Preston Windrush Festival By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

It was a pleasure to be able to attend this year's Windrush Festival, here, in Preston.  

Regardless of the spurts of "lashing it down" rain 🌧️, the music 🎶 , and in general, vibes were very cool and a bop, or two/three and more, was in order 💃!

It was lovely to see friendly, familiar, faces, again and connect with new, like-minded peoples!

SACHA (Southport African Caribbean Heritage Association) were the hosts of the event.  

Their cake 🍰 looked very tasty, I hasten to add, and they also hold a coffee morning, in Southport, my home town Yip yip! (where I grew up) - might have to pop back sometime, very soon - their hospitality was, exceptionally, pleasant.

My intention, in attending, this year, was, quite simply, to promote racial peace.  

This is, bcos, obviously, I am white, and this is a highly political event to acknowledge and attempt to put right the wrongs that happened in history, at a time where prejudice was rife, and, I believe if we show solidarity by mingling with our, one, human race, then, at least, I am, taking part in, contributing to world 🌎 peace✌️!

So, food for thought:

What is an immigrant?!  Someone seeking refuge from war/a hostile environment etc., etc..  Hmm., such is the every day news, it seems, these days: boats successful/unsuccessful - casualties of "a second war" - I think:- Where are our "United Nations"?! who could, ultimately, dispel, these atrocities If (and, here we have it, the artist in me) they (we) pulled their (our) finger out! 🤘!

#JustSayin'!

This is a pic. in which I was, yet again, "papped" - it seems to be happening more often these days!...  

Fortunately, the, very talented, photographer is a friend of mine, so I have asked permission to share his photo, "already" (as the Americans say!...):

Enjoy!

*

#Artist #HaveYourSay #MakeADifference #Dance #Sing #Peace #MusiciansMakeYourUnitedInPeaceOpinionCount

🕊️✌️🎶🫂🌎🕊️✌️🎵🤘👏🙏👋💃👍🕊️

* Photo credit and c. to Joseph Gudgeon 2025 

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RAF Show in Preston, Lancashire (06-08/06/2025) By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

This weekend the RAF are in town!  By chance I happened to catch a glimpse of the Red Arrows flying over my pad just this morning, also, fortunately.  Look out for them, again, tomorrow around about 5pm (ish), I happen to be informed! 

I had a wonderfully, fun afternoon today trying on some of the gear these special folks adorn and work with, including the 30kg "backpack", no less, as well as playing badminton with folks and an aspiring pilot, Mark!  🛩️ 🛫

This is a family friendly event and it is on all this weekend.  Get along!

You know me, I cannot resist dressing up 😘

Here's a few of my pics. the RAF kindly took for me:

#DownTime

#LikeWhenDoIEvorGiveMyselfABreak!

(A Part of) Preston Jazz Festival (Review and, Upcoming, Performance) - Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 Spur of the moment decisions sometimes turn out to be just the best. Do you get me? Yes, I know. You do.

Anyhow, I spotted an ad for an event, that I had seen recently advertised, just today.

With a little bit of oomph, I thought, I might be able to attend this one, aswell as, participate in it.

*

In the mood of doing something community orientated, as a musician, I thought "this is good timing", and as it turns out, imho, so are our group: maintaining excellent timing, in such a short time, learning different rhythms, who shall, now, voluntarily, be performing next Saturday and/or 01/06/2025, as part of the Festival, either in Avenham Park (Saturday 30/05/2025) between 11 and 1pm or at at The Ferret (pub) Wednesday evening (8pm onwards), as said! 

Anyway, there were more us of at the beginning, however some had to leave early due to work commitments. I, myself, to make attending the event in time had failed to have lunch. Though, as a performing artist this is often, more often than not, by the by! However, the community spirit event that was what I sought was, as Shakespeare says: If music be the food of love, then play on! my, let's say, interim nourishment.

Looking forward to seeing you there, when the community shows off their skills, very, soon!

* Here I am, on the Dun Dun, far left - Photo courtesy of the Workshop Leader, Jon Aveyard.

For more information please see:

https://www.prestonjazzfest.org/

#musician

#supportlivemusic

#justtakepart

#communityspirit

#mentalhealthisimportant

🪘🪇🥁🪘🪇🥁🪘🪇🥁🪘🪇🥁🪘🪇🥁🪇🥁

🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵

Happy Mother's Day Blog By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Our Unsung Heroes!

Here's to all of our unsung heroes!

It's Mother's Day, so yes this is the theme of this blog, but what about, our every day peoples without whom we would very much be struggling, a helluva lot more than we already do!

Bcos, let's face it, the catastrophies that we read about in the news aren't going away, nevermind out own individual, day to day, of what sometimes can only be described as, "experiences"!...

Let's call to mind Mental health matters!

However, so does our physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing also.

It also matters, yes, a helluva lot!

So, I am reaching out, on this (another) special day to promote a local business, who have always helped me to keep safe, when, occasionally, I venture out and treat myself to socialising without any worries of how am I going to get there/back, safely - totally reliable - I shall always recommend this business (https://a6taxis.co.uk/).

Anyhows, here's  a couple of pics., first one up stars Steve, who very kindly obliged for his photo for this little ole blog of mine - Thanks again Steve!

Also, me, myself and my little pooch who is very much becoming not so a little pooch anymore, however he's coming on with his training and he's showing a helluva lot of promise, he's got a long way to go, bless him!

Enjoy!

*

*

Relative Articles: 

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2025/01/update-pups-first-christmas-and.html

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#HappyMothersDay!

#ArtistAtHome!

Pup'sUpdate!

#NotOftenIfEverDoIShowOffMySlippersButHeyHereWeGoLetsHaveIt!

#Re.TravelEtc.StaySafe!

#SupportLocalBusinesses

##OhYeahAlsoNeverForgetBowwWoww!

💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐💐

* Copyright S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2025

 

Live Film Music for New Cinema Opening Event By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 This week was an exciting time for Preston city centre when the new, ARC,  cinema was officially opened by Film Animation Artist Nick Park.

The band supporting the event, that wasn't advertised, was a very pleasant surprise as their talent and repertoire was brilliant, but also the costume characters Wallace and Gromit completely entertained me no end!  The conductor, Graham, of Preston Concert Band played ball ducking and diving as both Wallace and Gromit took turns in taking over conducting the band and playing up to the crowd.

In my spare time I like to people watch. Adults and children alike were full of smiles. At one point a little girl mimicked the Wallace character mimicking the band's conductor - hilarious and cute.

The band who seem to consider themselves amateur were flawless and totally professional playing classis film theme tunes such as James Bond, Indiana Jones, Disney classics, pop medleys, Chicken Run and Wallace and Gromit no less. The latter whilst Nick Park cut the ribbon to the entrance of the cinema officially opening it.

It was dry, windy and cold weather and the musicians played, for at least 2 hours, throughout.  As a musician I can totally empathise with them playing in such conditions. I found them to be remarkable and completely understated.  Bravo I say to them!

Although I am no maestro, as a multi-instrumentalist, to varying degrees, I can play the clarinet, flute, saxophone, trumpet, percussion of the concert band instruments, for example. However, their standard was impeccable and a true inspiration to behold.

Here's an impromptu video clip I managed to capture of the said awesome concert band (please excuse my chaukling in the background"That's (live) Entertainment!" for you):

https://youtube.com/shorts/APRJHQw48-0?si=_ufwO78q9dWOU69N

Although the band is not mentioned by Blog Preston here is their link to one of their articles about the news with more information:

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2025/02/prestons-animate-cinema-and-leisure-complex-opened-by-nick-park-with-feathers-mcgraw-statue-unveiled/

#Muso

#KeepingMusicLive

#JustForFun

🎺📯🥁🎷🪈

Happy Valentine's Day Blog By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 

So This week is, apparently, the week of lurve, and so ahead of the Big Weekender of Lurve, I thought I'd write my valentine's blog.

Ever since Covid, and stay at home restrictions and the like, I started to include "super hero" themed blogs. However, these are basically me getting dressed up, striking a pose and first and foremost hoping to inspire and share joy with folks.

Continuing on, with my appreciation of sharing joy and dressing up, here's a cute treat for, like my good self, any other single and ready to mingle folks out there:

Enjoy!

*

#Artist

#LoveAndPeace

#ArtPhotography

#"GirlsJustWantToHaveFun"

#DressingUpAtHomeIsJustAsMuchFun

#TheBigLoveItUpWeekender

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• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2021/02/valentines-blog-by-sophie-cox.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2020/02/happy-valentines-day-by-sophie-cox.html

• https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2019/02/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-for-valentines.html•

•  https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2016/02/happy-valentines-day.html

* c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2025

Update: Pup's First Christmas and Greetings from (from little ole me) my Good Self! By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

So, I didn't go out this year to celebrate New Year, but staying in, and, getting dolled up, proves just as much fun, anyways.  

This is the first time I have worn this dress, and regardless of "being seen' in it's entirety, it doesn't matter Because it is in the feeling of the adornment that is most special, really.

So, girls, ladies, womenfolk  Remember, but most importantly, Enjoy This Fact!

BECAUSE it is a matter de facto!

It reads

Happy New Year!

Oh My Gosh! 

WHAT did he do to "Father Christmas"?!

#PeaceGoodwillHappinessAndAllThat!

#ArtistsAtHomeRule

#TeachersAtHomeRule

#WhoAmIKidding?!:-

#PetsAtHomeRule!

#GodBless

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Photos c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2024/5!