Sorry this report is slightly later than we would have wished, but don't worry, all is mightily well...

First, here is what I sent to the press... let's see who prints it...

And now here is Hilary's detailed account for the night, without too many of her puzzling versions of the song titles as she cheated by asking the artists what they were singing....

Peter introduced himself to those new to the Grove and welcomed everyone and began the proceedings with Dark as the Dungeon, Damp as the Dew. He went on to ask Anita to perform from her selection of poems - one about the Dundee Flower Show and another about Abu Ben Adam.

Next, new to the area and new to us, Robert, was invited up and gave us a rendition of a Tom Waits song: Ruby’s Arms and another: I’ll be Fine.

Then, VERY new to us - lovely young charming girls - Peter’s main objective in starting Jurassic Folk (hang on, Hilary, this could be misconstrued... ) - were brave enough to join us. They comprised of Chloe, Izzy and Alana who all sang, one with guitar, one with violin and one with a shaker and they performed Rain and Snow and Willow Tree. We do hope that they will join us again and encourage more of their friends to come and give it a go.

Graham who joined us last month was welcomed and he told us of his exploits as part of a Morris men team who perform in Branscombe of a Wednesday. He recited Brown Boots which we were all able to join in with in parts and then sang unaccompanied a sad Irish war song Roses.

Annie, who had been performing at the Arts Café in Axminster the previous day told us that she recommended that we go and support the acts that were coming up there until the end of July. She sang a song with her guitar about Moonshining in the Apalachian Mountains, Copper Kettle, then Sourwood Mountain which she accompanied on her dulcimer - she thought it was probably a child’s song and was somewhat silly.

Thank you Annie, but now Tim, who borrowed Rob’s posh guitar, sang April by Paul Simon which he followed with the Green Grain Rises on his tenor recorder - how very nice to have an alternative instrument - very lovely thank you Tim.

The famous poet of Beer, Frances, gave us The Box which she wrote as a quick ten minute exercise whilst doing a creative writing course years ago. Then another, Arnold, written for a 13 year old boy from Beer.

Mitch, who claimed to have a cold and thus his vocal capacities would be limited, managed to give us Sally Free and Easy followed by One Single Wish. To finish off the first half, Ted sang This Love will Carry Me and then gave us a a very silly and funny poem indeed about inflation, the Dragon’s tale and a Soft Dazed Night.

To start the second half, Peter managed to persuade Mitch to add a little colour and join him with The Pavement - he had to borrow Tim’s guitar to do so - and all was very well - thank you Mitch.

Anita was invited back up and she gave us Bertie and the Pirates, an amusing and grissly poem about a dream, and The Lighthouse Keepers Story which was a long tale about horrible lies. Robert returned with his very beautiful guitar and sang Growing up Years and John Martin’s song May you Never - all very nice and an excellent selection of songs.

Frances had endeavoured to find all the most nauseating poems in her collection and chose one about a hypochondriac - an instruction manual - which was very funny as usual. Tim was at a loss as to what to do but a heavy instrumental came to the rescue. Graham gave us the Mingalay Boat Song which he followed with a Tom Lehrer - About a Maid I will sing a song which he gave an original ending.

Mitch gave us a couple of his own - From the Time That I Arrive followed by a brand new one: You are a Painter of a Different Kind. Annie sang a Joni Mitchell about Mornings Everywhere and Morgan Town with a chorus for all to join in, then The Games People Play. Graham brought out his bodhran. Ted Dowse finished us off and all together for the end of the evening a song about St Agnes in Cornwall, Long Day Dance which was traditionally performed in St Agnes on the longest day of the year. The Last Waltz, we were then again introduced to Ted’s Chris Mouse and the evening finished with Hey Mr Tamborine Man .

The next night at the Grove will be the 16 July at the usual time of 8 oclock. But there will be a break in August and a restart on Wednesday 17 September.

Hope that has whetted all your appetites to be with us at the last session before the summer break, hope to see you then...

All the best,

Peter & Hilary