o u nd r a
ke nt folk Issue 103 February / March 2021
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 103 February/March 2022 issue of Around Kent Folk By the time you read this a very unusual Christmas and New Year’s Day will be all over and we will be into a very uncertain 2021. Will we still be in Tier 4 or will the whole country be in a new lock down? Even before Christmas we had heard of several the 2021 spring Folk Festivals being cancelled. Getting back to anywhere near normal by summer looks increasingly unlikely despite the vaccines. We may be able to open up clubs and festivals later in the year so let’s keep all those fingers crossed for a warm summer and a successful vaccine role out and an end to this atrocious pandemic. For the latest news of online folk events check out The Folk Forecast at https:// thefolkforecast.substack.com/ lots of interesting stuff there. The Official Charts Company launched the Official Folk albums chart Top 40 in the autumn. On the whole, it reads like a BBC Radio Two Folk Show playlist rather than a true representation of the “real” folk scene as we would know it in our local folk clubs, venues and our own album collections. The chart is based on “all known physical and audio and video releases” but what about the hundreds that they are not aware of, produced by the many small and private folk labels and the artists themselves. For instance those reviewed in this issue of AKF. The chart is also based on physical and online sales through retailers and digital downloads from streaming platforms but presumably does not include sales made by the folk artists themselves at gigs, festivals, etc. or through their own websites. So does the new Official Folk Album chart actually mean anything at all or is it just another way of promoting a few popular big name folk artistes who have album deals with major labels and already get played frequently on the radio? A look through recent charts shows names like Runrig, Martin Simpson, Kate Rusby, Pogues, Levellers, Seth Lakeman, Shirley Collins, etc. All very good but do they really represent what you are buying? Let us know what you think. You can find the full chart at https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/folk-albums-chart/ 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. For the latest news of online folk events check out The Folk Forecast at thefolkforecast.substack.com lots of interesting stuff there. 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 So here we go into 2021, the Year Of Erratic Gabardine for cinema buffs… there will be no jokes about vaccination, needles to say… the past couple of months has been a rollercoaster of good and bad news, tough for many of us but with the distant possibility of meeting together and sharing music somewhere around the horizon. One positive is the sheer amount of online activity on the folk scene. I think we will eventually go back to travelling in person (I hope so, or all those railroad ballads will become redundant), but for now there’s international choice on the fibre. This has implications for clubs of course: the Woodshed session each month continues with the Broadstairs regulars who would come to the Wrotham Arms armed and picking, and now some like Deanna and Peter Norman from the locked-down North who make festival sessions so strong are able to pop in. At Faversham we have regulars from Saddleworth and points west of Gillingham (apparently there are some) , alongside drop-ins from the likes of Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer. Gavin and Julie Atkins’ weekly shindig has visitors from across the globe, many of whom have better broadband than prevails in Tunbridge Wells… The Drum and Deal organize guest nights successfully, with the payment issue easily available thus enabling quality to be maintained. Nick Dow, Roy Clinging and Dick Miles were all to be seen in one Lydd-based evening recently. Credit to all the organisers, and their determination to make things happen. Rosslyn Court has a wide-ranging variety, including Luke Jackson and many local acts. I’m thinking that, like Rene Magritte, who put his raincoat on and walked round the block before returning to paint at home, I ought to go to the station and buy a ticket just to get the experience and exercise… because every night I’m welded to the chair… Looking at the list, oh yes, there’s Jeff Warner from New England via Herga, Granny’s Attic doing their own thing and collectively, and then all the YouTube backlog to marvel over… and what else would you do with 12 minutes but learn some jazz chords? Oh yes, there’s Covideo… Someone ought to invent a folk Peloton, where you jig along in front of the screen… your digital watch working out calories and add-on chain supplying electricity to the laptop… how green is that… In one December week I attended 6 sessions including Lewes and listened to 173 singers each performing a couple of songs in the night… with barely a repetition and, now, a greater emphasis on chorus songs- not to mention actions and signing to increase participation… Makaton or BSL may become a topic as pertinent as Martin or Taylor… and that’s without Sharps or venturing afield. Nick Dow has been active in putting out CDs of traditional material from his collection and the EFDSS website has many, many pages of manuscript to explore- it’s a golden age for easy access to folk song, especially now the technical issues of sound quality are improving all the time. It was also nice to see the traditions maintained- Mummers, Hoodeners, Wassailers all ensuring the year goes well with great good humour… if there is someone listening in all the time, Siri, they will be mighty confused… Alexa, play the one about the owl in the ivy tree, and that we left behind… Plans shift all the time now, but with the possibility of late summer festivals and outdoor concerts we have hope. Keep warm and safe one and all, and support your local van drivers. They probably play melodeons for a living. Late news: Doug Hudson’s autobiography ‘Have You Stopped Being Funny’ just available from Amazon… well worth reading… see review Bob Kenward
CD Review
Fraser Bruce – Every Song’s a Story – Greentrax CDTRAX 413 Fraser and his brother Ian both deserve long-service medals for their commitment to the folk scene in Scotland. Their first three vinyl LPs appeared in the 1980s and made a considerable impact but as time went on whilst his brother continued as a professional performer, Fraser began devoting the majority of his time to his successful business interests. Growing interest in their older recordings led to the compilation from them along with some new live tracks being released on Greentrax in 2015 and now, with his business interests now in the hands of offspring comes this solo album. It is not surprising, then, that this album contains a number of songs that were popular from earlier decades like Eric Bogle’s Now I’m Easy, Andy Barnes The Last Leviathan. John Watts’ John Thomson and the only traditional song on the album I’ll Lay Ye Doon. There are also four of his own compositions with The Iolaire Disaster, a shipwreck that drowned soldiers return from the First World War, being the pick of these. Conflict is also the subject of the joint composition with Ian, Sweet Fallen Angels of War. Unsurprisingly, Ian Bruce takes a prominent role amongst the backing musicians with Gavin Paterson making notable contributions on piano and keyboards. www.grentrax.com Vic Smith
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.
Jim Radford Obit for AKF Born 1 October 1928 – died 6 November 2020 Those of you who were among the Eltham folk mob will have met Jim more than anyone. Born in Hull and being off the D-Day beaches a galley boy in a Tug at the age of 15 is but a part of this remarkable man! a singer and a fighter for peace and equality, Jim was an early member of the Committee of 100, Shelter and fought for Centre Point. How many who go to Tenterden Festival will know of the `Kings Hill Hostel’ for the homeless campaign at West Malling, just 20 miles away, in 1966/67 the conditions in former wartime accommodation at the airfield were dreadful, questions were raised in parliament. Jim`s son Stephen told me, “as a ten year old I was taken on this successful protest and various `Shelter’ campaigns”. Jim was often to be seen fronting protests in Trafalgar square, he was a long-time supporter of the `Mayday Tugs of War’ association whose film got its launch in this country in the room used by Tudor Folk `I was there for that’. On one occasion he with a determined group at the appointed hour with only wrist watches to coordinate with invaded the stages halting every Central London theatre production; his theatre had royal attendance stymying any chance of an MBE. Jim was a founder member of Veterans for Peace, and was often called abroad to speak on their behalf. War had done much to form the character that became Jim Radford, his older brother Jack died in the early days of 1940 at sea aged 17 the, merchant navies youngest wireless operator, to remember him the song `Merchant Seaman’ came to be; Brother Fred who went to sea in 1942 is remembered in `The Tattie Lads’ a song of the rescue tugs that Jim so proudly remembered. Close your eyes and imagine being just 15 on your first trip to sea circumnavigating Great Britain in a tug of not quite 500 tons gathering up rusty old ships that unknown to them at the time were to be the block ships (breakwater) for the famous mulberry harbour off Arromanches. With the whizz bang of ingoing and outgoing shells above and around them they worked 24 hours when late one night “We were sent out to a sinking Liberty ship the lads had to jump when we were on the rise alongside. The tug had this great rubbing strake of timber around her a foot wide it was like a step. Some leapt onto the timber and slipped so were crushed between the two vessels in the horrendous weather, as the ships separated arms that had a hold of the bulwark were pulled, all you helped aboard was half a man he had been cut in two. I was given charge of two badly injured men. I was given a handful of phials of morphine and told watch and whenever they come round find somewhere to put another shot in, an arm or a leg, both had died by the morning. I had to wash out the galley which was full of red water.” From this `Shores of Normandy’ comes as Jims own experience woven into song 25 years after the event. The songs are all on U-tube and include Jim`s rendition to a standing ovation at the Royal Albert Hall of Shores of Normandy. Chris Roche
Jims Tug Empire Larch and Jim after he joined the Royal Navy in 1946 ©Radford Family
The Merchant Seaman There’s a rainbow faintly gleaming through the grey skies of old England To welcome a homeward bounder on the day of his return Neath the dockside cranes a looming with a distant siren booming While the dockyard Matie’s scurry to take his heaving line There’s a cold Nor` Easter squalling and a drizzling rain a falling But there’s naught can damp his spirits now he’s reached the shores of home For he’s been through Hell and danger to them he is no stranger In the cruel North Atlantic He’s seen men and ships go down But now there’s wives and sweethearts waiting and they’ll soon be celebrating For Jack is home from sea and he has left the killing ground And as he walks the streets of Liverpool Cardiff, Hull and London Town He’ll pass a million people there and some of them may frown For he doesn’t wear a uniform that tells you what he’s done He’s just.... the Merchant Seaman ....that we all depend upon. All too soon his shore times over and he must sail again And there’s tears among his loved ones who know the risk he runs For he must run that U Boat gauntlet as he has done before Where thousands of his shipmates sleep on that dark ocean floor For there’s a bloody battle raging on the cold Atlantic foam And one in every four like him will not be coming home. Yes he’s been through Hell and danger to them he is no stranger In the cruel North Atlantic he’s seen men and ships go down And for the wives and sweethearts waiting there’ll be no celebrating Till Jack is home from sea and he has left the killing ground And as he walks the streets of Liverpool Cardiff, Hull and London Town He’ll pass a million people there and some of them may frown For he doesn’t wear a uniform that tells you what he’s done He’s just.... the Merchant Seaman ....that we all depend upon. He’s from Glasgow and from Belfast Swansea and Yarmouth Town From the Humber and from Tyneside wherever ships are found And he sails in Tramps and Tankers in Freighters old and new In Liners and in Coasters in Tugs and Trawlers too And he sails on every ocean and he braves the raging sea To keep our lifelines open and to keep this island free. And he sails through Hell and danger to them he is no Stranger From the Arctic to Pacific he’s seen men and ships go down And for the wives and sweethearts waiting there’ll be no celebrating Till Jack is home from sea and he has left the killing ground And if you go to Liverpool, Cardiff, Hull or London Town You’ll find him in the dockside pubs where sailors hang around But he doesn’t wear a uniform that tells you what he’s done. He’s just the Merchant Seaman that we all depend upon He’s the British Merchant Seaman that you can depend upon. Jim Radford 2009 Tune is on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwfGBFarwuc
The Merchant Seaman’s refrain makes the point that ‘He doesn’t wear a uniform that tells you what he’s done. He’s just the merchant seaman that we all depend upon.” However, in the case of Jack Radford. - He was the youngest Merchant Navy Officer killed by enemy action in World War II, he did in fact wear a uniform, and in a strange way it was this uniform that got him killed. Jack qualified as a Radio Officer (Marconiman), passing his Third and Second Class Ticket examinations at the same time, at Hull Municipal College in 1940 at the age of seventeen, having already gone around the world as a deckhand. The Marconi Wireless Telegraphy Company employed the Radio Officers on British Merchant ships but they did not provide the uniforms that Merchant Navy Officers were supposed to wear. Jack’s parents were so proud of him that they bought him a uniform straight away and thus, when he went after a berth on the SS CREE, he was chosen in preference to the more experienced and older candidate because the other guy did not have a uniform immediately available and the captain of the SS CREE was a stickler for the formalities. So Jack sailed in SS CREE as the youngest Second Radio Officer in the Merchant Service he celebrated his eighteenth birthday somewhere off the coast of Africa, and was killed when U-123 found the ship straggling behind its convoy in the Atlantic just three weeks later. An old ore carrier with no escort was easy pickings and went to the bottom with all hands in no time - although someone (perhaps Jack) did have time to send an SOS - but the convoy was too far away to send help or to search for survivors. And that’s how a smart new uniform bought by proud and loving parents got the youngest Radio Officer in the Merchant Service killed on 22nd November 1940. His photograph in that uniform is looking down at me as I type this. Steve Radford 10 November 2020 Jim was also remembering all Merchant Seamen who when they came ashore as he says, wore no uniform and in fact were spat upon and refused service in pubs on that count so a special lapel button badge was made and given them to show who they were. Per man served in all the services the Merchant Navy lost more men at sea in proportion than any other service in excess of 35.000 of whom only 25.000 are remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial. Chris Roche 10 November 2020 Tim Robinson – Former Barge Landlord, Gillingham (born 1951, died November 10th 2020) Tim Robinson was the consummate landlord. His welcome was always warm, generous and entertaining. Some of his stories were so outrageous, for example being a mercenary in Angola, a member of Mossad, training the England Women’s Olympic hockey team, being blind for two years, being gored by a Pamplona bull and sent down from Oxford for ‘shagging the don’s daughter’. Strangely though there seemed to be little threads of truth here and there. If he told you Paul McCartney had dropped in for a pint and got his guitar out something in the back of your mind made you think ‘well, it’s possible.’ When he took over the Cricketers in Layfield Road, Lower Gillingham, in the 1990s it was a dead end pub. Dreadful decor and just a dartboard to welcome you. It was transformed over the years into a hub for not only music but for everyone who wanted an atmospheric night out with a diversity of clientele, all of whom rubbed along together under the genial eye of Tim. Great beer, great lighting and superbly run. He installed a whole sound system, built a stage and provided instruments. Local bands
always wanted to play there and he was as important a figure in the artistic world of Medway as the likes of Billy Childish, Bill Lewis, James Taylor, Chris Broderick and many others. He asked me to arrange folk nights on Mondays and it ran every Monday for 12 years. Apart from some great local acts, here are some of the people who graced the Barge. Many from the USA, Canada and France as well as the UK. The Singing Loins, Tim Edey, Chiens De Mer, Casey Neill Trio, The Groanbox Boys, Moveable Feast, Tom Palmer, The Hot Tamales, Dick & Carole Holdstock, Jim Couza, Kriek Balise, Amazing Mr Smith, Paul Downes, Miriam Backhouse, Tommy Peoples, Bully Wee Band, Landermason, Billy Ebeling & Brendan Power, The Dealers, Shep Woolley, Dave Cousins & Ian Cutler, The Machine Breakers, Truckstop Honeymoon, Tom Lewis, Hot Rats, Keith James, Norcsalordie, Barber & Taylor, Two Man Gentlemen Band, Will Scott & Jan Bell, The Maybelles, Green Diesel, The Chimney Boys, Flossie Malavialle, Band of Two, Larry Hanks, Los Salvadores, Tattie Jam, Floorboard Family Band, Sur Les Docks. Doug Hudson
Book Review
Have You Stopped Being Funny Doug Hudson 217pp Self-published/ Amazon ISBN 97985 0410142 This eagerly-awaited pot-pourri of anecdotes and memories from Medway’s globe-trotting ambassador is a fascinating read. From the Little Theatre to Norfolk (VA), Vulcan’s Hammer to Knoc-na-Gree, Doug fleshes out the vagaries of life on the road as a professional entertainer, taking us on a journey few can match let alone get down in print. Names from the past flit by, the mercurial characters who created and sustained a memorably vibrant folk/ acoustic scene in Kent alongside the gig organisers for the armed forces and for puzzled Japanese legations. Doug’s love for Gillingham FC comes though loud and clear, as you’d expect from the Voice Of Priestfield, offering insights you don’t often see in a concertina workshop. Or maybe you do: Glad’s Trad is fondly recalled. I must declare an interest: a song of mine afforded Tundra their lowest audience ever: one, who left. A rare accolade. It’s a compulsive read. As you never know what’s next: cricket with a kilted Scot on the TransSiberian, the last train to Yokosuka, an Irish gig as Seamus O’Flaherty... the story (and expressive picture) of Mira with whom Doug stayed in Russia, subject of his fine song. In many ways a portrait of a precarious living, and yet Doug passes lightly over some major achievements, such as his role in developing the artistic programme for the massively successful Sweeps Festival. Other than justifiable pride in persuading 250 000 KSE students to Barn Dance over the years there’s a sense of opportunities grasped rather than frontman heroics here. There is much more to be told, surely: I for one would welcome a few of the scripts which made Tundra and Doug’s solo act so memorable- guess they’re still in use, so maybe one day. For now we have snapshots of the world as it was, and warm commentary from a man who has cheered many an evening with his repartee. Well worth snapping up from Amazon. Bob Kenwood
Faversham
Every Wednesday 8.00pm Doors open 7.30 www.favershamfolkclub.net
Folk Club
The Limes
Preston Steet, Faversham ME13 8PG
Feb - Mar
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
CD Review
Pete Morton – A Golden Thread – Bar code 50245885828 (Own Label) Pete is one of the finest, most prolific and highest regarded songwriters associated with the folk scene, but he is also one of the most restless in the fairly frequent albums that he releases. Pete is one of the finest, most prolific and highest regarded songwriters associated with the folk scene, but he is also one of the most restless in the fairly frequent albums that he releases. If you get used to one direction from an album, then you find him heading in another on the next one. The first impression that we get here of the full band big production sound of every track which includes prominent folk musicians such as George Sansome, Alice Jones, Matt Quinn and Sarah Matthews, but it soon sinks in that we have some powerful songs that punch a strong socio-political message with Yemini Moon, Universal Basic Income and The Grenfall Carol making strong marks both in fine melodies and hard-hitting lyrics. Aside from there is his re-working of the Pete Seeger composition that is the title track and his take on that evergreen Barbara Allen. Many of Pete’s live appearances hear him singing The Farmer’s Boy and he has recorded it before but it turns up here to finish off a joyful 53 minutes. The song that always causes the need to press the “reply track” is a re-working of an earlier song, I’m in love with Emily Dickenson. introducing a female voice, that of Jude Rees. It is exquisite. https://www.petemorton.com/store/ Vic Smith Press Release - Chippenham Folk Festival Dear festival supporter, As someone who has bought tickets for Chippenham Folk Festival in the past, we’d like to keep you up to date with our plans for the future. Unfortunately we do not believe it is possible to put on our normal festival in May 2021 as we expect that COVID-19 restrictions will still be in place, or not eased in time for us to put everything together. It would not be right to plan and incur expenses now in the hopes that all will be well in May. We definitely intend to be back to business as usual in May 2022 and hope that you will be able to come and enjoy the atmosphere that is Chippenham Folk Festival. We are currently investigating our options for what we can put on in May 2021 and will keep you informed once we know what will be possible. You will have heard recently that the Spring Bank Holiday in 2022 has been moved to June for the Queen’s Jubilee. We have decided not to clash with other events that weekend and we will run the 2022 festival over the last weekend in May as normal. Thank you for your support in the past and we look forward to welcoming you to the festival again in the future. The Directors and Staff of Chippenham Folk Festival CIC
CD Reviews
Nick Dow - Then as Now… (Original 1990 recordings re-discovered and remastered) OHM 813 I do not normal quote from press releases when doing album reviews but in this case doing that explains how this new album from Nick came about. “While Covid has kept me under house arrest, I have taken the time to gather together all the existing recordings that I own. Imagine my delight when a copy of the missing recordings made at the BBC dropped through the letter box! A friend of mine had kept them in his loft without realising for the last thirty years. The recordings were believed to have been wiped, and should have been included on the 1990 recording ‘Then as now’. A printing error meant the production went out without the songs. The whole was only produced in a limited number of about 500, and superseded by other recordings, but for the first time the collection is now available as it was intended. The album was under invested and was never reviewed or really promoted to any great extent, however now the recordings have been re-mastered, I’m really quite pleased with them. I was a tender 38 years old when they were recorded, and I am now pushing seventy!” The album features Nick’s signature vocals and guitar style but on some tracks he is joined by Nigel Canter on Fiddle and Chris Robinson on button accordion. As you would expect Nick’s voice has matured over the years but is still very recognisable and well balanced against the instruments. All the songs on the album are traditional and some of them Nick says he is now having to re-learn as he has not sung them for many years. They include Creeping Jane, The Bold Fisherman, The Sheepshearing Song, The Trees they Grow so High and many other songs that were popular with traditional singers in folk clubs at the time. I remember seeing Nick around that time at Chippenham Folk Festival and booking him for the folk club I was running in Ashford so I expect I heard him sing many of these song then and it is great to hear him singing them again now. Definitely one I will be playing a lot in 2021. Orkney Monster - The Chair Folky Gibbon Records FGCD025 It is difficult to describe the music on this, the third album, from The Chair. It is certainly folky, it is Celtic, it is upbeat, its fast, it is dance music, but you would need a lot of energy to keep up with it. There are perhaps overtones of Steeleye Span’s Wintersmith album in some places, so perhaps it is Orkney folk rock or perhaps not. There are some slower and quieter tunes as well as a couple of songs among the tracks. All the tunes and songs are all written by the band and the likes of Donal Lunny, Alasdair White, Gavin Hardie and Ross Ainslie. Track titles include Beachcomers, Wee Davie, The Blue Lamp, Shiver Me Timbers and Festival Reels. The CD cover is very unusual and is designed rather like a newspaper but the print is rather small for older eyes. An interesting CD. Alan Castle (Editor)
FOLK-AT-THE-DRUM The Club meets every Thursday at ‘The Drum’ Inn at N. Stanford, Stone Street (Between Cant’ & Hythe)
11th March 14 June - Keith Kendrick Nick Dowand Sylvia Needham 12 July - Geoff Higginbottom 23 August - Peter Collins All other evenings Singers Nights 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. 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 Subject to the Covid 19 emergency, and humorous songs. please check our website for the latest Monday 18 June: Chris Cleverley information: tonbridgefolkclub.org An extremely talented singer-songwriter with many diverse topics in his songs, During lockdown, we have been accompanied by accomplished finger style posting videos on our Facebook page guitar playing.
www.facebook.com/tonbridgefolkclub
Monday 2 July: Consort of One
Lizzie Gutteridge combines medieval and Our provisional programme is: renaissance music and song, on traditional instruments, with 21stC looping technology. Monday, 1st March Richard Grainger
Monday 16 July: Triage
Welcome band Monday, 1threturn April of this popular local Nick Dow 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
ELSIE’S
Farnborough Social Club
FEBRUARY: The Queen’s Arms, on the B2026
4th
Geoff Higginbottom
midway between Edenbridge and25th the A264, Tunbridge Wells - East 11th, Singers & Musicians Night Grinstead Road
8 - 11pm
18th
Jim McLean
MARCH:
4th, 11th, 25th 9th Singers & Musicians Night June 18th
Roy Clinging Richard Grainger
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
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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
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 February acts have been postponed and will be rescheduled. 02 February The Outside Track (Rescheduled to February 2022) 09 February Granny’s Attic (POSTPONED - New Date TBA) 16 February Jim Causley (POSTPONED - New Date TBA) 23 February 4SQUARE (TOUR POSTPONED - New Date TBA) All March acts are subject to change or cancellation. 02 March Clive Carroll 09 March State of the Union 16 March Oka Vanga (Rescheduled from 08 Sept 2020) 23 March Luke Jackson (Rescheduled from 19 Jan 2021) 30 March TBC During these uncertain times, we are keen to keep pre-booked artists in our diary and will reschedule gigs as and when appropriate. 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
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 WORKSHOPS 2021 (10.45 am – 4.45 pm) MORE TO COME 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 Rheingans Sisters
Fiddle
17 April Andy May Northumbrian pipes Sophy Ball Fiddle Ian Stephenson Guitar ANDY MAY TRIO evening 24 April 15 May 19 June 3 July 4 July
Daoirí Farrell Bouzouki JIB (Temples & Jim Mageean) Sea songs Emmanuel Pariselle & Didier Oliver Gascon trad John Kirkpatrick Tune arranging John Kirkpatrick Vocal harmony
24 July
Alistair Anderson Northumbrian tunesmiths Dan Walsh Clawhammer banjo ALISTAIR ANDERSON & DAN WALSH evening
16 Oct
Andy Cutting Melodeon Rob Harbron English concertina Sam Sweeney Fiddle LEVERET evening
20 Nov
Riley Baugus
Banjo
CD Reviews
An hour with Cecil Sharp & Ashley Hutchings Ashley Hutchings (Talking Elephant Records TECD448) This is not entirely a new album having been first released way back in the mid 1980’s when Ashley toured the original live show (remember those?) around the country. I remember seeing the show a couple of times and thoroughly enjoying it and learning a lot from it. On this new album Ashley has made a few additions and alterations to make it more suitable for an album rather than a show. Martin Carthy, Richard Thomson and Dave Whetstone feature as guest artists. If you have not seen the show or heard the original recording you will not be surprised that the album includes a fair amount of spoken word as well as songs and music, but it also includes recording taken from cylinders recorded by Sharp and Vaughan Williams, found in the depths of the dusty archives of Cecil Sharp House. These rare unlabeled cylinders date from the early 1900. The album tells the story of Sharp’s bicycle rides around England collecting folk songs. I remember Ashley coming on stage wheeling and old sit up and beg bike at the begining of the show and playing the part of Sharp. The 32 short tracks run for 50 minutes and include Martin’s performances of Among the new mown hay and Rambling Sailor, as well a jig performed by all three guests together, and Martin and Richard on Turtle Dove. I’ve already played the review copy several times and will be playing it many more. Highly recommended. Children of the sun - The Sallyangie (Sally and Mike Oldfield) Talking Elephant Records TECD447 This is a re-release of the only album recorded back in 1968 by Sally and her then 15 year old brother, Mike. Both Sally and Mike play guitar and sing and are joined by Terry Cox on a variety of percussion, Ray Warleigh on flute, and David Palmer’s musical arrangements for string quartet and harpsicord on Lady Mary and Midsummer Night’s Happening. All the 19 tracks were composed by Sally and Mike. There is very little other information on the CD sleeve. The sound is certainly very much what you would expect from Mike Oldfield. The 14 original tracks also include Strangers, Children of the Sun, River Song, and The Murder of the Children of San Francisco. The four bonus tracks are Twilight Song, The Song of the Healer, Two Ships, Colours of the World, and a reprise of Children of the Sun (minus the intro). I’ve never though of Mike Oldfield as being particularly folk but Sallyangie, were back in the day, described as a folk duo. A thoroughly enjoyable album. Alan Castle (Editor)
Rosslyn Court
Live music still, in the heart of Cliftonville
Anthony John Clarke and Julia Porter behind our stage screen recently. We have a stage screen and on-stage air extraction, personalised mic covers We are supporting live music by guaranteeing performers an income. Please support Rosslyn Court! - Come to our concerts at home! - 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. 7.30 – 8.30pm Live on Saturdays– subject to change of course 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 - iconic folkie. Here! Amazing. Feb 28 - Kath Tait…yet another funny woman. Just what we need. Mar 5 - Women Folk at the Power of Women Festival Mar 6 - Elizabeth and Jameson – voted best act Skegness Folk Festival Mar 13 - tbc Mar 20 - Wildwood Jack Folk -Innovative folk and roots Mar 27 - Tom McConville – brilliant fiddle with Geordie humour April 10 - Ian K Brown – return of this great singer songwriter Apr 15 - Magpies powerful vocals ,glittering instrumental ornamentation www.RosslynCourt.com/events for the full list or Facebook/Rosslyn Court for the Miracle? Tickets? book: www.WeGotTickets/RosslynCourt or ring me: 07902140248 No licenced bar, hot or cold soft drinks or cake! No table service. Just the music. No workshops at present…boooo See you soon, I hope, Morag
in normal times
CD Review
The Teacups – “In Which...” The Teacups comprise Alex Cumming, Kate Locksley, Will Finn & Rosie Calvert - an a capella harmony quartet that have been in existence for ten years during which they have gained a well-deserved reputation for quality across the UK folk festival circuit with critically acclaimed performances at many festivals and clubs, including Deal Folk Club where they should have been returning last May to publicise this album on their farewell tour. There is a wide variety of material on this CD, which explores traditional and contemporary songs from all over the British Isles and beyond. On the whole this is a jolly, up-beat CD with beautiful harmonies always spot-on that have been thoughtfully arranged. There really is something for everyone on here, including sea songs Dogger Bank, Shiny-O, Deep Blue Sea, Agamemnon (a Hamish Maclaren poem put to music by Paul Davenport), The Weary Cutters and My Little Man – a beautiful arrangement of Dance to Your Daddy. Three Jolly Huntsmen and The Valentine’s Day Hunt are lively tracks, as are a lovely ”Morris Set” of Cotswold tunes where the only instruments are their voices. Contemporary songs are also included – Man of the Earth by Bernie Parry, Poaching Song which is a protest song written by Rosie, and a song about my favourite drink by Alex called Celestial Tea. The CD ends with Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still, a song from American tradition, and Sugar Wassail. To make it even more interesting the tracks are interspersed with a number of short vignettes, Love Fain Did Try, The Harvest Jug, This Too Shall Pass, The Goose and a very well put together collection of Street Cries. It is all too easy for a capella harmony groups to fall into the trap of singing mainly slow pretty songs, but this CD is varied, with lively as well as slower songs and undeniably beautiful harmonies. I watched the Live to Your Living Room Teacups Concert, an entertaining evening which ended up being their CD launch instead of the tour they had planned, and was billed as possibly being their last performance together. Perhaps they will reconsider once live performing is possible again. If this is their swan song then I for one have much enjoyed their concerts and CDs and I’d just like to say thank you for the music! 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
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
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
CD Review
Mossy Christian – Come Nobles and Heroes – Talking Cat ORRCD002 Understandably there have fewer albums released this year. Certainly, fewer review copies have come this way. This should make choosing an album of the year, but this is an outstanding album and it would stand out even in a much more crowded field. Mossy gets just about everything right. The material is well chosen and is clearly well researched, all the arrangements are thought and interesting, the choice of accompanying musicians adds a great deal to the whole, the programming shows thought and his own contribution show him to be a well-formed and accomplished performer. The thirteen tracks are roughly equally divided between songs and instrumentals and by and large it is the latter that generate the most excitement. He plays fiddle, concertina and one-row melodeon to go with his pleasing singing voice. Many of the tunes are little heard and from various manuscript sources, mainly from Lincolnshire. The most impressive are probably the quicksteps that open the album with a delightful band sound and the duet when his fiddle is paired with the mandolin of Gina Le Faux. The songs also show variety in the way that they are presented from the unaccompanied The Thresher’s Daughter to an arresting arrangement of William Taylor where the famous set of words from Joseph Taylor are set to a different tune. This is a debut album if immense interest and opportunities will be sought by hear this performer live as soon as we are back to anything like normal. http://nicksites.net/onerowrecords Vic Smith
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
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. 104 April/May COPY DATE: 18th February Then … 18th February 2021 – April / May 18th August 2021 – October / November 18th April 2021 – June / July 18th October 2021 - December / January 18th June 2021 – August / September 18th December 2021 – February / March
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