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As soon as I read on
CharlotteChurch.net that Charlotte was to be switching on the Oxford Street Lights, I knew I had to go. Here's how the day went ...
 
7:30 am : The day started with Charlottes appearance on GMTV, singing DAD. Later in the programme she was interviewed by Lorraine Kelly at some length and sang DAD again. Seeing this only added to the anticipation of the events to follow.
10:00 am : I caught the train to London and headed for Oxford Street. I had no idea where the big switch on would take place but as I walked towards the new HMV store at no. 360 Oxford Street, I saw a large speaker stack obscuring the left hand window. In the window (and therefore hidden by the speakers) was a poster announcing Charlottes performance that evening. As you'll see from the photos, had I been approaching the store from the other side of the road, the banners hung from the balcony made it only too clear what was going on!
Inside the store was a small poster repeating the fact that Charlotte was to switch on the Oxford Street Lights at 6pm. Further that, the Classical department would be closed to the public between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. With this in mind I decided to return to the store at around 5:00pm to try and catch Charlotte before the event began.
5:00 pm : After what seemed like an eternity, the time came to return to HMV.
As I arrived, a number of engineers were setting up the sound equipment, just inside the entrance. A couple of guys were also tinkering with mobile TV cameras. Immediately opposite the store an open top double decker bus was parked. On top, TV and press cameramen were preparing to record the performance.
I headed upstairs to see if there was any more activity. As I walked towards the Classical department a couple of HMV staff were politely turning away a few puzzled tourists. And, there in the distance was Charlotte and that smile! The staff were letting through a few lucky people who were wearing "Guest of HMV" badges. I knew this was as close as I was going to get. Charlotte was meeting the guests and talking to the press.
One HMV assistant saw me standing there and asked if she could help me. I excitedly asked if there was any way I could get Charlottes autograph. She said 'wait here a minute' and walked away. Just as I was about to give up hope of her returning she reappeared holding a CD. Guess what?, it was a signed copy of Dream A Dream !!
I thanked the assistant, proudly paid for the CD and headed outside onto a wet and windy street.
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A
scan of the song sheet that was handed out |
By now the crowds had started to gather and the road was closed off to stop the traffic. I stood, camera at the ready, next to the media bus, on the edge of the pavement, so my view wouldn't be blocked. Just as well as the crowd swelled very quickly. Someone handed out song sheets for the crowd - a nice souvenir for the day.
6:00 pm : The main event. In all the excitement, I can remember little detail about the next 15 minutes - it went like a dream! (no pun intended!) Good job I took lots of photos as a memento!
Charlotte sang 3 songs in all : Dream A Dream, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, and, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing. As always, her performance was perfect. She was accompanied by a choir, which stood beneath her balcony on the pavement. Before and after each song Charlotte chatted to the crowd injecting plenty of her familiar cheeky welsh humour.
And then, all too soon, it was over. Charlotte thanked the crowd for turning out in such foul weather and waved goodbye as she returned inside, still smiling.
The crowd dispersed as quickly as it had formed. I headed for the train, clinging on to my camera and autographed CD. What a day!
- Mark
Editors
Note: Big thanks goes out to Mark for these exclusive shots.
He's been a viewer since February!
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