Unicorn Magazine Issue 131 by Unicorn Folk

ow, another three months has rushed past since Issue 130 (and what a behemoth of an issue that was..!). Summer is nearly here, things are growing on the allotment, and the world of the folk arts continues to both revolve and evolve in all its glory. Summer always means that the ‘revolving’ Festival Season is nearly upon us again – we are looking forward to seeing what transpires at the several ‘full on’ and ‘day only’ events that are occurring in the Unicorn area in the coming months. Here are a few tasters... The St Albans Folk Festival, June 27th / 28th, in addition to the normal participation of local musicians and dance groups, will feature on the Saturday one of the (sadly) last few gigs of Brass Monkey. Not to be missed! The Towersey Festival (see ad page 7), after some 50 years in the same location, this year moves to a new home – will the change alter the mood and atmosphere of this wonderful event or take it to new heights? We’ll run a rundown of this in the next issue.

(Clive’s running a few guitar workshops again this year so be sure to go say ‘Hi’ if you’re there). Folk by The Oak on 19th July has yet another stellar line up and as ever we will be there to review the goings on. Tenterden Folk Festival is on again with a packed programme of events (see their ad on page 18). ...not to mention the numerous folk cubs, concerts, dance events and general folkishness that occur every day in our wonderfully talented Unicorn area, naturally... As to ‘evolution’, this issue is bursting to the seams with yet more exciting innovations – check out Chatterbox on page 5 for a full run down. As ever, do send us your thoughts and comments about what we can do to make your Unicorn the magazine you want to read... See you round the clubs! Simon & Clive

Editorial

Song: The Sinking of the Northfleet

Contents

Advertiser Information

Chatterbox

Round the Clubs

Feature: Sessions... Where the Folk Music Thrives & Grows | Part I CD Review: The Foxglove Trio / na-mara

Interview: The Swanvesta Social Club

Sessions

Folk Bloke

Shall We Dance?

Review: New Roots 2015

Club Profile: Redbourn Folk Club

19 21 – 23

Unicorn Diary

Morris Diary

34 – 36

Book Review: My Shed and How It Was Built

Feature: Martyn Wyndham-Read Comes to St Albans

Club Index

Feature: Home or Away?

The Morris Page

Broadside by Long Lankin

Front cover photo by Al Rogers (www.alanrogersimages.co.uk) –

Editorial Staff: Simon Bailes 07807 535110 unicornmagazine @hotmail.co.uk Clive Batkin 07771 822414 clive@cbatkin.plus.com Contact address: 10 Chapel Street, Dunton, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8RW Printed by KJB UK Ltd

Instrument In Peril #4: “Who Did The Washing Up!?”

Visit our website at www.unicornmagazine.org Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Dunton Folk 2015

Redbornstoke Morris Are looking for new recruits

Fantastic Venue - Real Ale and Cider - Superb Music

No experience necessary

18th July Where’s Spot Band

Friendly tuition given

Support - Claude Bourbon

19th September Megson

Come and see us in action over the summer on our regular pub nights - see website for details including the famous 5 stop Toddington pub tour on Thurs 23rd July. We practise on Monday nights during winter months at Redborne Upper School, North Site, Ampthill, MK45 2NU from 8.15pm, starting with “Give it a try” open night on 14th Sept - so come and have a go with no obligation!

Support - Tom and Jessica

For further details contact Charlie: t: 01234 750829, e: chas.redbornstoke@btinternet.com See www.redbornstoke.com for programme and further details or follow us on Facebook

17th October Luke Jackson

Support - David Youngs 14th November Said The Maiden and Floyd Hartwell Hines

Support - Helen Sanderson White

5th December Lucy Ward

Support - Rita Payne St Mary Magdalene Church, Dunton, Biggleswade, SG18 8RR. Doors open 7.30pm Tickets available from Simon 01767 310 424

www.duntonfolk.co.uk

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

an opportunity for singers, dancers, comedians, musicians, jugglers, poets and entertainers of all kinds to take to the Limelight Theatre stage. Unicorn news: We are glad to say that our run of new inclusions and features continues unabated in this issue: • This issue sees a new regular column, The Morris Page, (see page 26) conceived and written by Chas Leslie which we will hope will interest and delight the dancers amongst the readership, Chas has several ideas for the future so we look forward to seeing how his column develops in issues to come – welcome on board, Chas! • We also have ‘Folk Bloke’, a cartoon from our genius cover photographer Al Rogers (look him up – he’s dead famous) featuring the whimsical (and we hope good natured) antics of an ‘average’ folk family... Remind you of anyone?! • In the next issue we hope to have another regular columnist join us (Doug Jenner of Kimpton Session fame – check out his Featurette on page 30), as well as lots of other contributors, both old and new, popping up here and there.

The 4th Friday will also take place in the Limelight Theatre, and will be a chance to catch some of the best folk acts in the UK in action. The Autumn season will see Gilmore & Roberts and Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer perform, as well as one more act to be confirmed in due course. The Annex and Open Mic sessions cost just £2.50 for performers and £4.50 for spectators (U16s £3.50). Tickets to the theatre shows are £12.50 / £10.50 concessions. Watford Folk Club: Windborne from the USA are appearing at Watford Folk Club on July 24th. Specialising in close harmony singing, the quartet has a vibrant energy and a strong connection, which is evident in their engaging performance. Their repertoire includes music from the Republic of Georgia, Corsica, Bulgaria, the Basque region, and Quebec, but they remain deeply rooted in American folk singing traditions as well. This is a rare opportunity to see this outstanding band during their brief UK tour.

• Our dedicated YouTube channel is now up and running, with several artists supplying us with links to their videos. Do keep sending these in and help us grow this exciting new feature. Uncle Bob Scruton: We were very sorry to hear of the recent death of ‘Uncle’ Bob, a truly unique and well-loved stalwart of the folk and blues scene in the Unicorn area. A memorial concert for Bob took place on the 14th June in St Albans – we will publish a review of this plus some more details of Bob’s life and contribution to music in the next issue. He will be sadly missed...

Aylesbury Folk Club: As of September, Queens Park Arts Centre will become the home of Aylesbury Folk Club, with a new weekly club starting on Friday evenings, hosted by the Centre’s resident singer Amanda Diamond. The new club will encompass plenty of activities with three main strands:

• • • •

design • logos • posters • business cards • flyers • adverts • websites • print & photography •

Design & Creative Services (musicians a speciality)

Folk in the Annex (1st and 3rd Friday of the month) will offer folk fans the chance to meet, chat, have a drink, enjoy some great music and even get up and perform themselves. The 2nd Friday of the month sees Aylesbury Folk Club take over the Queens Park Open Mic Nights,

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.clivebatkindesign.com www.unicornmagazine.org

Ely Folk Club presents

Wednesday 15 th July

Kirsty Bromley Trio

Cambridge-based folk / blues band seek:

Wednesday 16 th September

PERCUSSIONIST ACCORDION / MELODEON PLAYER

£10 (£9 advance)

Vicki Swann & Jonny Dyer

...to take their music in a more bluesy / jazzy direction.

Wednesday 14 th October

The band plays a mixture of own material and select covers

£10 (£9 advance)

Gren Bartley Trio £10 (£19 advance)

Mostly paid gigs in Cambs, Herts and beyond...

Old Dispensary, 13 St Mary’s St., Ely CB7 4ER 01353 740999/664706

www.elyfolkclub.co.uk

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Sunday Lunchtimes S TONY STRATFORD • Vaults Bar (Weekly): Jane Armour, 01908 566407

Sunday Evenings A STON CLINTON • Oak PH (8pm, 3rd): Roger Dorman, 01296 613742 M ILTON KEYNES • see www.mksessions.blogspot.com (Weekly) M ILTON KEYNES • New Inn, New Bradwell (1st): Patsy, 07932 157610 O LD STRATFORD • The Swan (3rd): Cliff Burt, 01908 564392 S T ALBANS • Farmers Boy, London Rd (1st): Nick, 020 8953 5231

Monday Evenings A SHWELL • Rose & Crown (1st): Ian Chandler, 01462 743091 C HATTERIS • Chatteris Folk Club, Honest John, 24a South Park St, PE16 6AR (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 01354 652868 S OHAM • Cherry Tree, Fordham Rd (3rd): Claire White, 01353 720550 T OTTERNHOE • Old Farm Inn (8.30pm, weekly): 01582 661294 (pub)

Tuesday Evenings A BINGTON PIGOTTS • Village Hall, SG8 0SH (8.00–10.30pm, 3rd, admission £2 per person): George Norris, 01763 853062 D UNSTABLE • Globe, Winfield St (Weekly): Maureen, 01582 512300 D UNTON • March Hare, Dunton, nr Biggleswade (1st): John Pritchett, 01767 448093 (pub) G T WILBRAHAM • Memorial Hall Social Club (3rd): Dave, 01440 783280 H ISTON • Boot, Histon, nr Cambridge (1st): Dave Benford, 01223 880553 M ARCH • Georges Folk Club, 61 High Street, PE15 9JJ (1st), Acoustic music and song: Mark Gibson, 01354 652868 R ICKMANSWORTH • Conservative Club, Bury Lane (3rd): Michael, 01923 770425 S T ALBANS • King Harry, King Harry Lane (1st, songs & tunes): Jenny, 01582 793164, Alison, 01727 852111 T RING • Kings Arms, (8.30pm, 1st, trad Irish songs & tunes Led by Chan Reid / fiddle, John Devine / pipes, Neil Stanton / guitar), Rob Muirhead (landlord), 01442 823318 W OOTTON (Beds) • The Cock, MK43 9JT (8.00pm, broad acoustic & folk): Mike Carter Jones, 01234 768555, Pub (Karen), 01234 930034

Wednesday Evenings B ARTON-LE-CLAY • Waggon & Horses (8.30pm, fortnightly): Ann, 01582 560815 B ENNINGTON (Stevenage) • The Bell (1st): Kit Burgess, 01438 869435 C AMBRIDGE • Six Bells, Covent Garden (8.30pm, 2nd, Bluegrass & Old Time): Jim, 07803 158084 E LY • Kings Arms , St Marys St (last): Liam, laimdebrun@outlook.co.uk, 07905 044932 M ARCH • March Folk Club, Royal British Legion Club, Rookswood, 27 West End, PE15 8DP (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 01354 652868 R ADLETT • Cat & Fiddle, Cobden Hill, WD7 7JR (8pm, 2nd): Nick, 020 8207 3057 S T ALBANS • White Swan, Dagnall St (8.30pm, weekly, mainly music): Rick Payman, 01727 852976 T OWERSEY • Village Hall (7.30 for 8pm, 3rd): Andrew Leleux, 01296 615160 W ELHAM GREEN • North Mymms Social Club, AL9 7PQ (2nd): Alan Francis, 07774 859758

Thursday Evenings C ROXLEY GREEN • The Shed, rear of Sportsman PH (8.15 – 11.00, 1st, song & acoustic music): Paul K, 07970 188026 H ERTFORD • Great Eastern, Railway Place (3rd): Keith Acheson, 07979 841079 H UNTON BRIDGE • King’s Head (4th): Tim, 01923 264536 KIMPTON • The Boot (2nd & 4th): Doug, 07973 751039 L UTON • Castle PH, LU1 3AA (weekly): Nigel Bailey, 07788 431470 T OWERSEY • Three Horseshoes (last): Grant, 01844 212322 W OBURN SANDS • Royal Oak (2nd & 4th): Vic Longhorn, 01908 582660

Friday Evenings R OYSTON • Old Bull Inn SG8 9AW (2nd): Michael Farrow, 01763 249296, www.roystonfolk.org S T NEOTS • Chequers, St Mary’s St, PE19 2TA (2nd, 8.30pm, tunes): Sarah, 07857 311834, ssennett@theiet.org S TEEPLE CLAYDON • Prince of Wales, MK18 2NP (2nd – Open Mic): Charlie, 07925 145062

From The Unicorn Team We are only getting half a dozen or so updates for the Session listings each issue, so some of the shown information could be out of date. We hope to fully re-vamp the listing before Issue 132 – please let us know if you spot anything that is incorrect?

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Cambridge Junction

Wed 29 July

Fiver unplugged: Cambridge folk festival warm up show

Thu 24 sep

Martin simpson, andy cutting & nancy kerr

Wed 30 Sep

The furrow collective

Thu 01 oct

Blue rose code

Sat 10 oct

Martin carthy & dave swarbrick

Mon 02 nov

Moulettes & nizlopi

Sun 08 nov

Andy mckee

Mon 09 nov

Jamie smith’s mabon

Tue 10 nov

Lau

Sun 15 nov

Carthy, oates, Farrell & young

Mon 16 nov

Katzenjammer

Mon 23 Nov

Jim boyes with Belinda o’hooley: sensations of a wound

Tue 24 nov

Sweet liberties

Tue 24 nov

Martin Harley

Sat 12 dec

ezio

Cambridge junction, clifton way, Cambridge cb1 7gx Junction.co.uk | 01223 511 511

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Museum of East Anglian Life Stowmarket, Suffolk 11am - 5.30pm

“A really special, lovely festival, simply the best time I’ve had for ages.”- Shirley Collins

NEW MEN AND WOMEN, DANCERS OR MUSICIANS, ALWAYS WELCOME We practise Monday evenings in St Albans. Taster Session: Monday 28 September 8.00pm. CONTACT: Andrew Torrington 01727 833028 WEBSITE:

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Stepdancing Day & Evening Concerts Talks & Exhibitions Jig Dolls Afternoon Ceilidh Ballads & Stories + mini beer festival

www.eatmt.org.uk or ring 01449 771090

www.stalbansmorrismen.org.uk

UM131 UM3 St Albans Morris Ad 1.indd 1

Kevin & Ellen Mitchell Les Barker Peter & Barbara Snape Ollie King Darren Breslin Orlaith & Brogan McAuliffe Proper English

East Anglian Traditional Music Trust

Traditional Music Day

Saturday 5th September 2015

14/5/15 10:20:41

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

The Star & Garter, High Street Silsoe, Beds. MK45 4DR 7 4 1

July - Singaround August - Peter Morton Sept - Singaround Admission ÂŁ2.50. Starts 8.15pm. Floor Singers always welcome.

30 August - NAF FEST Contact Ned: 01525 860846

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Summer 2015 If you enjoy a lively barn dance, you'll find Friday Folk is a great way to meet like-minded people and have fun. Newcomers are always welcome. And there's no need to bring a partner. Meeting Fridays from 7:45 to 10:00 pm at The Church Hall, Marlborough Road, St Albans, AL1 3XG. www.fridayfolk.org.uk – 01727 856508 Standard Friday admission £3

27 Jun Saturday Special Dance with Chris Turner and Ali, Meg & Bill from Momentum. At Samuel Ryder Academy. £8.

na-mara Navajos & Pirates

3 Jul Bob Lilley 10 Jul Colin Hume and FF Band 17 Jul Jive with Bob Barrett 24 Jul Garden Dance with Mike Ruff* 14 Aug Friday evening BBQ* 4 Sep New term begins * Please phone for full details

Abbots Langley Winter Acoustic Concerts http://www.oldtimetim.com/alwac.htm A final chance to see two great acts which are both ending their partnerships at the end of this year

na-mara’s third album is now available

The New Rope String Band

Life and Times

Sunday 11th October 3pm

Sunday 8th November 3pm

This new album includes self-penned songs and traditional material drawing on themes of history, justice and love lost.

"Where the Working Boats Went"

“…elegant and skilled musicians…” Folk Monthly “…that’s what na-mara do best, tell stories to which you can’t but listen…” Rock and Reel

£10 Ticket includes tea or coffee & cake in the interval advance reservation recommended Enquiries to ALConcerts@gmail.com Or call Tim and Lesley Brooks on 01923 264536

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Sat 5 Sat 11 Sat 11

F at Harry • FCS A rnold Stem, 7.30pm • WFD S tradivarious, caller Madeline Smith, 7.30pm • BFC

S uzanne Harper, 7.30pm • WFD

Sat 8

Sat 5 Sat 12 Sat 12 Fri 25 Sat 26

F orest Band • CFA M ary Bryan, 7.30pm • WFD S tickshift, caller Barrie Bullimore, 7.30pm • BFC D iatonics, caller Lisa Heywood, 7.30pm • UC K elly’s Eye, caller Kevin Prigmore • NC

UM2 Quarter Page (portrait) STACEY BANJOS 2.pdf

STACEY BANJOS REPAIRS SET-UPS & RESTORATION TO: ACOUSTIC GUITARS ELECTRIC GUITARS CLASSICAL GUITARS BANJOS & MANDOLINS BANJOS BUILT TO ORDER

DAVE STACEY 19 FIELD LANE LETCHWORTH HERTS SG6 3LF 01462 683074

BFC B edford Fine Companions: Newnham Middle School, Polhill Ave, Bedford MK41 9DT • David Cooke 01234 823 920 CFA Chiltern Folk Ass: Amersham Community Centre, Chiltern Ave, HP6 5AH • Judith Inman 01628 486845, chilternfolk.org.uk FCS F riends of Cecil Sharp House: Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY • Liz Hall, 020 8731 8083, 07896 465 848848 NC

orthampton Ceilidhs: N Christchurch Hall, Christchurch Road, Northampton NN1 5LL • John Green, 07760 197921, 01933 397767, www.northamptonceilidhs.co.uk

nicorn Ceilidhs: U Town Hall, High St, Baldock SG7 6AX • Tel: 01582 724261, 07946 439095, www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk

WFD W inchmore Folk Dance Club: Trinity Church Hall, Church Street / Gentleman’s Row Enfield EN2 6AN • John Wood, 020 8926 7293 (Also Tues mornings 10–12 noon, Grange Park Methodist Church N21) 24/4/13

11:32:08

Northampton Ceilidhs

Christchurch Hall, Christchurch Road, Northampton NN1 5LL

SATURDAY, 26 September Ceilidh Band: Kelly's Eye Caller: Kevin Prigmore SATURDAY, 31 October Contra Band: Moonlighting Caller: Mary Devlin SATURDAY, 28 November Ceilidh Band: The Occasional Few Caller: John Green Dancing from 8pm to 11pm Adults £9; Student £5; Accompanied under 16s FREE ; Group of 6 (paying) one free Licenced Bar

Free Car Park

Ruth 01933 397767, Valerie 01604 711536

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

John 07760 197921 www.northamptonceilidhs.co.uk

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

y about 10.30am on Sunday 19th April 2015, the Trestle Arts Centre in St Albans, Hertfordshire, was buzzing with excitement and the sound of instruments being tuned. This was the morning of the sixteenth New Roots competition, a national competition for singers and musicians under the age of twenty-five with their roots in traditional music and song. This annual gathering of some of the most talented young people in Britain was the brainwave of the inimitable Alison Macfarlane, who works tirelessly to promote traditional music and song. The judges this year were Alistair Anderson, Miranda Rutter, Andy Stafford and Lynne Heraud and, as usual, the ‘prizes’ for those shortlisted to take part in the competition, were performance opportunities at clubs, concerts and festivals up and down the country. As always, the day was wonderfully compèred by Barry Goodman The competition started with the Under 18’s and the first performer was Billy Hill, no stranger to New Roots, and a superb fiddle player, tutored by Pete Cooper. On this occasion Billy had a guitar accompanist, although the judges felt that no contribution to his fiddle playing was actually needed as his playing is very assured and confident. Following Billy was the youngest finalist, Arthur Coates, aged 13 and from Aberdeenshire. Arthur stunned us all with his pipe playing and said that he had taught himself to play the pipes – very impressive! His fiddle playing was technically very proficient. Finishing the under 18’s section was Saul Bailey playing the melodeon. Saul is a superb musician and his arrangements were first class. Communication with the audience was excellent. We started the 18-24 section with Tim’s Band. The name needs some explanation as ‘Tim’ isn’t actually in the band! The band members are John Selby, guitar, and Sonia Tong, fiddle. There was great communication between the two musicians and a good rapport with the audience. It was a most enjoyable performance. Next to take the stage was Penny Kempson and Piers Haslam, who engaged well with the audience and got us all singing. The balance between instruments and voices was good although the judges suggested

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

that balance of material is something to consider. Following Penny and Piers was Molly Evans who sang a mixture of traditional and contemporary songs. Molly’s fiddle playing had a very mellow tone and she has a beautiful rounded singing voice. Anna Mullens and Beth Gifford followed. They are a violin and viola duo who also sing. Their harmony singing and instrumental harmonies were very good and Beth’s self-penned song Summer Sun was beautiful. Beth and Anna clearly enjoyed playing together and this was conveyed to the audience. The last act before lunch was Hannah Cumming, who has a lovely voice. Her fiddle arrangements were innovative and her choice of material was absolutely right for her. She connected well with the audience. Lunch! The first to take the stage after lunch was Daisy Vaughan, a singer-songwriter who has as beautiful commanding voice and great potential as a songwriter. The judges suggested that Daisy might tell the audience something about her songs. Jon Dyer and Alfie Gidley followed with Jon on Flute and Alfie on guitar. There was great rapport with the audience and lovely melodic playing. Great unison playing and super technique from both. Next up were the Barber Sisters – Lydia, Isobel and Eleanor who play arrangements of Scottish and original tunes on fiddle and viola. It was absolutely riveting and a very well chosen set. There were good introductions to the tunes and the audience enjoyed every minute of the performance. Last but in no way least was the Rachel Hamer Band comprising of Rachel Hamer, Graeme Armstrong, Sam Partridge and Grace Smith. They had a very good stage presence and great rapport with the audience. The arrangements put the song at the centre every time and the balance of the instruments was just right, bearing in mind that this was an acoustic performance. Each band member had a chance to shine and Rachel and Grace’s harmonies were particularly impressive and definitely left us wanting more. When the judges left the theatre to deliberate and discuss their feedback, the performers got together for an impromptu music session. As always, it was a great day with a good atmosphere and it was nice to see club and festival organisers in the audience as well and friends and family members of the performers. Lynne Heraud

www.unicornmagazine.org

Tenterden folk f

he club was started at The Engineer pub in Harpenden in the 1980s by Linda Fryd.

2015

“Tenterden, the Jewel of the Weald”

Music type: All sorts! Contemporary and traditional folk, old time, blues and sounds from further afield

Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October

Meets: Every Thursday except in August. 8pm to 10.45pm Admission charge: £5–£10 for guest nights and £3 for singers nights

Ticketed events include concerts, barn dance, workshops, meet the guests, folk clubs, etc. procession, song and music sessions, street theatre, etc.

Guests: Both established local acts and newcomers as well as major acts from the wider folk scene

CONTACT INFORMATION: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, TN23 3HA

In 2013 Jan Strapp gave up running the club and Jenny McNaught took over the reins helped by a group of interested members.

Parking: Pub car park & plenty nearby

Generally speaking, alternate weeks are singers’ nights where all are welcome and there are usually four or five floor spots available on guest nights (regulars are given preference on these nights). We no longer have support slots on guest nights but sometimes give “feature spots” to up and coming artists on singers’ nights.

Club contact: Jenny McNaught • 01582 793164 • info@redbournfolkclub.org.uk • www.redbournfolkclub.org.uk

Recent guests have included Andy Irvine, Bruce Molsky, Jonny Dyer & Vicky Swann and Daniel Nestlerode. Acts to comer later in 2015 include Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, Jez Lowe, Fred’s House and The Rheingens Sisters.

Venue name: Old School House Venue address: The Hollybush, Church End, Redbourn AL3 7DU

Guests include: Askew Sisters, Bing Lyle, Dick Miles, Gordon Tyrrall, Jim Bainbridge, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes, Paul & Liz Davenport, Pete Castle, Phoenix Dance Band with caller Vic Smith, Roy Clinging, Scolds Bridle, Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer Thursday concert: Jez Lowe, Hudson & Cutler and Mark Gibson Marquee & other showcase guests: Corsairs (Belgium), Earwig Corner, Green Diesel, Kim Lowings & The Greenwoods, The Portraits, United Folk Orchestras (Yardarm & Sussex ) Plus our popular regular/local guests: Bob Kenward, Chris Harrison, Chris Roche, Gavin & Julie Atkin, Hard Pressed, Malcolm Ward, Mark Gibson, Marsh Warblers, Morrigan, Peter Collins, Roger Resch, Spare Parts, Sue Watson, & Lizzi Stephens, Swinging the Lead, The Tonic, Travelling Folk, Vic & Tina Smith, Vic Ellis Plus up to 60 Morris sides, Appalachian dancers, Slovakian dancers, other folk dance display teams and street theatre

A few years later it moved to the Hollybush in Redbourn and took its name from the pub. After a brief sojourn at The Cricketers in Redbourn, (by which time it was being run by Jan Strapp and given its current name) it moved back to The Hollybush but kept the new name.

folk music courses for 2015 summertime klezmer, balkan and eastern european jazz, john playford weekend, clarsach, fiddle music of scotland and ireland, accordion day, introduction to storytelling and more...

Paul Cumberland T:01795 532370 E: paul@birdsbirdsbirds.co.uk Chief stewards: Kathy & Bob Drage, Dance co-ordinator:

We�need�Musicians to�keep�the�morris tradition�alive To�keep�the�tradition�alive,�whether you're�a�dancer�or�musician,�come�and join�the�local Offley�Morris�Men. We�are�actively�seeking musicians – preferably�with�some�experience�of Cotswold�Morris�tunes. On�Fridays,�in�the�Summer�we�can�be seen�in�and�around�Hitchin�pubs�and other�venues�and�in�the winter�we�practice�in Holwell�village�hall.

Come�along and�try�it.

www.benslowmusic.org Benslow Music, Benslow Lane, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB T: 01462 459446 E: info@benslowmusic.org

For�more�info,�see: www.offleymorris.co.uk or�call�Godfrey�on:��01462�790343

A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no 408404. Reg Charity no 313663

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Unicorn Unicorn Mag_DecMagazine: Ed.indd 1issue 131

12/02/2015 11:38:10 www.unicornmagazine.org

GUITAR TUITION, SINGING AND PERFORMANCE COACHING. £20 Per Hour Contact Pete 07974 214987 PeterMrtn1@aol.com 20

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Wed 1 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers MOGGERHANGER • Singers, players and listeners Thu 2 MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition REDBOURN • Open Stage BISHOP STORTFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD FDC • Terry Elvins Fri 3 WATFORD • Moses and the Ref BEDFORD FINE • AGM CAMBRIDGE • Open stage with Laura Cherry and Simon Atherly FRIDAY FOLK • Bob Lilley Sun 5 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris and Mumming Practice Mon 6 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Guest Caller: John Green WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 7 ST NEOTS • Ranagri, Support: Edward Alice Wed 8 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers/AGM ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 9 REDBOURN • John Connolly, plus floor spots BISHOP STORTFORD • Si Barron BEDFORD • Local Singers and Musicians BEDFORD FDC • Charles Day Fri 10 ROYSTON • Showcase feat Sky West, Melody Causton WATFORD • Spotlight singaround featuring Mike Excell BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Showcase with Freddie Hall and Tilly Dalgish FRIDAY FOLK • Colin Hume and FF Band Sun 12 HITCHIN • Alan West and Steve Black plus Sunjay Brayne BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Mon 13 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Jacqueline and Stuart Beattie WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 14 ST NEOTS • The Foxglove Trio, Support: Matthew Dames HERTFORD • Gemma Khawaja Wed 15 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

ELY • Kirsty Bromley Trio, support: Edward Alice ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 16 MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition REDBOURN • Whinlatter, plus floor spots BISHOP STORTFORD • Landermason BEDFORD • Singaround BEDFORD FDC • John Green Fri 17 WATFORD • Spotlight singaround featuring Floyd, Hartwell, Hines WALTHAM ABBEY • Folk Fest at Bewl Water BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Fred’s House FRIDAY FOLK • Jive with Bob Barrett Sat 18 WALTHAM ABBEY • Folk Fest at Bewl Water Sun 19 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Mon 20 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Guest Caller: Wendy Harrup and Stapler’s Musicians WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • New Roots Finalist LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 21 ST NEOTS • Richard Digance Wed 22 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers BEDFORD PLACE • Artisan ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Club Practice Thu 23 REDBOURN • Open Stage BISHOP STORTFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD FDC • Kevin Prigmore Fri 24 WATFORD • Windborne CAMBRIDGE • Open stage with Steve Logan FRIDAY FOLK • Garden Dance with Mike Ruff Sun 26 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Mon 27 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Lorraine Morgan WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage Tue 28 ST NEOTS • Round the room HERTFORD • The Fog Wed 29 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers Thu 30 REDBOURN • Michelle Holding and Bonz, plus floor spots BEDFORD • Local Singers and Musicians Fri 31 ROYSTON • Concert Garry Smith, Oka Vanga, Jackson Creek Band WATFORD • Singaround CAMBRIDGE • Hosting the club tent at Cambridge Folk Festival

www.unicornmagazine.org

Mon 3 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Garden Evening WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage Wed 5 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers MOGGERHANGER • Singers, players and listeners Thu 6 MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition BEDFORD • Singaround Mon 10 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Garden Evening WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage Tue 11 HERTFORD • David Savage / Tim Mellor Wed 12 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers Thu 13 BEDFORD • Singers Night Fri 14 ROYSTON • Showcase feat Ragged Staff, Martin Kaszak FRIDAY FOLK • Friday Evening BBQ Sun 16 ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Morris Practice BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Mon 17 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Garden Evening WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage Wed 19 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 20 MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition BEDFORD • Local Singers and Musicians Sun 23 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Mon 24 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Garden Evening WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage Tue 25 HERTFORD • Lizzie J Taylor Wed 26 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 27 BEDFORD • Singaround Fri 28 ROYSTON • Josienne Clark and Ben Walker, Support Thursday’s Band Sun 30 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage

Simply tell us what size advert you want, supply all the relevant content (text, photos, contact details etc) and for just £20.00 per ad we will create an eye-catching and effective design – no more worries about sizing, specifications or artwork technicalities...

Contact the Unicorn Team for more information or to discuss your requirements.

We desperately need help to distribute copies of Unicorn Magazine to the 60 or so distribution locations on our list.

Or visit our website www.unicornmagazine.org for full details and examples of what we can do for you.

If you could help by taking copies to your club, session or venue every quarter, please contact us. Even small deliveries will help reduce the crippling postage & petrol bills!

UM ad design service ad.indd 1

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

21/11/13 16:45:23

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Tue 1 ST NEOTS • Open Stage Wed 2 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers MOGGERHANGER • Singers, players and listeners Thu 3 REDBOURN • Open Stage MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition BISHOP STORTFORD • Union Jill BEDFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD FDC • TBC Fri 4 WATFORD • Singaround BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Open stage with Melody Causton FRIDAY FOLK • New Term Begins Sun 6 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Booking TBC HITCHIN • Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies Mon 7 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Club Caller WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 8 ST NEOTS • John Kirkpatrick HERTFORD • Ben Savage Wed 9 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers Thu 10 REDBOURN • Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, plus floor spots BISHOP STORTFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD FDC • TBC BEDFORD • Singaround Fri 11 ROYSTON • Showcase feat Raintown Seers, Daniel Nestlerode WATFORD • Pete Morton BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Showcase with Paul McClure and other local artists Sun 13 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage HITCHIN • Martin Simpson Mon 14 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Club Caller WALTHAM ABBEY • Where’s Spot HERGA • Open Stage LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 15 ST NEOTS • Harpeth Rising Wed 16 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers ELY • Vicki Swann and Jonny Dyer present Smorgasballad, support: Hannah Sanders ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 17 MILTON KEYNES ROOTS SCHOOL • Roots guitar, fiddle and whistle tuition REDBOURN • Open Stage BISHOP STORTFORD • Moirai Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

BEDFORD • Local Singers and Musicians BEDFORD FDC • TBC Fri 18 WATFORD • Spotlight singaround featuring Steve McLennon BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Steve Turner Sun 20 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage HITCHIN • Boo Hewerdine plus Robin Auld Mon 21 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Club Caller WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Pete Grassby LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 22 ST NEOTS • Moirai HERTFORD • Robin Gillan Wed 23 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice Thu 24 REDBOURN • Kim Lowings and the Greenwood, plus floor spots BISHOP STORTFORD • Liz Simcock BEDFORD • Singers Night BEDFORD FDC • TBC Fri 25 ROYSTON • Concert: Thursday’s Band, Floyd, Hartwell, Hines, Martin Kaszak WATFORD • Singaround BEDFORD FINE • Club Night, Visitors Welcome CAMBRIDGE • Pete Morton Sun 27 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage HITCHIN • The Young ‘Uns Mon 28 HITCHIN STAPLERS • Club Caller WALTHAM ABBEY • Singaround HERGA • Open Stage LEASIDERS • Club Caller Tue 29 ST NEOTS • Round the room Wed 30 LINSLEIGHDERS • Club Callers ENGLISH MISCELLANY • Country Practice

www.unicornmagazine.org

BEDFORD FDC • Bedford Folk Dance Club Putnoe Heights Church, Bedford MK41 8EB Contact: Ron D. Law, 01234 825574 www.bedfordfolkdanceclub.com BEDFORD • Bedford Folk Music Club Kempston Hammers Sports and Social Club, 134 High Street, Kempston, Bedfordshire MK42 7BN Tel: 01234 853262 Contact: Mike Blair, 01525 404513 – see us on Facebook BEDFORD • Bedford Fine Companions Folk Dance Club Hazeldene Lower School, Stancliffe Rd, Bedford MK41 9AT Contact: David Cooke, 01234 823920 www.finecompanions.synthasite.com BEDFORD PLACE • The Place Theatre Bradgate Road, Bedford, MK40 3DE Contact: 01234 354321, www.theplacebedford.org.uk BISHOP’S STORTFORD • Stortfolk Royal British Legion, 28 Windhill, Bishop’s Stortford CM23 2NG Contact: Jon & Hilary McNamara, 01279 656664 www.beerfordbury.co.uk BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB Hot Numbers Café, Units 5 / 6 Dales Brewery, Gwydir St, Cambridge CB1 2LJ Contact: Robin Gillan, 07847 680560 www.blackfenfolkclub.com CAMBRIDGE • Cambridge Folk Club Golden Hind PH, 355 Milton Rd, Cambridge CB4 1SP Contact: Marion Treby, 01638 603986 www.cambridgefolkclub.org ELY • Ely Folk Club The Old Dispensary, St Mary’s Street, Ely, Cambs CB7 4ER (no bar) Contact: Ruth Bramley / Andy Wall, 01353 740999 / 01353 664706 www.elyfolkclub.co.uk ENGLISH MISCELLANY East Hyde Village Hall, Lower Harpenden Rd (B653), nr Luton LU2 9QB Contact: Helen Stamp, 020 8386 3779 www.englishmiscellany.com FRIDAY FOLK • Friday Folk Social Dance Club Methodist Church, Marlborough Rd, St Albans AL1 3XG Contact: Bob Barrett, 01727 856508 www.fridayfolk.org.uk HERGA • Herga Folk Club Greenwood Hall, Rickmansworth Rd, Pinner, Middlesex HA5 3TJ Contact: George Papavgeris, 07747 768868 www.hergafolk.org

HITCHIN STAPLERS • Staplers Country Dance Club St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Rd, Hitchin SG4 9JP Contact: Cecilia Mills, 01582 881966, www.staplers.org.uk LEASIDERS • Leasiders Folk Dance Club Blenheim Baptist Church Hall, Blenheim Cres, Luton LU3 1HB Contact: Brian or Liz Patrick, 01582 732656 LINSLADE • Linsleighders Forster Institute, Waterloo Rd, Linslade LU7 2NR Contact: Mrs E.A. Corser, 01525 378010 MILTON KEYNES • Milton Keynes Roots School Community Centre, Britten Grove, Old Farm Park, MK7 8QU Contact: John Timpany, 07981 161261, www.mkamc.co.uk MOGGERHANGER • Village Folk Moggerhanger Village Hall, Blunham Rd, Moggerhanger, MK44 3RD Contact: Chris Bashford, 01767 640242 chris@mainlinksystems.co.uk REDBOURN • Redbourn Folk Club Old School Room, Hollybush PH, Church End, Redbourn AL3 7DU Contact: Jenny McNaught, 01582 793164 www.redbournfolkclub.org.uk ROYSTON • Royston Folk Club Old Bull Inn, 56 High St, Royston SG8 9AW Contact: Mark Gamon (showcases) 07738 183158, Chris Walls (concerts) 01763 260 556, www.roystonfolk.org ST NEOTS • St Neots Folk Club Priory Centre, Priory Lane, St Neots PE19 2BH Contact: Roger Pitt, 01234 376278, www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk WALTHAM ABBEY • Waltham Abbey Folk Club Royal British Legion, Brooker Rd, Waltham Abbey EN9 1HY Contact: Jan Ayres, 01992 613987, www.walthamabbeyfolkclub.com, see us on Facebook WATFORD • Watford Folk Club Pump House, Local Board Rd, Lower High St, Watford WD17 2JP Contact: Julian Mount, 07778 526489, watfordfolkclub@outlook.com, www.folkatthepumphouse.webs.com, www.facebook.com/groups/watfordfolkclub

HERTFORD • The White Horse Folk Club White Horse PH, Castle St, Hertford SG14 1HH Contact: Pat Crilly 07971 804418, patcrilly@hotmail.com HITCHIN • Hitchin Folk Club Sun Hotel, Sun St, Hitchin, SG5 1AF Contact: Maureen Jones, 01462 812391 www.hitchinfolkclub.co.uk

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Welcome to what we hope will be a regular feature on Morris and associated activities in the Unicorn area.

eptember is when most groups start their “practice season” so it is also a good time to take it up or just to try it to see if you like it. There is a wealth and wide variety of dance sides in the region which between them can cater for just about all ages; tastes, from the Goth, to the neo-pagan to the traditionalist; abilities and approaches from the highly disciplined to the downright chaotic. Briefly there is: •C otswold: What we all probably all think of first, some sides focus on the “collected dances”, others have developed their own variations and styles. •B order: Typified by painted faces, ragged coats, sticks and noise. •N orth West: Usually danced in clogs, hence its alternative name of “Clog Morris”. •M olly: Costumes tend to be old farmworkers’ clothes or fantastical outfits. •S word: Self-explanatory really. Why do it? For much the same reason some people will kick a ball around a field on a Sunday morning or go to an aerobics or Zumba class. It is a good way of getting some exercise or staying fit. It is a sociable activity and there is the satisfaction of being part of a team: there is also the buzz of performing in public. Then there is often the opportunity to travel: performing at folk festivals around the country or going on foreign exchanges to visit twin towns. It’s not all men only either: some, such as Old Mother Redcap and Hertfordshire Holly are women only; others (e.g. Baldock Midnight, Hemlock, Chiltern Hundreds and Pig Dyke Molly) are mixed. There are some men only groups (e.g. Letchworth, Coton Morris) but this is often simply a matter of the dance style or side history. So depending upon what you want there are opportunities to get away from your partner, to go with your partner or for you both to pursue the activity separately.

The White Horse Folk Club Castle Street Hertford, SG14 1HH

Morris is not just for “older people”. There are plenty of young people involved and they are bringing a new look, new energy and innovative ideas to Morris dancing. If you don’t believe me go to these sites, amongst others, and see what is possible.

2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the Month.

• Fools Gambit: www.foolsgambitmorris.co.uk/videos

Floor Spots available.

Music starts at 8pm FREE ADMISSION

• Harlequin Morris: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkAwMqirK60 • Pecsaetan Morris: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajJ8weFwZ4

• Dog Rose Morris: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwXQmC8W_AM • Morris Offspring: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbcRnMcOCO4 The summer is a good time for seeing the Morris sides in your area whether during an evening at a pub (see the Morris Diary on pages 34–36 of this issue) or at school and village fetes. If you are going to a festival you might also get the chance to have a go as some of the invited Morris groups may be running workshops as part of the festival programme. Closer to home Redbornstoke Morris will be running a children’s workshop in Ampthill Park as part of the Town Council’s Family Fun Week (20–24 July 2015). While most groups will take new members throughout the year, many sides offer open practices or taster sessions during September and October – some of these are advertised elsewhere in this issue. Go along, see what it is like: to find Morris sides near to you go to http://finder. morrisfed.org.uk and key in you postcode. There is no commitment in attending these and they are usually free so what have you got to lose? Chas Leslie

Next issue I will be looking at the Boxing Day performances around the region (including Mummer’s Plays). If your Morris side or Guizer team are out on 26th December send me details via Unicorn and I will try to include them.

Contact Pat Crilly 07971804418 Email -‐ patcrilly@hotmail.com

Summer 2015 -‐ Headline Acts

July 14th – Gemma Khawaja

First time at the club for Gemma who comes all the way from Cromer with a beautiful voice to sing traditional songs for us and accompanying herself on tenor & six string guitar or “a cappella”.

July 28th – The Fog

The Fog are an acoustic trio from Bishop’s Stortford performing an eclectic mix of original, blues & surprising fun covers. We’ll have virtuoso taro patch & ukulele playing. There’ll be cajon and uke bass too. In my opinion one of the most energetic and entertaining bands around and we’re lucky to have them!!

August 11th – David Savage / Tim Mellor

Yet again the club has invited two fine performers from the Cambridge folk scene to present a double headline. David Savage is a very fine performer of traditional songs with concertina, Appalachian dulcimer or just “a cappella”. Tim Mellor is another excellent traditional singer who accompanies himself on guitar, concertina & Northumbrian pipes. We’ve had them before so it’ll be another great night

August 25th – Lizzie J. Taylor

We’ve had Lizzie B. before so we know she’s wonderful. Will she be solo or will it be with her trio? We’ll have to wait and see. Beautiful clever, original and self penned songs usually based on her reflections on life. If you have to pigeonhole the style think “Americana”, there will be some traditional songs thrown in too I’m sure. Lizzie J. is another capture from the Cambridge folk scene.

September 8th – Ben Savage

Ben Savage is one of the new breed of folksingers on the scene. In addition to performing as a guitarist with “The Willows “and accompanying “Hannah Sanders” he is an excellent performer with an extensive range of contemporary and traditional songs. Lots of different guitar tunings and dobro. Looking forward to it already!

September 22nd – Robin Gillan

A much sought after Cambridge session musician Robin is a fine singer and performer on fiddle, banjo, guitar and mandolin. He has a large repertoire of traditional American and European songs and tunes which he performs in a traditional style. He has a very warm and inviting personality and it will be another great evening.

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

REDBOURN FOLK

www.redbournfolkclub.org.uk

he Northfleet was an emigrant ship which sank following a collision with a steamer in 1873. The disaster caused a national outcry and as a result a permanent lifeboat was based at Dungeness in Kent.

16 July

Whinlatter

The Song:

30 July

Michelle Holding and Bonz

10 Sept

Nancy Kerr & James Fagan

24 Sept

Kim Lowings & The Greenwood

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS 9 July

The Northfleet sailed from the Gravesend shore In 1873 Three hundred souls and eighty more Bound for Antipode Railway men, that gallant band Their families and wives To lay the road in Van Diemen’s land To make new lives

Other dates are Open Stage nights

Chorus: Oh Murillo, don’t you hear the drowning cry? Oh Murillo, Will you sail on by?

Thursdays 8.00pm in the Old School Room Hollybush Pub Church End Redbourn

Round foreland head past the Dover light That Blackwall sailed away To anchor off Dungeness that night In the lee of Romney Bay With lights burning clear in the masts so high The travellers took their rest But the Spaniard Murillo was drawing nigh Full steam from the southwest That steamer she cut the old blackwall From waterline to deck Reversed her screws and let the Northfleet fall A wreck The clipper Corona was moored nearby Her watch was fast asleep That sailor never heard the drowning cry They perished in the deep The City of London and the Mary too They came to Northfleet’s aid A lugger named Princess picked up a few The rest in graveyards laid Three hundred lives and twenty more Were lost that very night at sea When the Northfleet sank to the ocean floor in 1873.

Many thanks to Alison for sending in this song – you can also watch / listen to the video of for it on the Unicorn Magazine YouTube channel!

John Connolly

For a complete guide to advertising with us, including a full set of technical specifications and suggestions to ensure your ad looks as good as possible, please download a copy of our Media Pack, available from our website. Advertisement Sizes: Please note that from March 2013 we changed our adverts sizes and prices to the following shown below.

• With border: Trim size: 148mm (W) x 210mm Bleed size: 154mm (W) x 216mm (H)

Prices are for supplied, correctly-sized, press-ready artwork:

Back Cover (with or without border) • No border: Trim size: 134mm (W) x 196mm (H) • With border: Trim size: 148 x 210mm (no bleed) Bleed size: 154 x 216mm

£75.00

Front Cover Banner Trim size: 148 x 50mm Bleed size: 154 x 56mm

£50.00

Quarter page (portrait) Trim size: 63.5mm (W) x 92mm (H)

£22.00

Half page (landscape) Trim size: 134mm (W) x 92mm (H)

£35.00

Half page (portrait) Trim size: 63.5mm (W) x 191mm (H)

£35.00

Full Inner page (no border) Trim size: 134mm (W) x 191mm (H)

£55.00

Full Inner page (with border) Trim size: 148 x 210mm Bleed size: 151 x 216mm

£60.00

Inside Front or Back Cover (with or without border) • No border: Trim size: 134mm (W) x 196mm (H)

£67.00

All artwork is printed in mono / grayscale – preferred formats are high res (300dpi) PDFs, with all fonts embedded (see the Media Pack for more information). Please note that we will be adding the black line around ad box shapes in-house – please leave any border lines off your ad design. Diary Entries These include free entry in the Club Index. Price per quarter: £13.00

Take advantage of our 10% discount for four issues booked & paid for in advance – any size! 28

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Here’s the first of a two-part featurette from Kimpton Session organiser Doug Jenner. Stay tuned for a regular column from Doug on all aspects of roots / acoustic / folk music, not to mention his particular take on current music events...

t’s great to see so many young folk musicians on the scene now, many of whom are becoming quite widely known. Hard-working promoters of the music are helping all this to happen, and us folkies have cause to be grateful for the higher public profile this gives our music. Perhaps more than any other genre, folk music is rooted in community. All around the world, people gather in bars and other public places to share tunes, stories and songs. These sessions have long been the cradle of the music, where it develops, thrives and grows. Even if you’re a seasoned and successful pro, the session is your natural home because this is where your music lives. Sessions are wonderfully organic things. They can, to some extent, be guided, but not really shaped. They take on a form of their own and the most enjoyable ones for me are the most open-ended.

In a good session, the regulars develop a keen sense of what less confident players need, and they learn to encourage without being too pushy. It’s an absolute delight to see, at first hand, how sessions nurture performers. In the 30 or so years I’ve been attending sessions – in Australia and the UK – I’ve witnessed it time and again. Newcomers, comfortably anonymous at the back, gradually absorb the music. Imperceptibly, they find themselves closer to the centre, until one day, quite naturally, they’re leading a tune or singing a song. In this milieu, where learning is social and we pick things up by hearing melodies made by others, the session is rich soil indeed. Doug Jenner

...read ‘Part II’ of this Feature in Issue 132

The Foxglove Trio “These Gathered Branches”

na-mara “Navajos & Pirates”

he Foxglove Trio is a group of multiinstrumentalists who perform folk songs from around the British Isles. Gathering material from sessions, published song collections and contemporary artists, these talented musicians are making a name for themselves on the UK folk scene for their beautiful harmonies, creative new arrangements and engaging live performances. As the organiser of Dunton Folk I have had the pleasure of booking The Foxglove Trio twice. On their first visit they were to provide the support for Vin Garbutt. Unfortunately during the sound check it became apparent that Vin would not be able to sing. Ffion, Cathy and Patrick stepped into the breach and performed two full forty five minute sets. They went down so well that we booked them again the following year for a headline spot. I reviewed the Foxglove Trio’s debut EP, Like Diamond Glances, in a previous issue of the Unicorn Magazine and stated that it was a must buy item. These Gathered Branches, their first full album, is even better. Not only should you buy a copy, but you should also buy a copy for a friend.

FOLK SONG COMPETITION 2015 Could you write a new folk song? Well here is your opportunity… The 2015 Watford Folk Club Folk Song Contest is on now! This year's theme is "Lovers and Losers - The highs and the lows of loving". Full details and competition rules are on our website. Closing date for entries is Friday 16 October 2015. Grand Final on Friday 13 November 2015. See our diary entries for FUTURE GUEST ARTIST dates including the 2014 Song Competition winner and runner-up and WINDBORNE from the USA with one of their few UK gigs. Don’t forget our LEGENDARY SINGAROUNDS too!

It’s difficult to know how to describe this album without resorting to words such as spellbinding, mesmerising, hypnotising and bewitching. I have played the album in the car, in my laptop whilst working on the train and on my ipod and I just can’t get enough of it. Three very talented musicians come together with such a clarity of sound and depth of harmonies that is just so compelling you can’t fail to listen again and again. While preparing this review I thought about picking one or two of my favourite tracks to wax lyrical about, but just as it is impossible to choose your favourite child I couldn’t single any of them out for special mention... oh, except for Stars and Bells. There’s always one you like best!

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Their third CD features a selection of ballads dealing with familiar themes, but viewed from a fresh international and historical perspective. Opening the CD, the foot-tapping title track pays tribute to those who resisted the rise of fascism in 1930s Germany. The story is presented with the clarity which has become na-mara’s hallmark: Paul’s precise guitar rhythms anchoring the piece, his measured vocal giving full weight to the words, and Rob’s fluent, unfussy mandolin providing colour and punctuation. Allied to a similarly restrained production approach, the result is a good ‘live’ feel. ‘Garden of England’ caught my attention with a nice change of pace. It opens with a stately drumbeat and plaintive modal melody, harking back to early music, before the tempo picks up as the song starts in earnest, with its message that slavery is not yet consigned to those bygone days. These weighty tales are balanced by lively tune sets, including several examples of the Galician muiñeira, a sprightly 6/8 dance tune related to the jig. The muiñeira set comprising ‘Morrazo’ and ‘Lugo’ is especially jolly, a rare excursion into a major key which allows the musicians to let off some instrumental fireworks. ‘Navajos and Pirates’ captures na-mara’s live sound admirably, and will surely enhance the duo’s burgeoning reputation. Mike Nacey

Simon Bailes

To contact The Watford Folk Club please search on Facebook and Google or email: WatfordFolkClub@outlook.com

his Herts-based duo comprises Paul McNamara on vocals and guitar, and Rob Garcia on mandolin, octave mandola, classical guitar and backing vocals. In their quest for material they cast the net wider than most, drawing on a variety of wellresearched sources from Quebec to France and Spain. They perform translations and arrangements of traditional material, as well as original works written in a sympathetic style.

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

www.karendesigner.uk SPECIALIST WEBSITE, PHOTOGRAPHY AND DESIGN SERVICE FOR MUSICIANS, BANDS, TEACHERS, FOLK CLUBS AND VENUES. prices start from £300

Website Design Karen Donnelly E: karendesigner@hotmail.com M: 07775 997248 www.karendesigner.uk

Photography Graphic Design

Sparrow

Violins

A folkie Luthier for folkies Set-Ups and Repairs for Fiddles, Violas, Cellos and Hardanger Fiddles. Fiddles and Hardangers made to commission. Hand made contemporary Fiddles for sale. Tim J. Sparrow

St.Neots, Cambridgeshire (Workshop open by appointment) Tel: 07704 836 170 Email: timjsparrow@aol.com

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

How did you came up with the concept for the band? My wife Anna and I were watching the film Beuna Vista Social Club on TV one Christmas – that inspired us to take a holiday to Cuba the following year and we were instantly struck by the universality of the music there. We particularly loved the way that the music was often very ‘home made’ in feel, the musicians working with whatever instruments they had to hand. We were also interested in the way that the music seemed to start from a rhythmic, rather than the melodic, stand point. When we got home we instantly started putting together some ideas for how such a band could work in our home town! You’ve had quite a few personnel changes over the years. What’s the current line up and how do you go about finding the right players? It’s pretty much a process of trial and error to be honest. We’ve been going for over eight years now, and people naturally move on and get replaced by others. The current line up feels really strong, with lots of musicians from a wide variety of backgrounds. Myself (keys / vocals) and Anneliesa Annaconda (flute / vocals) have played together in ‘originals’ bands for years – our bass player El Gnomo loves jazz whilst Miami Miguel (guitar) has a rock background. Our lead percussionist Baby Boom-Boom has a folky heritage, having played for over 20 years in a ceilidh band. The other percussionists – Leonardo los Claves, El Kato & El Spiko – have a variety of influences to their playing, as do our brass section (Jaro “Labios” Kulha & El Viento). Our soundman Pedro Technico is also an integral part of both the band and our sound – he’s more from a dance music background believe it or not! It’s more about fitting in with the ‘vibe’ of the band and what it is we are trying to convey.

all the bases of artistic direction, song choice, gig-getting, writing to Festivals & logistics. I tend to write the new material, but we all have a democratic input into song arrangements and rehearsals. You play a lot of folk festivals / folk-related gigs (the Acoustic Festival of Britain, the St Michael’s Street Folk Evening etc). How do traditional ‘folky’ audiences react to your music? A lot of our set is folk music, just from other countries and cultures. Guantanamera and Life is a Carnival for example are both well-known folk anthems. Our sound is also quite acoustic which I think folk audiences relate well to. You seem to be in a vibrant new phase with the band – what can we expect in the year to come. We are just finishing our first album in four years, recorded in a live and ‘inauthentic’ manner. We are also releasing a DVD to go with it which is very exciting (a teaser clip of this can be seen on the Unicorn Magazine YouTube Channel! Ed). Finally, a lot folkies tend to drink real ale... What’s the favoured tipple of choices for the average Swanvesta? I should say Mohitos with an umbrella, but a lot of us are closet real ale drinkers too, to be honest! www.lemonrock.com/swanvesta Clive Batkin

Photograph © Howard Key Photography 2014

How do you organise all the various aspects of keeping such a large band running (writing new material, choosing cover versions, getting gigs...) We have an informal nucleus of four that cover

www.sparrow-violins.co.uk www.facebook.com/SparrowViolins

So… for anyone who has not seen the band, how would you describe it? Probably the most accurate description would be “an Anglo Cuban party experience” – a more poetic one could be “a double-strength Mohito for the ears!”

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

Wed

7.30pm

WOODSIDE • St Michaels Village Folk Evening

8.00pm

ST ALBANS • St Michaels Festival, AL3 4SH

8.00pm

WICKET BROOD • St Michaels Folk Evening, St Albans

Thu

8.00pm

BEDFORD • The Bell, Odell

7.45pm

LETCHWORTH • Toddington Tour (guests of Redbornstoke Morris Men)

8.00pm

BEDFORD • The Cock, Broom

7.30pm

BALDOCK • Toddington Tour (guests of Redbornstoke Morris Men)

7.00pm

WOODSIDE • Bull Hotel, Gerrards Cross

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Lordship Arms, Bennington

8.00pm

WICKET BROOD • The Three Horseshoes, Winkwell, HP1 2RZ

Sat

11.30am

ST ALBANS • Linslade Canal Festival, LU7 2AF

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Brewery Tap, Shefford, SG17 5DH

Weekend

WHITCHURCH • Ulverston, Cumbria, guests of Furness Morris

9.15pm

LETCHWORTH • White Hart, Campton, SG17 5NX

Mon

8.15pm

ST ALBANS • Black Boy, Bushey, WD23 1NB (with Tappalachia and ETC Morris)

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Lytton Arms, Knebworth

Tue

8.00pm

BALDOCK • Orange Tree, Baldock

Sat

2.00pm

ST ALBANS • Harpenden Fete, AL5 1PD

Wed

8.00pm

WOODSIDE • Rising Sun, Berkhamsted

Mon

8.15pm

ST ALBANS • Cross Keys, Harpenden, AL5 1PD

8.00pm

BEDFORD • The Bedford Arms, Souldrop

Tue

8.00pm

LETCHWORTH • White Hart, Flitton, MK45 5EJ (with Redbornstoke Morris)

Thu

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Half Moon, Hitchin, SG4 9TZ

8.00pm

BALDOCK • Bushel and Strike, Ashwell

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Red Lion, Preston

8.00pm

WHITCHURCH • The Broad Leys, Wendover Road, Aylesbury, HP21 9LB

8.00pm

WOODSIDE • Swan, Bushey

Mon

8.45pm

Alford Arms, Frithsden, HP1 3DD

8.00pm

BEDFORD • The Anchor Inn, Great Barford

Tue

8.00pm

WICKET BROOD • Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, 16 Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans, AL3 4HE

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Plough, Ley Green

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • White Lion, Walkern

WICKET BROOD • with English Miscellany, Day of Dance, St Albans and Harpenden

Tue

8.00pm

WICKET BROOD • The Waggoners, Ayot Green, Welwyn, AL6 9AA

LETCHWORTH • Shrepreth Fete, Recreation ground, SG8 6PZ

Thu

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Pig and Abbot, Abington Piggots, SG8 0SD

2.00pm

BALDOCK • Berden Village fete, Berden, Essex

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Musgrave Arms, Shillington

Wed

Fri

Sat

11 Afternoon

Sun

1.00pm

ST ALBANS • Wheathampsted Fete

Tue

Mon

8.15pm

Black Horse, Barnet, EN5 4HY (with ETC Morris)

Thu

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Lordship Arms, Bennington, SG2 7BX (with Standon Morris)

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Mon

Tue

Wed

WICKET BROOD • The Three Horseshoes, The Green, Letchmore Heath, WD25 8ER

WICKET BROOD • The Cricketers, East Common, Redbourn, AL3 7NO

Fri

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Jolly Waggoner, Ardeley

8.00pm

BALDOCK • Half Moon, Hitchin

Fri

7.30pm

OFFLEY • Lilley Arms, Lilley

8.00pm

WHITCHURCH • The Betsey Wynne, Swanbourne, MK17 0SH

8.00pm

WOODSIDE • Bright Star, Peters Green, Kimpton

Wed

8.00pm

WOODSIDE • The Horns, Watford

9.15pm

WOODSIDE • Oak tree, Harpenden (with Caddington Blues)

Fri

7.30pm

OFFLEY • Motte and Bailey, Pirton

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Stone Jug, Clophill, MK45 4BY (with Bedford Morris Men)

8.00pm

BEDFORD • The Stone Jug, Clophill

8.00pm

OFFLEY • Windmill, Charlton

Weekend

Thu

WOODSIDE • Green Man, Sandridge

Weekend Mon

8.15pm

LETCHWORTH • Anker 40th Anniversary Meeting, Nuneaton ST ALBANS • Old Town Hall, St Albans, AL3 5DJ

9.15pm

ST ALBANS • White Hart Tap, AL1 1QL WOODSIDE • Woodman, Wildhill, Essendon

WOODSIDE • Rickmansworth Folk Festival

Wed

8.00pm

BALDOCK • Guests of Sompting. West Sussex

Fri

Weekend

WOODSIDE • Swanage Folk Festival

Weekend

WICKET BROOD • Swanage Folk Festival

Weekend

ST ALBANS • St Albans Abbey Heritage Day

Weekend

BALDOCK • Bedfordshire Stean and Country Fair, Old Warden, Biggleswade (TBC)

12.30pm

LETCHWORTH • Church farm, Ardeley, SG2 7AH

8.15pm

ST ALBANS • Old Town Hall, St Albans, AL3 5DJ

9.30pm

Fighting Cocks, St Albans, AL3 4HE

8.00pm

WICKET BROOD • John Bunyan, Coleman Green, Wheathampstead, AL4 8ES

8.00pm

BALDOCK • North Star, Martin Hill, Welwyn (with Tappalation)

8.00pm

WHITCHURCH • The Chandos Arms, Weston Turville, HP22 5RR

8.00pm

WOODSIDE • Queens Head, Sandridge

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Sat

Sun

1.30pm Sat

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

LETCHWORTH • Jolly Waggoners, Ardeley, SG2 7AH WICKET BROOD • Wild Hunt Day of Dance, Greenwich

www.unicornmagazine.org

Sun

11.30am

LETCHWORTH • Standalone Farm, Letchworth, SG6 4JN

1.00pm

LETCHWORTH • Standalone Farm, Letchworth, SG6 4JN

2.30pm

LETCHWORTH • Old George, Ickleford, SG5 3UX

8.15PM

WOODSIDE • Open Night, Pump House, Watford

Martyn Wyndham-Read comes to St Albans

artyn Wyndham-Read, one of the world’s most respected and best-loved folk singers, returns to St Albans for a very special concert presentation at The Maltings Arts Theatre on October 2nd this year.

Wed

Sat

All Day

ST ALBANS • St Albans Morris Day of Dance

Mon

8.00pm

ST ALBANS • Taster Session, Scout Hut, Riverside Road, St Albans, AL1 1SE

BALDOCK Midnight Morris – Cotswold, Border, Raglan, Mixed Contact: Anna Draper • 07957 035 469 www.baldockmidnightmorris.org.uk BEDFORD Morris Men – Cotswold, Border and North West Contact: Phil Nicholson • 01234 772 295 www.bedfordmorrismen.org.uk LETCHWORTH Morris Men – Cotswold Contact: Andrew Harper • 01462 440 683 bagman@letchworthmorris.org.uk www.letchworthmorris.org.uk

OFFLEY Morris Men – Cotswold Contact: Godfrey Leak • 01462 790 343 www.offleymorris.org.uk ST ALBANS Morris Men – Cotswold Contact: Andrew Torrington, 01727 833 028, www.stalbansmorrismen.org.uk WOODSIDE Morris Men – Cotswold Contact: Nick Wilson • 07860 663 033 www.woodsidemorrismen.com

WHITCHURCH Morris Men – Cotswold Bagman: John Bush • 01296 641 382 info@whitchurchmorris.org.uk www.whitchurchmorris.org.uk WICKET BROOD – Border Morris St Stephen Parish Centre, Station Road, Bricket Wood AL2 3PJ Contact: Gill Clough bagman@wicketbrood.org.uk www.wicketbrood.org.uk

Joining Martyn in this presentation is singer and fiddler Doug Jenner. Doug, who manages and tours with ‘Buckley’s Chance’ owners you will also spot Jo and Sean (from folk band The Handymen), Wocko (stalwart of the Kimpton session amongst others), guitar maker Paul from Redbourn, plus several other musicians, poets and crafts people, all very much in the ‘folky’ vein. The book is beautifully photographed, with Donato focussing on the essence of each shed, the quirks that make them so individual and the often subtle touches that reflect the personality of the owner.

o why is a book about shed culture being reviewed in a magazine primarily about folk music / dance, we hear you cry? Well, from even a cursory glance of this new book by St Albans-based photographer / writer Donato Cinicolo, a lot of ‘sheddies’ are also ‘folkies’, it would seem. There are definitely corollarys between the two cultures in numerous instances. ‘My Shed...” delves into the murky works of shed-ownership, with a focus on the ways a lot of these seemingly ramshackle (surely a great name for a folk band?) edifices are constructed. Not only that but this attractive hardback features Unicorn’s very own Clive Batkin on the cover, and amongst the 50 or so other men and women shed

Martyn is perhaps best known for bringing the folk music of Australia to British audiences. His St Albans show is a presentation of the life and work of the Australian poet and storyteller Henry Lawson, through the musical settings of his poems that have become familiar to folk audiences the world over. These songs, many of which will be familiar to fans of Martyn’s work, tell the poignant and often funny story of a man who came to be known as ‘the voice of Australia’.

In his introduction, Donato says that “‘Shed’ is a wonderful four letter word, that is difficult to pin down an exact definition for...”. Sounds like another well known four letter word to me! (“Folk”, not the other one...). The book is available from all good bookshops, or from the publisher’s website here: www.littlebrown.co.uk/ books/detail.page?isbn=9781845285630

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Chapstone Barre

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

(www.buckleyschancemusic.com), the UK’s only traditional Aussie bush band, also runs a popular fortnightly session at The Boot in Kimpton, Hertfordshire. In the 1990s, Doug performed and recorded in Australia with the late Chris Kempster, a leading authority on the songs of Henry Lawson. The show also features actor and musician Roland Taylor, one half of the acclaimed comedy duo Classical Mayhem (www.classicalmayhem. com) along with Martyn’s regular accordionist Iris Bishop (www.discogs.com/artist/711987-IrisBishop) and renowned instrumentalist Jon Wigg. (http://jonwigg.com/) Advance tickets can be purchased through St Albans Folk Music: www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk Clive Batkin

Mar tyn Wyndham-Read & Doug Jenner

Voice of a new nation The life of Australia’s Henry Lawson in story and song

Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans

Friday 2nd October, 2015 Martyn Wyndham-Read of the world’s best loved folk singers, shares the pathos, comedy and poignancy of Australia’s greatest storyteller, through his most celebrated songs and anecdotes. Featuring: Roland Taylor, Iris Bishop & Jon Wigg. Tickets: St Albans Folk Music: www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

Doug Jenner

Mar tin Wyhnham-Read

www.unicornmagazine.org

Home or Away? A discussion on the merits and failings of home recording from one half of na-mara

n late 2010, we released our second album (na-mara, The Bite), recorded at a professional studio in Oxfordshire. Despite having enjoyed the studio experience and being very pleased with the outcome, when the time came to record our third album Navajos & Pirates, for reasons of convenience and increased control we took the decision to do so at home. Having recently completed that process and launched the new album, it seems timely to reflect on the home recording experience in the hope that this might prove of assistance to any Unicorn readers currently considering whether to take the home recording route. There are probably two considerations that influence any decision on this. The first is about having a genuine interest in sound recording and production itself. If the practicalities of setting up a studio or learning and operating sometimes complex software are not for you, then you will naturally be drawn toward using a professional studio. The second consideration is the willingness to ‘invest’ in the process. This doesn’t just mean money – although this is certainly something that needs to be recognised given the costs of acquiring necessary hardware and software. It also relates to your willingness to invest substantial amounts of time in immersing yourself in the theory and practicalities of sound recording and production. I had spent a fair amount of time on sound recording in the years before Navajos & Pirates. However, once we had decided to record the new album at home – and before a note was recorded – I committed myself to reading and reviewing as much information as I could about all the aspects of sound recording and production relevant to what we were seeking to achieve. Thinking back, most of my spare time in 2013 including holidays was spent ‘boning up’ on the most appropriate recording equipment for our needs, the best recording techniques for our types of instruments and voices, and the compendious ins and outs of the particular

recording software (Cubase) we were operating. Text books, specialist internet forums and training videos were my constant companions throughout that time. The process was made a little easier for us given our desire to use a light touch for Navajos & Pirates. Our aim throughout was to recreate the intimacy of playing in a folk club. This meant we had little need or desire to explore the wilder reaches of what current recording software can do. A clear concern for anyone considering taking a home recording route is to achieve the highest level of recording quality possible. Naturally, we wanted Navajos & Pirates to stand comparison with professionally-produced peers and to help us achieve this we persistently sought critical feedback. Musician friends played their part but we also employed a qualified sound engineer to review our draft recordings and advise us on getting the best from the material recorded. We mixed and edited the album but were always clear it would be mastered independently. So, ahead of the final mastering, we also sent completed tracks to our mastering engineer for his critical review. As with The Bite, we are pleased with what we’ve achieved with Navajos & Pirates – it wouldn’t be out yet if we weren’t! It has been a lot of hard work but we’ve learned a tremendous amount, all of which we feel confident will be of great use to us going forward. Whichever route – happy recording! Paul McNamara www.na-mara.com

Navajos & Pirates was released on 1st May 2015. You can read a review of the CD on Page 31 of this issue and see na-mara playing the title track live on the Unicorn Magazine YouTube channel.

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

At the heart of English folk 2 Regent’s Park Road, London, NW1 7AY

Now on sale Cecil Sharp House Choir Saturday 4 July, 7pm, £6 Summer Concert and CD Launch

July10th

Leveret, Said the Maiden and New Roots finalist Saul Bailey

Oct 2nd

Voice of a new nation: The life of Australia’s Henry Lawson in story and song with Martyn WyndhamRead, Doug Jenner, Roland Taylor, Iris Bishop and Jon Wigg

8.00pm at the Maltings Arts Theatre The Maltings, St Albans AL1 3HL

The Takeover! Sunday 12 July, 7pm, Free, booking required Free concert showcasing London’s emerging young folk talent

Tickets online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo, or from St Albans Tourist & Information Centre, 01727 864511, or on the door.

Further information:

Fun with Folk 27 & 28 July, 10am – 4pm, 6-9 years

er Summse Cour

W: www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk E: info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk

A fun filled course of folk dance and music

Get Your Folk On! Juniors 29 & 30 July, 10am – 4pm, 9–12 years An exciting introduction to folk music

131 FAM Quarter Page (portrait).indd 1

1/6/15 12:20:08

er Summse Cour

Get Your Folk On! Monday 17 to Friday 21 August, 12-18 years A creative course of fabulous folk making

er Summse Cour

The Stray Birds Booking fees apply.

Wednesday 19 August, 7.30pm, £14

cecilsharphouse.org | 0207 485 2206 Promoter

Supporters /cecilsharphouse

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

@cecilsharphouse

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

MILKMAID FOLK CLUB www.milkmaidmusic.co.uk

The Milkmaid Folk Arts Centre CIC

4 Baxter Court, High Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1ES Tel: 01284 488279….Mbl: 07749 299377….E: milkmaidterry@yahoo.co.uk

PLEASE help us raise money to refurbish part of Bury St Edmunds railway station and turn it into a Folk based Arts Centre for the Region. It will accommodate people with disabilities and mental health issues and help them access folk music, song and dance during the day. Evenings and week-ends will be for the whole community to enjoy.

The specially designed and bespoke venue will seat 120 people and have 3 workshop areas for various activities and a refreshment area which will be licenced. The whole cost of the refurbishment is £540,000 and we have raised £175,700 so far. Donations can be made through our website www.milkmaidcentre.com or go straight to https://milkmaid.charitycheckout.co.uk/

Go on our website www.milkmaidcentre.com to see the work we do with disadvantaged and vulnerable people.

Event List: July – September 2015

Friends of The Milkmaid receive £2 off Ticket Prices

July

Friday 3rd Chris Wood support Sound Tradition Con Club Tickets £14 Friday 17th The Gerry Colvin Band support TBC Con Club Tickets £10 Friday 24th John Ward & Mario support TBC Con Club Tickets £10 Sunday 26th Doogie McLean support in the bar TBC The Apex Tickets £20

August….Resting

September

Friday 4th The Young’uns support The 3 J’s Con Club Tickets £12 Tuesday 8th Sam Sweeney’s Fiddle Made in the Great War support in the bar TBC The Apex Tickets £17 Friday 18th The Dryad support All Fingers & Thumbs Con Club Tickets £6 Wednesday 23rd Rura support in the bar Erin Brown & Matt Cudby The Apex Tickets £15 Friday 25th Artisan support Stef & Ron Con Club Tickets £12 Thursday 1st Morris On support in the bar Milkmaid Molly The Apex Tickets £16 Friday 2nd Harpeth Rising (USA) support Brian & Friends Con Club Tickets £10 Friday 9th Chris Sherburn & Colin Napier support TBC Con Club Tickets £10 Friday 16th Vin Garbutt support TBC Con Club Tickets £12 Friday 30th Hudson & Cutler support The Bounty Hounds Con Club Tickets £10 Box Office Tel: 01284 758000 Email; boxoffice@theapex.co.uk

www.milkmaidcentre.com

www.milkmaid.charitycheckout.com Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

at The Constitutional Club, 12 Guildhall Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1PR or The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1FD

October

You can donate a ‘one off amount’ or sign up to a monthly standing order which will give us a regular amount coming in through the year. Anything you can afford from £1 – millions will be gratefully received.

Supporting Disadvantaged & Vulnerable People access the Folk Arts! Please support us at www.milkmaid.charitycheckout.co.uk

www.theapex.co.uk

Tel: Milkmaid 01284 488279 or Con Club 01284 399562

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131

www.unicornmagazine.org

The Future of Folk Song – LL delves into the murky days to come

ith the election over Uncle Hezekiah has been staring into his balls – his crystal balls that is. As well as running the folk club at the “Dog & Sausage”, Hezekiah is also something of a seer and he wanted to know what he is letting himself in for now that the Conservatives are back in town. As the new government’s policies take effect over the coming years he foresees another outpouring of doom and gloom in the folk clubs as singers dust off their songs of despondency which in turn will give rise to a wave of militancy. Others, with the lead up to the E.U. referendum, will wrap themselves in songs of nationalism. Here then are his predictions – tick them off as you hear them: first prize for a complete list with dates, venues and names of performers is a pint at the “Dog & Sausage” (if you can find it). As the benefits cuts and other welfare reforms take effect expect to hear:

Scots Nationalists will also be asserting themselves – even in English clubs – as they bring their fight South to Westminster. However, don’t expect things like Kenneth McKellar style “Scotland the Brave”, or even Braveheart type Celtishness. This will be a more populist Scottishness to appeal to us southerners while retaining an “edge”, so expect: • Any song by Matt McGinn • Any song by Hamish Imlach • Any song by Billy Connolly • Any song or poem by Hamish Henderson • Lots of songs sung with a mock Scottish accent. Don’t expect Conservative singers to be quiet about their victory. They are likely to give away their allegiance by singing Music Hall favourites such as: • Champagne Charlie

• Hard Times of Old England

• Here We Are. Here We Are, Here We Are Again

• Hard Times Come Again No More

• Any Hunting song

• When This Old Hat Was New

• A Fine Old English Gentleman.

The militant backlash to this will be signalled by the appearance of songs such as: • Rolling Home, Don’t Let Them Grind You Down, and any other John Tams song • You Gentlemen of England • Any song by Alex Glasgow • Any Union song • The World Turned Upside Down – better known as “That song by Billy Bragg about the Diggers” • Any Woody Guthrie song Nationalism and “Little Englanders” will come to the fore during the EU referendum with flagwaving favourites such as

By and large though Hezekiah thinks they will seek to divert us by singing nostalgic songs about how wonderful and simple life used to be. There will also be songs about true love, false love, violence, murder and death. Much in fact like the content of those TV soaps that pretend to reflect “real life” and substitute for it. Of course the cynics amongst us will just try to blot out the coming years so you can also expect lots of drinking songs, songs about drunkards and songs sung by drunkards. My personal favourites for the next five years are going to be Nancy Whiskey and Beer, Boys, Beer. Long Lankin

• Drink Old England Dry • There’ll Always be an England (sung ironically) • There’ll Always be an England (not sung ironically) • The Scarlet & the Blue (any of them)

Please mention UNicorn Magazine when replying to ads

Unicorn Magazine: issue 131