Catching up with Kim and old pals was Wilde

There was me thinking while I was away topping up my suntan, whilst working hard of course, that I'd be leaving you all behind to deal with the usual unreliable British wet weather. But, how wrong was I?

What a refreshing change it makes to be able to come back from a hot country, which for me this month has included Tenerife, Egypt and Crete, to return home to nothing but glorious heat and sunshine, give or take the occasional storm or two.

And with festival season having been in full flow, we couldn't have asked for better weather.

Speaking of festivals I had the pleasure of performing at Penn Festival at the end of July. My favourite so far though, has been the Magic Summer Live Festival in Guildford for Magic FM. Not only were there a few thousand revellers but I got the chance to catch up with some faces from the past. I haven't seen Kim Wilde for a number of years, possibly since I did guest backing vocals for her on one of her albums.

I also bumped into Level 42's legendary bass player Mark King. He hasn't changed a bit. It's a shame I didn't really get the chance to sit down with everyone and catch up properly, as I was pulled from pillar to post for various interviews and the next thing you know, it's time to go home.

Whilst at Magic Summer Live one person I met the lovely, very talented James Morrison (pictured). I was blown away by his talent, and he's very funny too – even if he doesn't mean to be.

My daughter Natalie surprised me with tickets to see him at Delapre Park in Northampton at the end of July. James definitely has a soulful voice.

My hubbie Tony gets quite annoyed sometimes as he thinks the term 'Soul singer' gets thrown around a little too much for his liking however, even he's a James fan, He's definitely has the right to claim such a title as that's exactly where he sings from – his soul.

It hasn't all been jet-setting and fun and games as I was privileged and humbled to be invited to the Birmingham Women's Hospital Neonatal Unit.

This department takes care of premature babies, some born as early as only 24 weeks. Not only do they look after the babies, but they also provide accommodation and support for parents to stay close to their newborns. The care is second to none.

I had the opportunity to speak with a number of parents from all across the country and I only hope that their little ones are getting stronger by the day.

The NHS has been getting some slack of late, but please believe there are still hospitals, nurses and doctors out there who do truly care and continue to do a phenomenal job.

Before I go and, although I'm not really a football fan, I just wanted to say best of luck to Wolverhampton Wanderers this season. I did some pitch-side presenting for them a couple of years ago and know all of you die hard Wolves fans will be behind them all the way in the hope of seeing them back up in the Championship next season. Best of luck boys.

Finally, for those of you who've asked when I'll be performing in the Midlands, my next UK tour date is at The River Rooms in Stourbridge on Saturday, August 31. If you feel like a night of Soul and Motown then come down and check out the show. See you there! www.theriverrooms.com/JakiGraham.html