To begin this week I’d like to say a huge thank you for all the lovely messages that I received over the holidays wishing Val and I a happy Christmas and for your good wishes for this new year.

I do read all your comments, messages and emails and I am really very grateful that you take the time to send them in.

The letter about me printed in the Messenger Letters page was lovely to read and I really appreciate the sentiments very much indeed. Thank you.

I decided to start this new decade off by saying yes to certain things that I would normally say no to.

My Val has attended several different classes at Showcase Studios, owned by Emma Hitchman, in Urmston and last month she went along to a gong bath and she really enjoyed it and got a lot from the experience.

So when she invited me to join her for her second visit my initial reaction was to say no thank you.

However, trying my best to keep my new year’s resolution I decided to say yes!

I had no idea what gong bath sound healing was but Val was quick to explain that you don’t actually get into a bath!

Craig, the practitioner of the gongs, went on to describe how I would lie down on a mat, along with a pillow and a blanket and simply relax as the vibrations and sounds of the gongs restore your state of balance leaving you calm, relaxed and rejuvenated.

The idea is that you are bathed in the sounds and vibrations of the gongs. I’m sure there is a lot more to the theory behind it but that’s the basics.

It’s something I would never normally entertain but the ‘new year new me’ attitude really paid off and I had a lovely relaxing morning.

The vibrations of the gongs is like having all your inner body massaged and after the hour was up I felt totally refreshed and invigorated.

I also said yes to my first singing performance of the year. I will be performing the songs of Sinatra and the Rat Pack at Mulino in Urmston on Thursday the 16th of January at 8pm in the beautiful setting of the lovely Italian restaurant. If you would like to attend you are very welcome to come along and use the bar or why not give them a ring and book a table on 0161 286 7819.

To finish, If you have any events that you would like me to come along and support this year then please get in touch and I will do my best to attend. You can email me on devlinbookings@aol.com with all the details.