Previous reports of Jurassic Folk and Acoustic sessions at the Grove, Seaton
First..... JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 19 MAY 2010
A very great welcome to everyone on this our, unbelievably, third anniversary... and ....to celebrate Peter sang Summertime with which he began our first evening and, being May, should hail the start of summer. How lovely.
With loads of performers for the evening, Peter asked for a big hand for Paul Weston, a good friend from our Priddy days and down here on holiday (he has visited us before). He brought along his viola which he explained is usually more of an orchestral instrument rather than a solo instrument but he played three short pieces by Handel for us - very nice.
We next welcomed Frances, our Bard from Beer, who had not forgotten that it was our third anniversary and, of course, had come up trumps and written us an anniversary special - Jurassic Folk. She followed this with a poem she wrote for the Beer concert called Thoughtless - all excellent Frances, as always.
Geoff Lawes was warmly welcomed. He is on holiday in Charmouth (we foolishly thought he was staying in Seaton) and from Hull. He sang, unaccompanied, a song called Oven Mitts about coal mining and a suitcase salesman. Then he sang a song about the R38 disaster in 1921 - when the largest air ship ever built crashed in Hull - called My Sky Sailor and this he accompanied with his squeeze box. Thank you very much Geoff.
Our very own Good Sport, Anita, was gently teased again by Peter and came and gave us a commercial about a talk being given by Mr Marchant on the Development of Seaton. It will take place at the United Reform Church on the 27 May but I didn't get what time. It should be very interesting. Anita then gave us a rendition of The Body Draggers Story which was a complete scream.
Next Flick Lawes, wife of Geoff Laws, with her guitar sang us a traditional Willow Tree which was really good, and followed this with a song by Sydney Carter called Port Mahon - I think I have got that very wrong.
Another newcomer as a performer (she has been in the audience many times) we welcomed Fran who gave us a poem called A Knight in Shining Armour which comes from an anthology by children. This was followed by a Pam Ayres poem called I Wish I Looked After my Teeth. Very funny, Fran, thank you.
The Bard of Seaton, Ted, with a very short poem called May, as we are enjoying a month of it- it went something like I may, I may, I might, I might, perhaps today, maybe tonight ...etc. Then a song he had adapted along the lines of I Wish I was in Seaton. But, he followed this with a Leonard Cohen Do Dum Dum song which we all love.
To finish off the first half we had a special amalgam of Annie, Mike and Rob who had been rehearsing together, but it is a trio without a name - any suggestions? - Groven Images seemed to be one. Whilst they were fiddling about Rob gave us a joke - what do you call two Spanish firemen? Hose A and Hose B. They performed Simple Love by Alison Crowse which was possibly about her grandfather. Next a song I think was called You Say Nothing at All, and this was followed by a Scottish Jacobite song - Annie was on her dulcimer and Mike and Rob with their guitars. Thank you very much all three.
There followed a very short interval.
Peter got things going with Liverpool Lullaby which is an old favourite and always enjoyed. Fran came next and this time gave us an unaccompanied song Once I Had a Sweetheart - very lovely thank you Fran and do come again.
Paul with his viola gave us Big Hill and Little Hill. See you next time Paul and love to Roger and Jacky. Then Mike Gee with There But for Fortune by Philip Ochs and Can She Excuse My Wrongs by John Dowland - written in the 16th century for the lute but he was, apparently, the Bob Dylan of his day.
Frances with Room Service, an oh so true gem. Then Geoff with a song called Dear Fatimer - a story about an asylum seeker in Hull and then a song about fighters who went to the Spanish Civil War from Hull.
Anita with another poem by Charles Winter, The Flying Boat Man - where does she get them? But it was very good.
Robert next with a John Sebastian song Rain on the Roof and one of his very own about how men will blame their partners for their misdemeanours sung in the Country and Western vein - great Rob thank you.
Flick again with a song by John Cooney from the Three Young Ones from Hartlepool - Hartlepool is Blooming. Next another 16th century song - not sung like Mike but also not sung in 16th century style and I think it was called You and I and Anyas. Thank you very much.
Annie, briefly, with a song about horsemen whose name escaped me but thank you Annie as always. And we had Ted to bring on the finale with a poem dedicated to Saint Wheaton of Seaton about Robert and Sue's problems as she has been in a lot of pain of late which we are very sorry about - excellent Ted. And then another Ted special about Samson and Delilah.
A great and very late finish to another brilliant evening and see you all next time - just after 8 at the Grove, Wednesday 16 June.
Now the very observant amongst you may have observed, or failed to observe, any pictures this month... and that is because they are all neatly nestled for your delectation at http://eastdevonfolk.jalbum.net where they have found a very comfortable home. There are now two albums of pics there, April and May, so just click on whichever and all the pics, suitably annotated, will appear. Many thanks again to Jolly for providing them.
Finally, there are one or two things which may come off in the next week or two, and if they do you'll be getting another newsletter shortly to tell you all about them.
Cheers,
Peter & Hilary
Now to 21st April, 2010
Lots of things happened in April, some good, some less good, but all adding to the rich tapestry of life... or so I hope.
First, we had a good session at the Grove on 21st, Hil's report in a minute, and we then had the Big Night Out in Beer to look forward to on the Saturday 24th... well, I was looking forward to it and then on Saturday morning I got laid low by this virulent tummy bug that's been going round, so I was left at home feeling sorry for myself. However, despite neither of the local papers printing any of the publicity that Frances sent to them, and despite it clashing with a similar and very much better publicised event taking place in Axminster, the turnout was pretty good. From the reports I had, Paul Downes was magnificent and I very much regret having missed him, and I also understand that Annie, Rob and Mike put on a good show to finish what seemed to some people an over-long first half, and Ted, having to step into my shoes at the last minute, made a much better job of compere than I would have done. So it was gratifying for Ted and Frances that they collected a laudable £690 for Shelterbox. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a good night, and in particular again thanks to Paul Downes who'd had to travel from his previous night's gig at Oxford to be with us... we owe you, Paul.
Next, the very observant amongst you will have noticed the absence of any pictures this month... that's not because Jolly's camera has malfunctioned, but because I'm adopting what I hope is a better and easier way to present them, and all you have to do is click on this link http://eastdevonfolk.jalbum.net/April%202010/ and you will be presented with a cornucopia of delight.... covering pictures not only from the Grove session, but also The Big Night Out in Beer and the Bank Holiday Monday do at the Town Hall (mentioned at the bottom of the page... it hadn't happened when we sent out the newsletter.)
So, over to Hilary....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 21 APRIL 2010
Peter welcomed everyone and to warm up the evening he began the proceedings with Will the Circle be Unbroken - he says he sung this once before when he didn't know it - all that has changed though (??)and we were able to join in with the chorus. He followed this with another new song (to him) which he has only just learnt - actually for last month, St Patrick's Day, when he was unable to sing it, and although not actually Irish, it sounds Irish called Lakes of Pontrechain and is often sung by Irish singers. What a treat.
Next and welcome to Frances with a poem she finished writing about half an hour ago which was inspired by an article in the newspaper and was called Sound Advice - very funny as ever, you are so clever Frances. Next a true story poem for spring called Bird Brain which gets aired each year about a love sick wagtail.
A warm welcome to Annie with a nice song for this time of the year - One April Morning followed by three short cuckoo songs all joined together - had anyone heard a cuckoo yet this year she wondered and low and behold, yes, Vicky from Beer said she had - lucky girl. That was all very lovely.
Our very special Anita was asked up next having been persuaded to go home and get her words in order that she could perform for us this evening - she puts up with such a lot of teasing from Peter with good humour. She began with an old Scottish song about the Bonny Earl of Murray - a sad story indeed. Then we had a rousing Down by the River Side which we could all join in with - whey hey Anita, the Queen of Good Sport, thank you.
Robert next with some James Taylor - Carolina in My Mind followed by You Can Close Your Eyes - all very excellent.
Next to be welcomed, a duo which used to be a trio, called Deep Blue Sea, and who we havn't seen for a while, made up of a fellow with a voice reminiscent of Paul Robson reaching the depths of the very deep and another fellow playing the most gentle guitar music - they began with a song called Poverty Dwells followed with a song from a poem by John Haine called The Highway.
Prior to our interval Ted reminded everyone of the forthcoming concert in Beer on Saturday in aid of Shelter Box and that we all need our tickets - obtainable tonight from Frances. The event was totally ignored by the local press but the Express and Echo did print a bit. There was also a reminder that Paul Downes will be the highlight of the evening and that all performers were contributing free of charge. Ted then announced an anti political broadcast on behalf of the Fat Chance Party - one of Ted's specials. Next a song Election Blues - a traditional protest song.
Interval
Peter had trouble calling everyone to order but was eventually able to give us Zoom Zoom Zoom all about a little boy. Next a Tom Paxton song called Cindy - brilliant.
Frances with Lost written a couple of years ago about misplacing her spectacles (eventually found in her hair) then Love in a Blue Light - thank you Frances.
Annie next with a couple of foreign songs - Zandunga and Ah! Si mon moine voulait danser -Spanish and French I think - Mercie beaucoup.
Anita decided against music in the second half and gave us some poems instead. One about Dick Turpentine was very funny indeed.
Then a surprise act, Ida from Sweden feeling very nervous rose to the challenge and gave us a song by Alanis Morriset - excellent thank you Ida and do please come again.
Our Deep Blue Sea duo sang a love song for the first time in public Thank you for the Flowers, When Love was Young it was like Honey and to finish off Jazzy Jane.
The rest of the evening was handed over to the Bard of Seaton, Ted, who told a joke or two and then sang One Morning in the month of May and to finish off a song pinched from Ray Charles in the key of A, These Things we all Know.
A very good evening again, thank you all for coming and see you next month - Wednesday 19 May just after 8 oclock.
So there we have it, thanks
to Jolly for the pics, as always, which you will find on the link
above, and also to Frances who took the ones in the Town Hall. And this
is what we advertised in the newsletter....
Now, for anybody at a loose end on Bank Holiday Monday 3rd, come on down to Seaton Town Hall where a super-group assembled by Annie will be holding forth as part of the Seaton Art Festival. We'll be in action from about 11am to 1pm, so do please come along and join in
Cheers for now,
Peter & Hilary
Next we have the Grove Session of 17th March 2010
What a super session we had on the 17th, lots of cheery folk and several new performers. As Peter (me) had been suffering from a bout of what was first diagnosed as bronchitis and then as pneumonia, I wasn't feeling too bright but the prolonged applause when I announced that I wasn't going to sing really cheered me up....
Just as well, we had a super turnout, and everybody seemed to latch on to the St Patrick's Day mood with the song, laughter and bonhomie prevailing.... Hilary will tell you what happened.....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 17 MARCH 2010
Peter introduced himself and welcomed everyone. He explained that he would not be fulfilling his usual role of warming things up by performing the introductory numbers due to the fact that he was a little bit under the weather. So, Peter asked Mike Gee if he wouldn't mind opening the evening on this occasion. Claiming to be taken by surprise (which he was) and as it was St Patrick's Day he began with an Irish flavour and Fair Young Maid followed by We Are Stardust, We Are Golden. Thank you very much Mike.
Anita was welcomed next and to keep the St Patrick feel going (as indeed it was throughout the evening) read William McGonagal's Irish Convicts Return and Irish Toast. Thank you Anita.
We were delighted to see one or two new faces and the first to be invited up was John Gudge with his mouth organ and gave us a very jolly tune together with a potted family history and stories of his Irish connections. There followed another tune that he has known since he was four years old (he explained that in those days he also knew the words) and a third tune - I am sorry I have no names for any of these tunes. But, thank you very much John for giving us a real Irish input.
Our next new face, although a regular visitor to Seaton seeing family, was Terry who sang about a plane leaving for the sun which was really nice. Another song about a dressing-up fetish which told a very funny story. Thank you Terry.
Frances, the Bard of Beer, read a poem Charity Shop and another one written last year, Taking Note - a true story about a friend of hers which kept us well amused.
We were then very pleased to welcome our itinerant hurdy gurdy man, Tony who we havn't seen for a little while. He told a story about Lonnie Donnegan who was one of his heroes and sang one of his Irish ones called Four Brawls. This was followed by a dance tune Horses Brawl. Before leaving he was asked about his hurdy gurdy and its origins. Tony explained the history behind the instrument, bringing in interesting additions to do with his jester which was all very intriguing. Thank you very much indeed Tony.
Rob was next, singing a couple of songs written by his friend, Jonathan Turner from Cardigan, called You Only Get Out what you Put in and Why Can't You Hear Me. Wonderful as always.
Ted, the Bard of Seaton, advertised the forthcoming concert at the Dolphin in Beer on the 24 April in aid of Shelter Box. Tickets available from Steve's Prints and the Beer Post Office, and Frances also has some. It is going to be a great night. He then gave us one of his specials - a poem for St Patrick's night about O'Really O'Reiley - excellent. Next an Irish song It's Lovely round the Fields of Athenry.
Colyford's very own Nightingale to finish off the first half began with a Buffy St Marie song ,The Piney Wood Hills. She was joined by Rob and Mike as they had all been practising Carrick Fergus . How very excellent, thank you Annie and your Orchestra.
"Brief Interval"
Peter invited Terry up to start the second half and he was warmly welcomed and sang us If You Could Read My Mind which was very nice. He then read a poem about the seaside All Along the South Coast by Jeremy Taylor - excellent.
Anita with a couple more poems claiming the that songs she planned to sing had already been sung ! The first poem was very quick by Louis MacNeice Apple Blossom and then The British by H.S. MacKintosh.
Next the harmonica virtuoso, John, gave us Danny Boy and a well known Irish tune which I can't put a name to, and lots of funny stories.
Mike Gee talking about his new found passion for exploring the roots of folk music in the 16th century gave us a couple of tunes and followed that with Mrs McGrath.
Frances followed Mike with a poem she hasn't done for a whole year called The Mystery about Pens and Pencils - as always Frances tells of experiences we all have. Then another true story about her daughter and Bunglar Burglar.
Rob with his magnificent songs - Jim Webb's The Highway Man then Chelsea Morning by Joni Mitchell.
Calling Ted back, Peter felt he should emphasize that Paul Downes is coming to perform at the concert in Beer (for free) and he is a performer of national & international renown, superb guitar, great singer and songwriter and really must not be missed.
Ted than gave us the poem for Annie (who was in Holland before) and a song about Shelter Box and the Tsunami but really about the 70's, and a song by Jackson Brown with a chorus Some of Them Were Dreams.
Annie with her All Stars (i.e. Ted, Mike and Rob) to finish off the evening with all things Irish - The Currah of Kildare and Spanish Lady. Thank you very much all and for taking the trouble to rehearse.
Peter thanked everyone very much for coming and see you all next month, 21 April, as usual about 8.15pm at the Grove.
So, that's March, and apart from our next regular Star Studded Session in April don't forget we have, organised by Ted & Frances, the Concert in Beer in aid of Shelterbox...
Big Night Out In Beer
Saturday 24th April, The Dolphin Hotel, Beer, 8pm
Paul Downes
supported by a host of local talent
Tickets £6 from Beer Post Office, Steve's Print Seaton or phone 01297 22213
All proceeds to Shelterbox
Thanks, as always to Jolly for the pics...
Cheers,
Peter & Hilary
PS Have you had a listen yet to Devon Folk, 5pm - 7pm on Sunday evening ? Hosted by Richard Digance in his own individual style, it has a different and refreshing slant on the local and not so local folk scene and is well worth a listen. I can't usually listen at that time bit I always catch it on iPlayer during the week.
Next in this archive section is the report for February 2010
Hello All,
First of all, here is what was sent to the papers about our February
session...
Always something new and different, that seems to be the
continuing saga of Jurassic Folk. We never know who's going to turn up,
be they performers or audience, so we live in a constant state of
surprise. This month was a to a certain extent a blessed relief after
the rather hectic time we had over Christmas, but what we lacked in
quantity we certainly made up for in quality. Amongst the performers,
Ted, the bard himself, was in cracking form with great songs and
brilliant comic poetry (hear him on the website), Rob Wheaton was
sublime, and Machine Gun Mike G was slightly more relaxed compared to
his frenetic performance last month. Frances, Beer's own bard, kept our
ribs suitably tickled with her endless stories of mysterious and
strange happenings round her house in Beer. And a welcome new face was
Andrew Mycroft who runs the Honiton Folk Dance Club, and he gave us some
enervating dance tunes on the accordion which certainly got our feet
tapping.
But to next month, because some of our team have told me that various plans are developing, and there may be even more surprises coming, could be exciting. All always, everyone is welcome, performers and audience alike, admission is free and more info is available by phoning 01297 20064 or checking out the website www.eastdevonfolk.org
But to next month, because some of our team have told me that various plans are developing, and there may be even more surprises coming, could be exciting. All always, everyone is welcome, performers and audience alike, admission is free and more info is available by phoning 01297 20064 or checking out the website www.eastdevonfolk.org
And next, have
you heard Devon Folk on Radio Devon? It just started up and is being
presented by Richard Digance, and is a cracking show. Its on Sunday
evening from 5pm to 7pm and has all sorts of music, interviews and
reminisces, and what is more, he has asked for news and performers from
the local clubs... He didn't have to ask twice... I've banged off a lot
of stuff about Jurassic so let's see what comes back...
And now here are
the facts on our February session as recorded by our intrepid and
unbribe-able correspondent, Hilary....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 17 FEBRUARY 2010
It was hello and welcome to the second session of 2010 and Peter introduced himself to those new to the Grove and began by warming up the evening with a good old chorus song called Grandmother's Old Arm Chair telling a tale we could all take note of, possibly. Then, a new song for Peter, called Amelia which was oh so lovely, thank you Peter.
Welcomed next was the Bard of Beer, Frances, with one of her new poems called One Foot in the Grove - this she has touted to the local newspaper who has assured her that it will be included nearer our next gathering so as to encourage people to come along. Well, I hope it does because it jolly well should do - it was very good. Frances followed this one with another of her specials, which we have heard before, to do with a computerised cat.
Next Robert came up with a song called You Weren't There to Tell Me Not to Do It - in the country and western genre - a sorry story. (Peter asked if anyone had listened to the web site to hear one of Robert's songs from last month - there was an enthusiastic affirmation). Next, at Ted's behest, Robert sang Ruby's Arms which was brilliant.
Peter then introduced a stranger to us, Andrew from Honiton who is
part of a dance band and is usually joined by his wife who was
unfortunately laid low with 'flu. However, he did have his accordion
with him and he gave us a wonderful set of three dance tunes followed by
a set of jigs from the Cheese Rollers which had something to do with
rolling cheeses down a hill in Gloucestershire. He explained that it was
quite frightening for him to realise that he was being listened to
instead of being danced to. Thank you very much Andrew.
Before asking Ted to come and do his bit before the famous interval, Peter claimed that we had never had so few performers - perhaps because it is half term - even Annie was away in Holland.
Ted and Frances got up to do a "commercial" and to explain that they
would like to repeat putting on a charity concert to be held in the
Dolphin in Beer on Saturday 17 April. Time 7.30, price £6 and there will
be a raffle. Frances explained that the previous charity concert that
was held in Beer made £1,070 for the Smile charity and this time it was
agreed that proceeds should go to Shelter Box. So .... the request is
for any performers who would like to and are willing to take part please
let Frances, Ted or Peter know. And, for all to spread the word - more
details next month.
With that Ted performed a poem called Going Dutch (appropriate for Annie who is away in Holland and not able to hear it) - Ted explained the origins of this poem and told us a little of his early life - it was really very funny (not his life, the poem). Next he had a tussle with the music stand and then sang Democracy is Coming (but it is far away) followed by Love Song as we have just had Valentine's Day and his and Betty's wedding anniversary and that song was very funny too and had something to do with Benny Hill.
There followed the Interval.
Peter began the second half by girding up everyone's loins with another chorus song he hasn't sung for a long time written by the legendary Ledbelly and called Irene who "got" her in his dreams, not "saw" her. Very wonderful. Then enlisting the help of Ted as accompanist he sang Dirty Old Town which was brilliant.
Next, Peter welcomed back, Andrew with his accordion who gave us some American reels: Uncle Loben Ruben, Boil and Cabbage and Old Joe Clarke - now then, Andrew gave out the names of all his tunes but rather on the assumption that we were all familiar with them but as we all know, with my reputation for getting things right - I am actually quite at sea so .... you will have to forgive me for leaving out information which I should put in, and that which I do put in, being quite wrong. Anyway, it was all most jolly and Andrew followed the reels with three jigs the names of which I completely failed to get but we certainly enjoyed them all.
Next, with the sudden appearance of ("Machine Gun Mike"???) Mike Gee who had been on chauffeur duty earlier began with a Bob Dylan song One More Cup of Coffee For the Road followed by a John Diamond tune - short and sharp - followed by a Leonard Cohen song Sentenced me to Twenty Years of Boredom. Then going Scottish with Wild Mountain Thyme, Ted joined in with his harp, and, thank you very much Mike.
Some gentle poetry was called for next from the Bard of Beer who gave us a couple of "old" ones - The Village Bus and Sprouting Forth - all true and very funny, thank you Frances as always.
Robert next to entertain us, firstly with a Tim Finn of Crowded House called Persuasion and then a Beetles Here, There and Everywhere which was very wonderful, and then another Beatles, And I Love Her - as always Robert manages to choose complete favourites.
Ted came next with another poem Exploding Trousers and a song for all bikers Ride .... Gather Round all you Bikers which was a most extremely sensitive and sad song about a Vincent Motor Bike. Then came a dreadful Irish joke and to finish off Ted sang Roses are Red and it was soooo excellent Ted, thank you.
Peter said short on quantity but certainly not on quality and that's it again for another month - thank you all so much for coming and remember to see Frances for concert details and see you all next in March on Wednesday 17th as usual at the Grove just after 8 o-clock.
So there we are... we have a bit of an idea what happened, and thanks as always to Jolly for taking the pics with his new camera...
Now, Andrew Mycroft, who performed for us on Wednesday, has asked us to let you all know about the Honiton Folk Dance Club which he and his wife June run, and Here it is...
The Club meets every Monday
evening at 8pm in The Turks Head Function Room Honiton. Full details of this
are on the website www.amycrofters.co.uk
Peter & Hilary
And now to January 2010...
This month we have two events to report on... first Seaton Town Hall, Saturday 16th January...
What a super time on Saturday at Seaton Town Hall Community Fair, thanks to the great response from you that we had to our email on Friday morning. We found enough volunteers to man the tea bar, musicians to come along and put on a show and excellent support from all angles.... all in less than 24 hours ! (see picture below )...
Well, after all the excitement of the weekend with Annie's Haiti Benefit do at the Town Hall, one would have thought that our usual session on Wednesday January 20th would have been a bit of an anticlimax.... but far from it... it turned out one of the best.
Just to set the background; Hilary and I had been having a period of very mixed emotions since the New Year, lots of joy but also lots of sadness. The joy was the birth of our first grandchild (about time too...) called Hetty Rose, and as you can imagine has involved a great deal of our time. But then we lost our sister-in-law after a short illness on January 11th, so it was a very difficult time for the family. Then we had all the flurry of Annie's Haiti Aid, and to top it all I celebrated a rather muted **th birthday on the 19th, and finally the funeral, a large gathering, was on Wednesday 20th. All this preamble just to explain why Hilary and other family members weren't able to come along on Wednesday. So that is why I have had to cobble together some sort of account of the first half, but thankfully Anita was able to take over after the interval.
So here goes...
Jurassic Folk & Acoustic Session, 20th January 2010
A larger than ever crowd greeted me when I arrived at the Grove just after 8pm, must be something to do with Marion and her accosting people in the street outside the Town Hall on Saturday! Lots of new faces, and lots of them looking very young... (although I suppose anyone under 69 looks young to me...!!). Peter (that's me) started off the evening as usual with an old favorite, Daisy a Day, which was helped along by a nice gentle chorus, and this was then followed by Bob Dylan's I'll be Your Baby Tonight, which was also helped on its way by the audience.
Next came Ben, a young relation ( I think.. ) of Ted, who hasn't been for quite a while, so it was good to see him livening up the atmosphere with his woolly hat and gentle guitar. He played two guitar pieces but if he told us what they were called I didn't hear it, but most enjoyable.
Frances followed with two cracking new poems: The first called Hanging Offence relates her troubles with a recalcitrant fairy who seemed to resist being placed on the top of the Christmas tree, and the second was Reflected in The Mirror, which tells of Frances' battle with her mirror which, Dorian Gray like, insists on displaying somebody other than the page 3 girl which she knows she really is.... both very funny!
Mike G followed in his customary rebellious mood with his 12 string spraying chords like a machine gun, and he gave his his inovative interpretation of Dylan's Don't Think Twice, and followed this by Eve of Destruction which had us quivering in our seats in fear... great stuff, Mike!
The hero of Saturday, Annie then came on, dulcimerless this week, and sang Reign of the Fair Maid, followed by, in deference to the imminence of Burns Night, Green Grows the Rashes O, both of which were joined in enthusiastically by the audience.
Robert was in particularly good form this month, and he started out with a song which was first called Hippy Song, but he now calls Festival Song: He explained that it was about a festival that he went to some years back, an excellent song and very funny, but he didn't say in so many words that he had written it, but if he did he should be proud of it. He followed up in Mike G mode (well, not quite) with Machine Gun Kelly... more great guitar work.
Then to finish off the first half who else but the Bard of Seaton himself... Ted Dowse. First he declaimed an absolute snorter of a poem about the recent polar weather we have been experiencing (despite those "global warrming" propergandists the Met Office who forecast a mild winter) called Another Artctic Day... it was absolutely brilliant, the funniest thing I've heard for quite a while, and for those who missed it I'll put it up on the website jukebox when I update it. Then he gave us a song written for a charity concert in Bridport some time ago called "Dancing When the Sun Goes Down" and followed this with a Jurassic Folk favourite "This Love Will Carry Me" (which is already on the website)... magnificent, Ted.
And now Anita takes over.... saying... then we had the famous 10 minute interval for folk to get their breath and their drinks ready to throw themselves into the second half.
This was led by Pete singing a Tom Lehrer ditty "The Irish Ballad" but known generally as "Rickity Tickity Tin" which is useful as it tells of the girl who did every one of her family in by various gruesome methods but we were reminded in the last verse that she wouldn't lie as lying was a sin! Peter also acknowledged the coming Burns Night and used it as an excuse to regale us with a Scottish song "Nancy Whisky", a tale of a Calton Weaver with a rousing chorus we could all join in.
Next was Ben who entertained us with two songs "This Could be Love" followed by "I hope You Forget" Sorry if I don't have the correct title for that one. Thanks Ben, hope you'll come again.
Frances - The Bard of Beer - gave us an insight into why her heart still flutters at the sight of a flashing blue light with her poem "Love in a Blue Light". She followed this with an old favourite about her friend Sandra's cat Eric, called "Eric on Patrol".
We were then treated to a Neil Diamond song "Red, Red Wine" from Mike G. He asked Annie & Rob to join him for a Peter, Paul & Mary song "Leaving on a Jet Plane". This was great & had most of us singing the chorus. The Terrific Trio stayed centre stage, this time with Annie leading in a song she assured us we would know - "Every Day" by Buddy Holly. She was right, most of us did. I noticed the younger members of the audience were not joining in - is this why we are called Jurassic Folk?? In the spirit of 'And now for something completely different' Annie led us all in a Blues number "Trouble in Mind". Great Annie, thanks.
Anita then read an amusing poem sent to her via the internet entitled "'Twas the Month After Christmas" sorry, author unknown, regarding the seemingly inevitable Christmas weight gain.
Robert came up for a solo spot, first with "I Know You" a deceptively gentle song written by his friend from Ceredigion in Wales (Cardigan to most of us). We were then treated to two Paul Simon songs "Lincoln Duncan" and "American Tune", both exquisitely performed.
The evening was brought to a close by our own Bard of Seaton - Ted Dowse. First we had a couple of Limericks. One about Nietzsche and another, short enough to repeat here:
"There was a young man from Hong Kong
Who thought that Limericks were far too long."
Yes, it took us a while to get it as well!
This was followed by an amusing poem about Albert Einstein explaining how he arrived at his formula. Ted's first song in this set was "Winter's Shadowy Fingers" gentle but thought provoking. Then we had "Slip Sliding Away" for us all to join in. Ted finished the set and the evening for us with a Joni Mitchell song "Woodstock" with the chorus "We are stardust, we are golden". Indeed we were - after a golden night.
In his closing remarks Pete thanked everyone for coming, audience and performers alike and reminded us all that every Jurassic Folk night was different. We never know who is coming to perform or indeed if anyone will (we've never been without excellent performers yet). All are welcome, new or seasoned performers for poems, songs instruments or whatever or just turn up & swell the audience.
Thanks to all for another terrific Jurassic Folk night. Don't miss the next one - 3rd Wednesday in the month - 17th February. Hopefully you will have Hilary available to put her inimitable style on the evening's report.
Thanks a bundle for all that Anita..
Lastly I have been asked to bring to you notice a couple of upcoming events which could be of interest to you, and you find details of these on the Other Events page.
Roll on spring...
Peter & Hilary
The next Archive is from theChristmas Party on 16th December 2009
Hello All,
What a fun time was had at our Christmas party on 16th December, and as Jolly delivered his pictures on Thursday morning (on his bike, post haste) we were able to bang off this report to the local papers... in the hope that View from Seaton might at last give us a mention... I'm not holding my breath... but anyhow, this is what was sent together with a couple of pics.
The festive season came to the Grove in no uncertain manner last Wednesday as Jurassic Folk celebrated its Christmas Party. Fancy hats, flashing bling and mince pies set the scene for an evening of the special mix of music, song, poetry and frivolity. Much loved regulars such as Frances Lee, Ted Dowse, Annie Bennett, Mike G, Rob Wheaton & Peter Arnold provided the cake with the icing ladled on by the singing vicar, Laurie, who luckily happened to be in Seaton that night with his ragtime guitar and melodic mandolin. The cherry on the cake was provided by local authoress Dee Featherstone who gave us a couple of short but witty poems, please come again Dee. The second half brought everyone together in a riot of sound, playing and singing songs with choruses. The audience were inveigled into joining in by the distribution of kazoos, cymbals, castanets and bells, and they made good use of them. Verdict; roll on the next one, which will welcome in 2010 on Wednesday 20th January at the usual place, The Grove Nite Club, Seaton, and at the usual time of 8.15pm. Everybody is welcome, admission is free, and more details can be had by calling 01297 20064, or looking at the website www.eastdevonfolk.org where, not only can you see pictures of the jollifications, you can now hear some of the performances as well.
Hilary brought along a couple of trays of mincepies and they vanished "toot sweet", and so she was able to concentrate on scribbling her shorthand to produce her usual masterpiece of journalism, which follows herewith....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE CHRISTMAS PARTY 16 DECEMBER 2009
After quite a bit of sorting ourselves out Peter welcomed everyone and introduced the evening to a jolly good crowd with I'll get by with a little Help from my Friends which was very nice, thank you Peter. He then asked our Nightingale, Annie to follow which she did with Everybody's Talking at me - Echoes of my mind. Then she sang an American carol The Virgin Mary Had a One Son.
To follow Peter welcomed a lady we have not met before but she lives in Seaton. Her name is Dee Featherstone and she introduced herself with a bit of a story about her background in folk. She chose to give us a poem she had written about a friend who had had a dreadful day. She followed this with another poem about an artificially inseminated cow - very funny, thank you Dee.
Robert came next and sang the Irish Rover which he has not sung at the Grove before and he followed that with The City of New Orleans both of which were excellent as ever.
Frances then regaled us with a poem she wrote last week called Can't Knock It - all about skittles. Next her famous Mum's the Word.
A warm welcome back to Laurie from Bristol who this time managed to bring his wife Karen to join in with him. He explained that living in Bristol he saw members of the Carnival Band with Maddy Pryor which inspired him to sing Wake Up Wake Up which was a very lovely Christmas song. Next they sang a very familiar carol, The Holly and the Ivy but to a folksy tune and Laurie accompanied it on his mandolin. Karen then had a rest while Laurie gave us a little tune The Dill Pickle Rag.
Ted then came to finish off the first half for us and began with some of his jokes - a Sam Ware joke (Somewhere... Over the Rainbow), a Laurel and Hardy joke, then something about polar bears and September October Nowonder. Then there was a bit of fun with the cappo and he gave us the Seaton Carol (both a poem and a song) after telling us about his life as a small boy in Sherborne and a nativity scene in the street at Christmas which he had so much enjoyed.
Peter called for the famous interval in which to chat and replenish drinks. Cherry kindly circulated the song sheets so that we could all join in with the second half of the evening.
To reintroduce the proceedings Peter was joined by Anita and they sang Coulters Candy. Then a collective was formed - i.e. Ted, Robert, Annie, Mike Gee (making a late appearance) and Laurie. They began with a Beetles - Across the Universe and Mike did a special of his own Peace, Love and Understanding.
Then we had The Boxer led by Ted, Sloop John B led by Robert, Put a Little Love in your Heart led by Annie, John Barleycorn- Ted, Sixteen - Peter, Calypso Carol - Annie, Mr Tamborine Man (with harmonica) - Ted, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Robert, Lord of the Dance - Laurie, Wild Mountain Thyme (with instrumentals) - Peter. Then Wendy put in a request for Wild Rover which Ted led after persuading Peter that it would be OK. The "audience" helped with hearty rendering to all of those songs.
Peter thanked everyone for coming and wished all a very happy Christmas and New Year. At this point, Robert's better half, Sue, caused Peter and Hilary great embarrassment by thanking them for all they do - the sentiments were much appreciated.
Next - New Year - 2010 (how scarey) Wednesday 20 January at the Grove just after 8 oclock. We look forward to seeing you.
Well, that about covers it for 2009. Thanks again to Jolly for the photos, and All that remains is to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Fulfilling New Year...
Peter & Hilary
And now to the session of 18th November 2009
Hello Everybody,
Well, (Peter speaking) after Hilary's enormous success at MCing last month I'd rather hoped she'd do it again, but she refused pointblank and claimed that she couldn't compere and take notes at the same time... funny, I always thought that women were supposed to be able to multi-task.... Anyhow, a goodly crowd once again crammed into the Grove Bar, and though we were a bit down on artists, unlike the previous 2 months, this enabled everyone to have a decent sized spot and even allowed me more than my customary one or two, although that could be regarded by some as a downside...
Enough... let Hilary tell you, with her renowned zeal for the facts, exactly what happened....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE 18 NOVEMBER 2009
A very warm welcome to everyone. Peter got things going and warmed up by singing an old favourite, Bottle of Wine which was excellent (the wine, presumably, not the song?.. Peter). He followed it with You Never Wanted Me, a song he has had not performed before and is one he has always liked after hearing it sung by Sandy Denny at a folk club in Stratford. There was complete silence and it was very lovely (the silence, presumably, not the song?... as before).
We then welcomed Frances who had a new poem called Things that go Bump ... a true story that we had all read about in the local paper to do with a car finding an inappropriate resting place in the front of her house.
Mike Gee was invited next with his guitar very cleverly sounding like a lute. He played several tunes dating back to the 1500s and the time of the reformation and were originally folk songs classical composers turned into something else. If you would like the names of the tunes, contact Mike as my notes are unreliable as usual. Anyway, they were all very good and very interesting, thank you Mike.
Peter then introduced Kay who, although living close by, has not performed for us before... we clash unfortunately with the Sidmouth fiddle night. She sang a typically traditional "doom and gloom" song, Ginny on the Moor, followed by a Scottish chorus song which I think was called Fare Thee Well my Island my Home ... lovely Kay, thank you.
Next, good favourite Robert with a new to him song Patience of Angels by Boo Hewerdene which Eddi Reader made a hit, followed by a Paul Simon song Lincoln Duncan ... another Robert has not done for us before... then Sweet Baby James, which is not new to us, but one he sings so well ... Robert always manages to choose wonderful songs.
Frances came back with a poem about her computerised cat which is another true story and very amusing as usual.
Before inviting Ted to finish off the first half of the evening, Peter said how much we welcome all performers, and we would particularly like to try and encourage those new to performing, giving them a platform in friendly and unintimidating surroundings. Ted then regaled us with a poem inspired by the acquisition of some fluffy ducklings called Roger and Lilly by his grandson and his new wife ... it was a very exciting and full of tension and suspense, but it all turned out to be a DREAM. He then sung a song about democracy (what's that ?) It's Coming Through a Hole in the Air. Then, the very brilliant hymn to humanity, Leonard Cohen's I Am the Light.
Then we had a famous interval.
Peter explained our late start due to the new parking arrangements in the Co-op car park. So long as you arrive with your car after 8 oclock you will be safe from the watchful eye - 2 hours are permitted during shop opening hours and no time limit at other times. So, in future a more realistic starting time will be 8.15pm. Also .... he brought it to our attention that the next session will be a Christmas one ?????
So, to introduce the second half of our musical and poetical extravaganza Peter sang Green Grow the Laurel followed by a famous epic ballad which he first heard at about the age of seven while living in India, called Abdul Abulbul Amir. Anita very kindly joined in with the singing. How very nice to hear Peter sing some new songs - a great pleasure (wot's wrong with my old songs..? Peter).
Kay was invited next to give us another song - this was in praise of men, Drink to the Ladies and she followed that with a more modern song called Eldorado and we all joined in with the chorus. Excellent Kay, thank you.
Robert was welcomed back with an amazing Tom Waite song I Hope I Don't Fall in Love with You. Then Fences and I Know You both written by his friend, Jonathan Turner who lives in Cardiganshire. Thank you Robert.
Frances gave us a poem about her daughter's first boyfriend which turned out to be a ginger tom cat ! This was followed by Taking the Chair which was quickly scribbled from recollection during the interval.
Mike Gee was next with a Peter Paul and Mary 500 miles, followed by Roads and then a Tim Harding song, How Can We Hang on to a Dream. How many styles does this man have ?
Ted was asked to come and finish off the evening for us which he did in his usual great panache with Marrow Bones which was very funny, and a wassail song which is traditionally sung to ensure a good crop of apples. And then he finished up with Wide Wide River, which he related he'd got from a Cd by the ex-drummer of The Band who has now turned into a traditionalist... (??) Thank you very much Ted.
Out of time but a reminder that we meet next on Wednesday 16 December at 8.15 with our Christmas party costumes. Any ideas for making it a special evening gratefully received. Thank you all for coming and helping to make another good session.
There we have it, that was November, so now to December. Last year we devoted the second half to chorus songs and it has been suggested we do this again. So the idea is that anybody who wants to lead a particular song contacts me with the words etc., and I'll incorporate them into a song sheet for the night from which we will collectively choose what is actually sung on the night. Any other ideas for the evening will also be very welcome, and ofcourse I expect a lot of surprises, both visual as well as musical.
So get back to us with any cunning plans, and we'll usher in Christmas with music and mirth. As always, everybody is welcome so bring along your grannies, babes, boyfriends, ex-husbands (perhaps not..), Uncle Tom Cobley and all.
As always, thanks to Jolly for the pics....
With all the best,
Peter & Hilary.
And now for the October 21st 2009 night...
So that's it.... while I was languishing at home feeling very sorry for myself nursing some sort of lurgy, you were all having a great time at the Grove being entertained by a cast of international stars! And to add injury to insult, I had hoped to at least to relive the night by listening to the recording on my little machine, but horror of horrors... it was not to be, as nothing was recorded at all.... just can't get the staff, nowadays... But as a positive, I have had reports that Hilary emerged as a superb compere, so I should soon be able to pass that job over to her.
Enough of my natter, over to Hilary for all the facts of the night...
JURASSIC FOLK NIGHT AT THE GROVE, 21st October 2009
Of all the nights for Peter to feel unwell ... he was very unfortunate to miss such a gem. Rather at the last minute I had to convey Peter's apologies that he would be unable to be with us tonight and in my dilemma appealed to Graham to start the evening off, which he did very well with Rudigore from Gilbert and Sullivan's High Noon. He then introduced Annie who came on to sing East Virginia. She followed that with the Johnson Boys' Break of Day accompanied by her dulcimer.
Now, you will have to excuse (yet again, but for different reasons) my haphazard approach to getting it right. But, at this point of the evening, because I was in the know, so to speak, I was very pleased to introduce and warmly welcome Ted's friends from St Martins in the Scillies. They came in the form of two ladies, Jenny playing the whistle and Nancy Morton on an assortment of accordions, together with a gentleman, Richard Morton who sang and played the guitar - all coming under the name of Beggars Belief. St Martin was apparently the patron saint of beggars - hence the name - or at least part of it. They claim to sing 1960's pop songs ! However, I think folk songs more like. They began with an Ian Campbell folk song followed by a chorus song, Lizzie Lindsay and then, with a change of accordion, a music hall song recently sung by Eliza Carthy about a damsel possessed by great beauty. All wonderful, thank you.
Frances followed this with a poem about losing things - in particular, her spectacles (they were eventually found on her head - and I thought she was going to say on her nose which I have done before now). She followed this with another poem about Addiction - but this was about the addiction to redecorating the house. Thank you Frances as always.
Mike Gee came next, paying tribute to Mary Traviss of Peter, Paul and Mary fame who died a little while ago. She was someone he held in great esteem and influence. He sang a Tim Harding song and Oh Suzannah in great form.
Next we introduced Pete, unknown to us and apparently on an English break from living in France. He claims to sing mostly old country songs and began with a Jimmy Rogers, King of Country, Standing on the Corner accompanied by his guitar. Then, he produced his flat Whitington guitar (apparently very trendy a the moment) and gave us a 1896 gospel song which did have a refrain. Brilliant.
Welcome back after a long absence, to Hunt, Gamble and Trezise - an unaccompanied trio of great acclaim. They sang Ripe and Bearded Barley followed by Miners Lament - both were utterly brilliant and a real treat, thank you.
Ted was invited to finish off the first half for us and he began with a poem about a hurdy gurdy man so he couldn't decide if he was pleased or sorry that Tony, our own hurdy gurdy man, was not with us tonight. It was all a bit strange but very funny and included lighter fuel and a fire dance and the lack of health and safety. He then sang When I was a Young Boy - thank you Ted.
There followed a somewhat brief interval as I was unable to gauge timing and was afraid of running out of it and to begin the second half Pete from France was invited back and he began with a blues Lickney Hopkins, Ellie May. Then from 1929 Blind Alf Reedy "How Can the Poor Stand Such Times and Live". Thank you so much for coming. (Apparently they don't have folk clubs in France)
Graham came next and sang unaccompanied Mother and Me. Beggars Belief came back with The Leaving of Liverpool (which is almost Wild Rover but not quite) and its almost raucous chorus but it is very good to sing once in a while. They followed that with another 60's song of Donovan's Mellow Yellow - all excellent.
Frances, as one would expect, came on talking appropriately about Halloween and ghosts and gave us a couple of poems about all the ghosts they encountered after moving in to her present cottage in Beer. They really are very funny and quite thought provoking - do they (the ghosts)exist, or do they not ? According to Frances and her family they most certainly do.
Hunt, Gamble and Trezise came back with Cold and Stormy Night (from Brighton station?) followed by a gospel song In My Time of Dying - oh so good.
Mike Gee was in his element and sang Hello, This Heart of Mine and the Irish version of Kilkerry Mountain - whisky in the jar.
As if we hadn't had enough treats tonight, Dave Trezise introduced a long ago friend from the Stepps Folk Club days of yore, David Robert, who lives in America and is over for a visit. He was persuaded to give us a turn and sang a Van Morrison song about civil rights - You Couldn't Take all the tea in China. He followed this with Mr Bo Jangles - a request from Ted - very perfect. Then I have an incomprehensible note - Townsnansant ???? (Anybody know what she is talking about here?- Peter)
To finish off a most perfect (apart from Peter's absence) evening Ted read a poem/rhyme about stone soup - quite a lesson - then he sang By the Lonely Prison Wall. He was then joined by Beggars Belief, Annie, Mike and Hunt, Gamble and Trezise who gave us Long and Dusty Road in the key of G. What a lovely whistle.
A big thank you to all for coming, particularly our visiting performers for making it such a wonderful evening, and see you again next month on Wednesday 18 November, same time, same place, 8 o'clock, The Grove, Seaton.
Well, there you have it... it looked a great night...grrr... thanks Hilary and thanks Jolly, as always for the pics.
Meanwhile, and hot off the press, this afternoon Hilary got a phone call from the Co-op chap she has been badgering for months, to say that they are modifying the car park monitoring so that it is now turned off when the Co-op itself closes at 10pm in the evening. So that means that if we didn't enter the carpark until 8pm we would be OK to park for the evening as the 2 hours time allowed finishes at 10pm. What do you think... should we delay the start by 15 mins to 8.15... ?? Please let us know what you think, so if agreed we can circularise the new start time to everyone.
That's enough for now... I shall continue to sulk...
All the best,
grumpy Peter and ecstatic Hilary.
And now here is the one for September, 2009. .....
Well, what a night we had in September! We needed something to cheer us up after the terrible news of the previous night of the demise of democracy in East Devon...(local contentious matter, won't boor you with it here.) ... the revolution is on its way and not a moment too soon, let's sharpen up the guillotine blades!
But to cheerier things... It is getting somewhat of a truism that every night we have seems to be the best ever, but that was certainly the feeling after this one. The packed bar area, to which we usually confine ourselves, was clearly inadequate to encompass the gyrating, and at sometimes quite frightening, onslaughts of Flaming Morris from Feniton, so for the first time we trooped out into the main arena to enjoy their performance, and at the same time keeping out of the way of their flailing sticks.
However, the majority of the session took place as usual, in that we had sterling performances from all our regulars, and some brilliant contributions from some newcomers, particularly the ragtime guitar picking vicar who was quite a revelation; although he is not local I'd better not mention his name...! The session ran well over time with all the talent we had to fit in, but as usual Jenny, the Grove manager, didn't mind at all.Let Hilary describe the night....
JURASSIC FOLK AT THE GROVE WEDNESDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 2009
Well, it was a warm welcome to everyone at the start of the new season of Jurassic Folk. In anticipation we also warmly welcomed a gaggle (Hil.. I don't think that's the most apt collective noun to describe 4 blokes and a lady!!! - Pete) of Morris Men who will be performing for us later in the evening.
As an experiment, Robert very kindly brought his PA system and with assorted microphones it was decided to see what everyone thought about the idea of being amplified and to give it a go. Our welcoming host, Peter, sang the all time favourite Summertime most beautifully. He went on to sing, unsung by him before, a very lovely song Will the Circle be Unbroken.
Frances was invited to follow with some of her most brilliant poems. She explained that she had recently won 3rd prize for a poem in a competition but as it was one of her rather serious poems she chose, instead, to read the winning one by Patricia Williams which was a funny one about sand in the sandwiches (which we all know about) called A Day at the Seaside. The next was one of Frances' own about medical consultants who are not quite as clever as they think they are. She followed these with a couple more very little poems called the Psychologist and the Rose Grower written while taking part in a creative writing course having pulled the subject out of a hat - very well done Frances I would say.
Then, I took a double take seeing such a familiar face in the wrong place. We were delighted to see an old friend from our Priddy days, Paul Weston, holidaying in the area and able to come and take the stage with his viola and played Boys of Blue Hill - he gave us a bit of background history of violas and then played ... I didn't quite catch it, but something to do with Kate Keering ??? Anyway, thank you very much Paul.
Mike Gee came next and because he had to go after the interval gave us an extra number or 2. He began with Mary Lou followed by Wild Mountain Thyme followed by Mrs McGrath by Bruce Sprigstein which he found on Utube. Thank you Mike.
Welcome to Laurie who performed for us for the first time although he has, apparently, been before. He used to live in Kilmington and has now moved to Bristol but whilst returning to the area to conduct the funeral at Exeter Crematorium of a friend and fellow performer, he felt able to come and see us and give us a turn which he did with a John James ditty about a man who was very rich - but not with money - Ragtime Millionaire. It involved a foot stepping chorus - excellent. Ralph McTell is one of his heroes and he sang the first song written about the first song he ever wrote .... ??? (I really must learn to concentrate) Thank you very much Laurie.
Next, Robert who always sings such wonderful songs, and who provided the amps, began with Spanish Leather followed by a John Martin song Spencer and Rover - thank you Robert. Then Annie asking how to top that, sang Well, Well, Well giving us a chance to have a good sing, followed by All the leaves are brown - Californian Dreaming. Very good Annie, thank you.
In his usual spot before the interval, Ted, the Bard of Seaton, gave us a poem apparently requested by Robert's beautiful lady, Sue, about seagulls - it required audience participation - shape, shifter and change colour ?? But it was brilliant as ever. He then sang a song which he wrote as a result of going to a folk club run by Mitch in the Marshwood Vale called Only One Song - it was self explanatory - and very amusing.
The interval came next followed by the event we had all been waiting for ... namely a very jolly performance by a wonderful Morris troupe called the Flaming Morris of Feniton - they get together every Wednesday in Feniton Village Hall, starting 7 October, 8 o-clock, and welcome newcomers and you don't have to be a man ! One of the Morris men goes by the name of Fiona and very definitely isn't a man. So there you go. In fact, she then came and a bit out of breath, gave us a song something about So You Take this Yellow Handkerchief and Flash Company. Also from the Morris Troupe, Graham, an old friend, sang Spanish Lady.
Here we come to the highlight of the evening, Anita, who unable sadly to give us a song tonight, gave us a poem called Farewell - very poignant and from the heart ! Next we were able to welcome back Laurie - rag time guitar, In My Country Garden - all in my notes but not making a lot of sense but so was the word "excellent" which it was, as was the following instrumental written by Scott Joplin for the piano - Maple Leaf Rag.
Previously unobserved in the corner we were able to recognise and welcome Susannah Billetter, who runs Tiverton FC and who visited us eralier in the year. She sang Donna Donna Donna for us followed by a song she had written a few years ago. All superb, thank you, and hope to see you again. Paul returned with his viola and performed a tune for a squeeze box.
Once again it was a great pleasure to welcome back Robert with an Eric Clapton - If I can Reach the Stars - and the Beatles, Hide your Love Away. Thank you for that and for the not overpowering amplification.
The Nightingale of Colyford, Annie, with another (after Donna, Donna, Donna) Israeli song Evening of Roses. Then on her dulcimer a Romeo and Juliet type tragedy Willie Moor.
We have had such a full evening full of brilliant talent, Peter had to apologise for cutting performers short and getting them out of order but we were able to get Frances back with her poem the Village Bus which was very funny. And, ... we were able to finish off the evening with Ted of course in the key of D and Hey Mr Tamborine Man with a backing band of Laurie, Robert and Annie. 
Thank you to everyone for making it such a good evening and see you next month - that is Wednesday 21 October at 8 o-clock.
So, to reinforce the thanks Hilary has already expressed, we were most grateful to have the spectacle of Flaming Morris enlivening the proceedings, which gave us the opportunity to use the main hall of the Grove for this first time. I was sorry we couldn't have given them more time than the three dances they did, but we overran by half an hour to try and fit everyone in as it was... but a big thanks lads & lassie!
And also again many thanks to Robert for bringing along his amp, which in my opinion worked very well. However, I would be glad of any feedback from everyone as to what they felt about it. Its future use would also depend on the willingness of Robert to spend the time and energy to bring it along, set it up, and dismantle it at the end of the evening... a somewhat thankless task! But please let us know what you all think, one way or the other.
Nothing has progressed about any change of venue, but this is ongoing and suggestions are always welcome.
Thanks, as always, to Jolly for the pics...That's it for now, hope to see you all in October,
Peter & Hilary