The Phoenix Theatre London Plaque, written by Sharron
This is the story of how the Phoenix Theatre London Plaque came to fruition.
In May 2018 , Sharron wondered if it would be possible to create a memorial in David’s memory through her Great Britain Group.
So she posted to her group to ask if anyone thought there should be a memorial or tribute for David in the UK .
Sharron asked which theatre David played in Blood Brothers Tracey Wright said the Phoenix Theatre , Gillian Priestley agreed. Sharron wasted no time and immediately wrote to the theatre . On the 1st May 2018 Ross Williams from the theatre replied that they would love to have David’s plaque at the theatre . With permission granted from the theatre that was all that was required to have a plaque at the theatre for David .
Sharron immediately enlisted the help of 7 other ladies that she knew as fans to help her with it all . Camillia Hoare, Anita O’Neil, Gillian Priestly, Tracey Wright , Maggie Thornley, Josie Knox, Jayne Parker .
Sharron started the fundraiser in the hope fans would like to be a part of this amazing tribute for David .
Sharron made contact with Danny Bonaduce , Craig Snider and Teri Cote and they kindly sent her video messages of support to be shown at the event and to share to fans that couldn’t attend the event on social media.
The momentum was building and the plaque funds went over £1,000 so it was decided to purchase the plaque with permission from the theatre .
As the theatre is a listed building in the U.K. there were requirements for a suitable, weather proof plaque , the wording and the location of the plaque had also to be agreed with the theatre.
The wording on the plaque was agreed with the committee .
I should say now that it wouldn’t be possible to contact and debate with every fan to decide on wording etc and that decision had to come from the committee at the time of organising it.
After agreement from all parties the plaque was made.
Sharron contacted Helen Foreman-Tapley of CR6 Magazine to do a write up in her magazine, she very kindly attended the event with a photographer.
Sharron also contacted various other newspapers and magazines including Kathryn Spencer who wrote a small article for the express.
Camellia had contact with Marlene Habibe to forward her story of the plaque event for Marlene's first book ., Crazy Over You in Saratoga.
We jointly agreed to donate any remaining funds to Dementia U.K. in David's honour .
Sharron managed the fundraiser page and the Plaque Page and still runs it now with a couple of Admins.
Sharron then contacted , through a third party , Clodagh Rodgers and she sent her a program from Clodaghs time in Blood Brothers .
Jayne Parker visited the Bristol Hippodrome to meet the staff and get videos and photos for us all to share .
Sharron then made contact with Petula Clark who was more than happy to send us a video to share with fans .
We were very grateful to Mr Ross Williams for his support and assistance and Sharron communicated with Ross regularly and shared all updates with the committee daily .
Sharron also created and put together a program of the event and a presentation with speeches and purchased a microphone to help with the event.
Sharron created and recorded her own dedication of videos to play at the event and to share on social media.
Jointly we agreed who would do the readings at the event and that to make things look nice at the theatre, we would decorate with some roses , first red roses were suggested and then later , Camellia suggested yellow roses . Camellia told us that apparently David loved yellow roses and we all agreed they would look lovely .
The yellow roses being a symbol of friendship would be a perfect addition to the day and we’d hand them out as a brooch pin to everyone as a symbol of our friendship.
( unbeknown to the committee there was to be an announcement at the event of a Yellow Rose memorial)
A memorial book was purchased by Gillian Priestley for fans to sign on the day.
Everything was coming together and working as a team we all contributed to the gifts and decorations for the event day .
The fundraiser was ended and the totals were in and a date was agreed with the theatre for the unveiling
Sharron then enlisted the support of Dementia U.K. and she arranged a representative to collect a cheque for over £700 at the event .
We also organised a raffle which Tracey and Anita helped with and donating to the prizes ourselves , everyone on the committee were so very generous with their donations and together we raised over £200 to Mind Charity in the U.K. .
Josie Knox and Maggie Ann looked after the entrance to the event and gave out the gifts on arrival.
Sharron’s husband Ken took control of the DVD’s at the event , having put them together for us.
Camellia's husband Lawrence, took the videos at the event for us as there was no WiFi to do a live feed .
Sadly , later that day we were told by Camellia that we had to have our speeches videoed again as we were told the videos hadn’t come out properly.
Sadly , Clodagh couldn’t make it to London due to other commitments which was a blow but we had to move forward.
The event page was set up and as the numbers of attendees increased we realised that we had to end it early as the venue for the event was small and the theatre was concerned about safety ect.
In August 2018 , Camellia and/or Sian Williams recieved an email from Beau Cassidy to share with David’s fans , thanking everyone for what had been done for his father .
Camellia sent me the video via email so I could create a dvd to share at the event .
Camellia also received messages from Jerry Belinsky and Gary Contessa and a letter of support from Society of London Theatres also in August.
My friend, Maggs Gibson Daly was the lady that contacted Mike Read and persuaded him to help us with the unveiling.
We were all very grateful and honoured to have him unveil the plaque as he knew David well and had met him on lots of occasions and only had good things to say about David . He is also the chairman of the Blue Plaque Society in the U.K. and a radio /tv presenter and author.
(on the pic - Mike Read, Anita O'Neil and Sharron)
Sharron then liaised with Mike on a regular basis whom was always very helpful and responsive.
Camellia /Sian also had a message from Chip Deffaa the day before the event .
Everything went really well and the whole day was so special.
We all felt the love and light .
It was emotional and something none of us will ever forget ....
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL32LmoafzB_G7fO3C87mCf5WRvXOpALI9
ReplyDeleteDavid Cassidy Phoenix Theatre Plaque Event Videod
This is the video playlist of the days events . This account of Sharron is inaccurate and not based on facts . You should print accurate accounts of the day and whose idea the plaque was, and include photos of all the committee and those involved not just Sharron and her friends .
ReplyDeleteHi Maria
DeleteWould you please tell me which part of my account is not factually accurate.
Sharron Liddle
Shocking and sickening that she saw fit to remove the original plaque without fans knowledge, permission or Beau’s approval . She replaced the plaque and bought a new one omitting the King of Hearts tagline. It was done in deceitfully and hoping no fans would notice the difference only when challenged publicly did she admit what she and her new committee did to fans
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/1888826741181387/posts/4573049599425741/?d=n
DeletePlease check your facts before you make any further comments
DeleteYou are completely incorrect
Wow Maria! Someone must have led you up the garden path, to feel you are in a position to make such a statement as a third party 😱
DeleteYou were not even part of the committee you know nothing
Delete🥱
DeleteAs an original admin I was part of the original plaque committee. Sharron wanted to do something other than post pretty pictures in group to honour David’s memory in spring 2018 and decided on seeing if a plaque could be installed at a theatre David starred in the Phoenix responded. A select committee was formed of members in group non of us had met at this point and a fundraiser was opened in group to raise the funds. The plaque is the property of the theatre not the fans we replaced it without the tag line when the theatre became aware of copyright issues and said that we must remove the tag line or they would remove the plaque altogether their property so we agreed that it was better to have a plaque for fans to visit than non at all we did it quietly not to make a big deal of it but to satisfy the theatre who wanted no part of any issues surrounding the plaque and the theatre.
ReplyDeleteIt’s so sad to see that this has to be continually raised Tracey by people who say they hold his Legacy dear but do nothing but put it into continuous disrepute and in turn threaten its position at the theatre! 🥲
DeleteYep unbelievable this is still going on 3 years later time to get over it for some people m.
DeleteNo copyright issues were involved that is your dishonesty in removing it . If the plaque is the theatres stop saying it’s the fans plaque get your facts straight
ReplyDeleteAs Pauline says they arose after the event the plaque belongs to the theatre and they weren’t happy you know nothing you were not apart of it.
DeleteAs for Pauline she wasn’t on the committee she knows nothing . As for the remaining committee you follow the leaders narrative .
ReplyDeleteMaybe not Maria and neither were you! 😉
DeleteCopyright issues were created after the COMMITTEE disbanded!
DeleteThe plaque donated by the fans to the theatre to display in memory of David Cassidy, becoming their property 😉
Good evening, this is me, Weronika writing..I don't know what to say, only that today 45 months passed since David Cassidy has gone forever. I don't mind this discussion, but think about David..and what he would have thought about it. Have a nice evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you Weronika at the end of the day that is what is important David and David only.
DeletePoint taken Weronika 😉 was just clarifying the accusation x
ReplyDeleteA legacy of Lies Deceit and dishonesty to David and his family
ReplyDelete