Throwback Thursday by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Now, here's a Throwback Thursday!

I participated in this event, PBF, the Preston Busking Festival in 2015!

I'm still playing, and now I teach as well, started then, in my specialist subjects: singing/music and dance, although I'd started teaching, in general before this.

This was a brilliant event organised by Phil Kaila (trio pic., pictured, centre).  We got a four hour slot in the town centre, on the streets of Preston and a spot on the main stage on the Flag Market.  I brought my own board into town and as well as doing a singer/songwriter set(s) I tap danced!  This was during my four hour slot on the main street in Preston city centre!

This was a paid fundraiser event raising funds for Help Africa/UK with the aim of bringing communities together and enabling local talent to perform whilst also celebrating them/us!

Here's a couple of pics. from the event: (The fellow with the flag, I met that day, and we've kept in touch, through the power of social media.  He goes by the name Waldo and he walks around the world, for peace, and still is to this day!)  

This is the social media link for the event (Facebook users):

https://m.facebook.com/prestonbuskingfestival/

Relative links:

Here's another blog by yours truly of me performing in the first Best of Preston event also.  There's further links within this article, one of which has a live video and audio recording of me singing one of my own songs, including context/lyrics description during it! (Again, it's a social media link for Facebook users.)

Enjoy!

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2023/09/best-of-preston-event-hosted-by-martyn.html

#Peace #Musician #MusicForAll #PerformanceArts #LiveMusic #MusiciansUnion #Education

Disability and Equality NW's 30th Anniversary Celebration By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 DENW's 30th Anniversary!

*

DENW offers so much for the community, both for the disabled and abled.  However, it is the mindset that this centre cultivates that encourages the wholeness view that I have found particularly inspiring.  For instance, some disabilities are not visible and others/conditions might be debilitating, but there is always something that you can do in comparison to things that you cannot.  

I volunteered, performing 3 sets, for DENW's 30th anniversary celebration recently.  (I wanted to give something back, to DENW, so in effect I volunteered twice.)

The first set, as part of Jubiloso (a SEN, but open to all, music workshop group that I volunteer for as a teaching assistant).  This is run by Jon Aveyard (the pianist in the photos) as part of his Preston Music Workshops.  We performed 7 songs altogether.  Here we are:

Jubiloso 

Warming up.

On Vocals.

Jen (Co-Founder) on Flute.  Me, Sophie, on Vocals.

On flute.

Following this, for my second set, I played and sang a series of 6 songs all of the genre within the 30 years.

After a short break I then performed a third set of sing along songs that people could join in with if they wished.  I must say I was impressed with folks' contribution.

Here's some more pics of the event, people attending and me in my singer/guitarist role.  Enjoy!

My solo sets.

Mel, the Boss at DENW, expressing her thanks for my songs.

 

For more Facebook users can view DENW's article about the celebration, also, here:

https://www.facebook.com/100078719847251/posts/1076392738328044/?app=fbl

Thanks to Matt (DENW) and Kev (Musician) for their assistance in providing these photos, except for the cake one, that's mine!

#Volunteer #Artist #Musician #Community 

Relevant Articles:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2026/07/jubiloso-music-pics-at-met-festival-by.html

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2025/12/new-year-blog-by-sophie-cox-oshaughnessy.html

* c. S. Cox-O'Shaughnessy 2026

Bikini Bod Blog ll By Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Oooooo!

It's gooood to be able to enjoy the river in the summertime eh!

Though, as we're heading into a little cooler climes I thought I would post another bikini bod blog article (the sequel) to continue to appreciate and enjoy the sensation of an actual real English summer!

This time I'm in the elements.

This was a tricky selfie to take so I asked for some help from the fae folk, for a photo, who would only oblige if I gave them a credit mention.  From this angle it does look like this anyway, doesn't it?! Believe what you like!  Lol

Enjoy!

*

Also, on another particularly hot day I decided to take a paddle in another part of this beautiful River Ribble here in Preston, Lancashire.  Unbeknown to me at the time, but I discovered later that day, it was recorded as the hottest day of this year, according to Kew Gardens 38.6°, apparently.  

Here's a video I took of the river.  The current is very strong and the river base not always visible, so although it's tempting, I only opted for a paddle as opposed to a swim this year anyway!

See the YouTube link below for the video footage 👇🏻

(Photo only)

Video here⬇️

https://youtube.com/shorts/kKaHHO8KoHQ?is=1SJeLn8kWmYwXwc5

* Thanks to the fae folk for the picture!

#BikiniBod #NoFilter #Artist #DestinationFitness #Physio VitaminD #RiverAndSeaSafety #HorayForTheFae #Selfie 

🌞👙🌊🌞👙🏞️🌞👙🌊🌞👙🏞️🌞👙🌊🌞👙🏞️🌞👙🌊🌞👙🏞️🌞👙🌊

Relative Articles:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2026/06/bikini-bod-blog-by-sophie-cox.html

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2020/08/sophie-cox-oshaughnessy-commemorating.html

Jubiloso, music pics., at The Met festival by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Jubiloso 

I started volunteering as a teaching assistant for this SEN/special needs music workshop group, Jubiloso, about six months ago now.

It is run by Jon Aveyard (pianist) of Preston Music Workshops.

Here are some photos, kindly taken by Emma Louise of St Bernard's that the Met theatre tent is pitched beside.  There were many to choose from, however I couldn't post them all, so have tried to present the best ones that, I hope also, portray the community spirit ambience that I experienced anyway.  Next it'll be moving pictures!

It was a full house, with tiered seating, so packed an extra row and chairs were provided.

There are many shows on as part of this festival. We were on this Thursday evening just gone.

Enjoy!

Preparing and setting up.

Catching him saying his favourite "catchphrase".

Teacher Assistant mode 

All done for the night and changeover.

Relative links:

https://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2026/07/jubiloso-music-event-pics-and-another.html

#Musician #Volunteer #MusicForAll #MusicEducation #Showtime #AlternativeStages 

Jubiloso music event pics. and another gig listing by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Jubiloso 

Here's some great pics. that a member of the public kindly took for me of some of us in Jubiloso performing at Disability Pride this week.

I feel privileged to be able to support these very talented musicians both as a fellow musician and teaching assistant.

I think it's important to try to give something back when you can and volunteering for this special needs music workshop group in these roles I've been managing to do since the beginning of this year. 

Ordinarily, I teach beginners music available most instruments as well as all levels singing. (Private/small groups, adults and children, venues and home visits). See my main page for more about this here:

http://handeldoesit.blogspot.com/2016/10/performance-artistteacher-miss-sophie.html

Jon Aveyard runs the group as part of Preston Music Workshops. (https://www.prestonmusicworkshops.com/)

Here I am, and in this heat, hot pants and a hat are a must!

Enjoy!

I will be performing as part of Jubiloso again at the end of the month. 

This will be as part of the Met event here in Preston, Lancashire.

See the following for more details:-

30/07/2026 from 7.30-9.30pm (Free entry!)

Elswick Rd in The Mobile Event Tent, outside St Bernard's community hub, Larches, PR2 1NT.

There's lots on, starting from next Saturday the event runs for about a month.  In the listing (in the following link) Jubiloso are supporting the Worldwise Samba Drummers event, so get down early to avoid disappointment!

https://www.sitpreston.com/article/6834/The-MET-2026

#musician #musiceducation #musicforall #volunteer #alternativestages

Upcoming Event Gig Listing by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

Jubilso is the special needs music workshop group that I support as a volunteer teaching assistant and musician.  

We shall be performing at this upcoming event, Disability Pride, this coming Thursday, 09/07/2026, in Preston, Lancashire, UK.

I fully advocate one of the organiser's pov, as said:

"Nothing about us without us! 

Let's celebrate together and share our experiences."

Full details can be found in Blog Preston's article. 

Please see the following link for more:

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2026/07/disability-pride-celebration-returns-to-preston-for-third-year/ 

#musician #musiceducation #theonenessofhumanity #loveandpeace #participatecontributesupport

Bikini Bod Blog by Sophie Cox-O'Shaughnessy

 

Well, who is enjoying this gorgeous sunny weather?! 

No doubt it'll rain, again, in a few days, but phew, isn't it hot, hot, hot?!

As, I feel, I haven't written a blog for a while, while we have this almost tropical/heatwave here's something topical then!

Just a pic. of me in my bikini! 

Call it Park'our!  

Here I am freshly back from grabbing a sweet sunbathing hour in the park, all factor fifty'd up as I'm fair, in it, like!

Enjoy!

#BikiniBod #Wordplay #Physio #MeAndMyStuff #DestinationFitness #Artist #Musician #NoFilter #VitaminD