The girl band - comprising  Frankie Sandford, Mollie King, Una Healy, Vanessa White and Rochelle Humes - have entered into motherhood over the past 18 months, with Healy and Humes parents to daughters, while Sandford is currently pregnant with her first child.

Girls Aloud star Walsh says her group probably would have suffered if they had children at the height of their success.

She said: "I think it would have definitely made it harder for us if we'd had kids while we were in the group because for me personally, I couldn't promise that the child wouldn't become my priority.

She added: "The Saturdays are doing very well to make it work. I think when you're younger you can get away with juggling being in a band and motherhood more. I look after my nephew a lot and it's hard work!"

Girls Aloud - also comprising Nicola Roberts, Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding and Cheryl Cole - announced their split earlier this year. Walsh admits the popular girl group probably wouldn't have worked if children were in the mix.

She explained to the UK edition of OK! magazine: "I don't think we would have. It would've been hard. I'm not going to lie, I reckon it was good that we didn't because I think the focus and the priority was always very much on the group and there were no blurred lines there, and I would never have felt comfortable pushing somebody who had just had a child back to work. That would've felt really wrong. I think it's quite admirable that The Saturdays are keeping it all going, to be honest, and I hope they continue to."

Beverley Festival Celebrates its Heritage with its Local Community

EDUARDO NIEBLA presents  “THE MAGIC GATE OF BEVERLEY”

A collection of pieces composed by Eduardo Niebla to celebrate 30 years

 of the Beverley Folk Festival

To celebrate 30 years of the Beverley Folk Festival, and to demonstrate its commitment to providing opportunities for its thriving local community to participate in the event, this year sees the launch of a special project celebrating its heritage with the involvement of a top international musician.

Eduardo Niebla, virtuoso flamenco jazz guitarist and composer, has come a long way from his birthplace in Tangiers and childhood in Girona Spain to reach Yorkshire, his adopted home for the last 12 years.  And it is this incredible international life, as well as the very heartfelt quality of his compositions, that makes Eduardo’s collection of pieces celebrating the Beverley Folk Festival’s 30th anniversary especially vibrant.  This collection, entitled “The Magic Gate of Beverley”, fuses Eduardo’s spectacular flamenco gypsy jazz with melodies inspired by the Wolds;  an exhilarating journey from Eduardo’s Spanish homeland to the wonderful folk and brass traditions of the region.

To perform these pieces, Eduardo is working together with a collection of local amateur and professional musicians, who are putting together and rehearsing the pieces for a mass performance on the festival’s Main Stage on the Sunday (23rd).

The festival is proud to be the fifth winner of the David Bedford Music Education Award co-ordinated by the PRS for Music Foundation which has supported the festival’s project.

Sunday 23rd June 2013 12pm-1.30pm

The Beverley Folk Festival, Beverley Racecourse, York Road, Beverley, East Yorkshire HU17 8QZ

Tickets: £5.00   Available on the Door

www.beverleyfestival.com / 01377 217569

Those participating:

Eduardo Niebla – guitar & composer

Matthew Robinson – guitar

Roberto Ares – drums / percussion

Edwina Hayes – vocals / guitar

Sam Pirt – accordion

Beverley Brass Band - directed by Peter Kench

Beverley Grammar School - directed by Zoe Hughes

FURTHER INFORMATION:           

PHOTOS:     

http://www.sendspace.com/folder/ak3sdi                  

http://www.sendspace.com/folder/x0p1dl

PRESS PACK:   mp3s of “My Gypsy Waltz”, photos, biography etc   http://www.sendspace.com/folder/dekkc6

ABOUT EDUARDO NIEBLA

This commission follows the launch of Eduardo’s 23rd album “MY GYPSY WALTZ” to acclaim at Celtic Connections Glasgow and the Queen Elizabeth Hall London, part of a distinguished recording and performing career over the last 4 decades which has seen Eduardo appear at the Tbilisi International Jazz Festival Georgia, the Jaipur Festival India, the Odessa Jazz Carnival Ukraine, the San Isidro Fiesta Madrid, the Olympic Games Greece, Glastonbury and the Brecon International Jazz Festival, as well as concert tours to South Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Spain & Ireland.

Since his move to Britain in 1978 Eduardo has collaborated with major artists across the globe including Nishat Khan (sitar), Wajahat Khan (sarod), Adel Salameh (oud), Lol Coxhill (saxophone), Deepak Ram (bamboo flute), Paban Das Baul (gypsy singer & percussionist), George Michael, Craig David and recently Ben Watkins of Juno Reactor (composer of the music for the Matrix films).  He was introduced to recording by Tom Newman and has written music for films, documentaries and plays, including for the BBC, and composed music alongside poets Fran Landesman, Mike Horovitz and how more recently Ian McMillan.

Eduardo’s career started from very humble beginnings – born in Tangiers Morocco to Andalucian parents in 1955, the 7th of 11 children and mythically the 7th son of the 7th child.  In 1960 after political tensions the family became refugees and settled in Girona, Spain where Eduardo grew up.  At 18 he formed the cult symphonic rock band “Atila”, whose albums are now serious collectors’ items, and was rated alongside Paco de Lucia as one of the best guitarists in the Hispanic Peninsula.  In 1975 he moved to Paris, where he performed in several exhibitions of conceptual art with the painter Jaume Xifra. In 1978 he reached London, initially as a stepping stone to fly to America, but never left and has since been regarded as one of the outstanding guitarists of his generation.  He currently lives in North Yorkshire where he has his recording studio.

“A display of supernatural talent….and a spellbinding mixture of flamenco and modern jazz, bursting with passion & verve.” (The Spectator)

“Niebla proves his mastery & composing genius with every touch.” (Die Rheinpfalz)

“No recording can do full justice to the thunderstorm of this musician in full flow – deep booming chords interspersed with lightning percussive effects… his language is full of hot, dark, Mediterranean passion.”  (Scotsman)

“Eduardo – virtuoso?  Inventive improviser?  Yes and yes.  And creative composer too.  Writer of beautiful melodies, great grooves… he cast a deep engrossing spell over the audience which transported them to other places, to the distant past, to India, Arabia, North Africa, Spain – tracing the link between modern Flamenco and the ancient music of India.  And then on to the New World, to South and Central America for the rumba.  At the end of the concert he thanked the audience for having been present while the band “searched for those deep places in the music.”  Believe me they found them.  (Rodd Fogg, London Jazz 2010)

FURTHER INFORMATION

Beverley Folk Festival 2013 – 21st June to 23rd June

Weekend tickets:  £98 Adults; Concession £85 and Families £281 - Camping £20 per person for 3 nights – Fri, Sat, Sun

Artists already confirmed for 2013

The Proclaimers • Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes • Oysterband • Gretchen Peters (USA) • Lau  • Steve Forbert (USA) • Ian Rankin • Eduardo Niebla • Sam Carter • Henry Priestman • Curtis Eller (USA) • Megson   John Shuttleworth • Patrick Monahan • Lucy Ward • Allan Yn Y Fan • Blackbeard’s Tea Party • The Young ‘uns  The Whiskey Dogs •  Folkestra •  Eric Brace & Peter Cooper (USA) • Coco and the Butterfields • Will Kaufman  • Edwina Hayes • Farino • Circus Envy •  Chris Cole • The Duncan McFarlane Band • Chris Cole

‘Bouncers’ 

Beverley Folk Festival Patrons

Mike Harding – Broadcaster, singer, songwriter, author, poet & comedian.

John Godber – Olivier Award-winning playwright (Up ‘n' Under, Bouncers, Teechers, etc.), director & lecturer.

Beverley Folk Festival Award Nominations

Shortlisted for ‘Best Family Festival’ Award -  2012 UK Festival Awards

Finalist in the Remarkable Tourism Event Category -  REYTA Awards 2012

Finalist in the Remarkable Tourism Experience/ Event   REYTA Awards 2013

Contact Details

Artistic Director: Chris Wade    Festival Directors: Andrew Mills; Jim Pybus; Matt Snowden; Mike Booth

Festival Office, The Stables, Westwood House, North Dalton, Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO25 9XA

Tel: 01377 217569       Email:  info@beverleyfestival.com      Website:  www.beverleyfestival.com

Time for a laugh at Beverley Festival

It’s not that Beverley Festival shouldn’t be taken seriously, but there again we should all learn to let our hair down at some stage – so this year the festival has made sure it has only the best for its Comedy Nights in June.

Kicking off on the Friday (21at June) night is the brilliant and loveable stand up comedian that likes to hug and eat cake, Patrick Monahan. “There isn’t a comic quite like him and his hugs alone are worth the price of admission”. ***** New Current, 2012.

Having been brought up in Middlesbrough by his Iranian Mother and Irish Dad he has many hilarious and engaging stories about his heritage. “He has the dark looks and stubble of the Middle East, married to the charm of the Irish and the sense of fun of the Teessider… Omid Djalili meets Dave Allen you might say.” Daily Mail

Since he started performing stand-up he has had a meteoric rise up the comedy ladder and has gone from ‘open spot’ to headliner in an incredibly short length of time. Now a regular MC and headlining act at the top London and UK comedy clubs including the prestigious Jongleurs circuit and the Comedy Store, he is certainly going to receive a big welcome at the festival. With the festival attracting a wide range of audiences from music and comedy lovers alike to families, Monahan is the perfect act to start the festival’s comedy nights. “Monahan possesses the rate ability to be hilarious without being outrageous”. ***** 3 Weeks, 2012.

Following on the Saturday, and back by popular demand, is that wackiest of characters, John Shuttleworth.  Quoted as being "A National Institution...the 42nd Best Reason to Love Britain"  Sunday Telegraph Shuttleworth will be bring in his own special brand of comedy to the festival. The Sony and Perrier nominated Shuttleworth will be venturing beyond his garden gate to tread the mean streets of Beverley and wander up to take a stroll around Beverley’s Racecourse. Which is better: city life or country living? Supermarket or village shop? Or is it better to sit in your shed and count the cobwebs? Those are some of the questions the star of Radio 4's ‘The Shuttleworths’, and TV’s ‘500 Bus Stops’ will be asking the audience on Saturday 22 June.  “His stand up is second to none, his timing is impeccable, and you can practically warm your hands on his good nature “ The Guardian Guide. "Wonderful, wacky, and weird" Radio Times.

Not only will Mr Shuttleworth be appearing live at the festival, but he will also be appearing twice in his film “Southern Softees” on the Saturday of his performance.

To round off a weekend of humour, the festival is proud to include in its programme a cabaret version of its Patron, John Godber’s award winning film play “Bouncers” in which we welcome you to a vision of British Urban Nightlife’. Lucky Eric and the rest of the Bouncers will arrive at the festival on Sunday 23rd  for audiences to spend a night with Baz and the lads, Plain Elaine and, if they are Lucky, Sexy Suzy, along with a host of other characters.  Follow them on their Friday night out , from the hairdressers to the drunken taxi ride home, all under the watchful eyes of the four men in black. Performed by a top-notch cast  “Bouncers” should not to be missed!

Certainly a weekend to smile about!

For further information on the festival go to the festival’s website www.beverleyfestival.com or by call the office on 01377 217569.

Single Event and Weekend Tickets can be obtained on-line from www.beverleyfestival.com

Patrick Monahan                Friday 21 June                    8.00pm                      £12.00

John Shuttleworth             Saturday 22 June               8.00pm                      £16.00

“Southern Softees”           Saturday 22 June               6.00  & 10.00pm      £4.00

“Bouncers”                         Sunday 23 June                 8.00pm                      £12.00

Day tickets available:  Friday  £30 Adults; Conc £27; Saturday/Sunday £45 Adults; £41 Conc

OTHER INFORMATION

Beverley Folk Festival 2013 – 21st June to 23rd June

Weekend tickets:  £98 Adults; Concession £85 and Families £281 - Camping £20 per person for 3 nights – Fri, Sat, Sun

Artists already confirmed for 2013

The Proclaimers • Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes • Oysterband • Gretchen Peters (USA) • Lau  • Steve Forbert (USA) • Ian Rankin • Eduardo Niebla • Sam Carter • Henry Priestman • Curtis Eller (USA) • Megson   John Shuttleworth • Patrick Monahan • Lucy Ward • Allan Yn Y Fan • Blackbeard’s Tea Party • The Young ‘uns  The Whiskey Dogs •  Folkestra •  Eric Brace & Peter Cooper (USA) • Coco and the Butterfields • Will Kaufman  • Edwina Hayes • Farino • Circus Envy •  Chris Cole • The Duncan McFarlane Band 

‘Bouncers’ 

Beverley Folk Festival Patrons

Mike Harding – Broadcaster, singer, songwriter, author, poet & comedian.

John Godber – Olivier Award-winning playwright (Up ‘n' Under, Bouncers, Teechers, etc.), director & lecturer.

Beverley Folk Festival Award Nominations

Shortlisted for ‘Best Family Festival’ Award -  2012 UK Festival Awards

Finalist in the Remarkable Tourism Event Category -  REYTA Awards 2012

Finalist in the Remarkable Tourism Experience/ Event   REYTA Awards 2013

Contact Details

Artistic Director: Chris Wade    Festival Directors: Andrew Mills; Jim Pybus; Matt Snowden; Mike Booth

Festival Office, The Stables, Westwood House, North Dalton, Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO25 9XA

Tel: 01377 217569       Email:  info@beverleyfestival.com      Website:  www.beverleyfestival.com

The hitmaker recently unveiled her plans to release a debut solo album and confessed that she's been working on her own original material for the past three years:

"Before the farewell tour I started putting things into place to make sure I'd be kept busy after we finished. I'm the only Girls Aloud member who hasn't had a real shot at going solo so I want to give that a try. I've been recording and writing material for three years now."

Harding also opened up to OK! magazine about the group's split, adding that Nadine Coyle found it the hardest: "When any band splits it's scary, it feels like you're going through a break up with someone you love. All of a sudden it's like, 'OK, what do I do now?'"

"I think Nadine took it the worst. We had no idea what she was feeling, that's the difference with her."

The hitmaker recently unveiled her plans to release a debut solo album and confessed that she's been working on her own original material for the past three years:

"Before the farewell tour I started putting things into place to make sure I'd be kept busy after we finished. I'm the only Girls Aloud member who hasn't had a real shot at going solo so I want to give that a try. I've been recording and writing material for three years now."

Harding also opened up to OK! magazine about the group's split, adding that Nadine Coyle found it the hardest: "When any band splits it's scary, it feels like you're going through a break up with someone you love. All of a sudden it's like, 'OK, what do I do now?'"

"I think Nadine took it the worst. We had no idea what she was feeling, that's the difference with her."

The Girls Aloud beauty was banned from driving last month after getting caught talking on her mobile phone while driving her Range Rover on April 4 and tried to avoid the restriction by telling the judge that as a famous person it would be difficult and possibly a threat to her safety to use public transport.

Now, during an interview with ITV's 'Daybreak' (May 3) she explained that it has been surprisingly easy to travel around central London via the underground and she can go about her business without too much hassle:

"Public transport is actually a lot easier. I'm not going to lie. Do you know what, whoever said I wasn’t a normal person, I didn’t take the tube – I took the tube about six months ago."

"It’s just travelling in London by car anyway is a nightmare, the traffic in London is a joke. Actually, I was on the tube that day (shown above left) and I thought I'd tweet it to prove to everyone that I can do it. I'm quite an independent girl really."

Referring to the driving ban, Harding added: "I mean if anything it’s raised awareness of how dangerous it can be. People text behind the wheel and they can swerve – they can kill people. And in a way, it has turned around for the better. I can say that to people."

The popular pop group announced their definite break-up earlier this year after touring the UK and Ireland in a farewell trip.

Speaking to ITV's Daybreak, the blonde beauty - who is working on her own material - said that she felt a sense of relief after the band split. She said:

"It's liberating. It's kind of a new chapter and a release, but at the same time you do feel like you're missing a part of you, if that makes sense."

Harding added about her impending solo career: "I'm lucky enough to be able to record at home at the moment, so I've just been getting some great tracks in. I've been writing, just working with loads of different people."

Harding has recently been recording original material for her own debut album and told Now magazine that she hopes to follow in the footsteps of bandmate Cheryl Cole although she can't seem to understand why she became famous in her own right so quickly:

"I reckon it's down to pot luck... Cheryl was lucky and you have to take time into consideration - she was doing The X Factor, which helped to promote her as an individual."

When asked if she would consider a role on a TV talent show if something similar was offered to her, the 'Something New' star added: "If it was a music talent show, then I'd love to."

"Whenever The X Factor is on, I always find myself shouting at the TV: "He shouldn't have been given that song," or "she was flat there." I'm a bit critical, but obviously I would be nice too!"

Watch Harding talk about Girls Aloud here:

The singer has been writing her own material in the wake of Girls Aloud's final split earlier this year following a reunion tour.

Speaking to Star, Harding suggested that she is going for an "edgier pop" sound as she works on her solo tunes. The 'Sound of the Underground' star said:

"Everyone is expecting me to go down a rocky route, but I don't think the fans are quite ready for that! It's like an edgier pop. I love Rihanna's kind of music, with a sort of darker vibe that I can put my spin on."

She continued: "Obviously, there's a lot for me to write about, but I just want to raise some eyebrows and inspire people. I put that on Twitter the other day."

During an interview with BBC's Newsbeat, the songstress explained that she has a lot of inspiration from the world around her so can't wait to get things moving with her own project:

"I've been doing a lot of writing recently. I've got quite a lot to write about. I'm really looking forward to showing people what I've got."

When asked about the musical direction of her solo material, Harding confessed: "Again, I have a very eclectic taste in music, so for me it's about finding a direction - which I now seem to be doing quite well," she said. "I'm excited for the future and nervous."

On April 14, Harding posted a message via her official Twitter account and told her followers that she was in the studio creating new songs: "Gotta hit da studio hopefully write some hits for y'all!!!"

Watch footage from Girls Aloud's final group interview here:

The Girls Aloud singer picked up the punishment today (April 16) after pleading guilty to driving whilst using a mobile phone on April 4.

She has also been fined £500 and was ordered to pay £105 in other costs as the Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court made their verdict.

Harding, who already had nine points on her licence for speeding tickets, was seen making a phone call whilst driving in central London earlier this month.

Her lawyer argued that she was lost after finishing up a business meeting.

Harding said in a statement after her verdict: "Too many people use their mobile phone whilst driving and think its acceptable. It is not. Every year people die or are seriously injured because they were distracted making that 'oh so important call'. Mobile phones are a convenient tool for modern life but they must be used safely. I made a mistake by using my phone whilst driving, but I was lucky. I accept the courts penalty but it could have been a lot worse. I have learned my lesson."

The pop group recently called it a day for good after completing their 10th anniversary reunion tour.

Speaking to LOOK magazine, Harding said that in the band, she and Nadine Coyle were the most interested in vocals and music, suggesting that the other members were more keen on other aspects. She said:

"Me and Nadine are more music-orientated – more vocals – and the other three are more about dancing. I'd put my foot down about the music side of things. Nicola was more about the clothes. Choreography is Cheryl's forte. When there's five of you, it's difficult to have a say in everything. I'm looking forward to having more control."

The 'Sound of the Underground' star also touched on Nadine Coyle's recent revelation that she wanted Girls Aloud to continue. Harding said:

"I was unaware she even felt like that. At no point did she try and stop us, so you'd have to ask her why she did that."

Writing on the social networking site this afternoon, the 'Sound of the Underground' songstress told her followers to "be strong": "#bestrong We have all shared the happiest days of our lives. We've laughed, we've cried and we've all grown together as a family...."

"You all mean so much to me and you have given me the dream, I thank you all so much more than u will ever truly know... Now is the start of a new, amazing journey and who knows what the future will bring?!But i love you all and always will plz never forget it!"

Irish beauty Nadine Coyle also weighed in on Girls Aloud's decision to call it a day, but told her fans that she didn't want it to end like this and tried to encourage a different outcome from the rest of the ladies:

"You should know by now I had no part in any of this split business. I couldn't stop them. I had the best time & want to keep going. Xxxx"

Watch the girls perform 'The Promise' from last night's concert here:

The blonde star found fame in Girls Aloud a decade ago alongside Cheryl Cole, Kimberley Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Nadine Coyle.

The five-piece experienced popularity from a young age like the One Direction boys - Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson.

Harding has now given the heartthrobs some words of advice, explaining: “It’s a rollercoaster. There will be ups and downs — you just have to accept that and ride it. I worry that bands like One Direction get so much success so young. I’d hate to see them start believing their own hype and becoming cocky and arrogant.

“They’re only teenagers but they’re getting tattoos and I’m thinking, ‘Bloody hell!’"

Harding added that she understands the hysteria surrounding the hunks though.

She added in an interview with The Sun: “They’re all too young for me to be fancying any of them, but I can respect why girls do.”