Cliff Richard at Walcot Hall: Star and fans are wired for sound - with pictures
He famously sang "You're going to find me out in the county," and that's just where he was – in the Shropshire countryside for one of the region's most anticipated gigs of the year.
Sir Cliff Richard triumphantly took to the stage in the picturesque grounds of Walcot Hall, in the tiny village of Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle.
And the Peter Pan of Pop seemed rejuvenated once more, playing songs from right at the start of his career as well those of his contemporaries at the time, alongside many of his later hits from his nearly 60-year career.
Thousands of Cliff fans came from all over Shropshire and Mid Wales and beyond to welcome him back with open arms on the tour that was announced as a come back.
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But the mood was celebratory at the Shropshire stately home as Cliff reminded the audience why he is one of the nation's most beloved, and longest serving, pop stars.
He's been the British Elvis, a Bachelor Boy, the Peter Pan of Pop and Wired For Sound – and yesterday thousands poured into the grounds of a Shropshire stately home to see the living legend that is Cliff Richard come to town.
Or more accurately the village, as he was playing at Walcot Hall in the tiny Lydbury North, near Bishop's Castle.
The more remote location – once the home of Clive of India and more commonly used as a wedding venue – did not put the crowds off and made for a stunning backdrop for the 76-year-old's comeback tour.
A forecast thunderstorm in the early evening luckily held off as support act Collabo, winners of 2014's Britain's Got Talent, started proceedings with versions of West End show tunes echoing Alfie Boe and Michael Ball's set the night before at the same venue.
Sir Cliff himself then delivered a rousing set that returned to his roots ink golden era of rock ‘n’ roll, performing his own early hits along with those of his contemporaries.
He is touring his latest album Just… Fabulous Rock n Roll, but also took time to include hits from across all decades including Miss You Nights, Devil Woman and We Don't Talk Anymore.
As the hot and sticky afternoon gave way to a balmy evening, there was a lazy summer holiday feel to event, with many concert goers setting up picnics by the lake in the picturesque grounds before even getting through the gates to the stage itself.
Among them were Tony and Jane Head from Alveley.
Jane, 64, said: "I saw he was playing in the Shropshire Star, just flicking though. I booked this and then saw that Michael Ball was here too the night before – I'd have liked to have seen both but you can't do two in a row.
Tony, a 65-year-old potato merchant, added: "Basically, we've never seen Cliff live so we thought this was a good opportunity – to see him in Shropshire within an hour's drive. It's just a lovely setting and it seems very well organised. Though we heard that last night one couple took an hour to get out, so we've packed more sandwiches for later!"
Some had come from much further a field. Paul Dyer and his partner Matt Berridge had come all the way from New Zealand, where Paul runs an internet radio station devoted to the Peter Pan of Pop.
Paul, 33, who works in retail, said it was just a hobby, but took a full day every week to set up play lists from Cliff's 102 albums.
He said: "It plays nothing but Cliff 24/7 and goes worldwide. It took about a year to set up and I've been doing it for about four years.
"We've come over for the gigs, we came over at the beginning of June, we started in Denmark, and we're going back on Saturday. We've seen four shows altogether.
"It's good to see him back doing what he does best – rock n roll."
For some it was a doubly special occasion. Gill and Clive Saunders had come from Minsterley in a stretch limo, clutching a Cliff birthday card that sang when opened.
Gill, 61, said it was a birthday present from her daughter Kelly Abbotts. They were there with friends Jan and Les Homewood from Bishop's Castle who had also been to see Alfie Boe and Michael Ball the night before.
Jan, a 63-year-old carer, said: "It's just wonderful. Why travel to Birmingham when you've got this on your doorstep?
"I've been to weddings here before but you normally go around the other side, you never come down here."
She added that the four of them had just come back from Barbados where they drove past Cliff's house.
"Talk about a summer holiday!" she said.
Also returned from Barbados were Mark and Rhian Phillips who had met Cliff and got him to send a birthday message to their friend Cherry Leishman. All three, from Aberystwyth, were there with friends – one of which looked very familiar, if a little two-dimensional.
Cherry was carrying a life-sized card board cut out of Cliff, given to her to celebrate her 70th.
"My friends have been just wonderful, getting me the most fantastic birthday present," she said.
For some it as not the first time they had seen Cliff this tour.
Karen Likeman, from near Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire, had already seen the show at Eastnor Castle near her home, on Saturday.
Karen, a 49-year-old book keeper, said: "When I was booking tickets I had two windows up and also managed to get good seats in Shropshire, and I thought why not go twice? Let's do it."
It also meant she could go with her friend of 30 years, Leda Tustin, a self employed business woman from Market Drayton.
Leda, 48, said: "I've been to see him at least 10 times but Karen's been more than me, at least 30.
"There is not another live performer as good, even at 76.
"Everyone knows Cliff Richard songs, and more than they realise.
"I reckon those songs are in our DNA now," she said.
