25.4.12 "BELIEVED MISSING IN ACTION David Blick, founder Squire of The Forest of Dean Morris Men, and their present musician responded to Chloe Metcalfe's request for information on Morris costume, which she is undertaking as part of her degree. During the course of setting down the information for Chloe, David decided to attempt to discover the location, or perhaps find someone who may have seen a rather splendid musicians tabard made for The Forest of Dean Morris in the early 1970's, but which has been mislaid now for quite some time. This was made by Dennis Westrip of Chelmsford, who became a great friend of the FoDMM when he holidayed regularly in the area. The tabard which was of a sage green colour depicted on the front, crossed swords (old FoD village sides often had a man walk in front of the dances with crossed swords held high), and a miner's axe (relating to the area's mining history). On the back was an embossed crown in purple and gold and a representation of a bible. The crown related to the Forest of Dean being a Royal Forest since 1066. David would love to hear from anyone who may know anything about this tabard. He can be contacted on 01531 820687
5.4.12 Just heard the very sad news that 'Banjo' Barney McKenna, founder member of The Dubliners, passed away this morning. He was 72. We luckily saw him at Cheltenham Town Hall on March 9th, and thought he was actually looking better than he had for some time. His singing of 'I wish I had someone to love me', and his stunning banjo playing, that evening brought the house down! Full story HERE
3.4.12 Risk Assessments: Astrid & I were asked the other day for a copy of our risk assessment for a little gig we are doing soon. A first! We did not have one! I quickly devised a form, and thought of a few hazards, and how to reduce/eliminate them. Here it is as a MS Word document: RISK ASSESSMENT FORM.doc If anyone wants another format please ask (BTW I missed off the 'hanging basket' hazard! - thanks Norma!)
10.2.12 New regular music session: Tony Gibbons writes - I am starting a new session at ‘The Queen’s Head’ Aston Cross, Ashchurch, Tewkesbury GL20 8LP on Wednesday 22nd February starting at approx 8.30 p.m. This is aimed at musicians NOT singers and will be completely open to music traditions (including foreign). I can promise a good selection from the U.K. Definitely present at this first one to get the ball rolling will be:- myself (melodeon), Hamish West (guitar, mandolin), Roly Alcock (melodeon) Rod Penlington (concertina). The pub has ‘Doom Bar’ on tap amongst others. Beginners and slow players will be catered for. Anyone can ring me if they wish on 01242 232126.
10.2.12 Nearly 50 folk events next week, including Cheltenham Folk Festival all weekend, concerts by the excellent John Kirkpatrick at Clifford’s Mesne, and Arlingham, Dave Swarbrick at Bristol Folk House, Phil Beer and his band at Tewkesbury. The Square Folk dance club have John Boucher with Musical Folk at Witcombe. Cheltenham Folk Song Club have a singer’s night, and Lechlade, Gloucester, Frampton, Roaring Jelly, Stroud Singer’s and Minchinhampton (at Avening) clubs are all meeting as usual. There are music sessions at Sapperton, Prestbury, Gloucester, Dursley, and Nailsworth, and Scottish dancing at Montpellier in Cheltenham, and Kingsholm in Gloucester. English country dancing is on at Hucclecote, Holy Apostles and Holy Trinity in Cheltenham. Cheltenham. All the morris and clog dance sides are practising as usual, and all welcome new members. Full details of all the events can be found HERE
27.1.12 Just heard that the Joe Broughton & Kevin Dempsey gig at The Roses Theatre Tewkesbury next week has been postponed to the autumn, because Kevin has sustained an injury. More details when we get them
20.1.12 Today Lord Clement Jones' Live Music Bill passed the Report stage in the House of Commons. Although the live music lobby's target of 100 plus MPs were present, things looked decidedly risky when the debate on the Daylight Saving Bill, the first Bill on the list, occupied the entire session and at 1-30 pm the Live Music Bill looked doomed, with not enough time to be debated. However, at the end of the session the names of the Bills that have not been dealt with are read out, and, if nobody shouts "Objection !", then the Bill can proceed. It is unusual for a Bill to proceed without objection at this stage, but, this was the case with the Live Music Bill which was passed in about two seconds. "Even Chope said Aye!" tweeted Kerry McCarthy (Labour MP for Bristol East) who has been quite vocal in supporting the Live Musc Bill. This is perhaps the most difficult obstacle the Live Music Bill has had to overcome and it is difficult to see how the Bill can fail to become law now. More HERE
31.12.11 New Folk Club Just heard of new (or rather revived, last meeting in 2006!) Folk Club. Gloucester Folk Session & Song Club, The Dick Whittington, Westgate Street, Gloucester GL1 2PE will meet fortnightly on Mondays from January 9, Info: Mhairi Strauss HERE
18.12.11 Live Music Bill The Live Music Bill has passed the committee stage in House of Commons, and is likely to become law sometime in the New Year. Two minor technical amendments were agreed during Committee which require the bill to return, briefly, to the House of Lords. But there is every expectation that it will move to Report and 3rd reading in the Commons early next year. If enacted, entertainment licensing would no longer apply to most performances of live music to audiences of up to 200, between 8am and 11pm. In alcohol-licensed premises, that freedom could be subject to conditions if there were problems. No help yet for mummer's plays unfortunately, but live music in pubs and village halls will be greatly helped! More at: http://www.livemusicforum.co.uk/
18.12.11 Cultural Olympiad This is to alert you to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get involved with the Cultural Olympiad, as the Olympics come to Britain this summer. Weymouth is hosting the sailing Olympics, and there will be a fabulous cultural event: The Battle of the Winds, centrepiece of the high-profile regional Quest programme. And you can be part of it. Jo Bousfield, who is coordinating the Gloucestershire contribution, says: "Volunteering at the Battle for the Winds Cultural Olympiad event will give people the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event. Simply go to the website www.battleforthewinds.com and click on 'GET INVOLVED' You can then tick the boxes showing how you'd like to participate - including being part of a huge crowd of people wading into the sea with lit torches at dusk on Sat July 28th 2012. The key events in Gloucestershire are May 10th kite flying on Selsley Common, Stroud April 28th Launch of the Wind Vessel in the Brunel Goodshed Stroud plus awarding of the medals for the creative olympics contest. Details of how to enter from Glosfolk - please submit your original song, dance, or piece of music etc - it would be great to see some folkies getting 'olympic' medals! (Any problems reading it let me know) May 23rd Creative Carnival at the Torch Relay event Cheltenham Racecourse 7.30 - 9pm
26.11.11 The Private Members Bill to liberalise the entertainment licensing has now cleared its Second Reading in the House of Commons, and will start the committee stage probably before Christmas. More details here
2.7.11 Good afternoon of entertainment at National Star College today. Performers included Peter & Astrid Cripps, Tarran Gray, Jan Vaisey & Ian Harvey, Gael Force, and Friggitt.
13.7.10 Interesting article on 'Folk = English' as opposed to 'Folk = Irish' or 'Folk = Scots' etc at http://journalofmusic.com/article/1171