This blog does not imply that the new current management of Sheene Mill are to blame for my losses incurred or that they would operate in a similar manner as stated below.

I was booked to perform a Special Event Christmas Celebration on the 20th December 2008 for an agreed fee of £700.00 by Ruth Haste an employee and agent for Sheene Mill Ltd. My fee was paid directly to the company by the three corporate companies that I entertained. However the money did not get paid to me and the company Sheene Mill Ltd was liquidated early in 2009.

Ruth continued to work for a period thereafter and promises were made regarding payment, however nothing was ever forthcoming. In hind sight I now see that there was no intention I would ever be paid for my services.

It is a sad fact that my £700 was buried in corporate law and the liquidation of that Ltd Company. In part I should own that portion of goods and chattels that were sold on.

One thing is for sure, my fee should have been accounted for as preferential when the company was wound up and that my funds did not at any time belong to Sheene Mill Ltd who should have simply been holding onto the funds and paid me when my job was done.

So as a warning to other entertainers. If your contract is to receive and collect your wage at the end of the night. Do so or you may get stitched up as I did.

Paul-Hayden has recently paid some surprise visits to a number of locations in the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire area for the sole purpose of raising awareness to old age care and Alzheimer’s.

At one secret location in Stevenage Paul entertained a very mature lady who is currently very unwell to say the least. The secret performance was a birthday treat on behalf of Andrea for her mother Hilda who is house bound. Because of this it took place in Hilda’s lounge at home. Andrea and Hilda said they were absolutely thrilled that Paul-Hayden of The British Rat Pack carried out such a strange request. It made my mums day so special and one to always remember.

At another location in Luton Paul-Hayden arrived at the Houghton Regis Day Centre giving an impromptu relaxed performance of Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Sammy and Dean. Aka The Rat Pack.

I much admit these are very different by comparison to the large theatres and corporate functions I’ve performed at said Paul. It is quite rewarding and what can only be described as miraculous to see the effect swing music had on the visitors at the centre. I think I will carry on with more surprise visits between the night sessions as it’s really nice to give something back to those who have contributed so much to society in their life times.

There you have it. Paul has informed us that he will carry on the good work.

Site administrator.

Hi it’s been a while so here is an announcement.

The Album is of varied genre written or orchestrated and produced by myself i.e. The Album contains many styles; Easy Listening, Ballad, Rock, New Age, Commercial Pop and Reggae, Electronic and Disco. Which is great as you can pick and choose any single track that like from the whole album.

The History album is very different to anything I usually perform live, in fact I would say it is nothing like any of my live work which is usually covers soul, reggae and swing though I can make comparisons to The Swan Collective an original act that I work with and produce and whom also won Britain’s Best Unsigned act in 2008.

Included on the album are three tracks I made and produced in collaboration with some old friends. Two easy listening tracks, (Lady Lady) and (If you can’t come home), which is about runaways with Jo 90 and One track (I want you) which is classic disco dance groove with Andy Groom and friends. The rest of the album is all solo written and orchestrated by myself. 

The reason for making this available was because of popular demand. Having suffered the loss of my home and livelihood when an adjacent land owner builder flattened my building (which is another story altogether) and having been burgled twice, I have lost or had stolen about two thirds of my own original music material. The History album is compiled with all that remains from 1987 and because everyone that heard the tracks including the kids told me to make it available to the public. Producing History and making it for sale also safeguards having it stolen like the rest of my stuff. 

Anyway!, the History album goes live on the 12th May 2009 so search Paul-Hayden at any of the above i.e. Itunes Napster ect and be pleasantly surprised.

Hi, I’ve a few really great gigs coming up with The British Rat Pack that are open to the public. As you may know most of my work is for corporate hospitality and the like which includes a few private parties. However the guys and I in the The British Rat Pack have a couple of dates coming up this month of November that are open to the public.

On the 9th of November we’re out with Paul Drakeley and his All Star Swing Orchestra. It’s a great big band gig being hosted at The Barn Music Venue in Brookvale Road, Witton, Birmingham B6 7AJ. I understand that there is a small admission fee though well worth it! Where do you get the chance to see live music and musicians of this high standard. They are absolutely fantastic and the guys in the British Rat Pack are pretty cool too. Though very funny I hope Black Elvis (aka Clayton Stevens doesn’t make another appearance as he did on one of our Blackpool Shows. Tony Riccardo and I are still laughing at that one as it went right over one critics head who simply didn’t see the funny side. Hee hee). . Anyway I’m looking forward to to this one it’s going to be a great night out singing with the guys.

The British Rat Pack are also starring in a Spectacular Variety Show called “A BIG ‘KNIGHT’ OUT”. This is being hosted at the Guild Hall Music Venue in Preston up in the north west of the country on the 23rd November 2008. The British Rat Pack will be singing with Paul Drakeley and his All Star Swing Orchestra. This fantastic show includes Frank Carson, Cannon and Ball, Katherine Kelly of Coronation Street. Ti Aero, Stephen Baylis, Rob MacVeigh and The Cheeky Monkeys.

Wow what a star studded line up. I know I’m going to be in hysterics and I’m looking forward to this one as I’ve never performed with so many celebrities under one roof. It’s going to feel a bit like The Royal Variety Performance.

Tickets for the variety night can be obtained from;
https://preston.seatemwebservices.com/EventSeatBlock.aspx

While details of both events can also be found at;
www.gig-guide.co.uk

Well it seems as though the cat is out of the bag as details of the British Rat Pack stunts for the weekend have been disclosed over the net by a person or persons unknown. The following information was leaked only hours after The British Rat Pack offer their support to the North Pier Shows, Blackpool promotions and British Legion Poppy Appeal

The British Rat Pack were flying into Blackpool for more crazy stunts and a number of impromptu performances which included a short show promoting the launch of the Poppy Appeal hosted at the British Legion Club in King Street 

An un named source revealed a string of events planned regarding a surprise visit by the Rat pack boys and the impromptu performances for this coming weekend.

For more details of this leak visit; http://www.britishratpack.com/blog/

You can see from recent additions to the Paul-Hayden news blog that things are really hotting up prior to Christmas.

Along with my fellow swingers of The British Rat Pack we have been up to more mischief with impromptu stunt appearances that have been legally borderline though not illegal.

We’ve been involved in many stunts that have received to a great deal of coverage from the radio and press.

We have gained respect as one of the top Rat Pack swing acts in the United Kingdom. Thanks for that though we do intend to add our own repertoire and new song releases “as time goes by” if you’ll forgive the pun.

Our intent is far more than a tribute to The Rat Pack as we will evolve eventually with some original material.

British Rat Packs posters have been placed in almost every hotel and shop window through out Blackpool such is the following and impact these guys have made. The British Rat Pack are up in lights across the entrance to the North Pier and even on the bus stops along the promenade.

Blackpool restaurants, radio and press are plugging this amazing show which will soon be raising the roof off many theatres across the United Kingdom.

The advertised Rat Pack shows also feature Paul Drakeley and his All Star Swing Orchestra who are backing the Rat Pack guys and whose musicians have worked with the Michael Parkinson big band and the ted Heath Swing Orchestra.

“The British Rat Pack are absolutely fantastic and their show is even more spectacular when working with Paul Drakeley and his All Star Swing Orchestra. They always have their audience grooving in their seats and dancing in the isles. Some of the tour dates for the New Year have already sold out and we are still receiving booking enquiries. These guys are going to be huge!”

Television celebrities Frank Carson, Joe Longthorne, Billy Pierce, Mick Miller and a host of comedians were given a real treat as The British Rat Pack performed live at their after show party.

Organisers and party goes heard that The Rat Pack trio were in town and asked if the guys would perform at the after show party.

The British Rat Pack gave a relaxing and hilarious lounge set as the star studded guests chilled out after the show. In the break stunning hostesses Kirsty Nuttall, Claire Sharples and Laura Bamforth all rushed to have this photo taken before the lively second set kicked in. 
 
     

Tony Riccardo said “Tonight’s performance is for the VIP guests to relax and true to Al Jolson. You ain’t seen nothing yet”!

“We’re still working on the British Rat Pack show spectacular deciding what to keep in and what to take out”. Meanwhile tickets for The British Rat Packs “Great Songs Last Forever” mega show were selling fast.