FolkWorkshops August Newsletter

Dear Supporter,

Let’s start by welcoming all of you who have just joined the mailing list. We hope you will be able to come along to some of the events mentioned here and that you might have an instrument you would like to play or a voice to get into condition. If you have neither then as always come along to develop you’re listening skills, your knowledge of folk music, and have a pleasant evening or two out. As always, if at any time anyone wants to be taken off the list then please let us know. Equally if you know of anyone who might like to be on the list then get them to send in an e-mail request.

Let’s end by thanking all of those who turned up and sang at the Songs and Poems Among the Flowers evening at St. Margaret’s Church on July 18th. This was very much an experiment but very favourable feedback has come in and it looks as though another evening for early November is planned with the provisional theme of Memories and Remembrance. A big thank you goes to our singers, Black Hill Folk for doing such a good job. Don’t be surprised if we get asked to do a few more things at St .Margaret’s. Thanks also go to Jim Neale for singing songs which were just right. I think he had better consider organising a fan club up here in the hills.
We are just about to go off on a trip to the Somerset, Devon and Cornwall in search of some Folk Clubs to sing at so see you later in the month. In the meantime should any of you feel like buying the Bridge Inn at Michaelchurch we are sure that FolkWorkshops supporters will be only too pleased to boost your sales.

Keeping the dream alive,

Regards from all @FolkWorkshops

Events:

Wednesday 17th August: Newton Church Room 7.30 pm: Turn up and Sing Evening. John Biggs has a new song we might like so he will bring along a CD player to get us started. Dont forget to bring your song files with you. New members should not be put off by this as we can always find some lyrics for you.

Saturday 20th August: Longtown Show: FolkWorkshops Stall & Caravan: Look out for the sign and drop in for a chat and a drink. We will have various promotional leaflets from the English Folk Dance and Song Society, a display of musical instruments, and literature. A CD player playing folk music will provide the background music. Depending on who turns up, occasional outbursts of song and strumming on the hour from 2pm, will occur.
If you have any promotional material you would like to add to our collection then get it to us by Friday 19th or on the day of the show. Flyers, posters, and cards can all be found a place. Old books on music or artists you no longer want can also go on display for sale on your terms. If you have any old musical instruments you would like to sell or just bring along to add to the display, feel free. If it’s raining we will take shelter in the caravan! If it’s also blowing a gale we will see at the Crown Inn later getting warm and sampling the Butty Bach. It is August after all. If you have any ideas we have missed for the stall please let us know. We have no idea what to expect but we are looking forward to it!

Wednesday 28th September: Newton Church and Room 7.30 pm: Singing Workshop with the Village Quire: Your chance to try out part singing. Absolute beginners and above welcome. This is an evening which can really convince you that it is worth giving your vocal chords an outing. Tickets £5. All proceeds of this event as well as the concert below will be shared between the two churches.

Saturday 1st October: St.Margarets Church 7.30: Concert by the Village Quire High days and Holidays Along the Welsh Border Marches if you come to nothing else during the next twelve months this is the event not to miss. You can read a review of this concert on our tag link below. Heard in the setting of St. Margaret’s Church in sight of the Cat’s Back as it forms the sky line from Hay Bluff, via Black Hill and Red Darren to Hatterall Hill, we cannot imagine a better setting. Tickets £10. Combine it with the Workshop ticket and pay £13. To reserve any ticket either send your request to john.baxter87@virgin.net or telephone John on either 019812510388 or 01981 510629

Saturday 15th October John Kirkpatrick presents

The Victorian Farmer’s Year in Song
Songs about farmers, and songs sung by farmers; songs about the work on the farm, and songs to make that work easier; songs celebrating particular days in the country calendar, and songs celebrating the daily miracle of life, death, and renewal. And the world we are shown here is not a romantic pastoral idyll viewed through rose-tinted spectacles—this is a world full of sweat and muck, a world with dirt under the fingernails, a world full of snorting, and grunting and heaving. And then there’s the animals ...

John Kirkpatrick, winner of the ‘Musician of the Year’ award at the 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. In the popular TV series Victorian Farm John popped up now and again contributing folk songs, squeezebox tunes, dances and snippets of information about folklore and traditional customs.
Saturday 15th October, 7.30 pm at Gwernyfed School Drama Studio, Three Cocks, Nr Hay on Wye LD3 0SG. Cost £7.50

Folk Harmony Singing Workshop - John will also be running a vocal workshop from 2 - 5 pm at the school. Suitable for anyone who likes a good sing and can hold a tune! 'Dots' will be available if needed, but the afternoon will be suitable for those who prefer to learn 'by ear'. Cost £10 or combined workshop / concert ticket just £15. Workshop places must be booked in advance.
Tickets and further details from 01497 847676 or any member of the Village Quire / www.villagequire.org.uk