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@FolkWorkshops
A word of explanation is probably overdue for new readers of this e-Newsletter regarding what FolkWorkshops is about and what it is. The answer may seem rather unfocussed to some because it really can be all things to all people. If you want it to be no more than a way of keeping in touch with other folk music enthusiasts along the Welsh Marches and beyond, then that’s what it is. If you want it to be a way of getting a group of singers or musicians together for an informal session then it can be that as well. If you want to find a group of people with a particular musical interest then this could be the starting point for your search. We could go on but suffice it to say if you have an idea you want to develop you just might find some fellow spirits here. Or, you might like to come along to one of our Folk Club Nights or give group singing a go with Black Hill Folk. We have no membership, and no committee, but through our collective efforts we all have a musical future.
Support Your Local Music Shops: Living a good few miles from large towns the Internet with all its tempting content is a great resource for singers and musicians. However, we can’t help feeling guilty when buying on-line when local record shops and music shops are closing, so one or two of us try to share out our modest expenditures between net and neighbour, so to speak. We also avoid a long round trip of up to 30 miles, but, Hannah’s Music Shop in Abergavenny closed earlier this year, so we should not take the existence of specialist shops for granted. We do of course still have the excellent Davron Music in Abergavenny Market Hall every Tuesday and Saturday, and three music shops in Hereford.
Without local shops there would be no personal service and advice or trying or reading the goods before you buy. Having visited all the music and independent record shops in the area from time to time we are very lucky to have them. We are therefore very pleased to tell you one of them, Nilam Music, in Aubrey Street, Hereford (sales@nilammusic.co.uk), now receives this e-Newsletter. Please let us know if you find any other music retailers or individuals who would like to be added to the list. All you have to do is ask & if they don’t like it we can easily take them off the list.
Things Past: We have had so many enjoyable evenings recently at the Crown Inn Longtown and at the church and chapel rooms in Newton and St. Margarets it is difficult to know where to start. To cut a long report short there were two highlights. Firstly the visit of Rapsquillian complete with a mini-workshop and a good bit of singing from them and from Black Hill Folk. Black Hill Folk learnt a lot from the evening and are now thinking of what’s next in their development. A return visit by Rapsquillian is being planned so watch this space.
The other highlight was May Day. John Biggs was a true FolkWorkshops hero and joined the intrepid Foxwhelp Morris at Arthur’s Stone on Dorstone Hill for what was rumoured to be a sunrise somewhere among the horizontal rain causing floods in the Golden Valley below.
By the evening a fine collection of folk had assembled at the Upper Maes Chapel Room in St.Margarets for a May Day Sing Around. Many thanks to all those who travelled from far and wide through some terrible driving conditions and who made the evening such a success. If we had a prizes for the longest travelled supporter the contestants would be Susie Stockton-Link from Builth, Sally Stamford from Almeley and Sue from Abergavenny. Perhaps we should set such a prize up for special occasions.
Many thanks to all for all the appreciative e-mails and messages on Facebook. As John Biggs commented, ‘We must be doing something right’.
Things Future: The festival season is now well and truly under way. Should you need to keep up with all that is going on, Colin Mathews @folkorbit is an excellent source of information. In our own part of the world those wanting to develop their singing and have a bit of a change should investigate:
- Hereford Harmony Singing Camp in Tenbury Wells on 15th to 18th June see www.hereforshireharmony.org.uk Adult ticket £110, Child £40, Non-camping £80
- Rise Up Singing, Dartmoor July 21st-29th: This covers a wide range of singing and covers all sorts of things from writing songs through to performance led by experienced teachers. Full details on www.riseupsinging.co.uk
Singing Practices will be held on 26th June, 10th July, and 31st July.
Folk Club Nights at Newton Church Room and Upper Maes Coed Chapel Room:
Please bring a donation towards funds/ hire of the hall.
- 22nd June (Friday) Summer Solstice Sing Around, in the garden at The Griggs (Upper Maescoed Chapel Room if wet)
- 3rd July Folk Club Night, Newton Church Room. 8.pm
- 7th August Folk Club Night, Newton Church Room. 8 pm
Folk Nights at the Crown Inn, Longtown: Every third Tuesday in the month: Next sessions 15th May, 19th June and 17th July. Starting at 8pm. NB, 24th June below
Foxwhelp Morris at the Crown Inn, Longtown: 24th July Starting at 7.30. See http://foxwhelpmorris.wordpress.com/dancing-out-2/ for a full list of fixtures.
Things Instrumental:
Lessons and Workshops: Jim Neale is now available to give lessons in guitar, fiddle, mandolin, guitar and bass guitar. For more details ring him on his mobile 07909524171.
Please get in touch if you are able to offer singing or instrumental lessons.
Folk Music Tune Club
If you’d like to learn new tunes, improve your skills, and have fun playing music with others. Please come along to the new Tune Club on:
Thursday 31 May at 2 pm at Upper Maescoed Chapel Room, St.Margarets.
All abilities welcome. Cost £2 (to cover the cost of hiring the room)
(MP3 files and sheet music for 3 simple Welsh tunes can be sent to you beforehand)
Thinking of taking up a Folk Instrument (or starting again):
Introductions to Folk Instruments: We can arrange short introductions as to what is involved, where to buy and what problems are common with a particular instrument. We have several instruments available to try during the session. All ages welcome but juniors to bring a parent. The costs is £3 towards FolkWorkshops funds. These sessions can happen subject to mutual convenience and again might be something to do on a evening or afternoon.
Jam Sessions? Those of musicians who are interested in playing instruments together for a change and personal development, rather than conventional sing arounds or club singing, might be inspired by the Tune Club above to start some occasional instrumental sessions, whether folk, blues, or anything else. We seem to be gradually collecting a list of venues where you could get together and they need only be occasional to start with. We are already doing our bit in supporting two local halls and a pub, but there is always room for more types of event and venue. Prime mover needed.
Country Dancing? Anyone with the enthusiasm, knowledge is invited to make use of our network to get this started on occasional evenings during the winter. There is a convenient venue off the B4348 which might do for this or even a Ceilidh, although a supporting team would be need to get this organised. Prime mover needed.
Got something to say? Why not write something for our blog. A short series on Memories of Pubs before the ‘Improvements’ is being prepared so if you have a story about such places and venues send an e-mail to us with it attached. A folk music connection is not essential as many of these old houses have already passed into the folk memory. All submissions welcome.
Got an event you would like mentioned? This came to us from Cas of the brilliant Gigs Guide. See attachment above. Anyone feel like doing one for this side of the Border, or is there one already and we have missed it?
Harp Songs HARPSONGS
Join us for a regular informal singaround at The Harp Inn, Glasbury near Hay on Wye
3rd Saturday each month at 8.30 p.m. Admission free. Bring your own songs, join in or just listen. Acoustic instruments welcome.
