INTERVIEW
many people have said it before but it
really is like stepping back in time to
the era of my childhood, when I grew
up amid lovely countryside in South
Yorkshire.
“It was very peaceful and quiet, and
I thought the community spirit on
the Island was wonderful. The whole
community rallied round to make
the Festival so successful, and I really
identified with that.
“I felt completely and utterly
at home, and wh en my husband
discovered there were Roman ruins at
Brading he was very excited because
that is his big hobby and passion. So
we looked around all the foundations
and mosaics, and the only thing I was
disappointed about was that because
we spent so much time there, we didn’t
have time to visit Osborne House. So I
have definitely got to come back, and
to be honest I can’t wait.
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www.visitislandlife.com
“We tried to see as much of the
Island as we could in a short time, but
I would like to spend a week visiting,
because you could spend that much
time just looking at the coastline.”
The revered soprano with a fine sense
of humour claimed she was surprised
a similar festival had not been held on
the Island before because of the many
fine venues, including churches, and
thought it might be possible at some
stage to make it a festival for the whole
Island.
However, Lesley also disclosed that
she nearly didn’t make it to the Festival
in time for rehearsals because she
arrived at the ferry terminal to come
to the Island just a minute before the
sailing was due. It was only when she
told staff she was singing here, and was
recognised by staff that they allowed
her to make a last-minute dash to get
on board.
“I have to say the Royal Hotel was
wonderful. It is in such a lovely
location, the rooms were comfortable,
and I don’t think I have ever eaten so
well, it was really delicious. Food really
matters to singers. If I don’t get my
food right then I don’t sing well, and
hopefully the singing was a testament
to the food that was served. People
certainly know how to eat on the
Island!
“I was only there a couple of days
but I discovered a lot of things I didn’t
know about it, like the wonderful
garlic that you can get there. Some of
the houses we saw were charming, and
we also went for a walk and found it
so easy to access the coastline.
“I know there are a lot of well known
people who already live on the Island
or have homes there, and now I can
understand why. I would imagine
someone like Alan Titchmarsh can’t