Leighton Buzzard singer spreads festive cheer with Christmas driveway concerts

A soprano and costume artist from Leighton Buzzard who has been singing to lift morale with her driveway concerts is now doing Christmas performances.

In April, Fiona Harrison started performing her outdoor concerts on her driveway in Camberton Road to lift the spirits of her neighbours, and then she went further afield and sang on other people's driveways and outside care homes.

She said: “When we first went into lockdown back in March little did I think I would still be performing outdoor shows this late in the season.

“Working outside in December isn’t easy, I have to wear lots of layers and I’m constantly battling the weather. I’ve also had to invest in stronger speaker leads which can cope with colder temperatures and moisture crystals to protect my equipment from the damp."

Fiona's driveway concerts have inspired West End performers to do something similar.

She said: "Whatever the situation you have to adapt in order to survive and I’m flattered that top West End performers are following my lead, entertaining families on their doorsteps and in their driveways during these difficult Covid times."

Throughout the pandemic, Fiona has not stopped working clocking up 150 performances this year, 80 of which have been driveway shows.

Her first driveway concert took place on Easter Saturday and all through 2020 she has adapted her performances to tie in with the restrictions and to suit the season from VE Day to Halloween.

During the summer, songs from Oliver, Grease, Disney musicals and Abba proved to be the most popular, but with the Christmas season Fiona has been performing her “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” show for family audiences around Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding villages.

She said: "I’ve been astonished by the response and the kindness of local people who have been booking my driveway concerts and donating towards my shows.

“Without that support I wouldn’t have been able to keep working."

Fiona’s first Leighton Buzzard Christmas concert took place in Blakedown Road on December 5, and tied in with the turning on of the Christmas lights. It featured Christmas Carols, Mistletoe and Wine Santa Baby, Winter Wonderland and more.

Since then she has performed in Brooklands Avenue, Russell Way and Lochy Drive with further Christmas performances scheduled to take place in Stoke Road, Hercules Close and Lomond Drive.

She added: “It’s not about attracting lots of people, but more about bringing some festive musical relief to local communities, during lockdown.

"As long as people remember to socially distance and watch me from their own gardens and driveways in family bubble groups then these style of concerts can still go ahead.

“It’s important we all follow the rules but with a bit of imagination it is still possible for people to enjoy some live entertainment at Christmas."

To find out more about Fiona and her shows visit: www.fionaharrison.biz.