FolkWorkshops Newsletter: January 2012

Stop Press: we have just heard from the Rev Nicholas Lowton about a concert at Craswall Church on Saturday 4th February, 7.30 pm, to be given by the award winning folk artist Sam Lee. Entrance will be free with a retiring collection. To learn more about Sam and his career to date aee the previous blog.

Other News: Congratulations to Black Hill Folk for raising £275.65 for Crisis at Christmas at the singing at the Cornewell Arms and at our Folk Night at the Crown. Black Hill Folk, their partners and guests had a very successful Burns Night at the Crown Inn Longtown on January 24th with Jim Neale and his band in attendance to provide some excellent Scottish music. Our thanks go to Sheila and her staff for providing a most enjoyable spread. Our thanks also go to John Biggs for getting everything together and to all those who helped in various ways, sang, played and recited. Following on from the Wassail with Foxwhelp Morris at the Yew Tree Inn, Preston on Wye, the previous week, as Mr Kipling of Cakes fame might have said, ‘these two events seem to have belatedly rung in the New Year in a most splendid and exceedingly good manner’.

If you would like a change in your radio listening then why not try the internet radio station Folk Radio UK. This is funded by donations from the listeners and a wide variety of music is broadcast. Their website also has a great deal of news and you can subscribe to their Newsletter. Donations may be one off or on a regular basis.

Black Hill Folk will be resuming their singing practices at the Griggs by invitation of John and Bridget on Tuesday 31st January starting 7.30 - 8 p.m. and then on Wednesday 15th February starting 7.30 - 8 p.m. Should you want to join in or know someone who would, please make contact via this e-mail address.

Folk Music Nights: NEWTON CHURCH ROOM, 7th February, 7.30 p.m. Free but donation requested. All welcome, and likewise at THE CROWN, LONGTOWN Tuesday 21st February 8.00 p.m.

Visiting other Folk Clubs and Venues: Several interesting clubs have been tracked down within an hours drive so we will be reporting on any planned trips should anyone want a car share. Should you be interested in seeing the full range of clubs in this category and beyond you could start by Googling Chepstow Folk Club which will take you to the Chepstow Accoutic Music Club. Their motto is ‘Strength in Community, Quality and Consideration’

Workshops: Interest in these has proved encouraging. Other workshops can be arranged on other topics so let us know your musical interest. Should you have an idea for a workshop or would like to run one or know someone who would, then get in touch.

Bass Guitar and Guitar Workshop: Peterchurch Fire Station 18th February. Bookings are now coming in for this session. Please spread the word on this as it is open to all ages and abilities. Jim Neale holds the necessary certificate etc should under 18’s wish to attend. Full details on thia site.

Banjo and Ukulele Workshops: this is being made available depending on demand. It includes advice on purchasing an instrument, basic techniques and where to find worthwhile and free, You Tube Lessons. For those who want to practice without disturbing the household or the neighbourhood we now have ‘practice mutes’ available’. For more details make contact by e-mail.

A Workshop entitled, ‘An Introduction to Folk Music Instruments’ is also available depending on demand.
And Finally: This came in from the ever active and comprehensive Cas Smith of the Gigs Guide: Hallsway Manor is well worth checking out as it is a residential centre in Somerset running all kinds of events and weekend schools throughout the year. Here is Cas’s recommendation:
To mark the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the original West Somerset Railway between Norton Fitzwarren Junction, near Taunton, and Watchet in 1862 our neighbours at Halsway Manor, Crowcombe, are holding a weekend called Songs, Steam and Stories of the Quantocks between May 11th and 13th. There are top-line acts booked including Taffy Thomas, Tim Laycock, Tom and Barbara Brown and the Hotwells Howlers. For more information about what promises to be an excellent weekend in a wonderful Quantocks keep an eye on www.halswaymanor.org.uk.

From: John Simms
Subject: WORDS ABOUT THE HALSWAY MANOR WEEKEND
Yours Sincerely

John Simms
Commercial Department



This is probably quite enough for one Newsletter. We are sure there will be quite a lot more happening in the year to come.

Sam Lee in Concert

Sam Lee in Concert at Craswall Church, Herefordshire,
Saturday Feb 4th at 7.30

Entrance will be free with a retiring collection

Sam Lee, folk singer, promoter and animateur will in late 2011 be releasing his debut album “Ground Of Its Own” a musical manifesto recognising the unique artistic journey Sam has taken and the less than conventional route getting there. Although a gifted singer, this was completely unknown to him until his first encounter with folk song some 5 years ago. This discovery of an unheard music compelled him to abandon his then career as a trained visual artist, teacher of wilderness survival and moonlighter as a burlesque dancer and embark on a journey into the songs of The British Isles. Sam is fast becoming accepted as one of the new pioneers defining the sound, sight and texture of contemporary folksong. This was reflected in his winning the 2011 Arts Foundation Award winner, which for the first time this year, honoured folk music amongst its art forms. Likewise his live band carves an new acoustic with their homemade and mongrelised instrumentation and unconventional arrangements that challenge any preconceptions of what ʻtraditionʼ should sounds like.

Sam is also an award-winning promoter and live events producer through his 2010 BBC Folk club of the year ʻThe Magpieʼs Nestʼ. The Nest has played a key role in the resurgence of the creative live folk music scene and is behind many innovative concerts across London, festival stages around the UK and radio and television appearances. He also helped organise (and modelled for) the first ʻfolk featureʼ in Julyʼs edition of Vogue UK.

On an experiential note, Samʼs only real musical training has come via a unique 4 year apprenticeship under the legendary and sadly late Scottish Traveller Stanley Robertson last of the great ballad singers. Sam became the musical ʻnext of kinʼ to Stanleyʼs vast repertoire of songs and an ancient, idiosyncratic Traveller singing craft. While travelling himself he is also to be found creating ground breaking research documenting the music and stories of the Romany Gypsy and Irish Traveller communities.

Sam is a regular teacher at Newcastle University, Goldsmiths College, the EFDSS and despite failings by both Cecil Sharp and Vaughan William’s to gain permission, holds the accolade as the first folk singer ever to teach and sing at the Royal College of Music.