It has been three days since A Breath Of Fresh Air, the show we staged at Hall Barn to raise money for the Ventilator. And what a show it was. Michael Vivian wrote the show with contributions from Helena Breck and Julie Berry and then the assembled actors slotted in their pieces be it poetry, prose, singing, or sketch. We ran the show through during the afternoon – you couldn’t call it a rehearsal – and then performed the show in the evening. And everything went like clockwork. The performances were fabulous it was wonderful having Lesley Joseph, Geoffrey Palmer, Sarah Kestelman, Adam Stafford, Kim Ismay, Simon Masterton-Smith, Emma Vansittart, Julie Berry and Kathy Godfrey on stage. And then there were the actors from Central School. They were so talented and professional. It was an absolute joy. Of course songs and interludes would not have been the same without Michael Haslam as the musical director. And when everyone came off stage there was Helena Breck to help.

It was one of the great moments in my life and I am in debt to all who contributed to the show and all who attended.

We have one more activity to go in this fund raising round for the Ventilator and that is the Maltman’s Green Ball on the 28th – my Birthday. After that I will be able to announce where we are in terms of having the cash. Let’s hope we can conclude the deal. And when we get the Ventilator I think I’d better put my name on it and call it “The Last Gasp”.

Of course we are just pioneering the new NHS where you top up with whatever you require and can afford privately. Like they’re doing with the cancer drugs.

Mind you I don’t suppose it would go down too well if we called up ITU and said;

“I am not feeling too spiff and I am on my way so could you get my Ventilator

ready ?”

“Oh, it’s being used. I see”

“Well could you take it off this other person, clean the spittle off ready for me ?”

“This other chap will die will he ? Oh dear”

“They’ve got a Ventilator available at Hillingdon have they ? And I’ll have to go there”

“So you still need another Ventilator ?”

“So that’s that, then. And you’d like us to raise the money ?”

“Right Ho.We’ll see what we can do”

And so starts Breath Of Fresh Air 2009.

There have been calls for a photo of Katie. So here is her publicity shot as a voice over. Her

career is going along nicely and she is getting work – always a good thing (no work, no career)

I have also had a reasonable shot taken of me by She who must etc... and here it is.

Duncan

I went to Wexham Park ITU yesterday for a social visit rather than to avail myself of their facilites, I hasten to add and met with the doctors who saved my life. It was a wonderful meeting and quite eerie hearing the alarm sound of the ventilators. It took me right back to when I was lying there.

Traditional Boats & Tall Ships magazine - a magnificent publication - is out on the news stands and my articles are included. Buy a copy if you can ! Over the coming months I will be giving straight forward explanations of some of the nautical terms and expressions. This month we deal with The Knot and Weather Helm.

Breath Of Fesh Air is coming on a treat. Hosted by Lesley Joseph with Adam Stafford we now have Geoffrey Palmer, Sarah Kestelman, Dean Chisnall and a cast of 30 dancers and singers. If you haven't bought tickets for this fab event on sunday 15th June at 7.30pm at Hall Barn in Beaconsfield, please call me on 01753 890555 or the box office on 08700 667720. Tickets cost £10. The sooner we raise the money for this ventilator for Wexham Park the sooner I will stop asking you for support.

Duncan