A Folk Music Workshop in the Hills

The following report has been received by our special reporter, John Barleycorn, who investigated a new community event in the hills above the Golden Valley. The organisers have asked us to thank all those who supported the Folk Music Workshop held on Wednesday 24th November at Newton Church Room. A provisional date for the next Workshop has been provisionally set for Wednesday 28th January at 7.30 p.m. This is much later than hoped but the previous two Wednesdays clash with other events which could reduce the number of people able to attend.

Having checked my destination on the Ordinance Survey sheet I set out into the night and eventually climbed 800 feet to enter the network of lanes which led me to the venue. GPS, mobile phones and even the traditional phone box cannot be relied on should the darkness and the matrix of lanes defeat you.

Having found the venue I was soon being made welcome in a warm cosy church room which was refurbished about 8 years ago. There were about 17 people present who had appeared out of the night from the two adjoining parishes of Newton and St. Margaret’s and others who had travelled from Rowleston and even Llanfihangel Crocorney across the border in Wales. Villages here do not have centres with village greens but have populations dispersed along the many lanes and at the end of tracks leading from what seem like field gates. The community therefore proves its existence at gatherings such as these, church services and funerals, and at the many events held at the larger Escleyside Community Centre. Some people make the mistake when visiting the area of thinking that they would not like to live in what seems to them to be an isolated place but it would seem you are isolated as much as you wish, unlike the forgotten flat in a city block where no one knows each other, and what’s more, don’t seem to care about it either.

I had no idea what to expect from a Folk Music Workshop. From the information which had reached me it seemed that turning up and being prepared to listen or join in with the occasional chorus would be sufficient, but things soon gained momentum after a warm up song, Drill Ye Tarriers Drill. We were invited to make suggestions as to what might be attempted and a suit case of song books was soon being explored by many of us. Decisions were also made as to whether an accompaniment could be provided either by the banjo or the guitar which had been brought along. A modern keyboard was usful for establishing a preferred pitch but otherwise many of the songs were unaccompanied. Although many said they came as listeners, judging from the pleasant group sound which emerged the majority seem to have been prepared to have a go.

The main objective, getting people singing, was soon achieved. This would not be a place for those who want well rehearsed pieces and brilliant musicianship. The ethos is one of encouragement and tolerance so that the songs really did come from the folk present. Sea shanties were a good mainstay with their strong rhythms and robust choruses. So too were the old community songs such as Pack up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag, the final song of the evening. Along the way we had old favourites like the Leaving of Liverpool, When the Boat Comes In (sung by a genuine Geordie visiting the area) and the undoubted hit of the evening, Down on Misery Farm, sung by genuine farmers, one playing an accompaniment on an accordion, recently released from a loft where it had lain for many years.

By popular acclaim it was agreed to try and make the workshop a monthly affair once Christmas was over. With five apologies received it would seem that an attendance in the twenties is perfectly possible. As I drove off into the night well refreshed by the experience and the combination of a hot drink and a small army of snacks and cakes I was reminded that things only happen when people turn up and have a go. Quite a simple idea really.