This archive starts with 15 July 2009, and then goes on with lots of previous months... have fun !

The last session before the summer break didn't disappoint, a good crowd and so many singers that we had difficulty squeezing everyone in, but that's all to the good and not something that I would complain about. We nearly had a PA again but due to a slight misunderstanding we didn't.... but we've planned to give it another go in September and see what everybody thinks.

So without further ado let us hear Hilary's spot on narrative of the events of the evening.

JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 15 JULY 2009

After Peter and Hilary's June absence Peter was able to warmly welcome everyone to our July gathering and lead the proceedings with a good old folk song all about seduction, namely, the Two Magicians, followed by a real favourite which he had not sung for a while - Daisy a Day, wonderful.

 

 

He then gave a great big welcome to Graham who just about summoned up the energy to read us Life Gets Tedious Don't It. Then he gave us a tremendous enactment of There's a Hole in my Bucket Dear Lisa - playing both parts by alternating his headgear of a cloth cap and fascinator as appropriate with great dexterity but which adopted stranger angles as the song went on.... (see pics below..)

 

Lizzie, who it was very good to see back, was then invited to amaze us withsome of her very special poems - which she duly did.

 

 

Big Tim was welcomed up next. Having just come back from a working holiday in Germany he told us stories about songs in English and German and sang in German about The Lonely Flower Stands in the Desert. Then a song about things that might have happened, have happened, or haven't happened yet ?? Life is Too Short So They Say (or perhaps it was Seize the Day).

 

 

Mike Gee was warmly welcomed next with Don't you Know there is a War On? He followed it with Pete Seager's Bells of Rhymney, thank you Mike.

 

 

Annie, the Nightingale of Colyford, came and told us a story about her first song, which is also a children's dance, called If My Monk Would Like to Dance played on her dulcimer. Then to continue the cultural theme, Annie sang in French accompanied by her guitar, a song about the Jacobites rebellion.

 

 

"Ace guitarist, Robert Wheaton" as quoted from the Midweek Herald, sang us a song to fill us all (well, most of us) with nostalgia about being at the Isle of Wight Festival forty years ago - very hippie, very 2CV's, joints, afghan coats and very funny - wonderful Robert. Then a Beetles song For No One which was so nice, thank you.

 

 

To finish off our first half, the epitome of what Folk at the Grove is all about, Ted came and reported back that his friend in the Scillies, Richard, was very taken with his CD - revelled in it, I think Ted said. Then he gave us a tale about a story he had read in his neighbour's Daily Depress on the Chairman of BA asking his workers to work for no pay - the resulting poem No Pay Today was, of course, up to Ted's usual wizard standard. He then sat down to sing Suddenly the Night has Grown Cold which was another very lovely song.

There followed a short interval

Peter opened the second half with a tale about his time running a folk club in the Bluebell pub at Earlswood, near Birmingham, about the Bluebell Queen and Hot Dog King and sang Sing Sing the Rafters Ring, Cider all the Day which included some mouth music (in folk) or scat (in jazz). Excellent, thank you Peter.

 

 

There was great pleasure in welcoming our own Hurdy Gurdy player, jester, performer extraordinaire, Tony Reader. His story telling of the last fifty years is just wonderment and with some explanation he played The Horses Brawl which is a good old french song/dance.

 

Anita with some magnificent poems - one that she loves by James Broughton and one that she wrote, apparently inspired by Peter?, about a chair which suits called A Chair By the Fire. Thank you very much Anita. Graham came up again with his bodhran performing one about the price of coal - cold and blood ? followed by Hard Times which he says he hasn't done before.

Lizzie gave us a couple more of her specials, thank you Lizzie. And, Mike Gee gave us Streets of London then a pop song, Looser by Grateful Dead.

 

Peter then called up Tony Powers, who has been before but not sung with us before. He gave us an Irish song with a chorus Dublin City in the Rare Old Times, unaccompanied and powerful (pic below).

 

Next on the list, Tim who seemed to be talking in riddles (it's all too subtle for me to understand) but anyway it's all about Germany again, and girls again!, and how femme fatales can turn into housefraus in a very short time. Annie brought sanity back with Just a Little Bit Longer, Oh my Heart, Let it Rain, Let it Pour, Deep River Blues.

 

 

Ted finished off the evening with a story and a song for Annie called Sing to me Softly Nightingale ! and another song in the same key about a just married farmer taking his bride home in the carriage .... Roses are Red.

That was it for another month - in fact two months as we all have August off so our next date will be Wednesday 16 September at 8 oclock. Have an excellent summer whatever the weather throws at us.

Thanks, Hilary, that's certainly helped me remember what happened. Hilary didn't mention that Annie gave a short plug for her (then) forthcoming gig at Axminster Arts Cafe on the Saturday, but that has now long since passed and I understand was a great success.

I am now heavily involved in various duties for Sidmouth FolkWeek  which will keep me off the streets for the next couple of weeks, although hopefully I shall have done most of my tasks by the time the festival begins so should be able to wander around and enjoy myself. Apart from some pretty big names to catch, the various open mike stages seem to get better and better every year so you can be sure of hearing some exciting music without paying for a single ticket!

As we seem to be unlikely to get any dispensation from the draconian Co-op Carpark system, our two month lay off may be a good time to have another look at venues. Jenny and The Grove have looked after us very well, but the place does have its limitations and the withdrawal of easy parking may trigger a reason to look around..... all suggestions gratefully received... as always.

Thanks again to Jolly for the pics,

All the very best,

Peter & Hilary

 

 

And now for the session of June 17th, 2009... here we go....

 Just recovering after our relaxing holiday... ( what..!! Hilary dragging me around long treks all around the Helford River... some relax...)  As Jolly was also away on holiday there are no pictures of Jurassic at the Grove, so here is one of our many holiday pics to whet your appetite for looking at the whole lot at    http://cid-93f961f213ad1417.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?client=wnf&resId=93F961F213AD1417!240&ct=photos    ( go on, we dare you...!!)

OK, that doesn't look very energetic, but you should see the others....

Big thanks to Ted and Mitch for taking over the running of the evening of 17th June, and also very big thanks to Anita for recording the proceedings (on paper) for your delectation, and with no further ado here is her superbly precise account of the night....

Anita mentioned the car park problem which has arisen. We are trying to get this resolved asap, and the Grove is working on it, but meanwhile that should not stop anyone attending because there is plenty of alternative parking close by, notably in the EDDC carpark. But we have some contact details for anyone who would like to assist in trying to persuade the misguided Co-op to think again by contacting them, here they are....

Number outside the CO-op to complain;   0800 068 6727

Mr D Hilton   (talked to on the phone by Anita)

Now we offer  20th May

We had another most enjoyable session in May during which the whole proceedings were recorded for Ted to take to his chum in the Scillies. It all sounds such good fun that I am planning to make the CDs  available to the artists  that performed on the night, and if the artists agree perhaps we could also let others have a copy.... we'll see what anyone thinks.

So to the bit you've been waiting for, Hilary's Report, which has been tidied up a little bit because I am planning to use it as the basis of the sleeve notes of the CDs.... so although accuracy is the usual hit-and miss we have tried where possible to get the names of the songs and performers roughly right. So over to Hilary.....

Now we have a report on our session on 15th April 2009

Another most enjoyable session this month at the Grove (well, I enjoyed it ) and first I reproduce the blurb I sent to the local papers... somewhat flowery maybe but I claim artistic licence...!!

Next, the bit you've been waiting for, Hilary's blow by blow report.... this month I think she has more than usual problems with identifying the songs, so it should make an interesting puzzle for you to try and match it up with what actually happened... much better than a crossword...eh?

After a brief welcome and introduction, Peter set the tone for the evening by singing Zoom Zoom Zoom which we all like to join in with, and followed it with the Hobo's Lullaby - another song with a chorus that we were able to sing along to. He felt able to give himself another song because Annie had sent her apologies - she had better fish to fry on this occasion (it's that wedding anniversary celebration I think) and he thought there would be spare time... silly boy.

Next, a warm welcome to Frances, the Bard of Beer, who read a couple of her old favourites - it's a bit like songs really, the more you hear them, the more you appreciate them. The first was Room Service and the second Sitting Tenants which is all about her, now famous and erstwhile, ghosts.

Mike Gee came next and as he had to rush off after the interval he was able to give us an extended performance - and quite a performance with no usual 12 string but his 6 string in the style of a lute - now I don't think I got any of this quite right but certainly the first tune had a Spanish influence somewhere along the line, the second sounded like Bocklington's Pound by Anon then something from the El Maestro 1538 Louis Milan series and another piece from a book of 'Easy Lute Pieces' which included a song - what a lovely set of tunes and then he followed all those with I would have given you all of my heart. A breath of fresh air.

Mitch was invited next and sang two songs the names of which I became very confused by - Rambling gonna be the death of me by Bert Jansch and Heart like a wheel by the McGarrigle sisters  I am sorry Mitch, and none of this is a "critique", more just a record of what happened. Peter says he finds it very useful because he can never remember what he sang last month.....

Then we had a real surprise - a saxophone in our midst - how very nice - Brian Rennie began with a scottish folk song by the famous Bard, the familiar My love is like a Red Red Rose. And then he gave us a jazzy number, the name of which I completely failed to get but Peter says, of course, that he knows it but can't remember what it was called...!

Another first .... Peter introduced his keyboard which he has never performed with in public before and sang and played St James Infirmary which certainly introduced a different dimension to the evening. (What does she mean....??? ...Peter) He then abandoned the keyboard and went back to his guitar and sang Nottingham Girl.

Next was Robert again with Born to be Wild followed by a Tom Wright song Ruby's Arms. Then Susannah Billeter, who runs the Tiverton Folk Club made a welcome and surprise appearance and performed I was walking in the Park with the help of Peter's keyboard - how wonderful and funny. She followed that with a bluesy Johnny Cash and another bluesy one involving shakers and Robert accompanying her with You Gotta Move - certainly got us all going.

Robert was asked to stay standing as he was already there and sang Take a Good Look at my Face.

Someone had earlier remarked that originally she wasn't quite sure what our Jurassic Folk was about, so Peter just re-iterated that his view was that all genres were welcome, that is why we call it Folk & Acoustic, the only limitation is a practical one in that we don't provide any amplification, and its prime purpose is to provide a platform for all performers, particularly beginners in public performance. Peter then asked Ted to come and finish off the evening which he did with his usual panache - something about Ella Fitzgerald, sing fell fa lell it's a lovely day and John Barley Corn should Die, Come a Little Bit Closer, Harvest Moon and all sorts.

So there we are, I think that's enough for this month. Thanks, as ever, to Jolly for the pictures.

Cheers,

Hilary and Peter

Now for March 2009....

Another night of surprises and collaborations to enervate us last week....  I don't know why I say surprising, because surprises seem to the norm, and if we didn't have any surprises that indeed would be surprising.... crumbs, this is getting confusing so I'll stop.

Before I hand over to Hilary's fantastic second by second account of the proceedings (although she seems to have curbed some of her more visionary flights of fancy.. more's the pity) just to remind you of the

Open Mic session run by Ted Dowse and Mitch which will be held again at the White Hart, Colyford, on Friday 27th March, presumably from about 8pm. Come along and do your thing!

Over to Hilly.....

JURASSIC FOLK NIGHT IN THE GROVE 18 MARCH 2009

Anita was then invited to centre stage but she had decided not to engage us with one of her famous songs, but to read us a poem written by an unknown Irish monk and I think it was called Pangur Bn but I failed to obtain clear information, thank you Anita - it was very good.

Next a big welcome to Tim - he claimed that American Pie was the first song he learnt but he sang for us a Rock'n'Roll number Don't Want to be an Angel and then performed a "little doodle" on his guitar with new strings misbehaving which was very nice. Because he was having to leave us at half time, he sang a third rather more boisterous number requiring the bongoes so we all had to improvise.

Welcome back to Tony and his hurdy gurdy which, despite being tuned earlier, still needed lots more - I gather it is all part of the show. Tony appears to have a very busy schedule and was playing the previous evening in Exmouth to help celebrate St Patrick's Day and he was off again very early in the morning to somewhere else - he seems to visit most of the folk clubs in the south west and was regaling us with their particular quirks. Anyway, he claimed that the previous month he initiated us with gentle songs but this month he would perform for us rather more challenging material but again I failed to get things right but some of it was Irish about the opposite of the banshee, and the other a north African song about the Dromedary.

Frances was welcomed. She had been commissioned by Annie to write a special poem to commemorate her and Gerry's 25^th wedding anniversary and it was wonderful - well done Frances. She is always looking for commissions or suggestions for a subject so how about it ?

Appropriately Annie came next and was able to thank Frances very much- she and Gerry were delighted. She performed The Snow it Melts the Soonest and Down and Out Blues - just to cheer us up.

Robert came and sang a song written by his friend, Jonathan Turner, who lives in Wales, called Cherchez la Femme followed by City of New Orleans which was jolly good and we were all able to join in.

Ted in his spring sandals read us a spring poem written in Shakespearian style which was really funny and then he sang Caroline - brilliant Ted, thank you. Next a short interval.

Mike Gee, who had arrived too late to squeeze into the first half, got things going again for us with an extended slot and did Lights are Bright on Broadway, The Highwayman and Riders on the Storm - a lot of Irish and whisky in there somewhere.

Tony came back quickly before rushing off, and sang a Cyril Tawney song which he played on his lute guitar, Sally Free and Easy. He learnt this in his very early days because it always got him into the folk clubs in London. He was able to return to his hurdy gurdy with a song from South Pacific.

Then Frances with a poem with a mystery which we all have to guess, called Black and White which turned out to be about the Northern Lights - apparently they do sometimes come in black and white in Britain. Next one of her more usual funny ones called Ode to Ann who is one of the Teapotters, to celebrate her birthday.

To finish off the evening the redoubtable Ted Dowse came and did the advertisement bit about the next Open Mic session in the White Hart in Colyford on Friday the 27^th March. He then told some light bulb jokes - where does he get them ? - before singing Suzanne which I haven't heard for ages and was most lovely. Then his chorus song Everybody Knows.

Thanks to the shorthand queen for that rivetting story.... more next month.

Thanks also again to Jolly for the pics included with this. Do get back to us if you have any ideas, suggestions or moans.... we wanna hear you!

Cheers,

Peter & Hilary

And now for the February 2009 Session.....

Here we are again just recovering from another ace night at the Grove last Wednesday. You know, it is very strange how things seem to turn out so well... before the night we haven't the faintest idea who is going to turn up, be they performers or audience, so we just trust in the Lord, and without fail, amazingly He (or She) comes up with the goods, and this month was no exception.

Hilary will give you the blow by blow account of then action below, but before she does may I invite you to check out the details of a couple of events taking place this weekend which may interest you, and these will be fopund at the bottom of the page.

So, over to the scribe...

JURASSIC FOLK NIGHT AT THE GROVE 18 February 2009

What a difference the weather makes - a much more clement evening obviously bringing with it an enthusiasm to get out of the house - what a lovely crowd we had, thank you for coming.

Peter welcomed one and all, and before introducing the first among a multitude of talent he sang Tom Lehrer's Rickety Tickety Tin.

Annie, recovered from her bad throat in January, sang a song from Midnight Cowboy by Harry Nilson, Everybopdy's Talking At Me followed by Green Grow the Rushes Oh - very nice Annie as always, thank you.

Next, the Bard of Beer, aka Frances, with two new poems hot off the press: S'now Good which was all about Beer and Seaton not getting any snow whilst the rest of the country were up to their ears in it. The other poem was called Taking the Chair and that was all about taking it easy and was very funny - thank you Frances.

Tony Reader was given a great welcome with his wonderful hurdy gurdy machine - it is the first time we have been able to welcome Tony and, I suspect, it was the first time any of us had seen a hurdy gurdy - a wonder to behold. He introduced himself as a minstrel and jongleur and explained that he would spend the first half tuning his instrument and the second half sending it out of tune, and began with the Horses Brawl - a dance for eight - and followed it with an unaccompanied song I am a Free Born Man of the travelling people which was brilliant.

Robert, who has become a regular, came next with his guitar and sang a song I think was called Regret - feelings that come upon one at 4 o-clock in the morning ???- followed by a song written by a friend Jonathon Turner from Wales called I Know You.

Mitch made it before the second half this evening - excellent - and took centre stage with all his encoutrements and announced that he and Ted would again be hosting an open mic session at the White Hart the following Friday, 20^th and all were welcome. He began with She Moves Through the Fair and then Inner City Blues - again stunning guitar playing.

Peter then asked us all to welcome back the orchestra, namely Glyn, Nick and Brian, who have been unable to be with us for several months. They began with Emblems of Love written by one of the members - I can't remember which - followed by Brothers. What a very very deep deep bass voice.

Ted, our favourite Bard of Seaton, then, before one of our famous short intervals, finished off the first half for us with an epic poem "all about nothing really" called the Village Concert which was a wonderful story. Then Ted sang Flags of Freedom Flying - all about all the bad things happening in Afghanistan, and everywhere really.

Peter got things going for the second half by singing Big Yellow Taxi (with lots of help with te chorus) before inviting Frances back who had dug out some old ones from the depths - Gardener's Mate and another about her (then) teenage children. Robert came back with Growing Up Years and James Taylor's Sweet Baby James - very excellent.

Tony returned with his hurdy gurdy and gave us a lesson on its history and his own as a street performer, teaching dance and drama, juggling and all those wonderful seemingly romantic acts - his hurdy gurdy, hand made, came originally from lutes and the street music in France after the revolution - street festivals after Bastille Day came into it. He gave us I Dreamed a Dream, Lowlands Lowlands Away which we all joined in with and then he continued with a tune which was very intriguing and most interesting. Dave Gorder (?) wrote one good song and this is it - January Man which Tony sang unaccompanied.

Annie followed with her dulcimer and sang Foggy Dew then a Bob Dylan doom and gloom song called Baby Blue - excellent. Mitch again with his six fingered hands sang I Ain't Going to Work on Maggie's Farm no More followed by ? on a Sunday Afternoon which made me feel quite soporific.

Next the orchestra again with some fun ones this time - Freight Train (but not the one we know), Stand Back, Love Bites - what a voice - again.

Ted was asked to finish off the evening - reference was made to love bites and telling Betty before we heard a lot about moth balls and an eco song Mantis. Mitch joined Ted to sing an old traditional folk song for us all to sing along with Whack for my Daddy Oh. What a splendid end to a fantastic evening. Thank you all for coming and a big thank you to Jenny our very accommodating landlady and the next Grove evening will be Wednesday 18 March at 8 o-clock.

Thanks Hilary, and as always, thanks to Jolly for the pics. Now to a couple of noteworthy events...

IVFDF 2009 at Exeter University, 27 - 29th February.

This is the Inter Varsity Folk Dance Festival, which this year is being held at Exeter. However, it is not just folk dance but some really special music as well... we are going along to see Kate Rusby, and Jackie Oates with Jim Causley, and also hopefully the Demon Barbers Roadshow. You can find the full programme at   www.exeter.ac.uk/ivfdf2009  or phone up  01392 263739, and the weekend tickets are a bargain.

 Axmouth Village Hall Saturday 28th March

 When a junior devil is in need of a holiday where does he go? Discover what comes to light as a remote village becomes The Last Resort. Strangeface Mask Theatre Company unveil their production at Axmouth Village Hall on 28^th February.

Tickets for The Last Resort cost £8 adult, £5 child/concs, and are available on 01297 20679 or www.strangeface.co.uk

So that's it for this month, see you in March...

Peter & Hilary

 January 21st 2009

And now for the previous session, Christmas Party on December 14th

Well, after my last email just before Christmas things have been up and down.... both Hilary and I succumbed to the cold and sore throat lurgy that has been going around but fortunately it deigned to attack during periods when we could take it easy... so Christmas Day was fine and I hope you all had a jolly sniffle free time.

Hilary has managed to pull herself together and produce a nearly comprehensible report, and Jolly has come up with some nice pictures, a couple of which are included in this message but the rest will be on the website as soon as I get round to doing it. So over to Hilary......

JURASSIC FOLK  &  ACOUSTIC AT THE GROVE 17 DECEMBER 2008

It's such ages since the 17^th (I've been a bit busy) that it will now be impossible to read my writing/shorthand so the mistakes will undoubtedly be on the increase. However, I will do my best to remind you all (and inform those who were unable to come) of the events on the last Grove Wednesday of 2008. How lovely to have such a full and enthusiastic house with the only upset not to have Ted with us. He, unfortunately for us, had family commitments taking him to Hampshire. However, I am sure he will be regailing us afresh in the New Year.

Peter bade his usual welcome and began the evening with Go to Sleep you Weary HoBo before inviting Pauline to take the platform. She began with All Around the Greenwood which was first performed at Dartington - it is a very long story. This was followed by a most jolly unnamed tune on her mother's squeeze box.

Mike Gee came next with a couple. As promised (but I am not sure who to) he sang a traditional Scarborough Fair followed by an untraditional folk song written in the 1970's/80's by The Clash called Corner Soul. The newly named Bard of Beer (aka Frances) cunningly disguised very fetchingly as Mother Christmas, recited The Addiction - one we have heard before - and a new poem especially written for this evening called Mum's the Word all about Mother Christmas taking over the Christmas duties - very appropriate for the occasion.

Chris Bolton next with a couple of ditties, or at least a favourite of his called Working on the Railroad followed by I am just sitting here loving you - very lovely thank you Chris. Graham, complaining that he was suffering from a high level of stress waiting to be "called on" likening it to the dentist's waiting room, but nevertheless he managed a tune based on a Spanish air giving his guitar its second public outing. He explained the reason that we were honoured thus was because guitars (and several other things) were banned in the other folk club he  patronises. Then he sang Get You a Copper Kettle in his more usual style.

Mitch appeared next, spluttering (he gets a lot of colds) and groping about for his bits and bobs whilst advertising the start of a Folk Club at the Angel Inn in Lyme Regis on the 5^th February. He sang Sally Free and Easy and gave us a most wonderful bit of guitar playing which he followed with a Bob Dylan Christmassy thing, including the harp, and finished with a variation of Jingle Bells - thank you Mitch.

Annie was welcomed to the spotlight and sang a Spanish lullaby Na la la Nanita which means a "little lullaby" and then a song by Buffy san Marie about Piney wood hills called I'm a Rambler Rover.

Big Tim was welcomed back from oblivion - apparently his German lessons have been changed from Wednesday to Tuesday which is good news. He managed to ramble on about living in cloud cuckoo land and giving up on internet dating whilst finding a chord to fit his version of Silent Night, then Don't you Want Somebody to Love you?

Charlie's Orchestra from over the border were warmly welcomed - this time all the family came (well, I am not sure about that) Father, Son and Daughter, ie. Charlie, Claire and John. Their first song was sung in Portugese - Oh Pastor - by Claire with John on the guitar and Charlie on the fiddle, followed by Mick Jagger's Art House. Robert came on to finish the first half with The Sea by Sandy Denny and Leonard Cohen's Thin Green Candle (he thinks).

Peter rationed the interval due to there being lots to get through before the end of the evening and sang Nancy Whisky to get the second half going - this second half would be made up of songs in which we could all participate, and song sheets, kazoos and marraccas were handed out to all and sundry. Charlie and family then led a most wonderful accapella Gaudete. Chris led Lay Down Sally and Annie led The Sans Day Carol. The bluesy Alberta was led by Chris and very brilliantly joined by Charlie's band who went on to lead an excellent version of Amazing Grace which I have to confess is not my most favourite of songs, but this almost changed my mind !

Annie made a hugely ambitious go of leading La Bamba which we all attempted to join in with - well done Annie. Robert led Roll in my Sweet Baby's Arms. There were then requests for Goodnight Irene as an appropriate song for the end of the evening and a volunteer was sought to lead us. Someone whose name I failed to get, sorry, came forward and that was really nice. (Alan Licalsi owned up later!) Then we all finished up with Wild Mountain Thyme expertly led by Peter.

So, that was that. Peter thanked all performers and audience alike for an excellent evening and way to finish off the year. 2009 will begin on Wednesday 21 January at 8 o-clock as usual in the Grove.

So there it is for 2008, thanks to everybody for making it such a lot of fun as well as broadening our musical experience of LIVE music!  Just to remind you of the "raison d'etre" that prompted us to start this venture, it is aimed at getting together with others to enjoy playing, joining in with and listening to performances from  the experienced and beginners alike, and in particular give newcomers to singing or playing in public a first platform, and this has gratifyingly been successful.... OK, some performances are often less than perfect, but what the hell.... the most important thing is to have a go.... Everyone has to start somewhere and, who knows, we may be nurturing some future stars!

So, roll on 2009.... and I'm looking forward to it. As always, if anyone has any ideas or suggestions please tell us about them.... such as someone (sorry, I've forgotten who... it wasn't you again Allan?) said he'd come and audio record the performances... you can always learn a lot by listening to how things come out in public, different from recording yourself at home... so this and anything else you think we should be doing.

Happy New Year to everybody,

Peter & Hilary

Now to Wednesday 19th November 2008

Well... was'nt that the best ever...???  Well, I loved it, lots of artists, some of them new to us, an appreciative audience and... a lot of good music and FUN  !!  I had taken some time before the night to prepare a few new songs and new instruments to play, but in the event there just wasn't any room to perform them, so they'll just have to keep for a quieter  evening.  Before we go to Hilary's gentle but fairly accurate account of the proceedings, I have been asked to publicise the following imminent event....

 A Folk Night with 'Devil's Elbow' is organised for 6th December in Ottery St Mary Football Club. Further details from bill.hayes@openreach.co.uk Or http://www.otterystmaryfc.co.uk/ottery_st_mary_afc.htm

JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2008

Once again we had a good crowd of both familiar and unfamiliar faces to make the evening go with a buzz and as Peter welcomed everybody he felt that we were in for an exciting evening. He started the proceedings off with Tom Paxton's Bottle of Wine and we were all able to join in the chorus.

Peter gave a warm welcome to Pauline, a new face among us, who sang unaccompanied a jaunty and a little saucy Christmassy sort of song called Under the Mistletoe which she followed with a poem about Cornish pasties - the origin of which Pauline regailed us with as it involved a family trip to Cornwall.

More newcomers in the form of an orchestra, namely Glynn, Nick and Brian. Glynn who plays the acoustic guitar, writes music to some Fred Bowden poems and they gave us Where Poverty Dwells, there is no Freedom. This was followed by The Little Roads are Faint Roads and High Road is my Road - a John Hayne 1914 poem. Nick does the singing and Brian plays the electric bass guitar.

Our dear friend, Frances, came on next with a new poem about a cupboard in her house which had begun to have a bit of a "hum" (smell) around it and another new poem called The Socialite which is about her cat.

Last month we had a visitation from across the border in the guise of Charlie and daughter and this month it was Charlie son, John, who had come all the way from Exeter and very pleased we were to see them. They began with A Lark in the Morning with Charley on fiddle and John on guitar - it is so good to have a fiddle and beautifully played. Then To Alfia with Love written by Dave Swarbrick, then a poem by Colonel Lovelace.

Swiftly on with Chris Bolton who was welcomed back - the last time he came Big Tim was still with us and they talked guitars - and he sang Five Hundred Miles followed by I Only Had a Picture of You.

Annie, one of our most famous regulars was welcomed next and sang Clare to Here by Ralph McTell telling tales of homesickness involving a young man homesick for County Clare and Annie homesick for Potters Bar ?! Next on the dulcimar Carry It On which was written after Martin Luther King was killed - all joined in with the chorus.

Very little introduction was needed for Ted, the Bard of Seaton, who told the story and sang about the American Highway, automobiles and clouds of dust. He then gave us a very funny poem he had written way back in 1990 called Save the Whale.

Peter reminded everyone that next month it will be a surprise Christmas Party, but as yet plans had not been made for anything special - so that will be the surprise? (see later for more about this..) There followed a swift interval (lots to get through).

Robert was welcomed back into the fold and he sang a song by Jonathan Turner from Wales called I Know You and Copper Head Road. Pauline then came back with her squeeze box and played a tune passed down through her family which was very nice.

Next Peter welcomed friend Mitch who had just crept in (bad traffic) and gave us There is a Road that Leads you Nowhere and I Dreamed I saw Augustine. Frances then read a poem she had written 23 years ago about her daughter (then 2) and the colour of burglars. Nick, Glynn and Brian came back with As I came Home from Labour and Caylow Hady Hill (I think I have got that all wrong).

Chris Bolton sang us a song he had written for a friend whose sister had gone from the Black Down Hills to New Zealand for several years, called My Home in the Hills. Then A Happier Blue. Charley and John came back with a lesson about jigs and reels which they then went on to give us a sample of - brilliant. We had another song about home sickness and a Joni Mitchell song Night in the City.

Ted came back as Cap'n Carp advertising the forthcoming Music Hall at the Guildhall in Axminster. We had a monologue Cap'n Carp Goes to London. Ted was joined by Mitch on the harmonica for Down in the Easy Chair. Peter then asked everyone to join in with a finale of It Takes a Worried Man which finished off an excellent evening, so thank you to everybody for coming and helping to make it so.

The next session will be on Wednesday 17 December at the usual time of 8 o-clock at the usual venue of the Grove

Thanks for all that, SunnyBunch.... what a great thing is shorthand...!!!

Now, to the Wednesday 17th December Christmas Party!!!!  Hilary has made this suggestion... In the 1st half we have the usual individual spots giving everyone a good go (so it might last a little longer than usual) but in the second half we do the whole thing as an ensemble.... like a rather long finale...  What do you think?  If you agree or disagree please let us know. If you agree perhaps you would name the songs (or instrumentals) that would be appropriate, and, if you are a performer, which songs would you like to take the lead on?  If we have a concensus we'll put out a list of the likely songs (with keys and lead performer) before the list so we all have a chance to mug them up a bit. I think it would be good fun, I hope you do, so let us have your response one way or the other.

We shall, ofcourse, be having other Christmassy ideas, so if you have any suggestions please get back to Hilary or me via email or phone on 01297 20064.

Finally, Jolly, who takes the pictures, did a lovely collage of pictures of the November session which are below....

Thanks a lot Jolly,

All the very best,

Hilary and Peter

 and now for the October 15th, 2008 session....

Another very enjoyable night on October 15th, with lots of new faces and just as many old faces (no, glamourpuss, I wasn't referring to you...)

Before I let you loose upon  Hilary's report of the night, I have been asked by one of our members to publicise a very local event taking place this Thursday. It is already listed on the website, but here goes....

Scottish folk singer, Ian Bruce will be appearing at Branscombe Village Hall on Thursday 23^rd October at 7.30pm, sponsored by Villages in Action. The price is £10 which includes a light meal and there will be a bar. Tickets are available from Branscombe Post Office (01297 680225) or from Amanda Statham 01297 680676. Ian Bruce is described as 'A big man, big voice and big songs to match. (www.ianbruce.org)

So, Hilary returned suitable refreshed, fed and watered from her art week, and so was able to wield her pen and shorthand talents to good effect last Wednesday, and here are results of her painstaking efforts....

JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 15 OCTOBER 2008

Well, what a lovely crowd this evening. Peter welcomed everyone and began proceedings by explaining that he was handing over the job of "compering" for the evening to Graham - Peter likes to spread the load a bit ! But he got things going and underway with his jolly Zoom, Zoom, Zoom before introducing Graham who went on to introduce himself and invite our own special girls, Alana, Chloe and Izzy to take the hot spot. They began with a Dolly Parten number, Jolene with lots of nice harmonies and sharing of lines. This they followed with House of the Rising Sun - a good old favourite - and Willow Tree by the Waifs (?).

Frances came next with a new poem (written that very morning she told me earlier) which was all about the compatability of cats and computers with fairly disasterous results to do with the delete and send buttons. She followed this with Reflections (an old poem) about how mirrors and their reflections mature.

Graham then took the opportunity to perform a classical guitar number - Sora ? - for the very first time in public and very well done Graham. He then turned back to more familiar territory with an appropriate Bat in the Moonlight given that Halloween is approaching, followed by High Noon causing a bit of a throat problem.

Annie sang a spiritual I'll Fly Away accompanied by her guitar and we were all able to join in with the chorus of this lovely song. Then, unaccompanied, she sang The Snow it Melts the Soonest inspired by hearing it recently sung on Tess of the D'Urbervilles and it is indeed very beautiful.

Next .... new visitors from deepest Dorset - Lyme Regis actually - Charles and Claire, father and daughter, who we warmly welcome. They began with an unaccompanied harmony song Come All Ye Maids which was most excellent. Charles then introduced us to his mandola which he explained was made in Lyme and is from the family of mandolins. He was able to give us a bit of history about the string family of instruments while lost plectrums were found and he and Claire, with her whistle, performed Bantry Bay. They followed this with a new experience for us all, with the audience helping with the third loop, in a wonderful boo ba sort of song the name of which I failed to get - what a joy. (The song was, not my failure!)

Then Graham introduced Mike who sang a Jackson Brown song Before/After the Deluge and then a Tim Harding song If I was a Carpenter - another old favourite. His third song I again failed to get the name of but was something like Killing Floor ! Ted was asked to complete the first half for us who claimed he would sing the second song first with a Joni Mitchell all time great We are Stardust, we are golden - good "old" Ted. He then read us an extremely funny, and most appropriate to our present circumstances, piece he wrote years and years ago about the dire consequences of buying stocks and shares and speculating.

Graham asked Peter to begin the second half for us which he did with a song by Don Leach, otherwise known as Donovan, set in the psychedelic 60's, Diamond in the Seas which is so nice and gentle. In contrast he followed with a song of doom gloom and murder - The Ballad of Fair Lady Elindor which is also very lovely.

Frances came on to cheer us up with a couple of her older poems very close to my heart at the moment. One about slimming clubs (which Ted and I know all about) and all that has to be given up in the process of trying to lose weight. The other about losing things and "safe places" whose whereabouts are firmly forgotton which I, again, know all about.

Graham sang Merry Merry Be unaccompanied and to stop all this merryness Annie sang Noah's Dove followed by a song from French Quebec about a dancing game I Dance my Monk. This she performed with her dulcimer and Graham played his bodhran in the background.

Charles and Claire came back with (and here I nearly surpassed myself with getting the names of songs wrong having written in my notes a ?? rugby song but luckily I was put right) a Kate Rusby song You Belong to Me. Followed by a Steel Eye Span song Satan's Kitchen - very excellent.

Mike, claiming that he must learn some folk songs for next time, began with No More Carefree Laughter - Knowing me, Knowing You and then Railway Blues.

Graham thanked everyone for coming - performers and audience alike and took the opportunity to encourage shy and aspiring performers to take advantage of our song night and take to the platform in benign circumstances. Ted was then invited to finish the evening off for us. Hello Cow Girl in the Sand from Neil Young and another from Neil Young Feeling Fine Human Highway accompanied by his guitar and harmonica. Frances put in a request for It's a Thin Line that Leads Us, beautifully performed as always.

That was it, an excellent evening - see you all next month - Wednesday 19 November.

Thanks again, Jolly, for all the pics...  It was lovely having a bit of a rest for the evening, thanks a lot Graham for doing the MC'ing this month.... does anyone else want to have a go at running the evening.... or whatever else you'd like to run?   Just get back to us and we'll get you involved.

Hoping to see you next month,

Cheers,

Peter & Hilary

Now for the session of September 17th

Refreshed and invigorated we all congregated again in the august portals of the Grove Nite Club, Seaton, once more to disport and cavort as before... whatever all that means...

Hilary was away for the week on an intense art course, (at least that's what she told me), and so Anita very kindly offered to take over the detailed report of the night, and this beautifully constructed and mostly accurate piece follows.... with the minimum of comments from me...

After a short holiday in August, Jurassic Folk nights are back. The first Folk Night of the season was well attended by both participants and audience.

Peter welcomed us all to the Club and started us off with a Tom Paxton song, "Cindy", and followed this up with a request from Hilary, (who couldn't be with us so  the pressure was off) - "Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night"

Lizzie Brewsher then gave us one of her poems. Very much to the point... (which will all be revealed in the next month or two).

Simon entertained us next with his own composition "All the Luck in the World" and followed this with another original, a topical song he sang on Lyme Regis radio. (Commercial: www.lymeregisradio.com )

Our next performers were a trio, Chloe, Izzy and Alana. They had entertained us last season and certainly did so again this evening, performing three items "Motherland", "The River" and "Sundown".

Big Tim, one of Jurassic Folk's most faithful performers gave us two of his own compositions. The first, "Trains" a nice comparison of steam and modern trains followed by "Autumn", most appropriate for this time of year, especially as we seem to have missed Summer completely.

Annie then gave us "Punch and Judy Man" and then switched to her dulcimer to give us "One More Mile" a song from Canadian Jean Ritchie.

The Bard of Seaton, aka Ted Dowse, then sang a beautiful love song by Richard Thompson "Old Thames Side" This was followed by a Cap'n Carp production "Bash on Regardless" an amusing saga of the Carp family's involvement with Health and Safety over the centuries.

Next was the ever popular interval and during this, for various entirely valid reasons, a few people had to make their escape: This was a pity for them as we had more gems in store for the second half, but it is always good that people turn up for however long they feel able, and we thank them for their support.

Peter started us off again with a ballad "The Two Magicians" a traditional tale of shape changers and lovers. The chorus was easy to pick up.

Graham then gave us two songs. The first one about a train fireman pointing out the importance of the fireman to the train driver - no fireman, no steam, no go. The second was a gentle love song, sorry Graham didn't catch the title.

Mike G woke us all up with "John Riley" and cheered us all up with "Puff the Magic Dragon" definitely a favourite. We then had a Bonnie Dobson song "Morning Dew"

Simon came back on to give us "World Inside my Mind"

Then Annie eased us in with "Star of the County Down" and made us work with a Spanish song "Mi Caballo Blanco" (My White Horse) with a Spanish chorus for us!

Mitch gamely outmanoeuvred the cold he was suffering and gave us his own composition "One Single Wish" followed by "Inner City Blues".

Ted Dowse then gave us "Exploding Trousers" and a second song - sorry Ted didn't catch the name of this.

We had a rousing finale of "Gasoline Alley" led by Annie and then "Nancy Whisky" led by Peter. We had Annie, Simon, Mike G and Peter on guitar, Graham on bodran and Ted on mouth organ. (Sorry if I've left anyone out)

Peter thanked everyone for coming, performers and audience, and gave us all the reminder that this is a club for people to 'get up and have a go', and we're always delighted to have more performers if anyone feels they wish to dip their toes in the water.

The next Jurassic Folk at The Grove is, as usual, on the third Wednesday of the month 15^th of October - see you then.

Thanks for all that Anita, and thanks also to Jolly who as usual took some pics of the proceedings. Also, a particular thanks to Big Tim Burstall (who was one of those who had to leave early) who told us that it was the last time he would be with us for quite a while, because he is on a course studying German, with a career move to Germany following shortly thereafter. He has been one of our most faithful and valued performers,  always coming up with songs and thoughts to stretch our minds... all the best to you Tim, and come back when you can.

Next month you have a treat in store because you won't have to put up with my mumblings in between the songs, as Graham has offered to run the night.... I am looking forward to just sitting back and enjoying it.

Cheers until then,

Peter & Hilary (who has returned home laden with unrecognised masterpieces...)

We are now on our summer break, and will reconvene on Wednesday 17th September at the usual place and time. So this is a good time to re-appraise everything about the club (well, it isn't really a club, but it could be if you wanted it to be..??) I would be very pleased to have any observations and suggestions about what you'd like in the future.

Next, many of you will remember that last September we had a memorable performance by Seamus Fulcher, who then very sadly died in November. His partner, Caroline, has sent me a CD of some songs that he had recorded, which although not professionally recorded are very well worth listening to as a memorial to Seamus's special talents in playing and singing. I thoroughly recommend it, and Caroline, who has been left rather short of money, will send a copy to anyone who would like to have it for £5. Call Caroline on 01297 444670.

So to Hilary's exciting and unique view of the July's session (her comments do not represent the views of the management....) illustrated by some of Jolly's super photos...

Over to Hilary.....

JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE WEDNESDAY 16 JULY 2008

Peter introduced the proceedings, welcoming all comers familiar and new. He reminded everyone that August would be a month off and that we would reconvene on 17 September. Breaking the largely folk tradition he then gave us a rousing rendition of St Louis Blues which he explained was probably the oldest blues written (slightly wrong here, Hil, what I said was it was the first one published... slightly different... Peter) - it is really good that Jurassic Folk is able to embrace a wide selection of entertainment. (Pardon me again, Hil, but blues are very much folk music...)

Frances was then asked to perform one or two of her poems and she chose a couple she had recently written about weddings - one very funny one about fascinators called A fascinating Time, and another touching one called Your Wedding.

We then welcomed a new face, a friend of Ted's, called Simon. With his twelve string guitar he sang a very nice gentle love ballad  As I Am followed by a somewhat stranger song called Headless Chicken.

Mike G gave us a rousing chorus song Green Back Dollar and then What Have They Done to the Rain. At this point Peter thought it was about time Anita did something and explained that he had been coerced into accompanying her by playing his guitar. She chose to sing Abdul Abulbul Amir and there followed much hilarity (mainly on my part as any problems she had reflected my own completely) but Peter managed to control the proceedings very expertly and we all enjoyed the performance.

Big Tim was then invited to rectify the situation which he did with a song he wrote many moons ago whilst in Wellington, New Zealand called Better than Silver and Gold - there was a lot of boisterous ba doo da's. However, this caused Peter to ask Annie to bring a bit of sense to the evening which she did with a negro spiritual Wayfaring Stranger and a song by Sting called Fields of Barley which is so lovely.

Robert came next with a Nick Drake song Time has Told Me followed by a Sandy Denny song Who Knows Where the Time Goes - a great performance. The Bard of Seaton gave us a Paul Simon song Duncan - he claimed that there is a bit him in it - I think I spotted the clue. Then he recited a poem about Albert Einstein M Zee squared which was very funny.

There followed the ever popular interval.

Peter opened the second half with Big Yellow Taxi and went on quickly as there was so much talent to get through tonight. Graham was carelessly missed out in the first half so this was immediately put right and he sang unaccompanied I'm a Rambler with a jolly good chorus for all to join in with. Then another chorus Zung gali gali zung which was brilliant for getting us all to take part - he first heard it sung by Sandra Kerr at Sidmouth some years ago.

Frances gave us a story about something that happened to two people quite independently Taking Note, then the poem she wrote especially for Jurassic Folk's anniversary. Simon next with one of his own I Wish and another about Understanding Peace and Love. Mike gave us Love is a Burning Thing and Ring of Fire. Tim sang a sort of spiritual You Are Love then an acapella from his Christian past Amazing Grace which everyone joined in with.

Robert came next and sang James Taylor's Sweet Baby James (most wonderful) and another about Building Fences. Annie then took stage and invited all guitarists to join her Penny Gordon, then Jeronemo's Cadillac. Old friend Mitch who managed to creep in during the second half announced that he would be performing with his band at the Fountain Head Beer Festival in Branscombe on Sunday. He sang Painter of a different Kind and 51.

Ted concluded with Street Girl (his wife, Betty, came from Street in Somerset), As I was Walking - Wind in the Willows. Then another extremely funny Ted special inspired by a holiday in Crete -Zorba the Geek followed by This Love will Carry Me to finish off the evening.

A reminder that there will be no Grove Night in August and the next session will be on 17 September at 8 o-clock in the Grove as usual.

So that's it for now, do let us have your feedback...

Cheers

Peter & Hilary

JURASSIC FOLK & ACOUSTIC NIGHT AT THE GROVE WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2008

Arguably the best we have had so far, full of humour, drama and passion, the night was a new benchmark in the "club's" progress. New faces among both the performers and audience, and new combinations of artists brought an enervating variety to the proceedings.

Highlights included newcomer Rupert with some dazzling fiddling, who also combined with another newcomer, Mitch ( a friend of Ted's) on guitar. Lizzie had written new words to a couple of old chorus songs which everyone sang along with gusto. The band Hickory also gave us some rollicking songs and Peter brought everyone back down to earth with a traditional ballad, Lady Elindor, a true example of the genre where everyone comes to a gory death. The usual fine performances from Frances, Ted and Big Tim, and an impromptu collaboration between Lizzie, Peter, Big Tim and Chris (of Hickory) brought out the subtle nuances of the bawdy ballad "Chastity Belt".

Owing to a number of us being involved in plays in Beer on the 3^rd Wednesday, it was voted to change the date for March only to Wednesday 12^th at the usual time of 8pm. As always, everyone is welcome.

And now for Hilary's blow by blow account of the night......  Pictures as always by Jolly... Thanks!

Peter welcomed a good crowd on a beautiful evening with the promise of a full eclipse of the moon in the early hours of the morning and opened the singing with "Granny's Old Armchair".

Our good friend, Lizzie, was introduced next with her own version of Maiden Below, getting everyone to sing the chorus and she read her special verses.

Newcomer, Rupert, was invited next to play his fiddle which he did with great gusto and fast rhythm. He was quickly followed by our own Big Tim in one of his downcast moods having had a bit of a bad day. He began with a song he wrote 20 years ago in prison "There must be more to life than this" followed by a song about south west trains and we were all invited to join in the chorus.

Frances began with one of her naughty poems "My Kind of Sin" and another, not naughty, about pens and pencils by the telephone - or not as the case may be.

Mitch, another newcomer to us, although not to the area or to Ted, entertained us with his guitar playing and then Ted came on with an introduction to Mitch and a commercial about the concert he and Frances are organising (More details below). Mitch then sang Cyril Tawney's Sally Free and Easy followed by a long guitar instrumental, and then Peter gave us the gory ballad of Fair Elindor, in which everyone winds up dead.

It was lovely to see the return of the Hickory orchestra (light) - two guitars and a packing case bass. They performed That's Alright Mama Strong Winds and Teenage Wedding. To finish off the really quite long first half Ted came up with a politically incorrect song about the solution to the vandal problem - Bring Back the Birch which made us all laugh and then he and Mitch did Hey Mr Tamborine Man - an old favourite we were all able to join in with.

Before the interval Peter announced that he, and one or two other people, had a problem with the third Wednesday in March (due to thespian duties) so it was put to the vote and decided that next month the night to remember is the second Wednesday, 12 March at the usual time of 8 o-clock.

Peter was joined for the first song in the second half with Chris, Tim and Lizzie and together they performed a novel version of Chastity Belt. Rupert and Mitch did an instrumental together, Maggies Farm. Lizzie got us all participating again with her version of Sweet Molly Malone.

Tim sang I Follow my Heart and Some Say Love in Blind - he was feeling much better by this time. Frances gave us another very funny poem about the preparation she undertook when enrolling to an art class and this was followed by The Village Bus. Peter interluded with Dorset in Beautiful and Hickory was called upon again and did I'll be your Baby Tonight and Mary Loo. Ted gave us the story of Ruth Palmer of Devizes, Love is a Rose, The Last Waltz, Roses are Red - a lovely song to finish the evening with.

 

SEE YOU WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH, 8 OCLOCK

CHARITY CONCERT, 29^TH MARCH, AT THE DOLPHIN, BEER.

Ted announced details of a charity concert he is organising with the help of Frances and her friends. The date is 29 March, venue The Dolphin, Beer and tickets will be £5 and the charity is Smiletrain, who pay for children with hair lips in third world countries to have the necessary operation. He would obviously like us all to come and those who would be able to perform contact him and we must all tell our friends. More info in next month's newsletter and on the website when they become available.

So now we repeat the report for the 20th January session...

So first is Hilary's detailed take on the proceedings.....

Apologies for the delay in getting this update out but what with succumbing to a lurgy, Christmas, New Year and having to get the Sidmouth FolkWeek Online Ticket Kiosk up and running for January 1st (another of my jobs!!) time has been a bit precious .... well it's always precious isn't it... but you know what I mean.