England: Bridport & Portsmouth, Brits Rock!
Welcome to the land of Music
My childhood playground, Bridport, Dorset
Hello mate!
Yes, Im an English rose living in Los Angeles. As a tribute to the beautiful green countryside I grew up in,
Bridport in Dorset, and Portsmouth (Pompey) in Hampshire, I decided to create this page. Enjoy the history
and the anecedotes. England may be smaller than the state of Texas but, what a powerful Island she is. The
people and history are legendary. So... here goes, the best of the best, my favourites.I dedicate this page, to my entire family, who have all remained loyal Brits. The Courtneys are a tribe of
amazing artists, musicians, entertainers, athletes, psychics, healers and horsemen. Their legacy has been
passed down to the fabulous new generation of kids. We go back in time to the court of Henry VIII, and
yes we have our own coat of arms. We are actually one of the oldest familys in Europe. We have ancestors
who were knights at the Battle of Agincourt and we were once eighth in line to the throne. Our family seat
is Powderham Castle in Devon.
Nick, my brother, is a musician, entrepeneur, cordon bleu chef and one of the funniest natural
comedians I've ever met. His shop in Portsmouth Sweet Memories sells and trades thousands
of rare vinyl records all over the world. He also has stuff like John Lennons original artwork.
Stop in and say "Hi!"
Denise (his beautiful wife), is an artist and web designer, mother of four, Sam, Sarah, Sian and Jack.
She and Nick have the happiest and most wonderful loving family I know. I call them "The Von Trapps"!
Music Legends:
Britain rocks, we have the greatest musicians in the world!
Sting
Born Newcastle-Upon Tyne, Libra.
A bloody genius and fine actor. Watch "Brimstone and Treacle".
Sarah Brightman. The voice of an angel. A Leo who got noticed in 'Hot Gossip'.
David Bowie. Born in Brixton, same day as Elvis, Capricorn.
Awesome performer and singer. He married Iman, his true soulmate.
An enigma and acclaimed actor. See "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence".
Phil Collins. Born in Chiswick, Aquarius.
Yeah Phil! Congrats on the Grammy. England rules yet again! Smashing.
The Rolling Stones
My Dad grew up around The Stones. This story is for him. Unknown to many, there was a sixth stone we
called Stu. Ian Stewart was one of my Dads best mates. He once asked my Dad to audition with him in
London for drummer in a new band...The Rolling Stones. My Dad didn't go but Stu did and was hired as
Road Manager and Keyboard player. Stu never really wanted to be in the limelight and played piano behind
the curtains because his hair was short and different to the rest of the band. Stu was part of The Stones until
he died. I last saw Stu with my Dad in a Bridport pub on Boxing Day, after the traditional Fox & Hounds hunt.
Stu once surprised my Dad with a special concert to him with Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts.
Mick Jagger (Born in Dartford, Leo), used to hang out with Marianne Faithful in a little village
called Corscombe at the home of the parents of the now famous PJ Harvey.
(No more info mates, it's private).Sir Elton John. Born in Pinner, Aries. Humanitarian. What a tribute to Di he gave.
Robbie Williams "Thanks MTV for my 3 houses, 5 cars and supermodel girlfriend. Live the dream!"
John Lennon. Born in Liverpool, Libra.
"Imagine all the people, living life in peace, You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one".
Queen...LEGENDARY Champions of music.
Eric Clapton. Born in Ripley, Aries.
PJ Harvey Born in Yeovil, Libra.
I played with Polly when she was a little girl living in the Dorset countryside.
Her parents, Ray and Eva, are lifelong mates of my Dad.
Legendary Male Actors:
Some of the BEST actors in the world today, are British!
Oliver Reed, Aquarius. My FAVOURITE actor and oh what a MAN he was!
Go see his last role as Proximo In Gladiator
Richard Harris, also in 'Gladiator', died a few days before my Dad November 8th 2002.
All three men will be missed terribly, but their work will live on.
Terrence Stamp. Wow! What a superb actor.
Michael Caine. Born in London, Pisces. A living legend. Received an Oscar for "Cidar House Rules."
Gary Oldman. Born in London, Aries. Watch "Sid and Nancy", true English story of Sid Vicious.
Alan Rickman - I used to be an actress and you can see me for five seconds in "Judas Kiss" with this amazing actor and director.
He's also in the J.K Rowling Harry Potter Movies
Daniel Day-Lewis. Born in London, Taurus.
Jude Law. Born in London, Capricorn. Handsome and brilliant.
Joseph Fiennes. Born in Salisbury, Gemini. Watch "Shakespeare In Love" and "Elizabeth".
Rupert Everett. Born in Norfolk, Gemini, cool actor.
Hugh Grant. He is a terrific fun actor and a great guy from London, Virgo.
Legendary Female Actors:
Our ladies have natural beauty, class, sophistication and style.
Helena Bonham Carter. Born in London, Gemini. Beautiful, talented and FUNNY lady.
Kate Winslett. Born in Reading, Libra. World famous for "The Titanic".
Supporting actress in Jane Austins "Sense And Sensibility".
Emma Thompson. Born in London, Aries. Married to Kenneth Branagh,
brilliant Shakespearean director and actor.
Emily Watson. Born in London, Capricorn. See her in "Hilary and Jackie", based on true English story.
Julie Christie. "Far From The Madding Crowd", filmed in Dorset (read Thomas Hardy below)
English Directors:
Brilliant, intelligent and unforgettable work.
Ridley Scott. Born in Northumberland, Sagittarius.
Legendary movies: Blade Runner (awesome), Alien, Thelma and Louise and Gladiator
Sir Richard Attenborough.
Huge body of work as director and actor, including these English films:
Elizabeth, Grey Owl, Gandhi, Young Winston, The Great Escape, The Battle Of Britain, Chaplin.Great British Films:
Oliver, Chariots Of Fire, The Dambusters.
The Full Monty
The Railway Children
Tess, stunningly beautiful, filmed in Dorset with Nastasia Kinski.
Clockwork Orange with Malcolm McDowell, a Gemini from Leeds.
Hiarious Snatch. Heart warming and inspiring Billy Elliott.
Peter at one time lived and worked at Hooke boarding school for outrageous, out of control boys in the
heart of Dorset, near Beaminster, run by Fransciscan Monks. In the chapel on the wall was his famous
painting of "The Last Supper." Peter died in 2000 and will be terribly missed by many, many people.
He was buried by The Franciscan Monks at Hilfield Friary. A great honour for a very special man.
English Food? Marmite!
I buy it here in LA at a place called The Friar Tuck Shoppe (Van Nuys 818/785-4814).
I love vegemite too. If your not a Brit or an Aussie, you will hate it. Turkish Delight,
Shepards Pie, curry, cornish pasties, bangers & mash, roast beef with horseradish. Ribena.
Devonshire cream and strawberry jam...to die for!
My Five Fantastic Cousins - I love you all so very much:
Pete is a superb lead guitarist. He plays on the sound track of 'Pearl Harbor', a version released
in Japan, and hit #1. Tina a very beautiful soul, artist and amazing mother of three, Ben, Danny
and Pete. Claire is a mother to pretty Zoe. Kevin, is an outstanding marathon runner and Paul
is a father and huge fan of 'The Sweet' who he has jammed with.Sports:
RUGBY A sport for REAL men only! (American football players take note)
Soccer Manchester United still rules. (Remember Georgie Best?)
David Beckham? He can't talk but he can play - just ask Victoria Posh Spice, his beautiful, bratty wife.
Wimbledon Go at least once and see the best tennis in the world.
Boxing - The once legend Prince Naseem - Entertainer and boxer extraordinaire... with a sad ending.
And... Lennox Lewis - Heavyweight Champion of the World.
World Famous:
Royal Ballet School
The highest standards of excellence in the world. I trained for years but NEVER was worthy
enough to go here. My classmate Paula Roundtree was accepted.
Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art.
The foremost acting training program in the world. My plan was to audition after college,
but I went to the USA instead and worked on over 500 Hollywood films.
Yes... I had the time of my life over a seven year period and i've made incredible friends for life
(some famous but its classless to mention names, so just guess away!)
Married as teenagers, devoted to each other and departed to heaven within a week of one another.
Soulmates forever. Nanna, a most fantastic cook and gardener. Grandad, a brilliant mind.
Both were champion lawn bowlers. My great grandfather James Reed Rickard was an
inventor and invented the tandem, the bicycle for two.Ledgends of the UK:
Thomas Hardy, the famous novelist, from Dorchester, near Bridport. This site includes beautiful photos
of Dorset countryside, locations from the movies of his books, with history on the writer and all his works.
Richard Branson OUTSTANDING! Virgin rocks! Fly Virgin, one of the very BEST airlines in the world -
the staff will go out of their way to accomodate your needs. (Forget Virgin trains - I've heard they suck)
Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, Princess Diana,
Lord Louis Mountbattan, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Elizabeth I, Shakespeare
Charles Dickens - Born in Portsmouth
Sir Alec Rose:
I remember the triumphant parade in the streets of Southsea after he sailed around the world alone.
A grocer from Southsea. Dreams DO come true.
Harbour Lights was a popular TV show in England filmed on location in West Bay
with handsome Nick Berry. A very famous person lives here, but I'm not telling who!TV Land:
Honorable mention to Crossroads and Coronation Street, but the crown goes to The Eastenders
Ruling all time champions are Upstairs Downstairs.
My mum, a beautiful lady inside and out, a wonderful therapist and an cool healer.
She was a devotee to Sai Baba, is a world traveller, the UK's #1 Chi Machine distributor
and is available for Reiki and alternative healing in Portsmouth.
My Dad, a local Pompey lad, HUGELY charismatic, a wonderful photographer and musician,
on the cover of his CD above. My Dad passed on, November 8th 2002. He had his own
popular nightclub and a band "The Rhythm Roots & Blues Road Show". My brother Nick is
continuing this club because my Dad touched and changed so many lives by his music, and the
inspiration he gave new and upcoming musicians and singers. Call Nick for info: 023 92 837730
FANTASTIC night out - go on, get up there and sing your heart out!
Peter Sellers was born in Southsea. The Pink Panther movies are classic.
"Tommy" was filmed in Southsea, Hayling Island & The Kings Theatre. Lots of my friends
were background for fun. The pier mysteriously burnt down and they suspect that it was
deliberate for movie scenes!To the boys of St. Johns College, my international friends, you all rocked my world - Especially
Javier and Tony. Mark from Farnham, my insane and wild friend - now a Detective Chief Inspector
...WOW! Hi out there... (FYI: Alex and Andrew now live in Southampton)Portsmouth
is home to The Queens Royal Navy from where they sailed into the battle of the Falkland Isles.
It is a really historical city with more pubs than any other city in England!
The Mary Tudor Rose was discovered by Prince Charles off Southsea shore. Henry VIII watched it
sink from Southsea Castle. Both ships are living history museums. FYI: My Dad played and sang
onboard The Victory three times.For those of you who are starstruck (get OVER it!), apparently Arnold Schwartzeniger lived in
Portsmouth for a time and was seen frequently at one of the local gyms. Yes i've worked with him
- He is very intelligent and quite funny. His political bent is corrupt - a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Mandy, Christine, Judith, Karen, Paula, Kay, Nikki, Susan, Linda, Melanie,
Debra, Marion,
Pauline, Julia, Elizabeth...I would LOVE to hear from you. Hey try
this... Friends Reunited
Do you remember the sexy history teacher?
Outing to the Isle Of Wight.
Famous English Models:
Twiggy Growing up, I was compared to Twiggy frequently, famous model turned actress.
Elizabeth Hurley. Born in Basingstoke, Gemini, Actress and Model.
She is one of the most beautiful, sexiest women in the world. Wanna laugh?
Rent "Austin Powers", yeah baby, yeah!
Kate Moss. Born in London, Capricorn.
British Comedy:
The Brits have notorious humour and here are examples why
All the Carry On... films.
Monty Python, Benny Hill, The Goons, The Belles Of St. Trinians...
John Cleese - Fawlty Towers is hysterical. Best episode? Hmmm....When the kitchen is on
fire and Manuel loses his mind...yes, it's definetly 'The Germans' episode. Only a Brit would
understand our humor towards WWII - the Yanks and the Jews need to bloody well lighten up!
Tracey Ullman. Born in Slough, Capricorn - You go girl!
She told me on a set in Hollywood, she still buys her undies at Marks and Sparks.
Michael Crawford. Born in Salisbury, Capricorn. "Some Mothers Do 'Ave' Em". Thank God she had him.
What a talented man. From comedy to "Phantom Of The Opera", I saw him and Sarah Brightman
perform In LA...WOW!
I spent many fantastic weekends on this beautiful island, famous for Queen Victorias home,
Osborne House and Cowes, where the best of the best sail. Southampton is just a short
trip away down The Solent, famous for the QE2 and from where the Titanic set sail.
The QE2 is now retired and is docked permanently in Dubai.
Hessam, Dior, Arash... 18 years old. One is in London, one in Pompey and one in California.
Arash is the computer genius, Hessam, drop dead gorgeous and Dior, the comedian, loves
exotic cars, models and music. The best of mates... All way more handsome in person
Update summer 2010: Two are about to become fathers!
British Cars:
The unstoppable Mini, the rugged Landrover, the classic Jaguar, the Rolls Royce and THE
most expensive and fastest car in the world... ONE MILLION DOLLARS, only 100 made,
the McLaren F1
RULE BRITANNIA!
