FolkWorkshops Christmas Newsletter 2012

We get together to sing folk songs & play instruments in a tolerant & relaxed atmosphere of mutual encouragement and support.

As the Olympic Summer fades it would be rather good if someone remembered one element in the opening tableau. Did we really see some country dancing and Morris Men? Is this a sort of recognition of an old English Tradition? Why is it that the English are so embarrassed by their ju own heritage? The Scots, Irish and Welsh don’t seem to have these hang ups. Sadly, we suspect that the patronising attitudes towards our folklore will continue, not withstanding that many of England’s composers drew heavily upon this heritage and would no doubt be just as puzzled as we are. It seems that the new age of the petrol head, loud mouthed crass critique of tradition is more likely to be favoured and the BBC has not done itself any credit by shutting down local folk music programmes or ‘modernising’  Mike Harding’s programme by giving him the sack. They didn’t even offer a period during which he ‘stepped aside’. This is why we think that listener supported radio like Folk RadioUK is a welcome development. Whilst grants are all very nice the folk community has in the main not only survived but has thrived on self help and long may it continue to do so. It may have to.

Having been thinking about ‘folk heritage’ for a while it was a great pleasure to be invited by Mike Newell to join the Village Quire guest list as they took part in the centenary celebration of the publication of The Folk-lore of Herefordshire by Ella Mary Leather. Having been a friend of both Ralph Vaughan Williams and Cecil Sharp her book is part of the literature right at the beginning of the preservation and revival of English folk music and dance which eventually saw the founding of the English Folk Dance and Song Society, the building of Cecil Sharpe House and the creation of the Ralph Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. Our job was to try and record the events as part of our local and folk music history.

So, the 10th of November saw us following Leominster Morris and Foxwhelp Morris along the narrow roads between Weobley, Dilwyn and Leominster marking the day with dances outside Ella’s house in Weobley, the New Inn at Pembridge and at the Cross Inn at Eardisland. A Grand Morris and Ceilidh followed at Dilwyn Village Hall in the evening. A full account for the record will appear on Tales from Under Black Hill in due course. Our thanks go to all those who made the day such a great success, especially Tony Handy of Leominster Morris http://www.leominstermorris.co.uk/ who organised the event, and folklorist Roy Palmer who read extracts from the book between songs from the Village Quire. The latter performing some new pieces in yet another brilliant performance. If all this were not enough, Hop Pickers Feast punctuated the evening with pieces from their wide and interesting repertoire and then,  just as we thought the day was over, the announcement was made, ‘And now it’s Ceilidh time’!

While preparing this Newsletter we realised that it was in November three years ago, prompted by our daughter Mary that we advertised and held our first Folk Workshop at Newton Church Room. The founding participants at that evening have gradually been joined by many new friends to make the folk music community which has developed. Here is a blog recording the event: Folk music workshop in hills

And finally Hobgoblin Music has circulated the following note marking a great success for common sense:
 ‘Many of you will be aware of the campaign against the music licensing elements of the 2003 Licensing Act, which made it illegal for venues to host any form of live music without a license. This replaced the previous '3 in a bar' rule, which wasn't much better.

This week saw a fantastic development in music licensing law, as it became legal for live unamplified music to be played in any location (without a license), and for amplified music to be played in unlicensed venues with a capacity of 200 or less.

We are very optimistic that this will help to reverse the trend of folk clubs and sessions being closed down by zealous local authorities, as has been happening for many, many years’

With such a good piece of news all that remains to be said is to thank John and Bridget for hosting Black Hill Folk and Sheila and all her staff at the Crown Inn Longtown for continuing to make us so welcome, and to wish all supporters a Happy and Musical Christmas and a Peaceful New Year. 
John and Jane Baxter

With so much dancing we were rather pleased to see this in our EFDSS magazine:
‘Dancing’, he said, ‘is most strengthening, livening, and courting movement, ‘specially with a little beverage added’!
Mr Spinks at the Tranters Christmas Party, Under the Greenwood Tree by Thomas Hardy (1872)

Past Events: There has been quite a lot going on. We are happy to report that the Rapsqillian Workshop and Concert at St. Margaret’s Church was a great success. It was very heartening to see some new faces at both events.

We were greatly entertained by the Village Choir when we saw them perform their programme High Days and Holidays on the Welsh Marches with reader Phil Smith at the unspoilt church of St.James at Llangua back on 6th October.   Having seen the first performance of this programme back in April 20011 ( see Village Quire High Days  for a review) this was our third hearing and was delivered with the usual high standards under the direction of Dave Newell.  If you haven’t seen them see their Christmas schedule below.

FolkWorkshops supporters put a great deal of effort into making the Evening of Remembrance at St. Margaret’s Church on Saturday 10th  a moving experience for all attending this unique mixture of poetry, folk song, and meditations. We have had three really good Folk Nights at the Crown Inn sessions with good attendances for the pre-session meal and a variety of singers and players making it an entertaining evening. We had 30 people at the session on the 20th November and again it was great to see so many new faces. See below for next month’s details.

Black Hill Folk continue their weekly practices. Having performed at both of the events at St. Margaret’s Church they are currently rehearsing pieces from their Christmas and Wassail repertoire in readiness for the weeks ahead. For more details ring John Biggs 01981 510629.
Black Hill Tune Club: Judy Mabe reports s that seven musicians gathered at the Crown Inn, Longtown in the afternoon on Thursday 8th November. ‘This month we were developing harmonies within some of our existing tunes and working on some arrangements. We made a pretty good sound’, a view confirmed by Sheila, the landlady, who was doing her book work somewhere nearby.
 
Future Events: With things getting a bit busy just at the moment we thought a Christmas Newsletter might be a good option. If there is something which you think should be drawn to the attention of FolkWorkshops supporters please e-mail us. If there is an important event that has gone unnoticed we can always put out a brief e-mail message.

Black Hill Folk: next practice Tuesday 27th November at 800pm.
For details ring John Biggs 01981 510629

Black Mountain Blues:  Wednesday 12th December
This is the latest spin-off from 'Folkworkshops.'  Last Wednesday saw a gathering of nine for 'Blues Workshop  No1' . The event was kindly hosted by Bob Burson in Longtown.  Participants shared their early experiences of blues music and talked about how they hoped to develop their playing and vocal skills through the workshop model.  This was followed by some guitar, bass, and harmonica jamming, and some vocals, based mostly on simple 12 bar blues patterns.  The verdict? Ok, plenty of  work to be done but it was a lot of fun. More telling is that a date was set for 'Blues Workshop No2.
This will take place at Peterchurch Fire Station on Wednesday 12th December from 2pm -4pm.  There is an outline plan for the group to meet on the 2nd Wednesday of each month thereafter.
Players and vocalists of all abilities are welcome.  If you are interested in playing blues music but can't make the workshops we can put you in touch with others who also meet outside the workshop setting.
For more information please contact Alan McCardle  01981 510510.

Folk Nights at the Crown Inn, Longtown, Tuesday 18th December:  This is the time of year when a night out singing is so much more attractive than late night shopping, so venture out and sing and join us for our last session of 2012. While you are about it why not join the growing number of us who like to have a meal before the music starts? We aim to get the music started just after 8pm. You can ring in your order in advance by ringing 01873 860217 visit www.crowninnlongtown.co.uk.

Harpsongs: Phil Tipton, who is a loyal supporter of our sessions at the Crown, reports that at the session on 17th November the future of Harpsongs was discussed. There had been a very low turnout in the previous month and, as they had been running the sessions for 2 years, Phil thought it was time to take stock. Various ideas were put forward and adopted. We are very pleased to confirm that Harpsongs will continue as usual on every 3rd Saturday at 8.30pm but with various adjustments. So, like us, you will have to get along there to see what they are. Don’t forget to offer a car share if you can.

Black Hill Tune Club meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Crown Inn, Longtown at 2 pm and the next one (the 6th meeting) is on 6th December. Judy writes, ‘As we didn’t play any new tunes last month someone is bringing a new Welsh tune for us to learn. If anyone wants to have some idea what tunes we have been playing together, I’m happy to send them our Tune list.
I am in touch with another Tune Club in Ledbury and they are holding a Workshop led by John Kirkpatrick. He is very keen to help promote folk music workshops, and as long as they can attract about 20 people the ticket price should be quite modest. The possible dates being considered are March 2nd or 9th.  If you are  interested in this event or in Black Hill Tune Club please contact us.
Christmas Concerts with the Village Quire and actor Phil Smith

‘Imagine a Christmas before the inflatable plastic Santa was invented; before the flashing, LED-illuminated Rudolph and the fibre-optic Christmas tree.  Imagine a time of fable, folklore and time-honoured custom, when stories were told by candlelight and, by the glow of the blazing Yuletide brand, those gathered in hearthside’s ease could sing a good old tune in four-part harmony, fine and full. 
This Christmas The Village Quire and actor Phil Smith bring you songs and stories of mumming and wassailing, of misrule and mirth; rousing West Gallery anthems and intimate festive miniatures to melt your heart – an older Christmas, more stark, more true, glimpsed in the glimmering light of candle flames’

On Saturday 1st December we return to bring our Village Christmas to All Saints’ Church, Cwmbach, Glasbury.  This year’s show will have lots of new mid-winter songs and stories to melt your heart, plus a good smattering of real, old Village Quire favourites.  If you have never seen A Village Christmas before, then you are in for a treat; if you have, then we still hope to surprise and delight you.  All will be atmospheric and candlelit and rich with the aroma of Tony and LizAnn’s excellent mulled wine – a great way to get you in the mood for the festive season!   Full details are below and we look forward to seeing you there.  Don’t forget to buy your tickets early as this annual concert is very popular and seating is limited. Full details: Saturday 1st December, 7.30 pm at All Saints’ Church, Glasbury (Radnor).  Tickets £7 (£5 under 18s) to include mulled wine & mince pies, from Tony & LizAnn Laurie-Chiswell 01874 754308.
All proceeds to All Saints’ Church.

And if you can't make the 1st December then you've not missed us. 
Our full list of December dates are as follows:
14/12/12 Llanbedr Village Hall, 7.30 pm - tickets from 01873 810436
15/12/12 Glanfa Stage, Wales Millennium Centre (Glanfa Stage 6.15 - 7..15 pm (FREE performance)
22/12/12 Shammick Acoustic (folk club), Pack O' Cards, Combe Martin, Devon, 8 pm - tickets from 01271 882366 (well, you might be on holiday in Devon!)
23/12/12 The Globe, Hay on Wye, 7.30 pm - tickets from 01497 821762: The Holly Bears The Crown: by Candlelight Tickets £6/£7/£8 – 01497 821762 www.globeathay.co.uk 
FULL DETAILS OF THESE CONCERTS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE www.villagequire.org.uk or telephone 01497 847676
Vital Spark at Clodock Church: Friday 28th December at 7 pm. Entrance free with hot punch and mince pies afterwards. However, there will be a retiring collection. Vital Spark is a large group of singers from Malvern who sing West Gallery music and have been coming to Clodock for some years to sing in the magnificent West Gallery. This is an excellent opportunity to hear old English Carol’s by candlelight as they would have been sung before the style was replaced due to changes in fashion, and, it must be admitted, the over- fondness by some choirs for long practice sessions in the pub. You can find an article on West Gallery singing on the blog by clicking: Folk music harmony singing and west

Miscellaneous
18th December, The King and Queen, Public House, London: Bob Dylan’s Tour,50 Years On: In December 1962 Bob Dylan was in London filming Madhouse on Castle Street for the BBC ( since wiped, the film, not the Beeb) and on 18th December he started a month long tour of London folk clubs. To mark this event Tim Chipping has organised an evening at one of the pubs he visited 50 years ago. Wizz Jones will be among the guests. We have it on good authority that when Bob got to the Troubadour in Earls Court he had to pay to get in as he was not a booked guest.

Nearby upcoming Festivals to note: Gloucester Cajun,25-27th January, Cheltenham 8th-10th Feb: Nic Jones has been booked: Porthcawl Interceltic Festival 1st-3rd March.
Clog Dancing Course in Lancashire: We thought you might like to plan something to look forward to in February should your head not have cleared. Take a look at this if you would like some cheering up before you start the dreaded run up to Christmas. Well worth checking out the Lancashire Wallopers Dancing Horse
Sacred Harp Singing:  With the Church of England having replaced West Gallery singing and other older forms in the mid 19th century, it will come as no surprise that similar forms of singing survived in parts of the United States. So, yes you’ve got it, it is now coming back to us. Our London correspondent spotted this and thought it would be of interest. As the site observes:
‘This singing tradition preserved forms, devices and harmonic tastes that were swept away in Europe as classical choral and sacred music evolved. In that way, I suppose it is a paradox and an anachronism – “early music” from the New World.’     
http://londonsacredharp.org/

Don't Forget: Pete Coe in Concert 16th March, 2013, Black Hill Tune Club and FolkWorkshops, in association with the Globe Hay on Wye present this veteran of the club and festival circuiet.
Not to be messed. Tickets £10. More details later when you all need reminding again.