o u nd r a
ke nt folk Issue 102 December / January 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.
ISSN 2634-7830 (Print) ISSN 2634-7849 (Online)
Welcome to issue 102 December/January 2021 issue of Around Kent Folk Who could possibly have thought that we would live through a period where folk clubs and venues would be closed for months on end and nearly all the spring, summer and winter’s folk festival would be cancelled? Sadly, there is still no certainty that next spring’s festivals will take place in the normal way as plans should already be being made for those but most organisers will not be in a position to commit to booking guests, venues, logistics and services until there is more certainty. Some festivals will also be counting the costs of cancelled events and wondering if they can afford the potential additional costs of planning a Covid safe event next year. A few of the bigger festivals were successful in getting some Government funding through Arts Council England but most weren’t. Many of the smaller festivals were not even eligible to apply as the minimum application was set at £50,000. The VAT cut to 5% does not help all those festivals and folk clubs that are not actually registered for VAT. There are still hard times ahead for everyone involved in live events of any kind, especially the artists and contractors who depend on them for their living. On a much more cheerful note, I’m pleased to say that Virtually Tenterden was a great success. We had not really planned to do a full virtual festival, but it took on a life of its own. Past, present and future guest artists sent in videos which Pete Collins edited into concert format. We were amazed and thrilled at the level of support we received from the guests. We also had support from Morris sides and dance display teams, stalls holders and many others. All the Zoom song and music sessions were well attended with participants from across the country and even from the USA and you can still dip into some recordings of the Zoom sessions on our Face Book. Seeing lots people dancing at the Zoom ceilidhs was very different. You also raised nearly £1,000, and still rising, for the festival funds so thanks to everyone who has donated so far. You can still watch the Virtually Tenterden concerts, procession dance displays, etc. on You Tube or just go to https://tenterdenfolk.tumblr.com. Thank you to everyone who took part or just watched and listened. Our seasonal cover for this issue of AKF is by Pete Castle and shows a group of carol singers who are all, of course, from one household and socially distancing from the people they are singing too.. Alan Castle (Editor) PS: You can make a donation to Tenterden Folk Festival or this magazine via our websites or by post (see payment details on last page). Thank you. www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk
STOP PRESS Some outdoor events and a few socially distanced indoor events MAY start again in the next couple of months Please check before travelling to venues and follow government and NHS advise and help keep the folk scene safe. Around Kent Folk, the independent folk magazine for Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond, which is now published six times a year by Tenterden Folk Festival, edited by me with the invaluable assistance of Andy Wood from Anmar Printing Services.
Scene & Heard • Tidings of comfort and joy to one and all, as long as Zoom stays up and the internet is stable... it’s been a fascinating couple of months with a number of compliant live venues available - more on that later- and increasing refinement of online sound. One of the great advantages revealed is the ability of clubs to attract singers and musicians from all over the world, both to keep in touch with old friends and to make new links. The world is your whelk.... • Guest spots at many of our local clubs are becoming a feature: it’s been great to see the likes of Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner, Barrie & Ingrid Temple, Vikki Swan & Johnny Dyer and Helen North billed for slots by enterprising hosts. Nick Dow has been a regular contributor, with most informative links to Southern Harvest, a book well worth buying for its texts and music sorted out by Cohen Braithwiaite-Kilcoyne. • Heartening to see,too, how the etiquette of Zooming is advancing with greater use: rather like Singers Nights in the best clubs everyone is adapting and selecting songs which fit the session in progress rather than showboating. The unwritten rule of 4 minutes still applies, unless you’re Tom Addison singing Tam Lin, a treat recently seen at Gavin Atkin’s Sunday night session... truly engaging! I do think there are some singers who have been released from the nervousness of singing in front of an audience, and on t’net, who can see your words, if you get the camera angle right..... and though there is some discussion on this, chorus songs seem to be reappearing. If we do look like the Muppets, at least we are all getting our vocal cords in trim. • Outdoor events have sprung up, with considerable determination in the face of constant change in regulation. As you’ll read later, Folk In The Barn has been busy, often having to comply, publicise and produce with 3 days notice, and then going with the weather forecast... Orpington Liberal Club has done sterling work in putting on small concerts- it was a joy to play again in September on a balmy afternoon. Mike Wheeler has been assembling distanced musicians in the heart of Faversham, again fully compliant, and how often can you say that of melodeon players ;-)... indoors, the sheer constructional work that Morag and Chris have put into Rosslyn Court in Cliftonville is astonishing, screens and dedicated air con for performers and limited audience. Part of every concert is available on YouTube, covering a range of musical styles. I especially enjoyed the Nigel Feist/ Dave Ferra blues... • Tenterden virtual festival was a delight- the concerts actually I’ve still to catch up with, as compering Zooms I find visually exhausts my pixellations, and the contributions made have ensured that the equipment storage costs will be covered. Peter Collins deserves a medal for his unflagging expertise in putting the tech side together- and singing too! • Regular online dates : Faversham Weds, The Drum and Travelling Folk Thurs, Deal Friday, Gavin Sunday... please do let me know of others as they arise... Woodshed Sun Nov 8/ Dec 13/ Jan 9... I’m now a hermit, with a supply of tea and Hobnobs in my Singing Room, aka workspace... are you? • For your diary: Rosslyn Court is putting on a Women’s’ Folk Evening, live streamed in front of a live audience with Helen North, Sally Ironmonger and others, on March 5th. Quality night! • Glad to hear that Broadstairs Festival planning is ongoing, great news- we will need it by August! • Best wishes to everyone over the winter months, thanks to all Zoomers keeping our clubs alive. As we seem to be facing a Second Wave, let us hope that improvements in sound and the pleasure of seeing our friends regularly online will keep us all surfing along on top and see us deposited on the shore next summer with the sun on our backs and sand between our toes... keep safe everyone and can that be reindeer in the air? Bob Kenward
Scene and Heard from the Barn - Folk in the Barn News Like everyone else this year, events in our packed 2020 programme at Folk in the Barn had to be either cancelled or postponed. It was such a heartbreaking thing to do as this year was looking like being the most exciting ever in our 17 year history with first time visits from the likes of Richard Thompson, Eddi Reader, Le Vent du Nord, Thea Gilmore and a very special visit from Usher’s Island at a brand new venue for us too, as well as dates with our regular favourites. Fortunately most of these bookings have been moved to 2021 and we hope and pray that somehow we’ll be able to go ahead safely and viably then. In the meantime, once the government announced at the end of July that live music events could be held outdoors, with Covid-19 safe protocols in place, we hired a portaloo and went ahead with some very special, very spontaneous and intimate afternoon concerts in our back garden throughout August and September, hosting Edwina Hayes, Alan Prosser, Sally Barker, Damian Wilson and Gerry Colvin. While most of our small group of immediate neighbours were supportive and enjoyed the concerts, sadly one didn’t and repeated complaints forced us to call it a day. Every cloud however - we then were offered a larger, more remote venue near Bridge and continued with some wonderful outdoor concerts from Edgelarks, Coco and the Butterfields (duo) and Martyn Joseph. It definitely saved our sanity this summer and helped pay some bills too, and it’s been fantastic to see so many friendly faces back enjoying the music - all safely masked and distanced from each other. Now that it has turned wintry I’m not so sure we’ll be able to continue but if anyone knows of a suitable large open sided barn that we could make use of, please let me know, oh and if you want to be kept informed of any concerts we’re able to hold, please sign up to the mailing list at www.folkinthebarn.co.uk. Debs Earl
EGERTON FOLK AND BLUES CLUB Meets every last Tuesday of the month, at The Barrow House, Egerton, TN27 9DJ, from 8pm. Folk. Blues and beyond. No guests, just residents and itinerants. All welcome. Hat collection.
Once normality returns Contact Jerry Hatrick (07387) 382050.
Faversham
Every Wednesday 8.00pm Doors open 7.30 www.favershamfolkclub.net
Folk Club
The Limes
Preston Steet, Faversham ME13 8PG
Dec - Jan
There’s still music at Faversham Folk Club every Wednesday! It’s just temporarily online... We meet on Zoom at 8pm for a session of traditional and contemporary songs and the occasional tune.. the indomitable Ernie Warner is our initial host, with help from t’commitee... if you’d like to join us please contact Pat or Bob below, and we will forward your request to the Keeper Of The List. We all wish Ernie a swift recovery from his recent contretemps. We can also share hints and optimum settings for Zoom, especially if you are accompanying yourself... default settings often result in free phaser in a fishtank moments... the latency issue means at present that we all sing along in muted isolation... doubtless something better will emerge... we’ll keep looking... better than nowt... at least we sing... Like everyone else, we had a full guest list planned and shall be hoping to reinstate it asap: we shall be following the science... modelling the format of what we shall be allowed to do is engaging everyone at the moment. Meanwhile many of our guests are online with their own concerts, so please do support them through these tough times.
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
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 All events suspended & dependent on public health guidelines at the time Dec 5 Dec 12 Dec 19 Dec 26 Jan 2 Jan 9 Jan 16 Jan 23 Jan 30
Geoff Lakeman & Rob Murch Shepherds Arise! Old Sussex carols, tunes, readings, Sussex Tipteerers play Christmas party with home-made mince pies, fire, candlelight, carols & party pieces Closed Come All Ye Wassail with fire, candles, indoor Wassail ceremony, Wassail bowl, Twelfth Cake Sussex All-Day Singaround, Royal Oak, Barcombe Alan Reid Martyn Wyndham-Read & Iris Bishop
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. 10 April 17 April 24 April 15 May 19 June
RHEINGANS SISTERS FIDDLE ANDY MAY NORTHUMBRIAN PIPES SOPHY BALL FIDDLE IAN STEPHENSON GUITAR DAOIRI FARRELL BOUZOUKI JIB (Temples, Jim Mageean) SEA SONGS PARISELLE & OLIVER GASCON TUNES
£35 £35 £35 £35 £35 £35 £35
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
PRE-BOOKED GUESTS Please note that due to Covid-19 restrictions: All December acts will not take place and are being rescheduled. 01 Dec - The Honeybees (Rescheduled to Nov 2021) 08 Dec - Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter (Rescheduled to December 2021) 15 Dec 2020 - Phil Beer (Rescheduled to Dec 2021) 22 Dec 2020 - The Churchfitters (Rescheduled to December 2021) 29 Dec - **FESTIVE GREETINGS!** Sorry we are closed! All January acts are subject to subject to change or cancellation. 05 Jan 2021 - Liz Simcock 12 Jan 2021 - The Teacups (Rescheduled from 21 April 2020) 19 Jan 2021 - Luke Jackson (Rescheduled to March 2021) 26 Jan 2021 - Hatful of Rain Please check our Website and Facebook pages for updates
To receive regular updates: Email (put ADD on subject line) dartfordfolk@googlemail.com
DARTFORD WORKING MENS CLUB Essex Road, DA1 2AU EVERY TUESDAY 8.30 TILL 11.00
The Association of Festival Organisers (AFO) AFO was formed in 1987 with just half a dozen festival directors gathering to share experience, ideas, views and to support each other. From that has grown an association of now over 250 members. In normal times we support our festival members by keeping them up to date with new legislation, health and safety issues, what’s new on the artistic scene, helping wherever we can with advice and working with the organisers to put on the best possible festivals. We also run a ticket swapping arrangement where members can request free tickets from other member festivals in order to go along to each other’s and learn from each other the great ideas that maybe around. In this way we believe that the festival scene in general will improve and grow, as it has in the last four or five years. Then along comes Covid-19 which has decimated the 2020 festival season. Several have gone online and produced good music to try and keep the audience interested and provide in some cases a little bit of work for the artists. One or two festivals actually had a go at running their event in a Covid-safe way and were moderately successful. It is not the best way forward and we hope of course that vaccine, rapid testing that customer confidence will return soon. Unfortunately, the early part of the spring has led to some of those early festivals already cancelling but there is a general hope that by the time we get to late May/early June, festivals could be getting back to normal. In case Covid is still with us by then there is special guidance which AFO has been assisting in writing along with DCMS and other associations. Guidance for outdoor events, festivals and indeed performing arts, and we hope that has been of some use. Ideally it would be best if we never had to use it and we can get back to doing things the way we always have. Finally, if you are interested in the work of AFO and its various memberships do have a look at our website www.festivalorganisers.org and if you have any questions or need further information don’t hesitate to contact us at info@festivalorganisers.org For now if you are in Kent you are lucky enough to be on the doorstep of one of the latest festivals in the season at Tenterden which I know with the good spirit and enthusiasm of the organiser, Alan Castle, will be returning in 2021. We wish him and all the other activities in Kent good luck and best wishes.’ Steve Heap (General Secretary AFO) Future of Pigs Ear Folk Ale The future of the Pig’s Ear Folk Ale seems to have been secured after an agreement was reached with James Kerry and Andy Thomas-Emans of Powder Mill Productions. This will include moving away from traditional Folk Ale site at the Kentish Horse to a new green-field site to be identified somewhere between Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Dates for next year are June 3rd - 6th.
CD Reviews
Melrose Quartet – The Rudolph Variations Take the wonderful Nancy Kerr & James Fagan and team them up with Sheffield neighbours Jess & Richard Arrowsmith and you have the Melrose Quartet, all four of whom are internationally renowned singers, instrumentalists and writer/composers. The Rudolph Variations is a lovely selection of joyous seasonal songs which usually accompanies the Melrose Quartet special Christmas Show “A Bright New Year” - a fun evening of music and song. This CD is a full-length album of 14 tracks, with a variety of material, ranging from traditional carols to contemporary songs and wassails. It of course includes traditional favourites such as the Holly and the Ivy and Lullay My Liking, and four of the traditional local Sheffield Carols, Hail Smiling Morn, Liverpool, Diadem and Mount Moriah, all performed in beautiful a capella 4-part harmonies. There are also songs which are new to me, such as Paul Davenport’s Come, See the Boys Go Round, and the slightly more hard-hitting Sheffield Wassail by Peter Smith, and Robb Johnson’s Boxing Day. James’ Australian influence shows in the jolly The Three Drovers and there is a beautiful version of John Kirkpatrick’s Chariots. Alec Thompson’s cheery Bright New Year is included, as is A Strange Time to Bloom a beautiful song written by Nancy herself. Around half of the tracks are accompanied by superb fiddle playing by Nancy and Jess, Richard’s melodeon and James on guitar or bouzouki. The title track is last on the album and is the ever-popular Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer put to various traditional tunes – hence the name! All four performers have contributed to various online festivals throughout the summer, including a smashing one-hour set for Whitby Folk Week of which they are patrons. They have also appeared in the Live to Your Living Room series of concerts (formerly Folk Weekend Oxford) which are concerts on Zoom - a way to see your favourite folk acts online and “go” to concerts direct from your lounge – a bonus on these cold winter nights. There are sure to be more appearances coming up for this quartet, so check out their website for news of future events on www.melrosequartet.co.uk. In what looks to be an unusual festive season for many of us in 2020, this CD should help to spread the joy and would be a nice gift for anyone’s Christmas Stocking. To paraphrase Alec Thompson’s song, let’s hope that through the frost of winter a bright new year is coming for all of us! Sue Watson
Find us online at www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk and on Twitter as @AroundKentFolk, where you can always find a link to the latest and past issues of AKF. Please pass this link on to your mailing lists and place it on your social media so that as many as possible of our regular readers can find AKF online until we are able to get back to a full print run and physical distribution of the printed magazine. Stay well and take care in these difficult times
A Christmas party with Lez Lowe, Dick and Sue Miles and Pete Castle taken by your editor in the early 1980’s.
CD Reviews
Simply Whistle - Pat Walsh (www.patwalshwhistle.com BUN001) If you like traditional Irish folk music this is most definitely an album you should add to your collection. The album consists of 19 tunes which are either traditional or composed by Pat Walsh and arranged by Pat and Mike McGoldrick. As well as Pat’s excellent whistle playing the album features Mike, John Doyle and Kent’s own Tim Edey adds guitar on a couple of tacks. Pat comes from a musical Irish family who all seem to play and sing but has spent a lot of her life around the Irish and session scenes in Manchester where she is well known. The colour insert tells the life story of Pat, her parents, cousins and extended family and details their involvement in the traditional song and music. If you are stuck at home and need to get up and dance, well the jigs, reels, flings, slip jigs, waltz and slow reels will keep you active, entertained and fit. Alan Castle (Editor) Travellers Rest Folk Club Travellers Rest Folk Club was initially the brainchild of Pam Fitzgerald who after attending the travelling folk sessions for a time was inspired to run a folk club with paid guests plus floor spots. The Landlord at the Rising Sun in Twitton Lane Otford was very welcoming and the club opened on a Thursday evening in 1991 on a once a month basis. Alan remembers one evening when the guests were “The Old One Two”, aka Terry King and Den Giddens. It was an evening of good singing, fun and laughter. It continued there for many years with garden parties every summer which were a great success. After changes in landlords in 2005, the club moved to the Crown in Otford, where it continued under the same format as before and where once again we were made very welcome by the landlords who even provided us with sandwiches in the interval. In 2012 Pam and Jon, who were by then living in Frinton made the decision to hand over the club as the long journey was becoming very stressful. Sheila Finn, Alan Austen and Linda Smith took over running the club from the July till 2015 when unfortunately The Crown closed and we had to search for another home. Luckily the Landlord of the Bell in Kemsing, which was also hosting Morris sides in the summer, offered us their garden room and we have been happily running the club since then until the virus sadly closed us down in March 2020. Over the years the club has had many well known artists such as Tony Hall, Elsie’s Band, Vicky Swann and Jonny Dyer, Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner, Colin and Karen Cater and many others too numerous to mention. Luckily Jon and Pam still manage to come and perform at the club occasionally! Hopefully we will be able to re-open sometime in 2021. (Most folk clubs in Kent have moved their locations several times for various reasons. It is becoming more difficult for club organisers to find venues that are welcoming to traditional music) Sheila Finn, Alan Austen and Linda Smith for Travellers Rest Folk Club
Channel Eighty One Coronavirus Song
John Hills Apr 2020
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Channel Eighty One Coronavirus Song
John Hills Apr 2020
It was Christmas passed and New Years coming on. We were hearing tales of a place they call Wuhan. They’ve got markets selling frogs and contaminated meat. People getting sick, infecting others in the street. We hoped they all get better for we’re told it’s not much fun. I put it all behind me, turned on Channel Eighty One. No one thought it would last for very long. It might make Singapore or maybe old Hong Kong But this Chinese curse was full of bad intent As it travelled round the world to every continent And what of us in Britain? Would we be undone? We kept our fingers crossed. I turned on Channel Eighty One. The numbers rose of those caught by this blight. The Chinese played it down, said the threat is only slight. Very soon a cruise ship was not allowed to dock. The crew and all aboard put under key and lock. It seemed Coronavirus had got nigh everyone. Jesus! That sounds awful. Put on Channel Eighty One. Then we heard the news that we didn’t want to know . A visitor from China had brought it here back home. It spread like some wildfire. Took all Britain in it’s stride. First the coughing, loss of breath, oh God, someone has died. Hospitals were alerted but they knew not what’s to come. The t.v. news was dreadful. Let’s watch Channel Eighty One. The numbers rose to heights beyond belief. Hospitals reported they needed some relief. Wards with victims who got intensive care. Our medics overwhelmed, their plight was hard to bear. They needed more protection until this fight was won. So we clapped them, could they hear us? Turn off Channel Eighty One. And now we are in lockdown and no-one’s that surprised. We keep the two yards rule, wear masks when we’re advised. No one knows how many weeks we’ll be in quarantine. It could go on for ages till we get the right vaccine The blame game has started with who was right or wrong. I’ll just ignore them. Give me Channel Eighty One.
CD Reviews
Between a Breath and A Breath - Judy Dyble and David Longdon (English Electric Records EERCD026) Here we have seven new songs written by ex-Fairport Convention singer and founder member, Judy Dyble on topics ranging from horoscopes to the family of Lord Byron and taking in holidays in France on the way, so it is a very diverse offering. David Longdon is better known as the front man from Trader Horne and Big Big Train. Sadly Judy passed away in July shortly after recording the album so never saw this new project completed. The album comes as a CD or on blue or black vinyl which explains why the track listing talks about sides one and two. The CD includes an inner sleeve and a full colour 14 page illustrated booklet with the words to all the songs and a picture of Judy at home with her dog. This is probably not an album that will appeal to the folk purists but is still interesting listening and will be of special interest to Fairport fans. A founder member of Fairport in the 1960’s and vocalist with Trader Horne, Judy was an important part of the newly emerging folk rock scene in the 1960’s but took time out from performing from the 1970 onwards until she featured at Fairports 30th anniversary reunion at Cropedy in 1997. A Midwinter Miscellany - Ashley Hutchings, Becky Mills and Blair Dunlop (Talking Elephant TECD451) We have been a bit short of new albums to review in AKF over the last few months but a new Christmas album from Ashley Hutchings is always something to look forward to. This one is no exception despite the difficult period we have all been going through. The album was recorded in the homes of Ashley and Blair in September and is, as usual, on Kent’s own Talking Elephant label. Like several of Ashley’s recent albums this one is a mix of songs, poems and spoken word and features readings from the poems of Christopher Smart, George Elliot, GK Chesterton, William Makepeace Thackeray and others. The songs are sung by Ashley, Blair and/or Becky but there is also a special guest vocal on Mahogony Tree from Judy Dunlop so you could say this is a real family affair. Ashley commissioned Becky to write a couple of seasonal songs specially for this album and describers her as a wonderful singer, guitarist and songwriter and, of course, he is not wrong. Blair produced the album as well as singing and playing on it. As it has been impossible for the Albion Christmas Band to tour this year this goes some way to filling that gap and also gives us a chance to hear Ashley, Blair and Becky in a different way. I have done this review based on a digital download sent to me in advance by their team and very much look forward to receiving the actual CD so I can see the finished product and will no doubt be playing it numerous more times over the Christmas period. Highly recommended for this Christmas. Alan Castle (Editor)
f
Tenterden
“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald”
olk festival 2021
The Thursday Concert supported by AKF Thursday 30th September 2021
Town Hall, High Street, Tenterden 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. (Doors open at 7.00) Very early bird tickets £10.00 until 31st December 2020 Check for latest details: www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Jeff Warner and Scolds Bridle
folk festival
TENTERDEN
TICKET AVAILABLE FROM: Festival director: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA E: alan@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk T: 01233 626805 Or online www.musicglue.com/ tenterdenfolkfestival/tickets/
Tenterden Folk Festival Registered charity No. 1038663 Promoting folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions
CD Reviews
Front Runner - Rakoczy (Talking Cat Record TCCD2002) This album caught my attention when it dropped on the doormat as it includes mainly well-known traditional songs and a few titles I had not heard of before. Traditional songs include Skewbald, Poor Old Horse, Creeping Jenny, Dead Horse and several other horse related songs. Other tracks include Hooden Horse (Martin), Mari Lwyd (Rakoczy/ Lupton), Taoist Tale (Zimmerman) and several more making 11 horse related tracks in all. The instrumentation includes recorders, bagpipes, concertina, bass, drums, hurdy gurdy, synth, stringers and more but the vocals are always front and centre. Rakoczy is a 23 year old, Anglo-Hungarian traditional singer and musician who was born in Budapest but has lived in Manchester most of her life. She says she got into folk music through the local euro dance and session scene. Rakoczy has produced a debut show exploring the image of the horse in British Folklore. If I must put Rakoczy in a box I suppose it would be modern folk rock but I’m sure she will be very popular in folk clubs and festivals once we are allowed to get back to live music. Definitely a name to watch out for over the next few years. Alchemy Acoustic - Turn Back the Clock (GARALA001) Alchemy Acoustic are Alan Ribchester Gary Martin who describe themselves as an English Folk duo based on Tonbridge Kent. The met in 1975 and played in pub and club bands for most of the next 30 years. Alan says that having retired from gainful employment they decided to make music together once again inspired by their mutual love for Fairport Convention. Having rehearsed a few covers they started writing and recording and after a year or so with some big interruptions their first album of 10 original English Folk (Rock?) songs was finished and was released on 1st November on CD, Spotify, Itunes, Amazon etc. The 10 original tracks on the album are written in the folk rock style and each tells its own story. For example Chalgrove Field tells of a battle that took place during the English Civil war in 1643 and the involvement of one John Hampden, while Devil’s Hole comes from Gary’s research into his own family tree and the fact that one of his ancestors was forced off the land in Wiltshire and turned to mining in Wales. Yet another track, Soldiers of the Sea, is about Alan’s grandfather, who came from Deal, served in the Royal Marines from 1908 to 1928 and was involved in the evacuation of Gallipoli in 1915 and saving the Greek Royal Family (including an infant who latter became Prince Philip) in in 1922. This is an interesting album and I hope to hear more from this duo once live events get back on the folk calendar. Alan Castle (Editor)
TENTERDEN
olk festival 2021
folk festival
f
Tenterden
“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald�
Thu 30th Sept to Sun 3rd October Folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions
www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Most guests held over to 2021: Some still to be confirmed 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
Local and regular guests Bob Kenward, Chris Roche, Gavin & Julie Atkin, Jerry Crossley, John & Di Cullen, Malcolm Ward, Marsh Warblers, Peter Collins, Portside, Roger Resch, Spare Parts, Sue Watson, Travelling Folk, Vic & Tina Smith, Vic Ellis one man band Free music stage & showcase guests (TBC) Ashford Folk Band, Broomdasher, Highworth Folk Band, The Kukes, New Frontier, Nunhead Folk Circle, Open Water, Direction Corsairs, Yardarm Folk Orchestra. More still to confirm...
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 Williamson E: chiefsteward@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk Dance co-ordinator: Spud Jones E: dance@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk
Tenterden Folk Festival Registered charity No. 1038663
FOLK-AT-THE-DRUM The Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Drum’ Inn at N. Stanford, Stone Street (Between Cant’ & Hythe)
ELSIE’S
Farnborough Social Club
DECEMBER: The Queen’s Arms, on the B2026
3rd, 10th, 17th Singers & Musicians Night
midway between Edenbridge
14 June - Keith Kendrick 3rd December - Dick Miles and2020 Sylvia Needham 12 July - Geoff Higginbottom 21st January 2021 Collins - Alan Reid 23 August - Peter
24th (Closed Christmas Eve) and the A264, Tunbridge Wells - East
All other evenings Singers Nights
14th, 28th
Guest Nights 8.00 p.m. Singers Nights 8.00 p.m. Members, Guests & visitors are always During the lockdown find us on welcome to play, sing, listen or do all three! from 7pm. On ClubZoom Nights everyone who wishes gets a spotFor to perform. Guest Nights detailsOnsee there is limited time for ‘floor artists’ butwww.folkatthedrum.co.uk a phone call usually gets you a spot.
21st
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
Mondayto4the June: John Di Cullen Subject Covid 19 & emergency, Expect an eclectic mix of robust, reflective please check our website for the latest and humorous songs. information: tonbridgefolkclub.org Monday 18 June: Chris Cleverley An extremely talented singer-songwriter During lockdown, we have been with many diverse topics in his songs, posting videos our Facebook page accompanied by on accomplished finger style www.facebook.com/tonbridgefolkclub guitar playing. Monday 2 July: Consort of One Our provisional programme is:
Lizzie Gutteridge combines medieval and renaissance music and song, on traditional Monday, 7th December North instruments, with 21stC looping Helen technology.
Monday July: Triage Monday, 18th16 January 2021 Alan Reid Welcome return of this popular local band who made a good impact last time. Expect Monday 1st March 2021 Richard Grainger lively renderings of tunes and songs with various instruments. Tel: 01892 822945 info@tonbridgefolkclub.org www.tonbridgefolkclub.org www.tonbridgefolkclub.org
Grinstead Road (Closed New Years Eve)
31st
8 - 11pm
JANUARY:
7th
Alison & David Fenner
9th June Singers & Musicians Night Roy ClingingBob Kenward
Another welcome return
Orpington Folk Music and Song Club exists to promote folk music and song. It is a non profit making organisation 14 and is for those who wish to listen to or take part in an informal evening of folk music and song. For those who wish confirmation of guest(s) nights see the website or contact the telephone numbers for details
th July Martin Wyndham-Read
Thursdays @ 8.15pm 01959 532 754 020 8325 6513
www.elsiesband.com
Website: www.orpingtonfolkclub.org.uk E-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com
ORPINGTON FOLK CLUB
ofnHorses Sthe inChange gdaVillage, cOrpington eandplay Farnborough We’re June:all missing our regular events and our th friends. particularly missing: 7 JimWe’re Mclean a composer, acoustic-based musician and singer/songwriter.
14th, SundaSingers y of the m& onMusicians th Castle InnNight , • last 28th 21Bstr Allan e n c h l e y s o n g a n d t u n e s e s s i o n s w i th Richardson sings and writes songs and estsa mean backing guitar. guplays • live:ly mainly English tunes sessions at July th e Gun, BMuskett renchley a Brighton based four piece 5 thHunter accordion, and • populafiddle, r worbanjo kshoguitar, ps fomandolin r tunes p layBodhran. ers th singer /guitarist 12 • twiJimmy ce-yearlLee y baranndaccomplished ances
promising an entertaining evening of poplar, self-penned
and folkgreatly songs. looking forward to normal life We’re 19th Singers Musicians Night resuming. Until & then, we’re running weekly th Reg Meuross 26 one of the premier singer/ online Sunday night song and tune sessions songwriter’s on the folk scene. Described as "a warm from 7.30live to entertainer 9.30pm, focused asofusual on the engaging with songs love, longing trad, thelife oldstories" fashioned and the entertaining. and true To to Singdanceandplay.net and join us, go Thursdays @ 8.15pm 532754 020 8325 6513 up 01959 sign to receive our emails. www.orpingtonfolkclub.org.uk E-mail: orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com
Rosslyn Court
Live music still in the heart of Cliftonville 1 hour free Live streams on Sats 7.30pm at YouTube/Rosslyn Court. check www.RosslynCourt.com/concerts/events for some great past events. We are open for socially distanced concerts with a very limited number of tickets. The first hour is live streamed - all donations from this go to the performers. We have a Perspex screen between performers and the audience. There is an on-stage air extraction system. There’s a quirky one way system and bar table service. We sterilise the studio after concerts… We are supporting live music by guaranteeing performers an income. Please support Rosslyn Court! - Come to our concerts here or at home! -Buy £12 tickets www.WeGotTickets/RosslynCourt .... Or call 07902140248 -Watch the live stream free at YouTube/Rosslyn Court, but PLEASE (if you can) -Donate to the performers via www.RosslynCourt.com/donate or -Contribute to the live chat. We like to hear feedback and general daftness. If you do any of the above then you are entered into the house raffle. Woohoo.
Live Concerts - doors 7pm. ends 9pm
£12 (Not many of these about!)
Dec 5 Tobiah and Colette O’Leary…great music and gorgeous songs Dec 12 Christmas with the Kimberleys -again!- a great evening guaranteed Dec 19 Flotsam Session folk…great world folk music, a bit seasonal… Jan 23 Robert Burns in some form or another…well, we have to really…. Feb 6 Lynn Heraud and Pat Turner….fun guaranteed!…’nuff said. Watch. Feb 13 Winter Wilson…oh those songs….. Feb 20 John Kirkpatrick sings for us. Lovely man, iconic folkie. Here! Amazing. Feb 28 Kath Tait…yet another funny woman. Just what we need. www.RosslynCourt.com/concerts/events or Facebook/Rosslyn Court for the latest list. or ring me: 07902140248 Licenced bar, hot and cold soft drinks + cake! Table service No workshops at present…boooo See you soon I hope, Morag book: www.WeGotTickets/RosslynCourt
in normal times
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
26this - Granny's Attic to- 3meet incredibly talented DealOctober Folk Club continuing online for young men who have taken the folk world by storm in weeklyrecent singarounds via Zoom every Friday evening. years Covid has meant the cancellation of Guest Nights November 9th - Singer's Night we with Remembrance for the time being, although have had several theme (Armistice Day Centenary) very enjoyable extended floor spots by past Guests. November 16th - Quicksilver see - Grant & For the latest information ourBaynham website Hilary Spencer entertain and delight with virtuoso www.dealfolkclub.org.uk. We look forward to seeing guitar and amazing voice you all again in person as soon as we can!
REVIEW Proper English
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. The venue remains unavailable, until further notice, but we have arranged weekly CLOSED during August Zoom sing-a-rounds each Monday evening between 7.45pm and 10.00pm. Please e-mail Chris Wilkin at cwilkin6@sky.com to be included in the weekly invitation. 14th September
We are looking forward to resuming normal club nights once theraffle) lockdown eases Singers night - Entrance £3.00 (including and the venue is open. In the meantime keep safe and well.
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 Folk song and music sessions IN NORMAL TIMES AT The William Caxton West Cross, Tenterden TN30 6JR The second Tuesday of every month 8.00 for 8.30 p.m. Free, sing-a-round style folk club Floor singers, musicians storytellers, step dancers, etc. always welcome Information: E: info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk W: www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk T: 01233 626805 Tenterden Folk Club has been running consistently since 1993 Tenterden Folk Club is part of Tenterden Folk Festival (Charity No 1038663) Promoting folk song, music and dance
Collections or Best prices paid 354 135 Ring Collin 07860
WANTED
LPs, EPs, 45s, CDs
Folk, Blues, reggae, jazz and WANTED rock LPs, EP
s, 45s, CDs Folk, blues, reggae , jazz and rock Collections or small er items
Collections or smaller items, best Best prices paid prices paid Ring Collin 07860 354 135
Ring Collin 07860 354 135
Adventures of an Old Folkie I’ve decided that this will be my last feature written under the above title. I think I’ve taken it as far as it can go, especially with my “adventures” growing fewer in the light of my expanding years and the limitations posed by coronavirus restrictions. Things were just starting to get back to something like the old “normal” when the Government decided to go for a second national lockdown. Don’t get me wrong; I believe that it is necessary, but it should have been put in place weeks ago, when SAGE first recommended it on 21st September. I’m afraid it’s just another example of how incompetent this Government has been in coping and dealing with this virus. Up until now, the “Tier” system had been in operation and we were fortunate enough to live in an area little affected by covid; therefore, we were in Tier 1, within which we could associate with others in pubs and restaurants, and also sing and perform music both outside and inside venues. As a result, I was able to resurrect my open mic sessions at my local micropub, The Dog House at the Evegate centre, near Ashford. I started by holding them in the covered area just outside the pub, making them totally acoustic, to avoid the danger of people sharing microphones. Then, only last week, we moved them inside the pub, in the light of worsening weather conditions, and it was a great success. I also negotiated with Duncan, the landlord, my first ever solo gig, which was going to be on 22nd November; now, of course, it will not happen. We had hoped to keep the new open (non!) mics going throughout the winter, but now that will not be possible. It’s such a shame, as they were one of the very few opportunities still open to live music performances in the area. Another casualty of the new covid restrictions is my little recording studio in Willesborough; I and my two friends and accomplices, the Bryant brothers, had only just started going back into it, with a view to collating a new album of (relatively!) new recordings and starting to record songs for the next one. Now, of course, this will not be possible, as people from two separate households or more are not allowed to socialise indoors. What a bummer! Apart from the reasons outlined in the first paragraph, another reason for knocking this feature on the head is that I realise that I may be old, but I’m not a genuine “folkie”; I know very little of the English folk tradition (or the Irish, Scottish or American ones, for that matter!). I’m a bit of a dilettante, in that I like and play many different types of music, without being particularly good at any of them! Another reason is that I now realise that it has been a bit of a ”vanity project”; those of you who are fortunate enough to have had your writing published will identify with the thrill of reading it on the printed page for the first time. It certainly does seem to give a boost to one’s ego. I must apologise to those of you who have stuck with this feature over the years, thereby being exposed to this ego-massaging, and must also thank Alan and Andy for sticking with it after the Drages moved on. It only remains for me to wish all of my readers the very best for the future, not only in music, but in every aspect of your lives. Thanks for putting up with me for so long! Jeff (JR) Hartley
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. 103 February/March COPY DATE: 18th December Then … 18th December 2020 – February / March 18th June 2021 – August / September 18th February 2021 – April / May 18th August 2021 – October / November 18th April 2021 – June / July 18th October 2021 - December / January
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: £85 Inside front or back 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: 15% 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 WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA: www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk twitter.com/AroundKentFolk ● facebook.com/AroundKentFolk Around Kent Folk Subscription Form Name........................................................................................................................................ Address ................................................................................................................................... ................................................................................................................................................. Telephone:.......................................................... Email:........................................................... SUBSCRIPTION £9 for 1 year (6 issues) Cheques payable to “Tenterden Folk Day Trust” Send to: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA