& 3RD
Fourth Quarter 2019 Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed Wed
9th Oct - Martin Pescatore 16th Oct - Alice Walker 23rd Oct - Craig Joiner 13th Nov - Bob Dylan Night 20th Nov - Cut the Mustard 27th Nov - Mike Excell 11th Dec - Causton Walker 18th Dec - George Pornby’s XXXX Special
Wed 25th Dec - Club Closed
“IT’S BEING SO CHEERFUL AS KEEPS ME GOING”
A
(MONA LOTT, ITMA)
s another year comes to an end (and as we reach the final edition of the magazine for 2019), it’s only natural to reflect on how the year has been – certainly a very tumultuous one for most of us, and indeed the whole world in general, it seems!
With that in mind, it’s always comforting to see that some things continue unaffected by world events. In this issue alone we have articles on two folk organisations that are celebrating their 40th year, and I am sure there are many other similar stories of longevity out there. We too are celebrating the continuing existence of our little folk pamphlet, but naturally things are changing and evolving on a daily basis. Some major alterations in the way the magazine is produced will come into effect in the New Year, and we’ll be in touch with individual clubs, organisers, and general contributors when this becomes relevant.
One factor that has affected us greatly in 2019 is the rise in the number of CDs we are sent to review. Since we have loosened our review policy, we have clearly ‘come on the radar’ of lots of distribution / PR companies and the resulting increase in calls to review material has caused us a few problems! Reviewing CDs, and finding the space to print the results, is a time consuming and costly business, and as such we find ourselves severely behind. A huge apology to those who are eagerly awaiting their review to come out – we may introduce a shorter / more concise way of printing these in the next issue, at least until our backlog of some 40 or so CDs are dealt with. As ever we try to give priority on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and to those artists hailing from within the Unicorn area. Thank you all as ever for supporting Unicorn Magazine. See you around the clubs! Clive & Sandra
Editorial
3
Review: FBO 2019
18
Contents
3
Review: The Lost Words
19
Chatterbox
5
Diary
Round the Clubs
5
Club Index
24
Sessions
6
Folk Bloke
27
CD Review: Cock& Bull Re-imagined
28
8–9
Shall We Dance?
21 –23
Gig Review: St Albans Festival Concert
10
Feature: Cock & Bull Band @ 40
29
CD Review: Flook’s ‘Ancora’
10
Feature: Stu Hanna
31
Review: FolkEast
11
Tune: Bricks, Nigel Moorcroft
36
Feature: Friday Folk at 40
12
Feature: Kimpton 2019
40
Feature: Baldock FC
41
Feature: Harrow on the Hill Festival
41
Strumming & Dreaming: Folk Songs Today 13 CD Reviews
14 – 15
Since this is the last issue for 2019 (and even though it may seem a very long way off) we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, safe and successful Festive period / New Year!
Front cover: Terracotta Dulcimer, Instrument kindly loaned by Chuck Silverman © Unicorn Magazine 2019 CB1536 • October 2019
Clive Batkin 07771 822414 clive@cbatkin.plus.com unicornmagazine @hotmail.co.uk Sandra Lawes unicornmagazine @hotmail.co.uk Contact address: 2 Hill Close, Harpenden, Herts AL5 5JE Once you have finished with your copy of Unicorn Magazine, please recycle it responsibly... (or simply keep it forever!)
We take great care to ensure all elements of Unicorn Magazine are accurate. However, we accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes that appear. The views and opinions expressed in submitted articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Any personal views expressed in submitted articles are the writers’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Unicorn Magazine editorial team. It will be assumed that any letters sent to the magazine are intended for publication unless otherwise obviously stated. We reserve the right to edit any material sent to us for style, content or length. Please note we cannot print material previously published in other publications without express written permission from that publisher. We reserve the right not to publish certain elements of free listings information if it appears elsewhere in the magazine, or where space restrictions do not allow.
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Editorial Team:
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Cakes and Carols, St Albans: A great way to celebrate Christmas. Come and sing / play traditional carols, sacred and secular. On 14th December we’ll be having our second ever ‘Cakes and Carols’ event at St Julian’s church / hall. Sing or play written or extempore harmony; no prayers involved, no sermon, home-made cake. At the first of these, last year, a good time was had by all and we’re expecting even more people this year. There is no admission charge but donations will be invited for the Open Door nightshelter in St Albans. Venue and Transport: St Julian’s Church, 3 Abbots Avenue, AL1 2HY (off Cottonmill Lane) In St Albans. Bus S4 stops outside, Nearest train St Albans Abbey (15 mins). Smallish car park. Some sheet music and midi files will be available by e-mail and there will be an optional run through nearer the date. Please contact Netta – nettag@tiscali.co.uk. Traditional carol singing will continue on Wednesday December 18th at the session at the Robin Hood, St Albans.
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. Or visit our website www.unicornmagazine.org for full details and examples of what we can do for you.
Watford Folk Club: Please note that due a competing local event, Watford Folk Club have moved the Final of their “Write a Folk Song UM Ad design Service ad.indd Competition” from 22nd November as previously advertised, to the 29th November. The 22nd will now be one of their legendary singarounds. With apologies for any inconvenience. See their ad on page 35.
1
6/6/17 16:22:5
Finally, here’s a nice comment we received after the last issue – many thanks to that kind reader!: “Unicorn is a wonderful magazine, a great depth of folk knowledge...”
Remember to send us your news, for either ‘Chatterbox’ or ‘Round The Clubs’, and we’ll endeavour to feature it in this section.
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
WWW.UNICORNMAGAZINE.ORG
5
We would strongly suggest checking with the venue / organiser before attending any of the below since unfortunately we can’t be held responsible for the accuracy of the information
SUNDAY LUNCHTIMES
S TONY STRATFORD • Vaults Bar, High Street (Weekly, lunchtimes): Jane, 01908 566407
SUNDAY EVENINGS
M ILTON KEYNES • see www.mksessions.blogspot.com (Weekly) M ILTON KEYNES • New Bradwell Sports Club, New Bradwell (1st): Patsy, 07932 157610 S T ALBANS • Great Northern, 172 London Road, AL1 1PQ (6pm, Music but singers welcome. (Monthly fourth or fifth Sundays of the month. October 27, November 24 and provisionally December 29). Please see website or ring Alison Macfarlane for variations). Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 L EIGHTON BUZZARD • The Swan, Northall (1st) Richard Chatterley, 07790 023220 MARSWORTH • Red Lion, 90 Vicarage Rd, Marsworth, Tring HP23 4LU (2nd) 7.00 – 9.00pm. Slow and steady folk tune session for beginners and improvers. Pub, 01296 668366
MONDAY EVENINGS
A SHWELL • Rose & Crown (1st): Ian Chandler, 01462 743091 CHATTERIS • Chatteris Folk Club, Honest John, 24a South Park St, PE16 6AR (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 02354 652868 SOHAM • Cherry Tree, Fordham Rd (3rd): Claire White, 01353 720550 STEVENAGE • The Marquis of Lorne (upstairs) (2nd, 8pm): Gary Moyle, 07960 953778 ‘Marquis of Lorne, Stevenage, folk session’ FB group T OTTERNHOE • Old Farm Inn (8.30pm, bi-weekly): Andrew Marlow, 07771 780341
TUESDAY EVENINGS
A BINGTON PIGOTTS • Village Hall, SG8 0SH (8– 10.30pm, 3rd, admission £2 per person): George Norris, 01763 853062 AMPTHILL • The Albion, Dunstable Street (2nd): Rod Ward, 01763 852 377 B EDFORD • Burnaby Arms, Stanley St, MK41 7RU (last 7.30pm, tunes) Mike Bliss, 01234 308449 DUNSTABLE • Globe, Winfield St (Weekly): Maureen, 01582 512300 DUNTON • March Hare, Dunton, nr Biggleswade (1st): John Pritchett, 01767 448093 (pub) G T WILBRAHAM • Memorial Hall Social Club (3rd): Dave, 01440 783280 H EMEL HEMPSTEAD • Leverstock Green Cricket Club, 24 Bedmond Road, HP3 8LJ (1st Bluegrass and oldtime songs and tunes): Chris Lawrence, 01442 215826 H ISTON • Boot, Histon, nr Cambridge (1st): Dave Benford, 01223 880553 MARCH • Georges Folk Club, 61 High Street, PE15 9JJ (1st), Acoustic music and song: Mark Gibson, 01354 652868 R ICKMANSWORTH • Conservative Club, Bury Lane (2nd): Michael, 01923 770425 TEWIN • Rose & Crown. (3rd evenings). Acoustic, vocal, instrumental. Kit Burgess, 01438 869435 T RING • Kings Arms, (8.30, 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
6
WEDNESDAY EVENINGS
B ARTON-LE-CLAY • Live and Let Live, Pegsdon Way, Hexton, Hitchin SG5 3JX (8.30pm, fortnightly): Ann, 01582 560815 B ENINGTON (Stevenage) • The Bell (1st): Kit Burgess, 01438 869435 C AMBRIDGE • Six Bells, Covent Garden (8.30pm, 2nd, Bluegrass & Old Time): Jim, 07803 158084 C HINNOR • Chinnor Methodist Church, 62 Station Road, OX39 4PZ (2.00pm to 4.00pm, 2nd , slow and steady but fun): Liz 01844 351565 E LY • Town Folk, The Town House PH, Market St, Ely. (2nd and last): Liam, 01353 659614 or 07468 240798 debrunliam@outlook.com H ITCHIN • The Bucks Head, Stevenage Road, Little Wymondley, Hitchin, SG4 7HY (9.00–11.00pm, 1st, 9–11pm, Ramrugge Clog Morris): Kerry 07877 930201 M ARCH • March Folk Club, Royal British Legion Club, Rookswood, 27 West End, PE15 8DP (3rd), Acoustic music and song: Keith Cheale, 02354 652868 M OGGERHANGER • Moggerhanger Village Hall (7.00pm for 8.00pm, 1st): Chris Bashford, 01767 640242 R ADLETT • Cat & Fiddle, Cobden Hill, WD7 7JR (8.00pm, 2nd): Nick, 020 8207 3057 S T ALBANS • The Robin Hood, Victoria Street, AL1 3TG (8.30pm, weekly): Music but singers welcome. No session December 25, afternoon session January 1. Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 S T ALBANS • White Swan, Dagnall Street (8.30pm, weekly, Traditional Irish Instrumental): Rick, 01727 852976 T EBWORTH • Queens Head, LU7 9QB (4th, free food): Richard Chatterley, 07790 023220 T OWERSEY • Village Hall (7.30 for 8.00pm, 3rd): Andrew Leleux, 01296 615160 W ELHAM GREEN • North Mymms Social Club, AL9 7PQ (2nd): Alan Francis, 07774 859758
THURSDAY EVENINGS
H ERTFORD • Great Eastern, Railway Place (1st): K IMPTON • The Boot (2nd & 4th): Doug, 07973 751039, jennerdouglas@me.com T OWERSEY • Three Horseshoes (last): Grant, 01844 212322 WOBURN SANDS • Royal Oak (2nd & 4th): Vic Longhorn, 01908 582660
FRIDAY EVENINGS
A YLESBURY • Queens Park Arts Centre (1st, 3rd and 5th): Amanda Diamond, 01296 424332 S T NEOTS • Chequers, St Mary’s St, PE19 2TA (Second Friday: no session January, 8 February, 8 March ): Sarah, 07857 311834, ssennett@theiet.org W ELWYN • Brocket Arms (7.30pm, 3rd) Doug, 07973 751039, jennerdouglas@me.com
ORGANISERS PLEASE NOTE: FROM THIS ISSUE ONWARDS WE WILL NOW CONTINUE TO PRINT ALL DETAILS AS SHOWN UNLESS WE HEAR OTHERWISE. MANY THANKS...
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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Wednesday 16th October
Glymjack
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Wednesday 13th November
Alden, Patterson & Dashwood £12 (£11 advance)
Wednesday 18th December
The Trials of Cato £12 (£11 advance)
Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 5pm Sunday 10.30am to 4.30pm Closed Monday except Bank Holidays
Roxton Garden Centre
@ The Black Cat Roundabout Bedford Road, Roxton, MK44 3DY
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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OCTOBER Tuesday
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Wednesday 2 Thursday 3 Thursday Friday Saturday
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Tuesday
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Wednesday 16 Thursday
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Saturday
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Monday Tuesday
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Wednesday 23 Thursday 24
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Friday
24 24 25
Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Dave and Vic • BFD Club night country dancing • RB Club Night • NFDC Dance with caller Ivan Aithen • FF Rushden Playford Ball 7.30 – 11.00pm. Smart dress preferred. Please bring food to share. £8.00 • RPB Anniversary Dance with Albireo and caller Jeannie Byron-Williams at St Ippolyts Parish Hall, Hitchin SG4 7RB 7:30 – 11:00pm • SFDC Dance with caller Lorraine Morgan • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Graham Foster • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Ceilidh with Valiant Dance Band and caller Sheena Masson • UC Dance with caller Bob Lilley • FF Dance with Sue Horsham and Ivel Valley Band 7.45pm • NFDC AGM and country dance with The Forest Band and caller Nigel Close 7.00pm • WFDC1 Dance with caller Nick Plum • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with guest caller Lynne Whapples • LFDC Dance with caller George Hearnden • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with the Friday Folk Band and caller Mike Bennett • FF Dance with Double Dichotomy and caller Mark Elvins • FF Autumn Dance, Portland Duo with caller Colin Hume. St Andrews Church, Kimbolton Road, Bedford. MK40 2PF. 01234 825574 • BFD Dance with caller Joan Rutt • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller John Green • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with caller Denise Devonald • FF
Saturday
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Sunday
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Monday
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Wednesday 30 Thursday 31
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NOVEMBER Friday
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Wolverton Community Family Friendly Barn Dance with local band Innocent Hare 6.30 – 10.30pm Bring and share buffet. Tickets £5.00, £3.00 for children and concessions £10.00 family • WCBD Family Dance Val and Ian McFarlane with Toucan Play 2.30 – 5.30pm • CFA Dance with Triple Minor and caller Colin Hume • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Alison Ross • BFD Club Night • NFDC Dance with Spring Greens and caller Brenda Godrich • FF Dance with caller David Capron • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Lynne Whapples • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Ceilidh with Hosepipe Band and caller Adam Hughes • UC Dance with caller Frances Oates • FF Country dance with The Forest Band and caller Phyllis Chapman 7.30pm • WFDC1 Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Terry Elvins • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with caller Bob Barrett • FF Public Dance with Kendal Green Band and caller Ian Jones. 7.30 – 10.45pm. Please bring food to share • BFC Dance with Carousel Band and caller Denise Devonald • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with guest caller Mark Elvins (tbc) • LFDC Dance with caller Dave and Vic • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with the Friday Folk Band and caller Suzanne Farmer • FF Dance with caller Jeannie ByronWilliams • SFDC UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Tuesday
26
Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am – 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller George Hearnden • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with callers David and Rebecca Capron • FF Dance with Momentum and caller Colin Hume • LFDC
Wednesday 27 Thursday 28 Friday
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Wednesday 11 Thursday 12 Friday
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Wednesday 18 Thursday
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Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Tuesday
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Dance with club callers • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am - 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller John Green • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with the Friday Folk Band and caller Colin Hume • FF Dance with club callers • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am - 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with club callers • LFDC Dance with caller Denise Devonald • BFD Club Night • NFDC Club night country dancing • RB Ceilidh with Chalktown and caller Jane Bird • UC Party Night with Wendy Harrup, Mollie and Ali • FF Country dance with The Forest Band and caller Peter Leedham 7.30pm • WFDC1 Party Night • SFDC Country dance beginners welcome 10.00am - 12noon • WFDC2 Dance with guest caller Keith Harrup • LFDC Club night country dancing • RB Dance with caller Kevin Prigmore • BFD Xmas Party • NFDC Carol Singing around St Albans (phone for details) • FF No meeting • WFDC2 Club closed • LFDC No meeting • RB The Big Ceilidh: with Jigfoot and caller Barry Goodman (Ticket only) • UC No meeting • WFDC2
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
ORGANISERS & VENUES
BFC | Bedford Fine Companions Castle Newnham School, Polhill Avenue, Bedford MK41 9DT Chris Rutt, 01462 700451, https://finecompanions.wordpress.com BFD | Bedford Folk Dance Club St Mary’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Goldington, Bedford MK41 0HL Ron Law, 01234 825574, www.bedfordfolkdanceclub.com FF | Friday Folk Verulam School Rear Entrance, Jennings Road, St Albans, AL1 4PA Bob Barrett, 01727 856508, www.fridayfolk.org.uk LFDC | Linsleighders Folk Dance Group Wing Hall, 71 Leighton Road, Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Bucks LU7 0NN Elizabeth Corser, Secretary 01525 378010, elizabeth.corser@btinternet.com NFDC Northampton Folk Dance Club Christchurch Hall, Christchurch Road, Abington, Northampton, NN1 5LL Gwynneth Moore, Secretary, 01604 711342 www.northamptonfdc.wordpress.com RB | Roundabouters Country Dance Club The Friends’ Meeting House, Cuttys Lane, Stevenage, Herts SG1 1UP. Lorna Sharpe, 01438 727 239, roundabouters@live.co.uk, www.roundabouters.org.uk RPB | Rushden Playford Ball Park Road Baptist Church Hall, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RG George Hearnden, 01933 622827 SFDC | Staplers Folk Dance Club St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Road, Hitchin, Herts, SG4 9JP Gill Goodman, 01462 456811, gillagoodman@hotmail.co.uk, www.staplers.org.uk UC | Unicorn Ceilidhs St Mary’s Hall, Church Street, Baldock, SG7 5AE Alan Creamer, 07946 439095, alan@creamer.me.uk, www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk WCBD | Wolverton Community Barn Dance 1st Wolverton Scout Hall, Furze Way, Wolverton MK12 5AQ Jake Middleton, jake_middleton1@hotmail.co.uk or 07501 085155 WFDC1 | Winchmore Folk Dance Club Trinity Church Hall, Church St / Gentleman’s Row, Enfield, EN2 6AN Loretta Marigold, Loretta@thewmarigolds.co.uk or Gillian West 0208 360 6226 WFDC2 | Winchmore Folk Dance Club The Village Hall, St Peter’s Church, Vera Avenue, London N21 1RJ Loretta Marigold, Loretta@thewmarigolds.co.uk or Gillian West 0208 360 6226
Please note that due to space restrictions in this issue, if a dance listing appears in The Diary, or in an advertisement then we have not necessarily duplicated it in this section (unless we were specifically asked to do so). If you don’t see a particular dance event here therefore, do check the Diary or the adverts!
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9
VENTS
CB | reviewed by Clive DCBatkin | reviewed by Debbie Catt EB | reviewed by Ed Broadbridge SL | reviewed by Sandra Lawes BP | reviewed by Bill Pardon
‘Ancora’ Flook
T
The weather that day had been extremely hot, resulting in a balmy evening reminiscent of a Mediterranean holiday. The location for this years’ concert, the Roman theatre in Bluehouse Hill, St Albans (a true one-of-its kind, being a theatre with a stage rather than an amphitheater) provided a setting and backdrop that could have been specifically created for outside folk gigs! The line up was superb, with the folk legends Flook being top of the bill. Sarah Allen kindly gave Unicorn Magazine a copy of their new CD ‘Ancora’ to review (see opposite), which was a lovely bonus. The band were on their usual topnotch form, and the atmosphere they created in the spectacular location was second to none. Support came from a New Roots 2019 finalist, Nancy Potts plus Watford Folk Club songwriting competition winner, Glenn Koppany, both of whom performed terrific sets of material. I eagerly look forward the 2020 festival, the planning for which I understand is already well under way. Clive Batkin th – 30 June 28
th
2019
FRONT
SCAN ME
FRIDAY JUNE 28TH • Folk Fantastic in the Fighting Cocks • Friday Folk Social Dance Club open evening
SATURDAY JUNE 29TH Day of dance in St Albans City Centre:
3XG Christopher vening • in Civic Centre, AL1Place, St Albans, Upper Dagnall Street, by the h Road, arlboroug Clock Tower with Bob and outside the s Night Member Abbey west front book, just m: New need to DayNo of music: Folk Band. No previous •a Free showcase performances partner. the wn or with in Waterstones, The Old Court Room, will explain caller theThe Mermaid, The Farmer’s ion: Boy, eded as The Whiteinformat Hart Tap, The White Lion Further on £4.00. and the Garibaldi
• UkeleleEVENTS workshop in The Mermaid org.uk ER FESTIVAL
AY JUNE
A
ncora is the new, eagerly awaited, release from the folk giants that are Flook!
his year’s St Albans Folk Festival main concert was one of those events when the planets seemed to perfectly align!
• TH Singaround in the Courtyard Café 28and Lane, music sessions Abbey Mill in the Goat
BACK PAGE
FURTHER
See 36 for Nigel Moorcroft’s winning entry to the ‘Write a New Roman Song for St Albans’ competition, also part of the 2019 St Albans Festival
PAGE
SUNDAY JUNE 30TH
: INFORMATION
• Final of the Write a new Roman song for St Albans competition
g.uk music.orin The White Lion k lbansfolk ival.org.u • Music session in the Robin Hood • www.sta atthefest lbansfolk • Bathtub Ginn in the Farmers Boy • www.sta e.org.uk g.uk music.or DETAILS: but • www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk are free, festival events running and • www.stalbansfolkatthefestival.org.uk given, a price is costs of
Festival Concert antheatr with Flook • www.rom
lbansfolk plus Watford Folk Song • info@sta competition winner Glenn Koppany & New Roots 852111 • 01727 2019 finalist Nancy Potts
the Roman Theatre, Verulamium, • info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk Except where be taken towards Bluehouse Hill, St Albans willAL3 6AE • For times, addresses of venues collections & other details, see festival and other 8.00pm – 11.00pm g the festival. the pubs leaflet thank organisin & web sites Theatre to and Ovo would like Tickets in advance, price £18.00, organisers festival events online at The in its Roman www.ticketsource.co.uk/ovo, GLENN KOPPANY are hosting NANCY POTTS Concert which by phone venues on 0333 666 3366 our Festival thank county to include or in person at St Albans us also like to White inviting Central We should Library, or for s and Chris on the door on the night Festival 2019. Anthony Rowland from 7.00pm, price £19.00. Theatre es. Mills,
BACK PAGE
SCAN ME
June
30 th 28 –
th
2019
FRONT PAGE
FURTHER INFORMATION:
• www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk rs Roma 16 locality allowanc councillo .uk ng Cocks, from their • www.stalbansfolkatthefestival.org help RT: for financial folk open evening day L CONCE 4HE. • www.romantheatre.org.uk open at 7.00pm an St THE FESTIVA evening CB1518 Albans, AL1 3XG Doors Road, for ABOUT Hall, Marlborough Church e00pm: • info@stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk oldest pub there is th 2019 variety CB1518 with Bob MORE SAFF Festival Posters FOR PRESS.indd 1ing a Britain’s to which Members Night New us at – 10.00pm: n5pm th – 30 showcas 14:45 • 01727 852111 bury Estate 23/05/2019 lay-by We will be Gorham book, just point in a are free, but lk music! is on the a price and Friday Folk Band. No need to June 28 rrett drop-off given, festival events Please Except where The theatre there is ais of charge Estate. free bury the running and your own or with a partner. No previous by car, but costs ofuse pletely n up on towards taken Gorham no accesscollections willtobethe the If it is full, is needed as the caller will explain perience the entrance festival. Car Park. TH opposite organising the um Museum E 30 car parks. Verulami nces. Admission £4.00. Further information: centre and other to thank the pubs or citylike would park in the as The organisers St Albans ster Lodge ww.fridayfolk.org.uk ate clothing, Ovo Theatre 1RN song for events and festival hosting appropri the Westmin venues which are with w Roman Albans AL1 but if it rain, prepared Lane, St in its Roman won’t with Concert lk Fantastic it Festival come our Sopwell include to us hope to starting Please for invitingcool. We Lion, 91 unsafe to ion final, it isalso Mill Lane, like thank county can be Cocks, 16 Abbey unless should 2019. Olde Fighting onWe The competit with Theatre Festival evenings carry by the songs 5.00pm: concert will Mills, Anthony followed come prepared Rowlands and Chris White 4HE. Albans AL3 tion, councillors Roma does, the Glenn Koppany likely, please s’ introduc feedback looks 7.00pm at open rain allowances. Doors ion Winner If financial help from their – 11.00pm: s. locality 00pm the judges’ do so. for Competit umbrella site, ing with pub for an evening song writing Nancy Potts ofs but no heritage ome and join us at Britain’s oldest waterpro plus Watford 2019 Finalist tries an ancient CONCERT: a variety theatre AL1 3TG session showcasing Theatre isTHE FESTIVAL MORE ABOUT & New Roots music! We will be Albans music folk but OVO fantastic A nal s. Street, St As the Roman is challenging, THE ‘WRITE s with disabilitie free of charge of English, 126 Victoria access completely acts • FINAL OF Hood, member session bin disability SONG FOR to which there is to discuss Estate to .org.uk welcome An informal on the Gorhambury odate isaudience The theatre ITION NEW ROMAN DANCE IN TH music. All – 9.00pm: to accomm mNDAY info@ovotheatre ’ COMPET a lay-by • DAY OF JUNE 30 OVO and acoustic CITY CENTRE car, but there is a drop-off point in by on ST ALBANS access noemail OP d other folk Please ST ALBANS Please PUBS WORKSH entrance to the Gorhambury Estate. theents. requirem opposite MUSIC IN sing • UKELELE access play or • DAY OF a new Roman song for St Albans Park. If it is full, use MORE... Write VENUES park in the Verulamium Museum Car • & MUCH 1PQ1RN & OTHER AL1AL1 Albans Lane, car parks. Albans St St White Lion, 91 Sopwell he Ginn UNDS & Westminster Lodge or city centre ub the Road, festivalwith starting • SINGARO final,the th 2019 S 134 London The competition bring 5.00pm: clothing, as .00pm –Boy, th – 30 Ginn will the songs 18:17 Please come prepared with28appropriate Farmer’s MUSIC SESSION s and by 18/05/2019 : Bathtub followedbluegras judges’ introduction, he Junehope it won’t rain, but if it pm – 11.00pm evenings can be cool. We s brew of infectiou the judges’ feedback to anwith unsafe is it nishing fi nd unless on with carry does, the concert will n end CB1518 prepared with do so. If rain looks likely, please come ntry blues. music session Traditional waterproofs but no umbrellas. St Albans AL1 3TG The Robin Hood, 126 Victoria Street, heritage site, of English, As the Roman Theatre is an ancient 6.00pm – 9.00pm: An informal session OVO theatre tries Winner Glenn Koppany All welcome to disability access is challenging, but plus Watford song writing Competition rish and other folk and acoustic1music. with disabilities. PRESS.indd & New Roots 2019 Finalist Nancy Potts 2019 FOR to accommodate audience members or sing playBrochure isten,Festival to discuss 8 SAFF Please email OVO on info@ovotheatre.org.uk Bathtub Ginn • FINAL OF THE ‘WRITE A access requirements. • DAY OF DANCE IN FOR Albans AL1 1PQ St SONG Road, ROMAN London NEW 134 Boy, The Farmer’s ST ALBANS CITY CENTRE will bring the festival ST ALBANS’ COMPETITION 9.00pm – 11.00pm: Bathtub Ginn • DAY OF MUSIC IN PUBS of bluegrass and • UKELELE WORKSHOP to an end with an infectious brew & OTHER VENUES th 2019 th – 30 • & MUCH MORE... country blues. • SINGAROUNDS & June 28
1518 SAFF Festival Brochure 2019
SCAN ME
FLOOK
FLOOK
CB1518
MUSIC SESSIONS
18/05/2019 18:17 FOR PRESS.indd 1
19 th – 30 20 June 28 th
Anyone familiar with their canon will instantly recognise the sound of this album. It’s a masterful collection of wonderfully memorable tunes, soaring harmonies and driving rhythms. With the familiar line up of Brian Finnegan on flutes and whistles, Sarah Allen on the lower alto flute and accordion, Ed Boyd on guitar, bouzouki & piano and John Joe Kelly on bodhrán, the band have clearly not lost any of their musicianship, arranging skill or virtuosity in the 14 intervening years since their last release, Haven. I found every tune on the CD to be a delight, and as ever I’d be loath to try to pick a favourite. The unique mix of instuments that have instantly marked the band’s sound for so many years is, on this CD, also augmented by a range of other musicians and instruments, which I really enjoyed. A total of 13 additional musicians are credited, playing everything from hammer dulcimer,to lap steel, hurdy-gurdy and even a theramin! The CD is nicely designed, with short but informative sleeve notes for the authorship of the tunes and the various players featured. Regarding the title of the album, the band says this of it: ‘Ancora’ is the Latin word for anchor, and also means ‘hope’ and ‘again’. The great Italian master Michelangelo was attributed as saying “Ancora Impara” on his 87th birthday, meaning “I am yet learning”. This resonated in us and was present throughout the process of recording ‘Ancora’. So, deeper in we go...” Flook are on tour at the moment (a lot of the remaining 2019 dates are abroad, however) and as ever I’d recommend anyone, whatever their musical tastes or proclivities, to go see them. They are true masters of their field and I can think of few ‘folk ambassadors’ to rival them. The new album is simply a delight! Clive Batkin
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H
elpful clear signage guided me into the FolkEast site on the Glenham Estate in Woodbridge, Suffolk to find a very special festival – a friendly village-style community in the lovely parkland surrounding Glemham Hall stately home. And this efficient but relaxed organisation was everywhere -information tents, well-briefed stewards, clean loos, hot showers, a wide variety of locally sourced food and an informative programme. Some dancers even told me that the dance programme was “the best of all the festivals they attend”. Although packed with activities, music, food stalls and trade stands, you can easily walk around the site. There was a real ‘folky, pagan, ecofriendly’ atmosphere, and recycling, reusing and being environmentally aware was encouraged everywhere. You could learn country crafts, join the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, buy environmentally friendly products and find gorgeous clothes and other items in the wonderful Rummage Tent raising funds for the local hospice and Sue Ryder charity.
man and his WW1 experiences was particularly moving and inspiring. But what about the music? The main Sunset stage was open air (bring your own chairs) and people loved “the open feel of the large central space”. Headline artists including Karine Polwart, Cara Dillon, Daphne’s Flight and Richard Thompson performed there – with hour long gaps between the acts giving time to explore the site. Other well-known and local artists performed in seated marquees – so something for every taste – amazing! The huge variety of activities and attractions made this festival one of the best I’ve attended – congratulations to John and Becky MarshallPotter and all their helpers! Put 21st – 23rd August in your diary for the 2020 FolkEast: we’re even promised that The Young’Uns (the festival patrons) will be appearing! Sandra Lawes
Other memorable things included the huge artworks around the site – like the famous ‘Jackalope’, a boat, a dragon and a metal giant - all made from recycled material and illuminated at night. Colourful tree jellyfish were amazing, and the truly magical Soapbox area in the woods for the children and young people, with its vast range of activities and events from crafts to debates, was inspired. It was beautifully decorated and lit up like fairyland at night – stunning! One of the artists said his favourite thing about the festival was “there were so many young people and children enjoying themselves and the music”. I loved watching the children gain confidence as they scaled the climbing wall and hearing their chuckles as they played in the sandpit. There were many workshops on art, playing an instrument, singing, songwriting and creative writing – “so many opportunities to join in”. And I’ve never seen a cinema at a festival before but the ‘Kinedrome’ showed films about Suffolk and its history. ‘Stanley’s War’ – a true story about a young
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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T
his year, Friday Folk social folk dance club is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
Friday Folk is based in St Albans, and was formed in 1979 by a group of people looking for more opportunities to take part in social dancing. The group was initially led by Martin and Dorothy Nisbett, helped by a strong band of supporters. The club has always met, as the name suggests, on Friday evenings – originally in the church hall on Blandford Road, before moving in 2003 to the Methodist Church Hall on Marlbrough Road. We dance a wide mix of English and American folk dances accompanied by excellent, often live, music. Sometimes this music is provided by our own Friday Folk band, led by Barbara Burton, which has been going strong since the early days of the club. The minutes of the original founding meeting show that Friday Folk’s aim was to “provide tuition in as many forms of dance as possible” so that people could “participate fully anywhere social dance is performed”. Four decades on, and this still rings true. The club is fortunate to enjoy a high-quality programme of callers and musicians, and is well known for the enthusiasm of its dancers and welcoming feel. While some dancers have been coming since the 1970’s, we regularly welcome new dancers of all ages and levels of experience, and encourage even complete beginners to join in and have a go. Occasionally we all need a challenge and over the years one-off club nights have featured anything from jive and ballroom dancing to Greek, Swedish, Morris, and circle dancing. In addition, the club organises two lively ‘Saturday Special’ dances each year. It’s always great to see a strong contingent of Friday
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Folk members on the dance floor at other events and festivals, too – perhaps confirmation that the club’s early aim has served its members well. Friday Folk’s friendly atmosphere extends beyond the dance floor. As well as a good chat (and an optional pint) at the pub after club nights, we have an active social calendar of walks, theatre trips, meals out and museum visits. We hold an annual summer barbeque, and at Christmas we go carol singing and hold a charity collection in the local area. Anyone who would like to try Friday Folk will receive a warm welcome on Fridays at 7:45pm at The Church Hall, Marlborough Road, St Albans, AL1 3XG. Please visit www.fridayfolk.org.uk for more details. To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Friday Folk will be hosting two special events later this year: An extended club night on Friday, 18th October 2019 with Mike Bennett and the Friday Folk Band A ‘Saturday Special’ dance on Saturday, 19th October 2019 with Mark Elvins and Double Dichotomy (please note that this dance is not held at Marlborough Road). Please visit www.fridayfolk.org.uk for more details of these events including times, locations, and ticket prices. We would especially like to extend a warm invitation to anybody who has been a part of Friday Folk over the years, but who may have moved away or lost touch with the club. Please join us again to celebrate this special occasion!
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FOLK SONGS FOR TODAY
W
hen I wrote my column in issue 147 I was eagerly looking forward to my highlight of the summer, Cambridge Folk Festival. Now we’re battening down the hatches in preparation for autumn and becoming more contemplative. One highlight of this year’s CFF was getting to interview the great Ralph McTell on my radio show, live from the festival. In the interview Ralph told me about the amazing reaction when he performed ‘Streets of London’ at CFF for the first time back in 1969! As he said: “Before mobile phones and social media, you didn’t know that people had picked up on your songs, but when I announced ‘Streets of London’, the entire audience sang it all the way through with me. I was very emotional, I nearly didn’t get through it, and I was quite overwhelmed”. Fifty years on, the whole audience sang along this year too – ‘Streets of London’ was a folk song for its time, a song that connected with and carried forward the folk tradition, telling of events and circumstances affecting ordinary people’s lives.
I’m in the process of putting together a list of songs written in recent years that in my view are also folk songs for their time. A couple that immediately spring to mind are ‘Hollow Point’ by Chris Wood, which tells of the killing of Jean Charles de Menezes in July 2005, and ‘On Morecambe Bay’ by Kevin Littlewood, about the tragic deaths of the Chinese cockle pickers there in February 2004. If you can you think of others that would fit the bill, send me an email. Les Ray • les@cambridge105.co.uk • www.mixcloud.com/StrummersandDreamers/ show-300-skinner-twitch-in-session-lookingback-at-cambridge-folk-festival-15819 • www.mixcloud.com/StrummersandDreamers/ show-304-elsi-in-session-folk-songs-fortoday-12919
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’Dusk’ | Lizzy Hardingham: Now based in Hertfordshire and a regular performer at many local clubs, Lizzy studied Music at Liverpool University and burst onto the local folk scene by winning the Herts, Milkmaid Folk Club and Watford Folk Song songwriting competitions. She has notched up an astonishing number of gigs and radio plays for such a young artist, and has supported acts including Lady Maisery, The Dovetail Trio and Bob Fox. She also performed an excellent set at Hitchin Folk Club earlier this year in a show put on by Barry Goodman. Eight of the 10 songs on Lizzy’s new CD ‘Dusk’ are self-penned, and the sleeve notes provide a helpful insight into the inspiration for each one. The title refers to what she calls ‘the most romantic part of the day’, a time which represents both endings and beginnings for her. The tracks are well suited to her powerful voice which gives full rein to the raw emotion of the stories. But there are also moments of tenderness and softness. Lizzy accompanies herself with skilled and delicate guitar playing, while four other artists play steel guitar, flute, fiddle and banjo. But it is Lizzy who dominates
this album through her energy and conviction. I see great potential in Lizzy, her music and her songwriting, and she is definitely an artist to watch. Find out more about her at www.facebook.com/ lizzyhardingham/ or email her at lizzy.hardingham@ gmail.com. | SL 2
’The Wildest Rose’ | Odette Michell: Odette grew up in Cambridgeshire in a musical household but is now based in Watford. Although a relative newcomer to the folk scene, she is making a huge impact, and having listened to this CD and seen her perform at Costa del Folk and the Kimpton Folk Festival, I am sure she is destined for great things. All 10 tracks have a harmonious, traditional feel and I was initially surprised to learn that nine of them are self-penned! But Odette has been playing guitar since she was 15 and began writing just a year later drawing on her rich cultural heritage and life experience. She competently accompanies her beautiful melodic lead vocals on guitar and bouzouki – her voice having echoes of a young Maddy Prior at times as well as similarities to Sandy Denny and Joni Mitchell. It is testament to Odette’s skill as a
DANCING COTSWOLD MORRIS
SINCE
1930
WE MEET EVERY MONDAY - COME AND JOIN US VISIT
OUR WEBSITE FOR FURTHER DETAILS
STALBANSMORRIS.ORG.UK @STALBANSMORRIS
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CB | Reviewed by Clive Batkin SL | Reviewed by Sandra Lawes
CB | reviewed by Clive DCBatkin | reviewed by Debbie Catt EB | reviewed by Ed Broadbridge SL | reviewed by Sandra Lawes BP | reviewed by Bill Pardon
songwriter and musician that she persuaded Stu Hanna to perform on and produce this CD - her first full length studio album – and got Phil Beer (Show of Hands) and Toby Shaer (Sam Kelly and the Lost Boys) to work their magic on some of the tracks. I enjoyed every minute of this CD and I thoroughly recommend it to anyone with a love of traditional style folk music. Odette’s live performances are also highly professional and the audience rapport she creates with her warm stage presence shows a maturity beyond her years. Folk music is in good hands with artists of this calibre. Find out more about Odette, upcoming tour dates and how to access her music at www. odettemichell.com. | SL 3
’Sisters & Brothers’ | na-mara: This 12 track release from the well-known St Albans-based duo sees them, again, in excellent form. A mix of self-penned and traditional songs / tunes makes for a very interesting listen, many with the thoughtful lyrics for which they are well known. I really appreciated the care that had clearly gone into the liner notes, which helped put each song into context. The recording quality is very good, with a natural and not overly-processed sound that reflected their different instuments and voices very well – at times I felt they were actually playing behind me in my tiny living room! Rob and Paul play a variety of instuments between them, and their sound is further augmented by Dan García on bodhrán and percussion here and there. The distinctive cover design is also by the band, and I suspect the attention to detail shown in their music was similarly applied to this. The album is touchingly dedicated to a departed friend – I am sure it would have delighted him. More details on both the band and this cd from their website, www.na-mara.com. | CB
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As you will see from our editorial, we are currently swamped by a backlog of CD reviews. Apologies if we have not got around to yours as yet, but we are trying to adhere to a first come / first served approach – we will endeavour to clear the ‘log jam’ by the start of 2020!
‘Alchemy’ Mike Silver
S
incere, modest, deeply human – Mike Silver is a hugely talented singer / songwriter who should be a famous giant on the folk / acoustic scene. But although he is much loved by his devoted fans, others are not familiar with his work as his life has taken many twisting turns and he has been denied much of the fame he so richly deserves. ‘Alchemy’ is a delightful collection of 16 of Mike’s own songs looking back over his 50-year career of making wonderful music. And there’s a ‘secret’ track – ‘Angel in Deep Shadow’ – at the very end of track 16. Brimming with emotion and drawing inspiration from Mike’s varied life experiences, the tracks are very varied in subject and style. Each one is captivating with evocative, thought provoking lyrics and enchanting arrangements. Mike’s distinctive voice and gentle guitar playing are supported by various guest artists including Johnny Coppin. The album will bring joy to those who know him and will be a revelation to those yet to discover this charming and talented musician. Released by Helen Meissner’s Hertfordshire based Folkstock Records, this CD is quality throughout. It comes with an informative booklet detailing the lyrics of each song, who is playing and when and where it was first recorded - plus Mike’s autobiography. Mike is not currently performing in this area, so please ask your local club or theatre to book him. In the meantime, you can enjoy this great CD. Find out more at www.mikesilver.com or www.folkstockartsfoundation.com or email mikesilver45@gmail.com. Sandra Lawes
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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40 YEARS
Autumn 2019 20 Sep 27 Sep 4 Oct 11 Oct
Anna Park Club callers and AGM Ivan Aitken Bob Lilley
40th Anniversary Celebrations 18 Oct Fri: Mike Bennett and FF Band 19 Oct Sat: Mark Elvins and Double Dichotomy at Verulam School 25 Oct 1 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 29 Nov 6 Dec 13 Dec
Denise Devonald Brenda Godrich, Spring Greens Frances Oates Bob Barrett Suzanne Farmer and FF Band David and Rebecca Capron Colin Hume and FF Band Party Night with Wendy Harrup, Mollie and Ali 20 Dec Carol Singing around St Albans (phone for details) 3 Jan New term starts
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1948
If you fancy dancing North East Rapper or Yorkshire Longsword or Medieval Buffens join us on a Tuesday at 8.30-10pm in the Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage, SG1 1UP or email bagman@stevenagesword.org.uk
2019
Whitchurch Morris Are holding some Free Taster Sessions for you to come and experience Cotswold Morris dancing on Tuesday evenings: 1st October and 5th November at 8.15p.m. in Wilstone Village Hall, HP23 4PE Our winter practises start in Wilstone on Tuesdays in October. New and returning dancers very welcome – come and try it. Contact Alan on 07778 609678 or info@whitchurchmorris.org.uk
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PHOTO BY ELLY LUCAS
I
have attended most of the Folk by the Oak festivals since their inception (missing only a couple here and there ‘when needs must’), but I honestly think that the 2019 show was the best yet... or do I say that after each one, maybe?. Every year I feel the festival seems to go from strength to strength, however – both in terms of numbers of ‘punters’ attending, the quality and scope of the acts and the overall ‘slickness’ with which the festival is clearly run. The weather this year (a highly unpredictable factor in any outside UK event) was fantastic, which instantly got the festival off to a good start. The attendance by the public felt to be its busiest to me this year, but the beautiful site at Hatfield house copes with these increasing numbers very well, and it never felt uncomfortable or over-crowded.
The main stage acts were of an immaculate pedigree and quality, and the seamless way that the smaller Acorn Stage was used to cover the main stage changeover slots was handled with its usual aplomb. As ever, I enjoyed the Acorn Stage acts as equally as I did the main stage acts, so the level of musical interest was well maintained throughout the day. The range of food stalls, the excellent beer tent and the interesting mix of both craft and sales tents and activity sites were in excellent proportion – there was always somewhere interesting to wander to when you needed a brief break from the music. Highlights for me were the wonderful Karine Polwart, the very cheeky Staves and, of course, the masterful, Talisk. The Lost Words: Spell Songs project was a fascinating performance, but see the review opposite for more of this... On the Acorn Stage, I loved seeing The Trials of Cato, but was completely blown away by the final act, Elephant Sessions, with their mix of high energy ‘ceilidh tunes meet funky dance’ grooves. As ever, I look forward to seeing what will be ‘brought to a stage near Hatfield House’ in 2020! Clive Batkin
PHOTO BY TAMMY MARLAR 18
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PHOTO BY ELLY LUCAS
THE LOST WORDS: SPELL SONGS BOOK & CD
Spell Songs is the latest commission from Folk by the Oak Festival, a musical companion piece to The Lost Words by author Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris. This book (a review copy of which I have just received) is a magnificently produced ‘spell book’ rich with poetic rhythms and imagined birdsong... to put this book into a musical context seemed a natural decision. The project gathered together eight remarkable musicians whose music engages deeply with landscape and nature, to respond to the creatures, art and language of The Lost Words... The musicians involved in the project include: Karine Polwart: a multi-award-winning songwriter and musician, a theatre maker, storyteller, essayist, and published writer, whose script for her award-winning show ‘Wind Resistance’ was picked by Robert Macfarlane for The Guardian’s ‘Best Books of 2017’.
Spell Songs allowed these acclaimed and diverse musicians to weave together elements of British folk music, Senegalese folk traditions, and experimental and classical music to create an inspiring new body of work. In 2019 Spell Songs has enjoyed standing ovations at sell-out performances at major venues around the UK, including London’s Southbank Centre and the main stage of Hay Literary Festival.
Julie Fowlis: often singing in the Gaelic Tradition, Julie is known for her crystalline and intoxicating voice. Winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2018. Seckou Keita: an exceptional and charismatic musician. Arguably the most influential and inspiring Kora player (22 stringed West African harp) of his generation. Kris Drever: one of Scotland’s finest and most prolific songwriters, a member of award-winning folk trio Lau, and BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Folk Singer of the Year 2017. Kerry Andrew: an astonishingly perceptive musician, composer, songwriter, multiinstrumentalist and author. Rachel Newton: a singer and harpist with a reputation for “haunting and compelling” (The Guardian) performances and was awarded BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician of the Year in 2017 Beth Porter: a well-known cellist on the UK folk and acoustic scene and one half of The Book Shop Band, who write songs inspired by books that are frequently performed at book shop gigs. Jim Molyneux: a prodigious talent in many instruments, with an ear for a variety of genres from folk through to jazz and hip hop.
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
At the time of going to press I’m still only about a quarter of the way through the book, but I have to say that so far it’s proving an utter delight! The design and production are absolutely wonderful, and the insight it gives into the collective minds of musicians working together on a common project is truly fascinating. Reading the book (and listening to the accompanying CD) in the context of having seen the stage show (at FBO this summer) gives it an added depth, but I think even without that, I’d defy anyone not to find it an enjoyable and interesting read. I look forward to continuing my journey through the book very soon. Clive Batkin
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Dance the night away . . . it’s a barn dance – or is it a ceilidh? A ceilidh (say
kayley) is your chance to dance English folk dances with others. The caller explains all the moves and walks them through – the band starts – and a great time is had by all! There’s usually a dance display in the interval and a raffle. Singles and groups are welcomed – just come and enjoy dancing to great music from top bands. Tickets only £11 - singles & groups welcome.
See www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk
FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER
FRIDAY 8TH NOVEMBER
FRIDAY 11TH OCTOBER
hosepipe band
with caller
adam hughes
valiant dance band sheena masson
chalktown
with caller
with caller
jane bird
The Hosepipe Band have been playing for over 30 years with various personnel Melodeon, fiddle, anglo con cello and banjo create a uniq certina, changes, and are hugely experienced at with unusual and danceableue sound playing for dancers. Their tunes come The band plays with the con tunes. from the UK and sometimes even foreign parts - but they’re all great! which only comes from years viction of total www.hosepipeband.co.uk immersion in traditional mus ic. valiantdanceband.info Adam has been calling for English, Scottish and American dances for more Sheena has graced us with her years than he is likely to admit, with and excellent repertoire man vitality y time clarity, variety, enthusiasm - and a hint one of the UK’s top callers. s of mischief.
St Mary’s Hall, Church St, Baldock SG7 5AE
FULL BAR with REAL ALE
Advert Unicorn NYE 19:Layout 2
16/8/19
Rising from the ashes of Gas in 1998, Chalktown features Mark 5 three exmembers of the band. Chalkto wn have played at Sidmouth, Tow and Shrewsbury festivals as ersey well as the major ceilidh series up and down the country, building a strong following. www.chalktown.co. uk Jane is an experienced caller, organise Oxfolk and has an helps to excellent repertoire of dances. Don’t mis s her!
Tickets now available on line - see website for details
09:26
Doors open 7.30 p.m. Dancing 8.00 to 11.00 p.m.
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Dance the night YEAR away on New Year’s Eve at THE BIG CEILIDHR. . . MBER 2019 TUESDAY 31ST DECE
TICKETS: Adults: only £18.00 Children: (under age 16 on the night) only £10
Jigfoot (two fiddles, guitar, , above all, swing. This is music that defies you to energy, inventiveness and ce or in a concert performance. Their repertoire sources, especially stay still, whether it's at a dan ively, from southern English is mainly, although not exclusnty of Hampshire. www.jigfoot.com their home cou
BOOK NOW limited to 70 places!
flodoeono) platy traditional dance tunes with g ji me & cello WITH CALLER
Barry goodman
y’s d with most of the countr n caller who has worke ! g nin eve ng cki Barry is a nationally-know cra a h Jigfoot he’ll provide top bands. Together wit
It’s the perfect way to en
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d the year!
Phone Alan on
07946 439 095 or 01582 724 261 or email
alan@creamer.me.uk
Tickets available initially at the ceilidh on October 11th, then from Alan as above. Also available at the later ceilidhs (if any unsold).
www.unicornceilidhs.org.uk
Grand Raffle Free tot of whisky at midnight (adults only!)
St Mary’s Hall, Church Street, Baldock SG7 5AE
Dancing 11.00Ale p.m. Full Bar8.00 withtoReal
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Doors open 7.30 p.m.
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Tuesday
1 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Jimmy Aldridge & Sid Goldsmith Wednesday 2 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Celtic Krystal plus floor spots 2 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 2 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 2 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 3 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Dave and Vic 3 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians 3 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 4 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 4 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Gilmore and Roberts 4 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer 4 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with caller Ivan Aitken 4 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround £5.00 Saturday 5 STAPLERS • Anniversary Dance with Albireo & Jeannie Byron-Williams. St Ippolyts Parish Hall, Hitchin SG4 7RB 7:30 – 11:00pm Sunday 6 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Harvest Theme 6 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Christine Collister & Michael Fix Monday 7 HERGA at the Castle • Guest night 7 STAPLERS • Club night with caller Lorraine Morgan 7 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 8 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Tom Lewis Wednesday 9 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Ruby Muse plus floor spots 9 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Martin Pescatore 9 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 9 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Copper Viper plus floor spots 9 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8.00pm Thursday 10 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Graham Foster 10 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 10 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 11 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 11 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Brenda Gillett 11 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with caller Bob Lilley 11 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Showcase featuring Kaszak & Afifi (at The Bungalow) See website for details 11 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Reg Meuross helps celebrate the Club’s 11th birthday £12.00 Sunday 13 ABBOTS LANGLEY WINTER ACOUSTIC CONCERTS • The Road to Peterloo (Pete Coe, Laura Smyth and Brian Peters) 3.00pm £12 includes cake 13 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 13 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Chris While & Julie Matthews Monday 14 HERGA at the Castle • Singaround 14 STAPLERS • Club night with caller Nick Plum 14 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Pete Coe Tuesday 15 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Jim Causley Wednesday 16 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Brian Burke/Dave Stacey. CD launch ‘Turning of a Card’ 16 CHEQUERS FOLK CLUB • Folk club 16 ELY FOLK CLUB • Glymjack 16 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Alice Walker
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
16 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Caller Lynne Whapples 16 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 16 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm 17 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller George Hearnden 17 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 17 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 18 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 18 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Stella Hensley and Friends 18 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with The Friday Folk Band and caller Mike Bennett 18 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround £5.00 Sunday 20 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Kit Hawes & Aaron Callow 20 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Clive Gregson Monday 21 HERGA at the Castle • Theme Night 21 STAPLERS • Club night with caller Joan Rutt 21 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 22 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Brian Peters Wednesday 23 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Beans and Biscuits 23 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Craig Joiner 23 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 23 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • GBH plus floor spots 23 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 24 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller John Green 24 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 24 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 25 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • No Club (Half Term) 25 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Thursday’s Band; Kaszak & Afifi; Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner 25 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with caller Denise Devonald 25 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Concert featuring Smith & Brewer with support Roswell 25 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • John Kirkpatrick £15 Saturday 26 NORTHAMPTON CEILIDHS • Ceilidh with Pickled Pig Band and caller Phil Thurman Sunday 27 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 27 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Edgelarks Monday 28 HERGA at the Castle • Singaround 28 STAPLERS • Club night with band Triple Miron and caller Colin Hume 28 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 29 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Andy Irvine with Malcolm Hobbs £10/£12 29 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Concert with Megson 29 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Round the Room Wednesday 30 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 30 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Reg Meuross plus floor spots 30 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 31 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Alison Ross 31 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Hallowe’en Singaround 31 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Thursday
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Friday
1 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 1 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Karl Hunter 1 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with Spring Greens and caller Brenda Godrich 1 ST ALBANS FOLK MUSIC • Tom Moore and Archie Moss 1 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround £5.00 Sunday 3 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Halloween Open Stage 3 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Wild Willy Barrett’s Roaring Touring Monday 4 HERGA at the Castle • Singaround 4 STAPLERS • Club night with caller David Capron 4 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 5 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Open Stage Wednesday 6 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Pete Woodroffe plus floor spots 6 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 6 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 6 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 7 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Lynne Whapples 7 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 7 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 8 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 8 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • David Cambridge CD launch 8 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with caller Frances Oates 8 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Showcase featuring John Ward Trio 8 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • The Dovetail Trio £12 Sunday 10 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 10 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Gigspanner Monday 11 HERGA at the Castle • Guest night 11 STAPLERS • Club night with caller Barry Goodman 11 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Damien Barber Tuesday 12 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Luke Daniels Wednesday 13 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Red Velvet plus floor spots 13 ELY FOLK CLUB • Alden, Patterson and Dashwood 13 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Bob Dylan Night 13 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 13 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • na-mara plus loor spots 13 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 14 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Terry Elvins 14 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians 14 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 15 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 15 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Daoiri Farrell 15 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with caller Bob Barrett 15 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround £5.00 Saturday 16 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Barnet Libraries Year of Learning – Dance: Talk and Performance 2.00pm Sunday 17 ABBOTS LANGLEY WINTER ACOUSTIC CONCERTS • The Tannahill Weavers 3.00pm £12.00 includes cake 17 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Dave Plane Band / Joe & Jolene
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Monday
17 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Daoiri Farrell 18 HERGA at the Castle • Theme Night 18 STAPLERS • Club night with Carousel Band and caller Denise Devonald 18 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 19 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Dana & Sue Robinson Wednesday 20 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Singaround showcasing Catevalauni 20 CHEQUERS FOLK CLUB • Folk club with Dan McKinnon 20 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Cut the Mustard 20 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Caller Mark Elvins tbc 20 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Kim Lowings and the Greenwood plus floor spots 20 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8.00pm Thursday 21 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Dave and Vic 21 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 21 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 22 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 22 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Eric Sedge; Kerry Devine 22 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with The Friday Folk Band and caller Suzanne Farmer 22 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Singaround £5.00 Sunday 24 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 24 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Martyn Joseph (ticket only) Monday 25 HERGA at the Castle • Singaround 25 STAPLERS • Club night with caller Jeannie Byron-Williams 25 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 26 NORTHAMPTON CEILIDHS • Ceilidh with The Banana Band with caller Bubbles 26 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • round the Room Wednesday 27 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Robots on the Phone hosted by Greg Rose 27 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Mike Excell 27 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 27 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 27 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8.00pm Thursday 28 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller George Hearnden 28 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singers Night 28 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 29 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 29 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Fred’s House 29 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with callers David and Rebecca Capron 29 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Write a Folk Song Competition Final £8.00
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Sunday
1 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Iona Fyfe 1 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • John Tams & Barry Coope Monday 2 HERGA at the Castle • Guest night 2 STAPLERS • Club night with club callers 2 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Sound Tradition Tuesday 3 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Granny’s Attic Wednesday 4 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • The Devines 4 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 4 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Julian Mount plus floor spots 4 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 5 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller John Green 5 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 5 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 6 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 6 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Open Stage with Ruby Muse 6 FOLK AT THE MALTINGS • Julie Felix 6 FRIDAY FOLK • Dance with The Friday Folk Band and caller Colin Hume 6 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Liz Simcock £10.00 Sunday 8 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 8 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • Megson Monday 9 HERGA at the Castle • Theme Night 9 STAPLERS • Club night with club callers 9 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 10 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Miranda Sykes Wednesday 11 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Gorjus Wrex/ Skimmington Ride and jigged up carols! 11 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Causton Walker 11 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Callers 11 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage 11 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8pm Thursday 12 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Denise Devonald 12 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Local Singers and Musicians 12 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 13 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Club Night Visitors Welcome 13 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Pete Morton’s Christmas Special 13 FRIDAY FOLK • Part Night with Wendy Harrup, Mollie and Ali 13 ROYSTON FOLK CLUB • Christmas Showcase featuring local favourites (at The Bungalow) See website for details 13 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • New Roots Part 2 with Missing Richard, Rachel & Fiona Todd and Heather Ferrier £7.00 Sunday 15 BLACK FEN FOLK CLUB • Yuletide Open Stage 15 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • St Agnes Fountain (ticket only) Monday 16 HERGA at the Castle • Club closed 16 STAPLERS • Party Night 16 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Festive Meal and Singaround Tuesday 17 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Club Christmas Party Wednesday 18 BALDOCK FOLK CLUB • Xmas Party and Mummers 18 CHEQUERS FOLK CLUB • Folk club Christmas Special 18 ELY FOLK CLUB • The Trials of Cato 18 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • George Pornby’s XXXX Special
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
18 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Guest Call Keith Harrup 18 REDBOURN FOLK CLUB • Open Stage and Christmas Party 18 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Practice 8.00pm Thursday 19 BEDFORD FOLK DANCE CLUB • Dance – caller Kevin Prigmore 19 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Singaround 19 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club night, country dancing Friday 20 BEDFORD FINE COMPANIONS • Christmas Party at Castle Newnham School, Polhill Avenue, Bedford MK41 9DT 20 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Christmas Showcase with Lady Hamilton’s Concert Party 20 FRIDAY FOLK • Carol Singing around St Albans (phone for details) 20 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Christmas Singaround £5.00 Sunday 22 HITCHIN FOLK CLUB • An Albion Christmas (ticket only) Monday 23 HERGA at the Castle • Club closed 23 STAPLERS • No meeting 23 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 24 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Club closed Wednesday 25 FOUR RIVERS FOLK CLUB • Club Closed 25 LINSLEIGHDERS FOLK DANCE GROUP • Club Closed Thursday 26 BEDFORD FOLK MUSIC CLUB • Club closed for a rest 26 ROUNDABOUTERS (Stevenage) • Club closed no meeting 26 WOODSIDE MORRIS MEN • Dance Out at The Cricketers PH, Sarratt WD3 6AS, 12.30pm Friday 27 CAMBRIDGE FOLK CLUB • Club closed 27 WATFORD FOLK CLUB • Club closed Monday 30 HERGA at the Castle • Club closed 30 WALTHAM ABBEY FOLK CLUB • Singaround Tuesday 31 NORTHAMPTON CEILIDHS • New Year’s Eve Ceilidh 8.00 – 12.30pm 31 ST NEOTS FOLK CLUB • Club closed
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hen sending in your electronic attachments and submissions for either Sessions, the Diary, SWD, Morris Diary or your Adverts (i.e. basically anything you send us via email!) please remember to include your club / organisation name in the file name (and ideally the issue number if possible) so we don’t miss anything / get entries muddled up. Also, if you prepare your ad in Word, please save it as a PDF and send it to us in that format (and don’t forget to delete the background template / don’t include any box outlines).
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[ Listed alphabetically by location ] ABBOTS LANGLEY • Abbots Langley Winter Acoustic Concerts Abbots Langley Community Centre, Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley, Herts, WD5 0AP Contact: Tim and Lesley Brooks, 01923 264536 or ALConcerts@gmail.com, www.oldtimetim.com/alwac.htm
REDBOURN • Redbourn Folk Club Old School Room, Hollybush PH, Church End, Redbourn AL3 7DU Contact: Jenny McNaught, 01582 793164 www.redbournfolkclub.org.uk
BALDOCK • Baldock Folk Club The Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock, Herts SG7 5AW Contact: Brian Burke, 07768 274037, www. Baldockfolkclub.org
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
BEDFORD • Bedford Fine Companions Folk Dance Club Hazledene Lower School, Stancliffe Rd, Bedford, MK41 9AT Contact: Chris Rutt, 01462 700451, finecomapnions.publicity@gmail.com, https://finecompanions.wordpress.com BEDFORD • Bedford Folk Dance Club Church Barn, Church End, Biddenham, Bedford, MK40 4AS 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 BLACK FEN • Black Fen Folk Club NCI Sports and Social Club, 1 Holland Street, Cambridge CB4 3DL Contact: Pete Barrett, Petebodhran@yahoo.co.uk www.blackfenfolkclub.com CAMBRIDGE • Cambridge Folk Club Golden Hind PH, 355 Milton Rd, Cambridge CB4 1SP Contact: Marion Treby, 01638 603986 www.cambridgefolkclub.co.uk 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 GREAT KINGSHILL • Chequers Folk Club The Barn @ Cherry Tree Farm, Missenden Road, Great Kingshill, Bucks HP15 6ED Contact: Philippa Wallin, philippa.wallin@btinternet.com www.wicktrimmers.co.uk/chequers-folk HARROW • Herga at the Castle The Castle PH, 30 West Street, Harrow, Middlesex, 3EF Contact: Tim Brooks, 01923 264536, www.herga.club
ST ALBANS • Folk at the Maltings The Maltings Arts Theatre, Level 2, The Maltings, St Albans AL1 3HL Contact: Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk ST ALBANS • St Albans Folk Music Abbey Theatre Studio, Holywell Hill, St Albans, AL1 2DL Contact: Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111 www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk ST ALBANS • Friday Folk Social Dance Club Methodist Church Hall, Marlborough Rd, St Albans AL1 3XG Contact: Bob Barrett, 01727 856508, 07762 085629 www.fridayfolk.org.uk ST NEOTS • St Neots Folk Club Priory Centre, Priory Lane, St Neots PE19 2BH Contact: Roger Pitt, 01234 376278, www.stneotsfolkclub.co.uk STEVENAGE • Roundabouters Country Dancing Club Friends Meeting House, Cutty’s Lane, Stevenage, SG1 1UP Contact: Lorna Sharpe, 01438 727 293, roundabouters@live.co.uk, www.roundabouters.org.uk WALTHAM ABBEY • Waltham Abbey Folk Club The Angel PH, Sun Street, Waltham Abbey, Essex, EN9 1EJ Contact: Jan Ayres, 01992 613987, www.walthamabbeyfolkclub.com WATFORD • Watford Folk Club Colne River Room, Pump House Theatre & Arts Centre, Local Board Rd, Watford, WD17 2JP Contact: http://watfordfolkclub.co.uk WATFORD • Woodside Morris Men Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre, Local Board Road Lower Watford High Street, Watford WD17 2JP Contact: Nick Wilson, 07860 663033 or pete@iw2.co.uk www.woodsidemorrismen.com
HERTFORD • Four Rivers Folk Club (formerly The White Horse Folk Club) The Hertford Club, Bull Plain, Hertford, SG14 1DT Contact: Pat Crilly 07971 804418, patcrilly@hotmail.com HITCHIN • Hitchin Folk Club Sun Hotel, Sun St, Hitchin, SG5 1AF Contact: Maureen Jones, 01462 812391< goodmusic@hitchinfolkclub.co.uk www.hitchinfolkclub.co.uk
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HITCHIN • Staplers Country Dance Club St John’s Community Centre, St John’s Rd, Hitchin SG4 9JP Contact: Gill Goodman, 01462 456811, gillagoodman@hotmail.co.uk, www.staplers.org.uk LINSLADE • Linsleighders Folk Dance Group The Forster Institute, Waterloo Rd, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard LU7 2NR Contact: Elizabeth Corser, 01525 378010, Elizabeth.corser@btinternet.com
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Fridays â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8.00pm
2019 SEASON October Fri 4
PERFORMERS' NIGHT www.thesongloft.co.uk
Fri 18
ODETTE MICHELL www.odettemichell.com
November Fri 1
PERFORMERS' NIGHT www.thesongloft.co.uk
Fri 15
SAID THE MAIDEN www.saidthemaiden.co.uk
Fri 29
PERFORMERS' NIGHT www.thesongloft.co.uk
December Fri 6
CHRISTMAS PARTY www.thesongloft.co.uk
Fri 20
CHURCHFITTERS CHRISTMAS CRACKER www.thesongloft.co.uk
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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Sunday 17th November 2019 The Barn @ The Horn, St Albans Al1 3PE 7.00pm
www.ticketweb.uk www.thehorn.co.uk www.catfishkeith.com Facebook: Catfish Keith Kelvin Davies £12.00 Adv / £15.00 Door
MELROSE QUARTET
A Bright New Year Kerr Fagan Arrowsmith Arrowsmith A Christmas like no other. Melrose Quartet invite you to join them for an evening of festive songs and good cheer, with their trademark exquisite close harmony and high energy instrumentals, the band will treat you to the finest rousing Sheffield village carols alongside new seasonal songs and some hilarious games that will put a smile om the face of even the most hardened Scrooge.
December 12th 2019, St Andrews Church, Hertford, Herts 8.00pm: £15.00 adv, £17.00 door
Tickets www.ticketsource.co.uk/standrews-church
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Tickets: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ st-andrews-church
www.melrosequartet.co.uk
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
WEDNESDAYS 8.00pm – 10.45pm
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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‘Cock & Bull: Re-imagined ’ Pete Lockwood, with Dave Lockwood
T
his 15 track recording from Pete (of the Cock & Bull Band, naturally!) is a truly interesting listen. I had no idea what to expect having read the liner notes, to be honest, and so putting it on the CD player was a bit of a revelation – it’s a musical smörgåsbord (in a good way, I hasten to point out!) of funky grooves, terrific tunes, interesting feels and instrumental prowess, all superbly played and arranged by Pete & Dave. I think it’s a rare skill to come up with tunes that are interesting to listen to, whilst also sufficiently ‘groovesome’ to have a good dance to (and the other way around, of course). The tunes on this CD all have these qualities in abundance, and the clear technicality of them never detract from the overall effect – I can imagine that musical purists
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and complete musical novices alike would find something to like on this recording. As a guitar player myself, I particularly loved Dave’s guitar playing on the CD – his tone and feel make me extremely jealous! The strong use of synth sounds on the record give a definite ‘vibe’ to many of the tunes, but I personally liked this very much – it reminded me of some of the jazz fusion sounds I am enamoured of (although I’ll surely go to ‘Folk Hell’ for daring to mention that!). I think the best thing is simply to buy a copy and see what you make of it all! The CD cover artwork is very striking, but I know Pete was saddened that some of his contact details were omitted from the final print. We’ve therefore included them below, should anyone want to know more or obtain a copy of the recording: Pete Lockwood: 07810 437431 / 01908 233848 petelockwood01@gmail.com www.petelockwoodmiltonkeynesmusician.com
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Clive Batkin
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
T
he Cock & Bull Band are celebrating 40 years since entering Topic Studios to record their first album, “All Buttoned Up”. Unicorn Magazine caught up with the remaining original member, Paul Martin (mandocello) to have a chat and catch up with the band to find out their views on the current ceilidh club scene and to recount some memories dating back to the 1980’s and the original Hemlock Cock & Bull Band days.
Q: So, “All Buttoned Up” reached number 1 in The Melody Maker Folk Charts in 1980… was this a difficult act to follow? A: Very! Album number 2, “Eyes Closed and Rocking” didn’t receive particularly good reviews, but we liked it! The folk scene in general seemed to enjoy the live performances, but soon afterwards, Dave Whetstone, Jean-Pierre Rasle (JP) and John Maxwell joined up with The Albion Band and the Cock & Bull band eventually moved on. Q: Is this when Pete Lockwood joined? A: Sort of! JP and John had always tried to balance Albion and Cock and Bull commitments but Dave had left and we needed a replacement… Enter electric drum/ keyboard and saxophone player Pete and a new sound/direction. John left before “Concrete Routes” was recorded and Vanda Sainsbury (recorders, clarinet, saxophone) joined after that.
Q: And then more albums followed? A: By now, JP was writing amazing tunes and was very prolific! So with a combination of traditional and JP original tunes, together with Pete also writing material, this provided a healthy backdrop for further albums. Q: The current band has been together for 10 years? A: Yep! Lynn Swain (flute, recorders) joined after JP retired to his homeland [France]. We are very busy and enjoying the playing as much as ever, especially this, our “ruby” anniversary year. Q: You keep going (if I may say), so still motivated to play the ceilidh circuit? A: Without a doubt… with good dancers, great venues and festivals, it’s a special situation we find ourselves in. We are playing our own music to an audience who have supported us for so long. We are very privileged and fortunate in equal measures.
Thanks Paul! Don’t forget Cock & Bull will finish the year with an amazing 40th anniversary ceilidh at MK Gallery on 23rd November 2019 (see their ad opposite, page 28).
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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Dunton Folk Rosie Hood and Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne
2nd November
Belshazzarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Feast 30th November
Carols at the March Hare 3rd December
Dunton Wassail
4th January 2020
www.duntonfolk.co.uk 30
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
THE ROLE OF THE RECORD PRODUCER We often get asked about album production. For answers from an expert, Sandra Lawes interviewed Stu Hanna, the sought-after Hertfordshirebased Record Producer How did you get into record production?
What are a Record Producer’s nightmares?
I’ve enjoyed the sound of music and how it works since schooldays. I used to skip PE to record music on my 4-track cassette player for my band – it was great fun! Over the years I developed my skills as an Audio Producer and Engineer, working alongside experts like Sean Lakeman and Pete Woodroffe.
Often it’s the ‘human factor’ – an artist can be ill or lose their voice. Or the technology can fail – perhaps a hard drive isn’t properly formatted. Because modern technology gives you an almost infinite number of options, you can overproduce a track and maybe layer it up too much. Or press the wrong knob and wipe off whole sections!
Performing with my wife Debbie as the English folk / roots duo Megson gives me a unique perspective as producer, and I’m proud to have worked with many wonderful artists including Show of Hands, Lucy Ward, Faustus, The Willows, The Young’Uns, Gilmore & Roberts, Sam Kelly, Benji Kirkpatrick and The Cecil Sharp Project.
The worst thing is trying to make a poor song work. Acts need objective input to select the best tracks.
What does a Record Producer do? Much depends on the artists’ needs, but the key is to capture the quality of a live music experience in the recording. A simple audio recording doesn’t replicate that live experience. I provide the technical input and objective advice to ensure the album ‘grabs’ listeners and compensates for the other senses and atmosphere you’d get with the live experience. I also have to be a Project Manager, meeting schedules and producing the album on time. It’s easy for artists to get too close to their material – some need encouragement, others need reining in! If you listen to a track you enjoy when performed live and you get the same buzz, the Producer has done a good job!
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
How long does it take to produce an album? Anything from a few hours to a couple of years depending on the artists and their schedules. But working full-time on the recording isn’t the best way – ears and voices get tired and must be rested and protected. How should an artist choose a Record Producer? It’s the chemistry between artist and Producer that gives a good working relationship. Listen to recordings they have done for other artists and see if you like them, and select someone who’ll challenge you. It also helps if you’re geographically close. Any final words? Well-produced albums are important, but live music is crucial. Please keep supporting it. See Megson at various venues in the Unicorn area this autumn. For more information about Stu, Megson or record production visit www.megsonmusic.co.uk.
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The Stables | Wavendon | Milton Keynes
The Ceilidh Experience is for anyone interested in traditional and folk music who would like the chance to play in a band and at a ceilidh. During the sessions you’ll learn tunes and come together as small ceilidh bands, getting ready to perform at a final event for dancers and folk fans of all ages.
Course dates: Sundays 19 & 26 January, 9 & 23 February, 8 March 2020, 10am-12.30pm; Sunday 15 March, 4pm afternoon rehearsal & 7.30pm evening performance
You’ll also have the opportunity to practice with a ‘caller’ and work on a stage with professional sound equipment.
Course fee:
The course is suitable for any instrument, but acoustic instruments are especially welcome.
To book a place call The Stables box office on 01908 280800 The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes MK17 8LU
Participants should be aged 15 or over, already be able to play tunes from memory, ideally at ’dance speed’ and be prepared to do some tune practice between sessions.
£92 (£72 students) for six sessions
box office 01908 280800 www.stables.org
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
Abbots Langley Winter Acoustic Concerts http://www.oldtimetim.com/alwac.htm
Afternoon of Sunday 13th October 2019 at 3pm - £12.00*
The Road to P eterloo
Pete Coe, Brian Peters and Laura Smyth tell the tale of one of the most notorious incidents in British history – the ‘Peterloo Massacre‛ in Manchester in 1819 – through some of the many street ballads that were printed around the time of the event.
Afternoon of Sunday 17th November 2019 at 3pm - £12.00*
The Tannahill Weavers
The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland's premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies.
Abbots Langley Community Centre
Gallows Hill Lane, Abbots Langley, Herts, WD5 0AP
* 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
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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BRICKS
NIGEL MOORCROFT
Seen above is Nigel Moorcroft’s winning entry to the 2019 ‘Write a New Roman Song for St Albans’ competition. Of it he says: “I’m relatively new to song writing and the opposite of prolific! I have had joint entries in the Watford Folk Club competition for the last three years, but this is the first competition entry that is entirely mine. For this competition I had no ideas for anything vaguely Roman until I went to a museum in Bedford which had a section on brick making and that set me off writing about the Roman bricks that had been re-used down the ages. Originally it was going to be light hearted but then the chorus line listing all the peoples came along and got me thinking of the racial mixing that has occurred and so the song worked out from there”.
Many congratulations to Nigel for his winning entry and for allowing us to publish it here!
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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Cambridge Junction
Mon 07 Oct
Arcade feat. Heidi Talbot & Adam Holmes
Sun 13 Oct
Megson Family Folk Show
Tue 15 Oct
9Bach
Sat 26 Oct Fri 01 Nov
Holy Moly & The Crackers CC Smugglers
Sat 02 Nov
Clive Carroll
Tue 05 Nov
Making Tracks
Sat 08 Nov
New Routes: Annie Dressner & Luke James Williams
Sat 09 Nov
Ye Vagabonds
Sun 10 Nov
Luke Daniels
Mon 11 Nov
Bella Hardy
Thu 14 Nov
The local honeys
Mon 18 Nov
Talisk
Tue 26 nov
Twelfth Day
Sun 08 Dec
Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys
Wed 18 Dec
Demon Barbers: The Lock In ‘Christmas Carol’
Cambridge junction, clifton way, Cambridge cb1 7gx
Junction.co.uk | 01223 511 511 38
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
BEST EVER KIMPTON FOLK FESTIVAL
I
f you came to the fourth Kimpton Folk Festival on Saturday 6 July 2019, thank you!
Punters, stallholders and artists seem to be in general agreement – this was our best festival yet.
“…a brilliant afternoon at the superb Kimpton Folk Festival.”
I always judge the attendance by the number of vehicles in the parking field, and this year the cars seemed to go back towards the horizon. Indeed, the numbers were fantastic at all of our venues – the concerts in Hall and Church, workshops in Dacre Rooms and School, Open Mics and sessions at The Boot, the dance venues, busk stops, stalls and other activities all had plenty of people. As you can imagine, we have a few different audiences to please – villagers, folk music fans, and the broader general public. Our model, with a focus of food, drink and free entertainment on the village green and paid concerts in other venues, is still working very well. We have a vibrant, energetic and highly talented team, but we always have room for more on our committee, so get in touch if you think you’d like to help.
FREE E PROGRAMM 3
Doug Jenner Chairman, Kimpton Folk Events “Thanks for all the hard work in organising such a fabulous event.”
6th July 2019 Remember to exchange for a your ticket the wristband at ce Festival Offi
“Hard to imagine a better one-day village festival. Everything – venues, sound, artists, general vibe through to the important details like signage. Top class. It’s in my diary for next year. Put it in yours!”
“The organisation & communication was fantastic.”
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“We especially liked that we didn’t feel obliged to buy over-priced festival foods and were free to come and go as we wanted.”
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
NEW: A FOLK CLUB IN BALDOCK
I
t’s not often we hear about a new folk club The club organisers want the events to be as starting up these days but that’s just what’s accessible as possible – especially for younger Article forat Unicorn happening a cosy Magazine pub on Norton Road in people and students from local colleges and sixth Baldock. The Orange Tree is a traditional country forms. They also want to welcome pub regulars New Folk Club in Baldock inn specialising in real ale and offering pub meals who may not have heard this type of acoustic music It’s not often we hear about agluten new folk starting up before. these days but that’s just what’s happening a cosy from local produce (including freeclub options). So they are offering a ‘no-cost’ open at mic pub on Norton Road in Baldock. The Orange Tree is a traditional country innand specialising in real ale and stage to performers budding songwriters. We were all sorry when thelocal previous club(including in the glutenThey offering pub meals from produce freewant options). to attract local musicians and up-andarea closed its doors after 20 years at the end of coming performers. Weyear wereso allthe sorry when thethe previous the area closed its doors after 20 years at the end of last year last news about Orangeclub Treeinclub themore news welcome. about the AOrange Tree clubtoisBrian even more welcome. A big programme ‘shout-out’ to isso even big ‘shout-out’ A full Autumn isBrian shownBurke, in thisTony Gammage Greg Rose their efforts in making this happen. (see page 39). Prices are shown on the Burke, Tony and Gammage and for Greg Rose for their magazine efforts in making this happen. programme and places can be booked in advance The friendly get-togethers at 7 30 for 8 pm every Wednesday are completely free of charge - whether you from Greg Rose on 07785 328097. want to perform, listen and along (apart from the cost of your beer, soft drink etc of course!). The friendly get-togethers at maybe 7.30pmsing for 8.00pm Membership willare also be free and youofcan sign–up to theWhy club mailing list. In addition, will be every Wednesday completely free charge not pop along and samplethere the friendly occasional events with hat collection musicians for expenses . ( or usually a fiver ! )about this whether you showcase want to perform, listena and maybe for the atmosphere yourself find out more sing along. Membership will also be free and you new club at www.baldockfolkclub.org, contact Brian The pub function room is well equipped and the landlord has generously provided the Performing Rights can sign up to the club mailing list. In addition, on 07768 274037 or greg_fieldfare@hotmail.com. Licence and a PA system. there will be occasional showcase events with a hat Lawes collection the musician’s expenses. The club for organisers want the events to be as accessible as possible – for especially younger Sandra people and students from local colleges and sixth forms. They also want to welcome pub regulars who may not have heard this type of acoustic music before. So they are offering a ‘no-cost’ open mic stage to performers and budding songwriters. They want to attract local musicians and up-and-coming performers.
NEW: HARROW ON THE HILL FOLK FESTIVAL
A full Autumn programme is shown in this magazine . The three headline acts will be Fred’s House ( 11 th Sept ) Brooks Williams ( 18 th Sept ) and ex Planxty legend Andy Irvine ( Tuesday Oct 29 th ) and prices are eforeona the noteprogramme had been played or can a word had Cookson, Craig Joiner, shown . Places be booked in advance fromIndia GregElectric Rose onCo. 07785328097 . Odette been sung, Reg Meuross said ‘Folk on the Hill’ Michell and Tom Reid. Why notbig popa along the friendly atmosphere for yourself or find out more about this new club at had “too heart and to letsample it die” and so it proved. When asked about successes, the organisers said With a rejigged, trimmed down form allowing it to “Every member of the audience, every performer survive it went on and it delivered! and all the volunteers and staff left smiling, with And what it delivered was a small festival with most enthused about at least one artist they’d a huge heart beating to the rhythm of music not known of before and that’s what we were produced by every performer on the stage and looking to achieve” outside, by the pop-up pub christened “The With the organisers looking at how to improve on Fiddler’s Elbow”. this “1st Annual Folk on the Hill festival”, the 2nd From the moment Dave Artus introduced Steve, should be something not to be missed. Chris, Hazel and Jamie, representatives of Herga Sandra Lawes Folk Club, to when Reg Meuross finished his last song, the audience was hooked. Not only were they hooked, they bought into the ethos of the festival, making it a friendly, joyful celebration of each artist’s music, singing along with every song when asked, tapping feet, clapping hands and making it easy for each artist to establish a rapport with them.
B
In between the audience were treated to fine performances from Ron Trueman-Border, Jack
UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
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hobad qtr vt 2019_Layout 1 20/06/2019 15:47 Page 1
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BRITAIN’S FOLK & ACOUSTIC SPECIALISTS
An Aladdin’s cave of treasures! Come and try the instruments for yourself. visit our shops and festival stalls!
BIRMINGHAM | BRIGHTON | BRISTOL CANTERBURY | EDINBURGH (SCAYLES)| LEEDS |LONDON MANCHESTER | SOUTHAMPTON | RED WING MN, USA
Order online or call +44(0)333 800 9500 www.hobgoblin.com
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UNICORN MAGAZINE: ISSUE 148
PROGRAMME OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2019 EVERY FRIDAY, 8PM, THE GOLDEN HIND, 355 MILTON ROAD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 1SP TICKETS FOR MAIN ACTS ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.CAMBRIDGEFOLKCLUB.CO.UK OR PHONE 01638 603986
Fri 4 Oct:
Gilmore and Roberts Support: Bity Booker
£12(door), £11(advance), £10(members)
Fri 11 Oct:
Open Stage with Belinda Gillett
£5(door), £3(members), £3(performers)
Fri 18 Oct:
Stella Hensley and friends Support: Chris Newman and Humfry Finkel
£10(door), £9(advance), £8(members)
Fri 25 Oct:
Showcase: Thursday’s Band; Kaszak and Afifi; Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner
£10(door), £9(advance), £8(members)
Fri 1 Nov:
Open Stage with Karl Hunter
£5(door), £3(members), £3(performers)
Fri 8 Nov:
David Cambridge CD launch
£10(door), £9(advance), £8(members)
Fri 15 Nov:
Daoiri Farrell Support: Brian Cleary and friends
£13(door), £12(advance), £11(members)
Fri 22 Nov:
Eric Sedge; Kerry Devine Support: Sam Inglis
£10(door), £9(advance), £8(members)
Fri 29 Nov:
Fred’s House Support: Chris Fox
£12(door), £11(advance), £10(members)
Fri 6 Dec:
Open Stage with Ruby Muse
£5(door), £3(members), £3(performers)
Fri 13 Dec:
Pete Morton’s Christmas Special Support: 4TunesFriends
£12(door), £11(advance), £10(members)
Fri 20 Dec:
Christmas Showcase: Lady Hamilton’s Concert Party; David Savage; Judy and Marion; Andrew Smith
£10(door), £9(advance), £8(members)
2 5 t h
A P R I L
-
1 s t
M A Y
2 0 2 0 FROM
£719pp DINNER B&B INCLUDING FLIGHTS!
IBIZA 2020 EDWARD II // THE URBAN FOLK QUARTET
GERRY COLVIN BAND // STEVE KNIGHTLEY // THE HUT PEOPLE GEOFF LAKEMAN AND ROB MURCH // TRADARR THE BAR STEWARD SONS OF VAL DOONICAN RIC SANDERS & VO FLETCHER // CHRIS SHERBURN, DENNY BARTLEY AND EMILY SANDERS // LUKE DANIELS ALDEN PATTERSON DASHWOOD // THE MATHER ROBINSON BAND
SOUND OF THE SIRENS // YAN TAN TETHER // JOSHUA BURNELL & BAND THE BROTHERS GILLESPIE // KATIE SPENCER // BANTER COMPERE: MIKE HARDING
C A L L 0 1 2 5 4 4 4 5 0 5 0 O R V I S I T W W W. C O S TA D E L F O L K . C O. U K