FolkWorkshops Newsletter April 2012

The ‘Song Goes On’ up here in the hills and is gradually gaining momentum. You will see from the events list below that our supporters are taking all sorts of initiatives. This is great news as it shows that our small group has a lot of energy to carry out the task of bringing more folk music to the area and encouraging people to sing and/or play an instrument.

STOP PRESS

Sunday 8th April (Easter Sunday) from 2.00pm. Jim Neale is organising a free mini festival in the garden at the Red Lion on the Ross road on the A49 after Harewood End and just before Peterstow, on the left hand side of the road heading towards Ross.

There will be three bands:
the 'Bucket Band', the 'Malvern HillBillies' and 'Toby's Blues Band'. This is a find raiser
for the MS Society and there will a 'Charity Bucket' collectors coming round for donations. A similar event organised by Jim last years was a very enjoyable affair.


Workshops

It was very encouraging that we had such a great Guitar/Bass Workshop at Peterchurch Fire Station for which we thank Jim Neale for being the leader and to Steve Woskit for organising the venue. The provision of a cup of coffee and toast as people arrived proved to be a popular welcome and one which we will repeat at other morning workshops of this kind.

With Black Hill Folk now well established as our singing section with regular practices the Instrumental Workshops could expand as and when enough people say they would like one. With the guitar being such a popular instrument it was not surprising that we had such a good turnout. However, a workshop does not have to be large to be viable. All that is needed is a small group of people prepared to learn and share their skills, tips or current difficulties with their fellow players. This is particularly important for beginners. Knowing that you are not alone in trying to master a new instrument is very important and a time always comes when it is great to meet up, and hopefully play a tune or two. As the group has developed to date we have people who play, (or are learning to play), the harmonica, the concertina, the melodeon, guitar, slide guitar, bass guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, ukulele, dulcimer, psaltery and tin whistle! So if you would like some company in your struggles please let us know and we will see what you and the group together can do. At a very simple level supporters often meet up with other players to swap ideas and tips on techniques and songs that might be tried. Being in our network and meeting up at one of our folk sessions makes this sort of thing possible.

Banjo/Ukelele Workshop: There was some interest in the Banjo Workshop which helped one supporter in buying an instrument and in getting them started on basic chords and picks. There is also some interest in a Basic Ukelele Workshop. Again, get in touch if this might be useful.

Dancing It often forgotten that folk music provides an important accompaniment. A brief look at the English Folk Dance and Song Society’s magazine quickly shows how much of this is going on. You should keep a look out for appearances of Foxwhelp Morris as the months go by as well as letting us know of any Ceilidhs that our supporters might like to support. If there is anyone who would like to organise a bit of country, square of step dancing, then I am sure we could drum up some support.

Thinking of Buying a Folk Instrument Workshop: If you are not sure which instrument you would like to take up then it would be very easy to run a workshop with a range of instruments available so that the limitations and difficulty of an instrument could be discussed as well as how to buy one and what it would cost.

Events

Folk Club Evenings: We now have two venues we use which add to the support we want to give our village halls. With a bit of soft lighting and table cloths it is surprisingly easy to create a relaxing club type atmosphere. Please bring a donation toward costs.

Tues 10th April Folk Club Evening, Newton Church Room 8.00 p.m.

Tues 1st May May Day Folk Club Eevening, Upper Maescoed Chapel Room 8.00 p.m. Please note: the venue may change if demand is high.

Folk at the Crown Inn, Longtown: We had been trying to keep these to the third Tuesday of the Month but you will see that we have moved the latest one to a Wednesday. These sessions are a mixture of group and solo singing and give singers and instrumentalists alike a chance to hone their skills. Such sessions are really useful for new players to get session experience. If that’s not enough the hospitality and beer is brilliant!


Tues 17th April The Crown, Longtown. 8.00 p.m.

Tues 15th May The Crown, Longtown. 8.00 p.m.

Black Hill Folk Singing Practices: All at The Griggs, Newton 8.00 p.m. Phone 01981510629 for directions if you would like to join in. usually on a weekly basis but ring for details. ALSO: Ring this number if you are interested in a nearly new Yamaha Keyboard. Full details will be provided.

Tues 24th April Singing Practice

Tues 8th May Singing Practice.


There may be a bit of a gap before the next Newsletter due to John having an op at the QE Brum anytime now. Our thanks go to all the well wishers who have been in touch.

We are both hoping to be out and about for May Day, but we will see, so
in the meantime keep on strumming, singing and generally raising a ruckus,

John and Jane Baxter

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