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Issue 98 April / May 2020
Your FREE Guide to Folk Events in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond
Published by Tenterden Folk Festival, Charity No 1038663 Promoting folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions.
Scene & Heard • Much water under the bridge since the last issue, and not just at Yalding... • The Good Intent is no more, except that the club continues in its new venue, the 12 Degrees micropub, 352 High St Rochester ME1 1DJ- contact Kevin Henty for details. • Nellies is moving back to Tonbridge after a couple of years at the Flying Dutchman, who always made us very welcome. The lack of local public transport to Hildenborough has impacted the club, and it will now be held on 1st and 3rd Mondays in the centre of Tonbridge in The Beer Seller. Please see the website for further details of forthcoming guests. • Singing The Protest returns to Broadstairs in the Sailing Club on Friday April 3, a chance to revolt musically with Sally Ironmonger, Joe Whittaker, Brian Carter and me in support of Folk Week: songs from the fifties and sixties, anthems which bring us up to date and plenty to join in with. Looking forward to this one! Tickets from Tess in the office. • Sue Watson tells S&H that after some discussion Deal Folk Club will continue to meet at the RMA on the Strand opposite Walmer Green for the foreseeable future. Some good guests coming up, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes and the Teacups- early arrival recommended to get a seat! • Sweeps this year, as I’m sure you know, will run Fri/ Sat/ Sun May 1/2/3 (no Monday events) due to the VE Day holiday on Fri 8th. Let us hope that sense prevails in future years- the change has impacted performers and local hotels whose plans were already advanced- sympathies to the council, Gordon Newton and Doug Hudson, who’ve had to adjust seamlessly. • On a brighter note, it’s been grand to welcome a new singer on the Broadstairs scene. At present only a back-up harmonist, Ruby the dog has been honing her skills whenever a female singer rises in the Woodshed... Jean and Morag have felt the benefit of her dulcet tones... Dave Jarman has explored the further reaches of interpretative dance with the Geoffs Foreman and Turner, whilst Peter’s transition to Mrs Johnny Cash was an unexpected pleasure... • Good to see Bully Wee again on tour, the gathering in Chatham a recall of the great and good from the Brewery Folk Club in the 1978-85 era. Colin Reece always was a supportive compère who knew the value of chorus songs in creating a warm platform for the main guests. It’s something the best singers do, easily forgotten in the quest for exposure. • Back in January the Sussex sing was a pure delight; about 60 or so mainly unaccompanied singers at Barcombe, the mix inspired by tradition but not exclusive. Something about the harmonies blending as voices swell; and also the sheer quality of Jerry Jordan’s version of Child Hunting, with its powerful vision of the bird who resists the offer of a golden cage... The story resounds and is relevant today. But mostly it was a sublime performance which had everyone hanging on every note. • Broadstairs Winter Warmer coincided, so I only made the Sunday, but was again a great success. Brian and Sally, together with Jenny and her team garnered a lot of goodwill and an eclectic array of music to cheer January. • And so to summer... Lots to do with Kent Song Collective, the show for Broadstairs this year, Around The Bay, is in rehearsal with original songs by John & Di Cullen and Sue Watson and tunes from Steve Moreham and Pip Ives... There’s some poetry in this show too, something a bit different from our previous productions... All very exciting... To be seen on Monday 10 August... That and a short version of The Singing Rail for Chippenham will keep us busy for a bit- what with Foregone Confusion, Hook Line & Sinker and the Vultures it’s the diaries... Retirement??? • Now we’ve put our sledges away and defrosted the emergency pemmican, here’s to daffodils, Spring, and all things growing. It’ll soon be May Day ! • Tenterden Folk Festival are running a crowdfunding campaign to help to bring The Wilson Family to TFF 2020. To make a contribution to the campaign and get a chance to win a pair of Full Weekend Tickets go to https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/help-to-bring-the-wilson-family-to-tenterden-folk.” Continued Overleaf...
• Skinners Rats are playing in the Prince of Wales, in Strood on Sunday 3rd May from 8.30 to 10.30 as part of The Sweeps Festival. Bob Kenward
CD Reviews
Dave Arthur - Someone To Love You - Wildgoose WGS435CD Those who became involved in the folk scene in the 1960s had plenty to admire and inspire them. Somewhere near the top of that very fruitful tree were Dave & Toni Arthur. Dave has continued as a major contributor in a range of ways; he wrote the seminal biography of A.L.Lloyd and edited English Dance & Song for many years as well as continuing as a performer. Since 2003 he has been at the centre of that glorious trio, Rattle On The Stovepipe. The songs on the this album are selected from the trio’s six previous albums which mean that his dry-toned singing is accompanied throughout by that great fiddler Pete Cooper and by either of the band’s two banjo players. first Chris Moreton and from later albums by Dan Stewart. Many of the most popular items from their popular live appearances are include here such as Poor Ellen Smith, Stack-o-Lee and Eight More Miles To Louisville are included and they reflect the fact that Dave does a lot of research into his songs and very often comes up with unusual versions. As this review was being written, the postman knocked with another batch of review albums and these included a new release by Rattle On The Stovepipe, their seventh on Wildgoose. Hopefully, a review of this will be included in the next issue of this magazine. www.wildgoose.co.uk Vic Smith The Formidable Five The formidable five Wilson Brothers are the accepted benchmark for powerhouse unaccompanied singing. Tom, Chris and Steve celebrated 40 continuous years of singing together during 2015, Ken and Mike joining them in the late 1970’s. From performing at Folk Clubs and Festivals, to running their legendary weekly folk club, to appearances at The Royal Albert Hall’s BBC Proms, or recording and performing with world renowned musician Sting; they have championed our music together, continuously for approaching five decades. In October 2017 The Wilson Family were recipients of The Gold Badge Award of the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EDFSS). It is the highest honour the Society can bestow.
Dartford Folk Club BBC Radio 2 Best Folk Club of the year 2008 www.dartfordfolk.org.uk 01322 277218 hawleymkm@aol.com
FLOOR SINGERS WELCOME (PLEASE BOOK) RESIDENTS: DARTFORD RAMBLERS - ROB MITCHELL TRIO - IAN PETRIE
FEATURED GUESTS April 7th DAN McKINNON April 14th IOTA April 21st THE TEACUPS April 28th HUNTER MUSKETT May 5th BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST May 12th OTHER ROADS May 19th ALDEN PATTERSON and DASHWOOD May 26th JIM CAUSLEY June 2nd STEVE ASHLEY June 9th DAN WALSH June 16th UNION JILL Coming up: Fagan & Kerr, Ellis & Howard, Swan & Dyer
To receive regular updates: Email (put ADD on subject line) dartfordfolk@googlemail.com
DARTFORD WORKING MENS CLUB Essex Road EVERY TUESDAY 8.30 TILL 11.00
Skinners Rats As last issue
EGERTON EGERTON FOLKAND AND FOLK BLUESCLUB CLUB BLUES
Meets every lastTuesday Tuesdayof of the the Meets every last month, at The Barrow House, month, at The Barrow House, Egerton, TN279DJ, 9DJ,from from 8pm. 8pm. Egerton, TN27 Folk, Bluesand andbeyond. beyond. Folk. Blues No guests, just residents and No guests, just residents and itinerants. All welcome. itinerants. All welcome. Hat collection. Hat collection. Contact Jerry Hatrick Contact Jerry Hatrick (01233) 756357. (07387) 382050.
Foots Cray Social Club Waring Road Entrance, DA14 5BY
Open Music and Song Session in the Bar
every Monday 8.00 11.00 p.m. www.crayside-folk-club for more information All genres- – Mainly Acoustic, but quiet electric guitars with battery amp allowed- must be compatible sound level. Beginners Encouraged. Experience is gained through jamming along. Occasional Open Mic Evenings and Guest Nights. Players, poets, storytellers, and listeners welcome. Free Entry – Please support our raffle, which pays our running costs.
ELSIE’S ELSIE’S
FOLK-AT-THE-DRUM The Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Drum’ Inn at N. Stanford, Stone Street (Between Cant’ & Hythe)
14 2nd JuneApril - Keith Kendrick - John Conolly and Sylvia Needham 7th May - Martyn Wyndham-Read 12 July with - Geoff Iris Higginbottom Bishop 23 4th August June -Peter HilaryCollins Spencer All other evenings Singers Nights Guest Nights 8.00 p.m. Singers Nights 8.00 p.m. Members, Guests & visitors are always welcome to play, sing, listen or do all three! On Club Nights everyone who wishes gets a spot to perform. On Guest Nights there is limited time for ‘floor artists’ but a phone call usually gets you a spot.
The Queen’s onthe theB2026 B2026 The Queen’sArms, Arms, on midway between Edenbridge midway between Edenbridgeand the A264, Tunbridge Wells and the A264, Tunbridge Wells- -East East Grinstead Road Grinstead Road 11 pm 88 -- 11pm
9th June 25th April - Border Roy ClingingCrossing Now three strong - great Another welcome return music and song!
14th- July 16th May Morrigan Wyndham-Read FirstMartin visit from these four versatile performers. Hooray!
Tel: 01797 320518 mobile: 07890 292467 or email: david@plesbit.net www.folkatthedrum.co.uk
Tonbridge Folk Tonbridge FolkClub Club(Nellie’s) (Nellies) The Beer Seller, 64 High Street, The FlyingTonbridge, Dutchman TN9 118 Tonbridge Road, 1EH Hildenborough, Kent TN1 9EN First and third Mondays of each month, First and third Mondays of each month 8-11pm 8 - 11 pm
Monday 4 June: John & Di Cullen Expect an eclectic mix of robust, reflective and humorous songs.
6th April Christopher Mark Jones Monday 18 June: Chris Cleverley Captivating lyrics with skilled guitar accompaniment. An extremely talentedatsinger-songwriter Americana its best
with many diverse topics in his songs, accompanied by accomplished finger style guitar playing. 20th April Richard Grainger An accomplished performer of both his own and Monday 2 July: of One traditional songs. MaterialConsort with a maritime theme and Lizzie Gutteridge and reflecting the formercombines industries ofmedieval the north-east.
renaissance music and song, on traditional instruments, with 21stC looping technology.
18th May – David Fisher
Strong voice and guitar playing does justice to Monday 16 fine July: Triage his songs,return both traditional and self-penned. Welcome of this popular local band
who made a good impact last time. Expect lively renderings of tunes and songs with various instruments. Tel: 01892 822945
info@tonbridgefolkclub.org www.tonbridgefolkclub.org www.tonbridgefolkclub.org
www.elsiesband.com www.elsiesband.com
ORPINGTON FOLK CLUB
The Rosecroft Social Club theHigh Change 269 Street,of St Horses Mary Cray Farnborough Village, Orpington, BR5 4AR Orpington
June: APRIL: th 7 Jim Mclean a composer, acoustic-based 16th Landermason
Amusician duo likeand nosinger/songwriter. other! They combine both traditional 14th, 28th Singers & Musicians folk with jazz and otherNight styles and contemporary st 21 Allan Richardson sings and writes songs 23rd Richard Grainger and plays a mean backing guitar.
2nd, Singers & Musicians Nights July9th : th & 5 30th Hunter Muskett a Brighton based four piece accordion, fiddle, banjo guitar, mandolin and Bodhran. MAY:
th singerTilston /guitarist 12 Jimmy Lee an accomplishedSteve 7th
promising an entertaining poplar, self-penned A celebrated songsmithevening widelyofrecognised in the and folk songs. world of folk and contemporary music.
19th Singers & Musicians Night th 21st Jim McLean singer/ 26 Reg Meuross one of the premier songwriter’s on the folk scene. Described as "aNights warm 14th & 28th Singers & Musicians engaging live entertainer with songs of love, longing and true life stories"
Thursdays @ 8.15pm Thursdays @ 8.15pm 01959 754 020 020 8325 01959532 532754 8325 65136513
www.orpingtonfolkclub.org.uk Website: www.orpingtonfolkclub.org.uk E-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com E-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com
T N E K RADIO W
O H S K L FO Sunday 9 - 10 pm Presented by Doug Welch mw 96.7 (west) 104.2 (east) Live show featuring guest performers and artists appearing in Kent venues. Send info to: kentfolk@bbc.co.uk 0345 9811 111 Radio Kent Folk Show The Great Hall Mount Pleasant Road Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1QQ
Singdanceandplay Join us for friendly folk nights with great music and singing with entertaining visitors at The Castle Inn, Brenchley TN12 7BN, 8pm
• 29 March: Mike Hebbert — outstanding and amazingly versatile Jeffries duet concertina playing • 26 April: Will Duke — excellent crisp dance tunes on concertina and a wonderful collection of songs Entry is free, but there may be a collection for travel costs. All are welcome to play, sing or listen. For info on other events including monthly English music sessions, regular free tunes workshops, twice-yearly barndances, and lovely annual local Christmas carols, see Singdanceandplay.net or call 07985 522734
Luminary folk singer Shirley Collins, in a unique collaboration with artist and writer Brian Catling and acclaimed sound artist Matthew Shaw, makes a pilgrimage to the heart of the Sussex landscape that fuels her work. CROWLINK is an immersive sound installation in the Walled Garden at Charleston, with traditional song and original poetry interwoven with field recordings.The evening culminates in the Hay Barn with performance from Catling and an intimate concert from Shirley Collins and the Lodestar Band
* Booking fee applies for advance tickets. ÂŁ29 on the door. Over 14s welcome. Under 16s to be accompanied.
Shirley Collins Brian Catling Matthew Shaw
ÂŁ25*
2nd & 3rd May Galleries, Gardens & Soundscape from 6pm. Concert 7.30pm Charleston Garden & Barn, Firle, Lewes
meltingvinyl.co.uk | charleston.org.uk
Sussex Folk News In 2020 the Early May Bank Holiday has been moved to Friday 8th May to coincide with the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. The Bank Holiday would normally be on Monday 4th May so many events in May 2020 may well be subject to change from their usual dating formula – potential visitors are advised to double-check with the organisations directly involved for updates. This has implications for one of the country’s biggest May Day events which takes place in Sussex. The 2020 Hastings Jack In The Green Festival will break with tradition this year due to the somewhat controversial decision by the Government to change the date of 2020’s May Bank Holiday to Friday 8th May. Here’s what they say about this on their website:“Normally, the May Day Bank Holiday always falls on a Monday and it’s usually this day of the week that the Jack In The Green culminates with its famous street procession through Hasting Old Town. So, be warned... Don’t turn up on Monday! This year, the Hastings Jack only runs over a three-day period from Friday 1st May to Sunday 3rd May 2020. So, instead of us all being able to take Monday off work to celebrate the final day, this year we’ll have to do it on Sunday 3rd May instead.” One of the other events in the county is Lewes Garland Day but at the time of going to press the organisers who are the members of the Knots of May dance team had not made an announcement of an alternative so you would be advised to keep an eye on their website at https://www.knotsofmay.org.uk/forthcoming-events/ The season of events for the Knots of May normally starts on Good Friday when dance teams alternate with Long Rope Skipping, so Friday. April 10th should see them and invited teams at the Ram in Firle of that day, but once again, please check with their website Staying in Lewes, there are two all-day workshops presented by the Lewes Saturday Night Folk Club in April. On April 18th JIB who are Jim Mageean, Ingrid & Barrie Temple run a mainly shanty workshop that they are calling THE SEA - A PLACE OF WORK & SONG. Then the following Saturday, the 25th Ben Paley will be running a fiddle workshop. Both JIB and Ben will then be giving evening performances at the folk club at the Elephant & Castle in White Hill. The Brighton Toy Museum has a lovely intimate performing space in their venue under Brighton Railway Museum and here is their programme for this period: Apr 11th – Kirsty Merryn / Said the Maiden (Double header) Apr 25th – Harp and a Monkey May 23rd – Jenny Sturgeon May 29th – Edgelarks This club does not have a set evening for their performances; the first three of these are Saturdays and the fourth is a Friday. “Intimate” yes, but also small so advance tickets are the best way to ensure an entrance. Buy them from http://folkroom.co.uk/toy-museum-folk-club/ As usual there are some attractive folk concerts amongst the events being staged by Spyboy presentations and there are four in this diary period with Ireland, Wales and England represented. On Sunday 5th April Calan will be at The Old Chapel in Alfriston and they promise some of
the most beautiful and haunting and tunes and songs from their Welsh homeland. Then on Friday 17th April at Hailsham Pavilion it will be Oysters 3, a paired down acoustic version of Oysterband with John Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer Sunday 26th April sees them back at The Old Chapel Alfriston with Strawbs Acoustic. Again, this scaled down version; this time of the band which started in the mid-1960s,as the Strawberry Hill Boys playing bluegrass and again it is a trio - Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert, and Chas Cronk’ Finally on Friday 1st May it’s those legends of Irish music and song, The Fureys and for this the venue will be Hailsham Pavilion. More details and tickets on the website at http://spyboy.co.uk/ Vic Smith
CD Reviews
Nick Dow - In a Garden Grove Old House Music OHM812 All the songs on this new album from Nick are ones he has been singing for years but not previously put on a CD. Nick’s attitude is that he wants to ensure that traditional English folk songs are easily accessible to everyone so he sells all his CDs cheaply and says that any song he sings is there for the taking and if you like it he says please sing it. The album is very much what you get when you see Nick live; clear, well sung vocals and well played guitar. What more do you need? The 10 tracks include such favorites as The Foggy Dew, The Cuckoo, The Riddle Song, Love is Kind and The Wedding Song. Another excellent album from Nick. Fairport Convention - Shuffle and Go Matty Grooves MGCD056 Fairport’s 30th studio album features the five current members of the band, Simon Nicol, Dave Pegg, Chris Leslie, Ric Sanders and Gerry Conway. None of the 13 tracks, which include five new songs from Chris and two from Ric have been recorded before. There are also new songs written by James Wood, PJ Wright, Rob Beattie, and James Taylor. The sound is very much traditional Fairport and the album is of course well recorded, well produced and well presented and certainly gets your feet tapping. A must for all those Fairport fans who have supported the band for many years. Fairport have several gig ur regions in June including Broadstairs, Hailsham, Beckenham and Cranbrook so you will have a chance to hear them playing these new songs then. Alan Castle (Editor) STOP PRESS AKF is already aware of some events being cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus. Please check before travelling to venues and follow government and NHS advise and help keep the folk scene safe. Good luck everyone.
Lewes Saturday Folk Club Traditional music every Saturday night
Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ 8.00 – 11.00 www.lewessaturdayfolkclub.org valmaigoodyear@aol.com 01273 476757 Loyalty card: 6 evening visits = £5 off an evening Apr 4 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25 May 2 May 9 May 16 May 23 May 30
Andy Turner English trad songs, Anglo concertina Spring Songs & Tunes plus trad Easter biscuits Jim Mageean, Barrie & Ingrid Temple Sea songs Ben Paley Fiddle, US Old Time, Swedish & more Zak van der Vyver South African trad concertina Caroline Kendall Trad & new songs, guitar Peter & Barbara Snape Lancs songs, melodeon Come All Ye Peter Collins Trad style songs, unaccompanied
WORKSHOPS (10.45 am – 4.45 pm) The tutor performs at the club in the evening. Booking forms from club website. Half-price places for 2 under-25 year-olds. 18 Apr 25 Apr 6 June 13 June 11 July 11 July 5 Sept 12 Sept 13 Sept 26 Sept
JIM MAGEEAN, INGRID & BARRIE TEMPLE SHANTIES & SEA SONGS £35 BEN PALEY FIDDLE £35 THE WILSONS VOCAL HARMONY £35 EMMANUEL PARISELLE & DIDIER OLIVER DANCE MUSIC FROM GASCONY £35 ALISTAIR ANDERSON £35 NORTHUMBRIAN TUNESMITHS DAN WALSH CLAWHAMMER BANJO £35 KEITH MACDONALD & ANGE HAUK £35 18TH./19TH. C GERMAN MSS DANCE TUNES JOHN KIRKPATRICK ANY INSTRUMENT £35 JOHN KIRKPATRICK VOICE £35 WILL & PIPPA NOBLE BALLAD FORUM £35
CD Reviews
Jim and Susie Malcolm - The Berries - BelCD 113 To be able to listen to an album by artists that you have not heard of before and to find that you really enjoy is something of a rare delight but this is what happened to me when I listened to this album. As far as I can work out, this married couple are unlikely to have been heard of by many of us in south-east and this is our loss because there is so much to enjoy in their performances. All of it is very Scottish, of course, but it is a treat to hear traditional and written songs that oldsters like me remember so well, written in the early days of folk clubs by the likes of Belle Stewart, Ewan MacColl and Hamish Henderson as well as a pair from much earlier by two Roberts, Tannahill and Burns and then a much more recent one by Karine Polwart. The rest of the album is traditional songs. They are both fine singers singing together in harmony or separately an their accompaniments, Jim on guitar and harmonica and Susie on clarsach-harp always add to their fine singing. The guest musicians, Pete Clark on fiddle and Mark Duff on whistles also deserve praise for their contributions. I was looking for the name of the trumpeter, rarely hear on folk records, but none was credited. It must have been left off or the sounds have been synthesised on the keyboards by Dave Watt. A cracking album! www.jimmalcolm.com
Doors/bar open 7 for 7.30
The Bell, High Street Kemsing TN15 6NB
2nd Thursday each month from 8:30pm a great programme of events for 2020
April 9th Extended Floor Spot, Karen Langridge May 14th Will Duke
We are also intending to book more excellent guests.
'Resident singers: Alan Austen and Linda Smith'
as well as our regular club members.
All musicians, singers and audience very welcome. Contact: 01689 825263/ 0208 857 1024
Email: sheilafinn@hotmail.co.uk
Adventures of an Old Folkie I’m afraid I haven’t had much in the way of musical adventures over the last couple of months, as my mind has mostly been concentrated on assisting and supporting Lorna, my wife, through the aftermath, emotionally and materially, of the passing away of her Aunty Jean, the sister of Lorna’s late father. In fact, we’re going up to Edgware tomorrow, to supervise the clearance and sale of Aunty Jean’s house. AJ (as we called her) had been the last remaining member of that generation of Lorna’s family, and had reached the grand old age of ninety eight and a half; she had been hoping to hit the hundred mark and receive a telegram from the Queen, but it was not to be. She had moved into her current house in Edgware with her parents in her teens, when it was brand new. She had come from a very poor background in rented accommodation in North London, and it must have seemed miraculously luxurious to move into a brand new house, with her own bedroom and a bathroom with hot and cold running water. It’s only a small three up and two down terraced house, one of millions that were built in the London suburbs in the 1930s, but it meant the world to her and she was determined to live out the end of her days in it. She didn’t quite make it, as she died in hospital after a serious fall, but she almost made it. She’d had very little done in terms of maintenance of the house over the years (It was last re-wired in the 1960s!) and therefore it’s in pretty bad shape, so we couldn’t believe the size of the valuation that the estate agents gave us; being technically in the suburbs of London makes all the difference, I suppose. It makes me think of my friend Roger and his wife who, some years ago, for family reasons, moved from Pinner to Kent. Now they are in a position to move back to London (and Roger would really like to!), but can’t afford to, because of London house prices. Anyway, back to the music. I continue to have my weekly guitar session with my friend Steve. Last time, we looked at the five minor pentatonic scales (used in most blues and rock music) and had a look at the first few pages of a book entitled, “Jazz Chords And How To Use Them.” Well, I suspected that they would be difficult, but I had to perform serious contortions with my left, fingering hand in order to get anywhere near the shapes described on the page! I have now developed deep respect for jazz musicians. I suppose it all comes down to the musician’s mantra, “Practice, practice, practice.” Unfortunately, being inherently lazy, I don’t have the mental discipline and perseverance in order to fulfil this mantra; indeed, I haven’t practiced the minor pentatonic scales and the jazz chords since our last session. My two open mic sessions seem to be going from strength to strength; particularly the one at The Dog House in the Evegate Centre, near Ashford. Duncan, the new landlord, is very helpful in that he advertises it on the pub’s Facebook page, which seems to have attracted a lot of new performers and audience; the last three sessions have been packed. For those of you who haven’t tried it yet, it’s on the second Thursday of every month, starting at 8pm. Talking about The Dog House, they have a regular roster of first-class performers playing every weekend; I’ve seen Kent DuChaine and Roger Hubbard perform there and, last Friday, Lorna and I were fortunate enough to witness local blues genius Dave Ferra playing there; a superb evening of musical entertainment! Anyway, enough of the Dog House advert! I must love you and leave you, as I need to help Lorna prepare for tomorrow’s trip to Edgware. See you next issue! Jeff (JR) Hartley
CD Reviews
Kolar’s Gold - The Rowan Tree (8 tracks) Songs of Cornish miners emigrating with their mining expertise have been justifiably popular, and here is the story of the Kolar Gold fields hard by Bangalore to which they hide from 1887 onwards, forming a community which prevailed for almost a century. This is an Arts Council/ Cornwall Heritage trust funded project which involved over 60 musicians from the Camborne Town Band to Choristers of Truro cathedral to Indian singers co-ordinated by Venky DC. The Rowan Tree contribute songs, guitars, whistles, flutes, bass, drums, percussion and Sound Design to the tale of SS Carthage as experienced and recorded by letter in 1935. The Knightleyesque One And All which follows was first sung in 1883! A moving version of 10 000 Miles and a celebration of the roe of women as nurses led to a murder / injustice intrigue, another lyric based on correspondence before the traditional hymn And Am I Born To Die. Treasure concludes. This project must have taken some putting together, a setting-down of a vanished heritage, proceeds to support the schools and community in Kolar. It does depend on the accompanying booklet to tell the story. It’s a patchwork; in fact I could have listened far longer to a stronger narrative. Good radio, comprehensively arranged. Bob Kenward
Rosslyn Court
Live acoustic music in the heart of Cliftonville
Live concerts and effective, fun, friendly voice/music/dance workshops +…
Concerts doors 7.30 – 10.30
usually £10 www.RosslynCourt.com or Facebook for full list book: wegottickets Mar 28 Tom McConville best fiddle/songs, very funny, talented man Apr 4 Wildwood Jack indie folk and roots + SUPPORT April 5 Showcase concert after-voice-workshop, hat for OASIS Apr 18 Tobiah and Colette O’Leary - Solid songwriting, Apr 25 Kellet Gut and Impressed- Sea songs for RNLI May 1 Comedy Showcase. Stand up comedy £5 May 2 Elizabeth & Jameson Skegness festival2109 voted best performers. May 16 Kath Tate her songs have insight, wit, bitter humour. Good fun. May 30 The Beard Conspiracy Gypsy jazz / Arabic elements June 4 Steve Ashley Acclaimed English Folk singer-writer June 13 Jeni Hankins Appalachian songs …may involve quilting! Licenced micro bar, hot and cold soft drinks + cake! available. Fun and Friendly Workshops. Usually £12, 2 - 4pm Krista Bubble’s regular Fiddle club 2.30 – 4.30 £12 -call for dates Mandolin or Ukulele with Dick Smith -call for dates Harmonica with Nigel Feist Call for dates French, Breton, Flemish music, dance, shared lunch.12-5 £5 26/4 24/5, Clog/Step taster workshops monthly – Lesley Riding and banjo Dave 10.30-12 £10 Apr 4 + (usually the 1st Saturday) Mar 28 Singing whilst playing fiddle + tunes Tom McConville* April 5 All day Voice/Performance -Hughie Gavin 11.00am/ 6pm concert £30
Apr 18 Piano accordion with Colette O’Leary* May 30 Gypsy jazz tunes /mixed instr. The Beard Conspiracy* June 13 Appalachian Traditions-songs + quilting Jeni Hankins* 2-4.30 Advanced bookings: WeGotTickets Facebook/Rosslyn Court or 07902140248 62 Sweyn Rd, Cliftonville, CT9 2DD * = +eve concert
Please use the 8/33/Loop bus -try to park on the sea front-unless your mobility is limited. £189 for 6 entries
Around Kent Folk will reach its one hundredth edition with the August/ September issue and here we are looking back at a similar publication first printed over forty years ago. I have been asked to write about my time as Editor of KASEbook, the Kent and South East Folk Diary and it has been a wonderful time looking through some of the 50 issues reminiscing about the ‘good old days’.
KASEbook started when I was attending the Wish It Was A Brewery folk club in Rochester as a member of the audience. At that time, I used to attend many clubs almost daily around the south east. Couldn’t do that nowadays! I wrote articles for the Kent Messenger advising readers of the artists or singarounds at the local south east clubs. Bill Vincent, who was an organiser of the Brewery club, asked me where I got the information. Apparently, there wasn’t a magazine with all this information available, so in December 1978, Bill asked various agents and I contacted the clubs to ask them if they wanted to advertise in a new free magazine. Dartford, Faversham and the Chestnuts became the only clubs to advertise in all 50 issues. The first issue (February/March 1979) was produced, literally, by typing the articles and some adverts, cutting out to size and pasting onto another A3 paper. The agents and clubs provided same size logos etc. Certainly no computers with different fonts and sizes!!! It was A5, black and white, 20 pages, 2000 copies and a full page cost £7. Bill was editor and asked Ernie Warner to write a ‘controversial article’ to get feedback for the next issue. It worked! Bill then sent the pasted pages to a friend – Steve Heap at Mrs Casey Music in Oxfordshire to print and then Bill and I drove to Thame to collect the 2,000 pages to collate and staple at home. I delivered most of them by car to the clubs and Bill took some to London. It was great fun and over the years I got to meet many of the top names and attended festivals around the country including Cambridge, Trowbridge, Edinburgh, Fylde and of course Tonder in Denmark. I even managed a press pass to Glastonbury in 1982 and ‘83 – where the backstage loos were very much better than the ‘others’. I took over as Editor on the 13th magazine, as Bill had left, and by this time, I had managed to find a photocopier which could enlarge or reduce copy. But I was still ‘cutting and pasting’ and had found a local printer (a shed in his back garden in Woodchurch) who accepted copy arriving sometimes as late as 11pm! Eddie printed KASEbook for me to the end but I still had to collate and staple the mag. with the help of my Mum and sister and deliver it by car six times a year to the clubs. Over the years, the clubs advertising came from Hitchin (I delivered their copies to Bunjies in London, called Maureen & Keiron to let them know they were there and one of their audience collected them) to Arundel, to Thanet, to Essex. The Cutty Wren club in Redcar even advertised. KASEbook even organised a couple of ceilidhs, ran an annual folk poll for best club, MC, festival album, solo or group etc – all highly contested, reviewed LPs (not CDs in those
days!), club news, club listings and in the infamous “Sue’s Bits” (gossip). The magazine championed the singer/songwriter / groups rather than the more traditional as this was well served by Folk London, an EFDSS magazine. I decided to finish the magazine at no. 50th April/May 1987 issue with a picture of me holding two baby gorillas being hand-raised at Howletts Park where I was press & marketing officer. A lot of the clubs were closing and I was beginning not to enjoy the scene so much. As KASEbook was started by Bill and me, I did not want the name to be transferred to anyone as the coverage of such a large area could not be duplicated (apart from the national magazines, Folk Roots and Living Tradition), so Julia Winn decided to start her own magazine which then morphed over the years into Around Kent Folk. I have made a lot of musician friends from around the world over the years made through my time as editor of KASEbook and it was a great privilege. I am not so involved now, but do try to get to Dartford when I can and to the Tonder festival. Sue Duff
CD Reviews
Moirai - Framed: The Alice Wheeldon Story Wildgoose - WGS433CD Moirai are a trio whose members were already wellestablished performers before they came together and in 2014 and released their first album two years later. This is their third album and the three are all very different. The three are Jo Freya, Mel Biggs and Sarah Matthews. This time they have written all the music and songs (apart from one) around the story of this anti-war campaigner. She was convicted in 1917, along with her daughter and son-in-law of conspiracy to murder the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George. Many felt at the time that this was a show trial at the time used to discredit the peace movement. In this very inspired album they tackle the answered questions of how much this was a propaganda exercise and how much was truth. There are some fine hard-hitting songs, all well sung, accompanied, played and arranged. A particular strength of the performance is when they are singing in unaccompanied harmony. The story in sing is broken up by instrumentals in a variety of British and European dance rhythms. All three contribute to the compositions. Sometimes worked in individually and at other times made in various combinations. Clearly, a lot of research has gone into this project and this is reflected in the full and fascinating booklet notes backed up quite a number of contemporary photographs. Though the album has a strong impact, the impression remains that this show would be best appreciated live and a number of performances have already been arranged for the summer of 2020. www.wildgoose.co.uk Vic Smith
Fairport Convention – Spring Tour 2019
Wednesday 5th June 2019 – The Tower Theatre, Oysters 3 Folkestone, Full Price £24, U25 £12 Thurs 16th April – St Marys Arts Centre, Sandwich Sharon & Door Seckou Online £15,Shannon Offline £16, £17,Keita U25 £8 Tuesday 11th June 2019 – Gulbenkian, Canterbury, Full Price £24, U25 £10 Calan Wednesday 29th April – Gulbenkian, Canterbury, Full Price £16, U25 £8
Gerry Colvin Band
Albert LeeBarn, nr Canterbury, Saturday 13th July – The Kingston Wednesday 6thOnline May –£14, Gulbenkian, Canterbury, Offline £15 , Door £16,Full U25Price £7 £25, U25 £15 Skipinnish
Chris Leslie - Summer GardenFull Party Sunday 24th May – Gulbenkian, Canterbury, Price*5pm £20, U25 £10 Sunday 21st July – Edge of Beyond, Barham, Voluntary Contribution £15, U25 £8 Daphnes’s Flight Fri 29th May – St Mary’s Arts Centre, Sandwich Old Man£19, Luedecke Online £18, Offline Door £20, U25 £9 Tuesday 20th August 2019 – Waterstones, Canterbury Online £13, Offline £14, Door £15, U25s £7
www.folkinthebarn.co.uk
All start 7.30pm*
Faversham
Every Wednesday 8.00pm Doors open 7.30 www.favershamfolkclub.net
Folk Club
The Limes
Preston Steet, Faversham ME13 8PG
April - May
April 1 - John Conolly £8/9 A wide range of interesting and entertaining songs from one of our finest craftsmen. Lively fun guaranteed , squeezebox and brisk wit. Fiddlers Green/ Mr Punch & Judy Man have become standards of the modern tradition, and there are so many more April 15 - Dave Gibb £7/8 ‘Left-handed balding middle-aged folkie from Scotland’s highest village’ is how Dave describes himself...songs ranging from the Clearances to the life of a chamber=pot emptier on the banks of the Ganges... A guitar stylist with blues and jazz to offer too. May 6 - Steve Tilson £10/11 Slip Jigs & Reels, Naked Highwayman, Here’s To Tom Paine, Night Owl... Best Original Song Radio 22 Folk Awards...a compendium of beautifully written songs played with guitar and sung in a voice of velvet... Steve’s prolific output guarantees an evening of delight May 20 - Dan Walsh £8/9 If you haven’t heard Dan yet, you must!! Highly versatile banjo player with a heap of personality, claw hammer with the ability to go slow as well as smokingly quick. Sometime member of the Urban Folk Quartet, Dan has Indian influences also. A pleasure to welcome him back. Coming in June: 3rd Mick Ryan & Paul Downes / 17th Allan Taylor All other Wednesdays Singers Nights, all welcome to perform or listen and only £2! Under 18/ students free Unless otherwise stated, admission to guest nights is £6 members, £7 non-members Chairman/ Bookings: Pat on 01795 423674 or rjpmailbox pat@yahoo.co.uk Press/ Radio Publicity:Bob on 07885 642763 / bobkenward21c@gmail.com
TENTERDEN
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Tenterden
“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald”
Thursday 1st October
The Thursday Concert supported by AKF Town Hall, High Street, Tenterden 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. (Doors open at 7.00)
folk festival
TENTERDEN
All tickets £10.00 until 31st May £12.00 from 1st June
BECOME A FRIEND OR SUPPORTER OF YOUR FESTIVAL Tenterden Folk Festival
You can help us continue to promote folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions by joining the supporters group. You may like to come to the festival; benefit from the influx of people into Tenterden; run a hotel or B&B; be a Morris dancer, musician, singer, craft person, etc. Whatever your reasons you can become a friend and supporter of the festival. Commercial supporters: make an annual tax deductible donation of at least £25.00 and your business will be listed in the souvenir programme (also included on website) and receive a window sticker, special newsletters, etc. Individual supporters: make an annual donation of at least £10.00. If you are a UK taxpayers you can do this under gift aid and we can then reclaim £2.50 from HMRC making your donation worth £12.50 to us. Individual supporters will be listed in the festival programme (unless opted out), received a window sticker, newsletters, etc. Complete this form and send it, with your cheque made payable to Tenterden Folk Day Trust, to Alan Castle, Tenterden Folk Festival, 15 Repton Manor road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA. T: 01233 626805 E: info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
I have pleasure in enclosing a donation to Tenterden Folk Festival of £………………... Title: …………… First name: ……………………….…… Last name: ………………………………………… Business Name (if applicable): ………………………………………………………………………………….. Address: ………………………………………………….……………………………………............................... ……………………………………………………..…………………………… Post code: …………………………… E: …………………………………………………………………………… T: …………………………………………… Please send an A5 s.a.e. for your window sticker and receipt Gift Aid: Yes/No If yes please complete the declaration below
Name in programme: Yes / No
CHARITY GIFT AID DECLARATION
I want to Gift Aid my donation to Tenterden Folk Festival (Registered charity No. 1038663) of £………. and any donations I make in the future or have made in the last four years. I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of gift Aid claimed on all my donations in that tax year it is my responsibility to pay any difference. Donor’s details – As above Signature ………………………….…………………………… Date ………………………………………… Please notify us if you: Want to cancel this declaration, Change your name or home address No longer pay sufficient tax on your income and/or capital gains If you pay Income Tax at the higher or additional rates and want to receive the additional relief due to you, you must include all your Gift Aid donations on your Self‐Assessment tax return or ask HMRC to adjust your tax code
www.tombthumbtheatre.co.uk www.wegottickets.com or phone 01843 221791
Deal Friday Folk Club meets 8pm every Friday at RMA Club (upstairs) 37 The Strand, Walmer CT14 7DX October 26th - Granny's Attic - 3 incredibly talented young men who have taken the folk world by storm in recent years
April 17th - Mick Ryan & Paul Downes REVIEW Brilliant songwriting, brilliant guitar work and November 9thThe - Singer's brilliant singing. best Night fromwith theRemembrance west country!
Proper English
theme (Armistice Day Centenary)
May 15th - The Teacups
November 16th this - Quicksilver Farewell tour from incredible- Grant Baynham & Hilary Spencer entertain and delight with virtuoso young harmony group guitar and amazing voice Guest nights - £5. Guest Nights £5, Singers Nights £2 Singers Nights - £1.50 Singers, £2 Non-singers www.dealfoIkcIub.org.uk or ring ring Sue Sue on on 01-304-360877 01304-360877 www.dealfolkclub.org.uk or
Moore OR Less Folk Club Oast Community Centre, Granary Close, Rainham, Kent, ME8 7SG (next to Rainham railway station)
Second Friday of each month The club always welcomes new performers, of any ability, and audience who just wish to listen.
Friday 10th April - Singers Night CLOSED during August Entrance £3.00 (including Raffle)
14th September Friday 8th May - £3.00 Singers Night raffle) Singers night - Entrance (including Entrance £3.00 (including raffle) All singers nights are £2.00 members and £3.00 non-members Guest nights as advised but generally £4.00 / £5.00
All Club Nights 8.30 - 11.00pm Doors/bar open 7 for 7.30
Doors/bar open 7 for 7.30 Enquiries Chris Wilkin 01634 366155
TENTERDEN
olk festival 2020
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Tenterden
“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald�
Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th October Folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions
GET INVOLVED, TAKE PART or BUY TICKETS www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Guests confirmed so far: Bill Jones, Bob & Gill Berry, Brian Peters, Broomdasher, Dick Miles, Graeme & Heather Knights, Jeff Warner, Morrigan, Pete Castle, Peter & Barbara Snape, Scolds Bridle, Tom Patterson, The Tonic with Fee Lock, The Wilson Family More still to be confirmed Plus up to 50 Morris sides and dance display teams
Just added to the guest list THE WILSON FAMILY
Free music stage & showcase guests Ashford Folk Band, Broomdasher, The Kukes, New Frontier, Nunhead Folk Circle, Open Water, Direction Carsairs, The Yardarm Folk Orchestra. More still to confirm Local and regular guests Bob Kenward, Chris Roche, Gavin & Julie Atkin, Jerry Crossley, John & Di Cullen, Malcolm Ward, Peter Collins, Roger Resch, Spare Parts, Sue Watson, Travelling Folk, Vic & Tina Smith, Vic Ellis one man band CONTACT INFORMATION: Festival director: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA E: alan@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk Crafts & stalls: Margaret White, E: info@tenterdencraftfair.org.uk Chief steward: Sally Argent E: chiefsteward@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk Dance co-ordinator: Spud Jones E: dance@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Tenterden Folk Festival Registered charity No. 1038663
Tenterden Folk Festival 2020 Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th October
Ordered by: Information may be stored for the use of Tenterden Folk Festival only Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Name
Address Town Postcode Telephone Email
FULL WEEKEND TICKETS: Admits holder to all Festival events except Thursday evening concert and camping, which must be booked separately. EARLY BIRD: To 31st May 2020: Full Weekend Adult £47.00 Youth 10 -16's £23.00 or Under 10’s £2.00 when bought with an adult ticket Caravan / Campervan £20.00 Tent £18.00 FROM 1st June to 31st August 2020: Full Weekend Adult £58.00 Youth 10 – 16’s £27.00 or Under 10’s £2.00 when bought with an adult ticket Caravan / Campervan £25.00 Tent £20.00 FROM 1st September 2020: Full Weekend Adult £65.00 Youth 10 – 16’s £32.00 or Under 10’s £2.00 when bought with an adult ticket Caravan / Campervan £30.00 Tent £25.00
THURSDAY EVENING CONCERT: All tickets £10.00 to 31st May 2020 Terms and conditions apply £12.00 from 1st June Where did you first hear about Tenterden Folk Festival Date
Details of ticket holders (use extra sheet if insufficient room) First name Surname Adult / Under 16
Prices £
Total £
Total £ CAMPING Up to 4 nights from Vehicle No. Prices Total Thursday afternoon to Registration(s) £ £ Monday morning Caravan/Campervan Tents TOTAL PAYABLE £ HOW TO PAY (also available online from www.musicglue.com/tenterdenfolkfestival/tickets/ Make cheques payable to "Tenterden Folk Day Trust". Send cheque and details of the tickets you require, together with 2 x A5 stamped and addressed envelopes (for tickets and free programme) and a list of the full names of all ticket holders and age if 16 or under, to Tenterden Folk Festival, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA
CD Reviews
Various Artists - Sgoil Chiùl: Na Gàidhealtachd - Own Label - SCGC019 (Double Album) There is nothing like this in England, probably nothing comparable in these islands, nor anywhere else in these islands or the world for that matter , so Scotland shines the brightest of all. The National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music is in Plockton on the West Coast of Scotland, a residential addition to Plockton High School where the pupils’ general education is augmented by their studies and tutoring in a wide range of the Scottish tradition. That great piper, Dougie Pincock, once of the Battlefield Band became its first director in 2000 and is still in post. Looking through the list of lead instrumental tutors on their website is like listing the finest on their instruments in recent Scots musical history. Detailing the 28 tracks for around 20 adolescents would be an impossibility but it is clear that exciting music of a high standard shines through with the elements that stand out being the Gaelic singing and the innovative playing of the accordions - lovely light touches - and the whistles. Having said that the track that resonates most after several playings is the lovely Norwegian waltz played by on fiddle and piano by two very young looking musicians that ends the first album. Some other general impressions would be how melodic it is overall, how creative and unfussy the arrangements are and how these teenagers have learned that understatement and gaps are important to traditional music and song. Listening to these albums is an uplifting experience. www.birnamcd.com Vic Smith Peter Knight’s GIGSPANNER BIG BAND - Natural Invention GSCD007 I’ve seen Gigspanner several times and always thoroughly enjoy their gigs so I was really looking forward to hearing the debut album from the Big Band where Peter, Roger Flack, Sacha Trochet and John Spiers are joined by Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin. The album features 10 traditional folk songs all arranged by the band and lead by Peter’s fiddle. When I heard the first track, Awake, Awake, I thought I was going to be disappointed but when the CD moved on to Long a Growing, I was well and truly hooked. The arrangements are clear with vocals given prominence and every word clear and the instruments individually well balanced as you would expect from Peter. At the live gigs, Daddy Fox always goes down well with audiences and the upbeat version on the album is not a disappointment. The 10th track is The Star of Munster and The Reel du Tricentaire and this lively and long instrumental is sure to get audiences up and dancing at the end of the band’s gigs. A modern developments is that the album was partly funded by a crowdfunding campaign. The band are on tour in April and May and will be playing in Hythe on 1st May and in what for some of the band is their hometown of Hastings on 2nd May as part of the Jack in the Green Festival. Alan Castle (Editor)
Around Kent Folk Price Rise
As a result of increased costs adverting rates will increase from issue 100. The new rates will be as follows: Full colour: Back cover £85 Inside back or front cover £75 Full page (run of issue) £65 Half page (run of issue) £40 NEW Grayscale: Full page (run of issue) £39 Half page (run of issue) £28 Quarter page (run of issue) £18 Series discount: The discount for advance booking and payment of a series of 6 adverts will increase from 10% to 15% from the same issue to minimize the increase for our regular advertisers. You can still submit new artwork for each advert. Subscriptions Postage is going up yet again in April. Therefore we are having to increase the subscription rate by £1 to £9 for 6 issues with effect from 1st May.
This issue of Around Kent Folk was produced by Alan Castle and Andy Wood on behalf of Tenterden Folk Festival. Promoting folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions. Registered Charity No 1038663 Issue No. 99 June/July COPY DATE: 18th April Then … 18th April 2020 – June / July 18th October 2020 - December / January 18th June 2020 – August / September 18th December 2020 – February / March 18th August 2020 – October / November 18th February 2021 – April / May
ADVERTISING RATES: With both printing and postage costs continuing to rise we
have reluctantly decided to increase some of our advertising rates with effect from issue 91. The new rates are as follows: Full colour: Back cover: £75 Inside front or back cover: £65 Full page run of issue: £60
Grayscale: Back cover (if available): £50 Inside front or back cover (if available): £50 Full page: £35 / Half page: £25 Quarter page: £16
Series discount: 10% if you pay in advance for a series of six adverts. You can still submit new artwork for each issue. Artwork: Copy for new advertisements should be supplied as camera ready artwork by email as a high-resolution PDF, JPEG, or TIFF. Existing, regular advertisers need only send in new copy to update existing adverts. A minimum extra charge of £10 will be made if you cannot submit your artwork in the correct format or sizes. Adverts and listings should be sent to akf@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk with a copy to anmarprintingservices@gmail.com Payment: Cheques payable to Tenterden Folk Day Trust (not Tenterden Folk Festival or Around Kent Folk). Send cheque and hard copy of adverts to: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA You can also pay by BACS or internet banking. Ask for details. REVIEWS AND NEWS ITEMS: AKF also includes CD and book reviews. Please send items for review to the address above. AKF also welcomes reviews of live gigs and festivals that you have attended and other folk news which you can email to us at akf@tenterdernfolkfestival.org.uk Subs rate is £9 WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA: www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk (from May 2020) twitter.com/AroundKentFolk ● facebook.com/AroundKentFolk Around Kent Folk Subscription Form Name........................................................................................................................................ Address ................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................. Telephone:................................................................................................................................ Email:....................................................................................................................................... SUBSCRIPTION £8 for 1 year (6 issues) Cheques payable to “Tenterden Folk Day Trust” Send to: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA