Vincent's Description of his life and hobbies...

"Many people believe that performers of classical music in public are bound to be temperamental and snobbish. This is certainly not the case with me, and after a humble childhood, it would be virtually impossible and rather silly to be anything but down to earth. Although great music is naturally my number one love, family life, good health and beautiful places go hand in hand with the music.

Great music is a total reflection of life with its numerous different emotions, and the same emotions can be expressed through music. It is important to remember that many of the greatest composers were humble in the extreme, some of them coming from very poor families.

HOBBIES

Obviously world travel has been a source of great interest, and some of the places I have visited can be seen in a few of my modest photographs.

One aspect of travelling abroad has been a renewed love of all things English, and especially with the countryside. I have a fascination with beautiful villages and wonderful landscapes, ranging from the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales, to the special counties of Wiltshire and Hampshire. Some people compare New Zealand with England because of its greenery, but I have never seen villages with thatched cottages there, or twisting, narrow country lanes that are typically English.

It was always a joy to discover lovely places near the venues where I had engagements. For example, when the orchestra rehearsed and performed at the Cheltenham festival, it was good to visit the lovely villages of the Cotswolds and the surrounding area. It was not long before this was happening on a national scale, and of course, internationally.

In the TV series ‘Midsomer Murders’, there are lots of beautiful villages used as locations. Although it appears as though most of them are close, this is not the case. However, most of them are either in, or close to the Chiltern Hills, an area that is relatively unknown considering its proximity to London, some 30 miles away. Turville is a quiet hamlet, and some of the approach lanes are very narrow, and the feeling one gets is one of peace and being cut off from the outside world. The village of Dinton seen on the right, is, like Turville in Buckinghamshire, and the one main street is very attractive. At the end of the village are these lovely thatched cottages, and there is a charming village green. The most remote of all the English lakes is Wast Water, seen on the right, and because of this it is not on the tourist map. From the East, there is only one way of reaching it by road, and this is by the precarious Wrynose Pass which can be reached from Ambleside. It is more of a lane, and has some sheer drops on either side. If there is a problem with heights, the only other route is by taking the main road North via Keswick and then on to Cockermouth. This route actually takes you out of the Lake District, and is at least a 40 or 50 mile detour. Whichever route is taken, the rewards are great, and  many believe that this is the most beautiful of all the English Lakes.

As North Yorkshire has recently been voted the most beautiful County in England, (taking over from Kent) I have taken the opportunity to include a couple of extra photographs in the Dales. My favourite waterfall is at West Burton in Wensleydale, and it is just hidden from the main village, giving it peace and solitude. The village has a large Green encircled by very attractive stone cottages. Nearby are the three giant waterfalls at Aysgarth, and it is interesting to note that North Yorkshire has non-stop beauty and variety from the East Coast across to the Lake District, incorporating the North York Moors National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. James Herriot fans would love it, and the unusual view of Askrigg village includes several locations used in the TV series."

Vincent Billington 2006