjoram, chives, fennel, chervil, rosemary … yummy!

 

  Next is the ancient walnut tree. It is over a hundred years old. I do believe it is magical. I saw the total eclipse a few years ago through its branches. In the summer I put tiny crystal wind chimes between the leaves to catch the breeze. Last year the tree surgeon gave it a “haircut”.
 

 

After that we have Tony’s lupins next to a beautiful old English rose. These are outside my studio where I potter around with paint, shells, seeds and whatever takes my fancy. This is where I play. When the weather gets hot I move my office out to here.

 
 

Here we have the pond. A secret place. I like to visit in the early evening to follow the tadpoles’ progress and watch the bright blue dragonflies flitting over the surface. In May a pair of moorhens come to nest here. They are very sweet and very shy. They re-produce copiously each year and appear to be devoted to each other.

 
  We inherited masses of beautiful flag irises all around the garden. There is nothing quite so quintessentially Victorian as these spring offerings: ostentatious, simple and robust at the same time. They remind me of visiting my grandmother when I was a very little girl and they seemed so very tall.
 

  Then down in the woods. Under the chestnut trees, after the daffodils and blue bells have faded away, when the sunlight drips through the fresh, young, green leaves, and a light breeze blows through your hair, it is so primal and so sexy…Debussy…L’apres midi d’un faun…

 

  This is looking into my butsuma, where I chant the mantra, “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo”, every morning and evening. I do this for the happiness and fulfillment of myself, my family, my colleagues, my friends, and everyone with whom I come into contact, and for world peace.

 
  And this is looking out! I often keep the door open, whatever the weather, so that the birds, butterflies and insects can join in!
  • New Website – It is finally up. Obviously this is the big news of the month. The feedback from you has been very encouraging. Bob from “the Colonies” was so excited he kept making mistakes and ended up sending rafts of emails until he got it right. Some of your comments so far are along the lines of –

‘THE QUEEN IS BACK!’, ‘Great!’, ‘****ing brilliant’, ‘I love it – more please’, ‘so much to look at. I am beside myself with frenzy’, ‘Really cool – well done’, ‘ **** me…’, ‘Wow’, ‘So much better than I expected’, ‘I am absolutely gob-smacked’, ‘So pleased for you to be able to do something positive with your past rather than run away and hide from it. If you only knew how good it looks.’, ‘Congratulations to Grace, Sheridan, and everyone who contributed.’ Etc. etc…
Thank you all very much.
  • e.award: Stephen sends a very specific comment on the biography section which was written by Louise Voss and Tris Penna. Following “is a …Buddhist, Mother, Psychotherapist, Author, Creative Director.” He thinks we should add – ‘ “Sandie” is a concept, an ethos, a way of being.’ Ooer. And I thought I was over the top. I’ll mention it to Louise.
    I am more than happy for any suggestions to be made that will make it better. After all it is a joint collaboration with you. So please feel free to keep sending your ideas. I would really like some more photos for Fans Lounge – why are you all so shy?

  • Discography section: If you have any record sleeve pictures I would love to put them up – so please send photos of front and back covers to Sheridan at: Walldesigntemp@aol.com


Ask Me Any Question:
  • John Leahy of Richmond has 2 questions.
    Q. What happened to Heathmore?
    A. I dunno. Does anyone else? Truth to tell, I never really knew him. He was Eve Taylor’s “discovery”, not mine.

    Q. What clan are you representing in your fashion statement in the April newsletter, pray tell?
    A. The I Don’t Give A #### Clan!

  • Rick, a new fan asks –
    Q. What are the foreign titles in French, German, Italian, and Spanish of the following pre-Eurovision 67 selection songs –
    1. Tell The Boys
    2. I‘ll Cry Myself To Sleep
    3. Had A Dream Last Night
    4. Ask Any Woman
    A. I’ll put this one over to you. The first correct answer received will get a signed vintage photo (don’t forget to send postal address). There have been lots and lots of requests for the release of foreign recordings. These are all part of the Sandie Shaw Catalogue and I promise I will pass on all your desires to whatever lucky record company wins the bidding war to acquire the rights.

  • Mitch, who describes himself as a ‘newbie’ fan asks -
    Q. I just saw Sandie Shaw on a recording of Cilla Black’s TV show – I’d never heard of her before! (What planet have you been living on Mitch?) but oh my god! I want ALL her CD’s. Please tell me they’re out there to be bought?
    A. Good old Swill’er Back! I hear what you say, Mitch. As above I will pass it on to the lucky winner. I am sure the record company will be only too happy to assist you in your quest for Sandie Shaw Catalogue material. You will have plenty of opportunity to catch up with the rest of the world.

  • Jomo from the Netherlands, another new fan asks -
    Q. Yours is the greatest female singing voice I’ve ever heard in my life. (Such flattery, Jomo, tell me more). I discovered your music through Morrissey and The Smiths, but being only 22, (Sweet), I never had the chance to buy your records when they first came out. Will you also re-release some B sides of 70’s and 80’s records on a compilation – and the Smiths recordings?
    A. Yes yes yes! Your wish is the record company’s command. I will pass on your desire….The same applies to Aadne from Oslo…

  • Malcolm, a Scotsman living in USA asks -
    Q. Can I have a complete collection of every UK release?
    A. Is that ALL??? I will endeavour to pass this on to the lucky American record company who wins the distribution of the Sandie Shaw Catalogue. By the way, what did you think of last month’s tartan?

  • Twiggy: Yes, Twiggy, e.mailed me at the beginning of the month to let me know they were re-showing a recording of the Hand In Glove performance on Top of the Pops 2 this month. Young Nicola watched it and reported back that she thought it was “proper class” and my singing was “wicked”. Nicola is a very cool lady too. Have you seen her pic?

  • Fan Poll Top 30: Talking of Twiggy - we were unable to up-date the fan poll this month as promised, because Amie who does it for me has been at the Cannes film festival with her dad. But please keep sending your votes. Amie has also been busy modeling. Here she is in The Daily Mail– (the pretty one in the middle).
    See ya in June. Keep sending your feedback!

    click to enlarge:

 
 
All website content © Sandie Shaw 2002. Site designed by Wall