We are delighted to be able to tell you that Martin Carthy MBE has agreed to become our patron. Despite his well earned fame, he continues to champion folk clubs and this link to him emphasises our commitment to promoting live folk song and music and to try and bring the best acts we can to as wide an audience as possible.
Our Song & Ale Weekend this year will take place 25-27 June 2010, starting 7.30 pm on the Friday evening and running through to 5 pm Sunday afternoon. Held in the Village Hall and Social Club at North Boarhunt, there is camping available just down the lane from the hall, on the village recreation ground. There will be a charge of £12 per pitch for caravan, motor-home or family tent for the weekend. Please email us now to book your pitch. Sessions will be free with a jug collection. Last year was a great success and we are looking forward to seeing you all again and to making this year’s Song & Ale the best ever!
And if camping is not your thing, we can arrange b&b at a hotel close by at a very reasonable rate. Similarly, for our guest nights if the journey home is too long.
Our programme of guest nights –
Monday 17 January 2011 - Steve Knightley SOLD OUT
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Steve Knightley is the songwriting force behind Show of Hands, widely acclaimed as the finest acoustic roots duo in England and with three Royal Albert Hall sell-outs to their name. The Exeter-based singer-songwriter writes the majority of material for the band, which also features multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer, and together they won the Best Live Act title in the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – the only category voted for by the public. Steve is renowned for his strong, trademark narrative songs which reflect the escapades, hopes and fears not only of people in his native West Country but beyond and he pulls no punches when writing highly literate songs about bigger, global issues.
Monday 21 February 2011 - The Poozies
Tickets £15 non members, £12 members
Monday 21 March 2011 - Les Barker
Tickets £10 non members, £8 members
A very funny man indeed, he writes weird and wonderful poems many of which have spawned what can only be described as folk heroes: Jason and the Arguments, Cosmo the Fairly Accurate Knife Thrower, Captain Indecisive and Spot of the Antarctic to name but two. A Manchester lad who was an accountant before he became a professional idiot, he has written 56 books which sell in large numbers because those who witness Les don't quite believe their ears! He has toured all over the world, had his own series of six programmes on BBC Radio 2 with the Mrs Ackroyd Band and is frequently leaving audiences doubled up all over the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. See Les and you will go home all warm and smiling.
Monday 18 April 2011 - Jacqui McShee’s Pentangle
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Jacqui McShee and Pentangle are legendary names. The original group expanded the frontiers of Folk in the 1960s and '70s. Since then, the band's evolving styles and various line-ups have continued to make groundbreaking music. One thing has remained constant throughout that time – Jacqui McShee’s unique voice is always to the fore – and now she leads a line-up featuring Gerry Conway on drums, Spencer Cozens on keyboards, bassist Alan Thomson and saxophonist Gary Foote. 'The current line-up of Pentangle kicks up an absolute storm and Jacqui's voice is gorgeous.' (Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music).
Monday 16 May 2011 - Fairport Acoustic Convention
Tickets £20 non members, £18 members SOLD OUT
Founded way back in 1967 by Simon Nicol and Ashley Hutchings, Fairport Convention is the most celebrated folk-rock band of all time, and is still one of the busiest bands around. The current line-up of Simon Nicol (lead vocal, rhythm and electric guitars), Dave Pegg (backing vocals, bass guitar, mandolin), Ric Sanders (violin), Chris Leslie (lead vocal, fiddle, bouzouki, mandolin) and Gerry Conway (percussion and drums) still packs venues on its frequent tours, and in 2002 Fairport won the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. With their album Liege & Lief, Fairport had invented British folk-rock in spectacular style. It was a milestone album for them, and an inspiration for many others. Even after more than thirty years, it is still one of the biggest-selling British folk albums, and has been consistently voted into 'Best of' lists by pundits and public alike, and was voted 'Best Folk Album Ever' by Radio 2 listeners.
Monday 20 June 2011 - Martyn Joseph SOLD OUT
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
One of Britain’s most charismatic and electrifying performers and a gifted singer songwriter, Martyn Joseph wants to move heaven and earth. His touring work and appearances over the years, on both sides of the Atlantic, have helped to establish this gifted and gracious Welshman as one of the foremost singer/songwriters of his generation. Martyn’s particular strength is in the lyrical narrative of his songs, be they contemporary protects against injustice and inhumanity, a musical psalm to the fulfilment and fragilities of love, or a piercing précis of social history.
24, 25, 26 June 2011 - Song & Ale Weekend
Every summer, Forest Folk holds a Song & Ale weekend and this year is no exception. All the sessions will be held in the Village Hall at North Boarhunt with real ales available from the adjoining Social Club bar. Starting on the Friday evening of 24 June at 7.30 pm and lasting through till the afternoon of Sunday 26 June till 4 pm, there will be song and music sessions taking place in the village hall and social club, so that people can just call in for part of the day or stay the whole weekend, joining in or just enjoying. Our Saturday supper guest this year is Jim Causley who will also run a workshop on the Sunday morning. It’s friendly informal, and fun – we’ve all really enjoyed ourselves these past few years and are looking forward to June 2011!
There’s camping just down the lane from the Hall; it is flat and easily accessible, and suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes (pitches cost £12 each for the weekend). Close by is Wickham, a large thriving village with plenty of shops, and the Forest of Bere, with many miles of forest paths and tracks, for walkers and cyclists alike.
On Friday night we traditionally have a fish and chip supper which must be ordered in advance; snacks will be available over the weekend at a reasonable cost, with a Saturday night supper if required (again, advance notice please).
Download Song and Ale pdf Flyer
We look forward to seeing old friends and new, and having a really great weekend.
Monday 18 July 2011 - Heidi Talbot with John McCusker and Boo Hewerdine
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Heidi Talbot came to prominence as lead singer with the Irish-American
supergroup Cherish the Ladies and has since attracted wide critical
acclaim with her album "In Love and Light" featuring the talents of her
companions in this rare coming together of four major soloists. From
Scottish traditional ballads to Tom Waits via the vintage Ink Spots hit
'Whispering Grass', Heidi complements a diverse spectrum of influences
with her exquisitely expressive, honeyed yet ardent singing. One of
Scotland's most accomplished and versatile musicians, John McCusker (right) is a
multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer who has worked with artists
as diverse as Paul Weller and Patti Smith, Teenage Fanclub and Billy
Connolly. In 2007, John was jointly commissioned by the Celtic
Connections festival and Cambridge Folk Festival to compose Under One Sky,
uniting Scottish and English musicians of different genres, from Gaelic
singer Julie Fowlis to ex-Blur guitarist Graham Coxon. Boo Hewerdine is a
prolific singer songwriter whose songs have been recorded by the likes of
Eddi Reader, Clive Gregson and Christine Collister. His work includes lead
singer and creative force behind The Bible in the 1980s, as well as solo
recordings and work for film.
Monday 19 September 2011 - The Black Umfolosi 5
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
The title of their 2001 release, Xoxani Lixolelane, is a Ndebele phrase which simply means `one voice`. This simple phrase captures the ideal spirit of this world famous a-cappella and dance group from Zimbabwe: Black Umfolosi. Black Umfolosi were formed in 1982 by school friends in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, who named themselves after the Umfolozi Omnyama River in South Africa- to where their ancestors can be traced. In 2011 The Black Umfolosi 5 continue to present their spectacular songs and dances thrilling audiences worldwide. Their performances are energy driven and completely engaging, mixing a great gentleness of spirit and song with an exuberance in dance. Their trademark harmonies mixed with intricate rhythms, clicking and clapping are highlighted during their brilliantly choreographed shows with a full range of movements from subtle to vibrant stomping and leaping!
Monday 21 November 2011 - The Urban Folk Quartet
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
The phenomenal Urban Folk Quartet is made up of Joe Broughton, Paloma Trigas, Frank Moon and Tom Chapman. Although only formed in 2009, already their heady mix of world influences, infectious folk and blistering beats has taken them all over Europe. The UFQ won Spain’s international folk competition on only their 4th gig together with a winning formula of sublime virtuosity and a lot of fun! “UP THERE WITH THE BEST OF THEM…AMAZING PLAYING” Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2
Monday 12 December 2011 - Christmas Ceilidh
with the Burseldon Village Band
Tickets £10
Join us for our Christmas party night - the Bursledon Village Band play simply superb, toe tapping, wants-to-be-danced-to music, full of rhythm and bags of energy. They are known throughout the kingdom for the danceability of their music played in a relaxed Southern style. - John Miller calling.
Monday 19 December 2011 - John Kirkpatrick’s Carolling & Crumpets Christmas Show
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
John was instilled with a deep love of music from birth, and family gatherings always included a hearty sing-song. School choirs, the Church choir, playing recorder and piano ensues, until he joined the Hammersmith Morris Men. Whilst with the team he took up the melodeon, then the button accordion, then the anglo concertina, and got hooked on the traditional songs that were accompanied with a post-dancing pint. John has gone on to become one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene, and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso and session musician, as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique, and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands.
Monday 16 January 2012 - Steve Knightley
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Steve Knightley is the songwriting force behind Show of Hands, widely acclaimed as the finest acoustic roots duo in England and with three Royal Albert Hall sell-outs to their name. The Exeter-based singer-songwriter writes the majority of material for the band, which also features multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer, and together they won the Best Live Act title in the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards – the only category voted for by the public. Steve is renowned for his strong, trademark narrative songs which reflect the escapades, hopes and fears not only of people in his native West Country but beyond and he pulls no punches when writing highly literate songs about bigger, global issues.
Monday 20 February 2012 - Breabach
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Monday 19 March 2012 - Vin Garbutt
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Vin Garbutt is one of the best known performers on the music scene today and won Best Live Act 2001 in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His song writing is witty and powerful, tackling thought-provoking issues which others prefer to avoid, and he is an accomplished guitarist and fine whistle player. Despite the years of performing, the songs always remain fresh and vibrant, and the repertoire is always changing. Vin is also genuinely funny and his quirky observations of life are always very much part of the act, delighting audiences everywhere.
Monday 16 April 2012 - Brass Monkey
Tickets £12 non members, £10 members
Brass Monkey are trumpet player Paul Archibald whose classical training and love of folk music adds another dimension to the new sound. Roger Williams, who has already proved his insanity by tripping effortlessly through the fastest of tunes on the bass trombone, also brings along the euphonium to add a softer melodic touch to the gentler pieces. Martin Brinsford can add sweetness or punch on his mouth-organ as required, and amongst his numerous accomplishments on the various instruments of percussion, he can create more drive with the knuckle of one finger than most drummers can muster on a whole kit.
Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick naturally lock into one another's playing with an ease and precision that can only come of playing together for over thirty years. Sharing the vocals, and sometimes singing together in unison, they bring the fruits of years of experience to this band with an explosive freshness that is clearly driven by the excitement they all feel by playing together.
Monday 21 May 2012 - Fairport Acoustic Convention
Tickets £22 non members, £20 members
Our young photographer John Shillitoe has been busy with his new video business so do follow the links for a reminder of our events:
For photos of the Richard Digance concert in March please follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgJ3ZxnaEHg. With many thanks to John Shillitoe for all his help and hard work. Please follow the links for photos of Kerfuffle from the concert in December. It can be found here...(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnkG2lqxYWo), then for the Peggy Seeger/Watersons evening at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u2qHvn_fxs, then Folgazán http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7z2R5EJk6A, and Little Johnny England http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXgea0wL1NQ.
Singarounds free with jug collection
For further information on FOREST FOLK and to book tickets, please ring Charles on 01329 833625, Janet on 023 9226 4288, or email info@forestfolk.co.uk. To purchase tickets, please send cheque payable to FOREST FOLK (together with sae) to Forest Folk, 12A Ashling Gardens, Denmead PO7 6PR and we’ll send tickets by return. Membership costs £7 per person for 2009 but does give really good value.
Why not email us at info@forestfolk.co.uk and join our email-out to receive regular updates of Forest Folk news and events.
To find us, take the B2177 from Wickham to Southwick. Trampers Lane is second left (at North Boarhunt), Forest Folk is held in the Village Hall and Social Club, about half a mile down the road on the right, opposite the bottle bank sign. There is some parking behind the hall – please use it if there is space.
If coming from further afield, from the East, leave the M27 at Junction 10, take the A32 Alton road and fork right at the Shell Garage in Wickham. Turn right by St Nicholas Church onto B2177 to North Boarhunt, and after approx 1½ miles take second left into Trampers Lane, Forest Folk is at the Social Club and Village Hall half a mile down the lane on the right. From the West, double back along M27 from Junction 11 to Junction 10, then follow directions above. For anyone reliant on their sat nav, the venue post code is PO17 6DQ.
Thank you for all your support, and we hope to see you in 2010/2011!
A SCoFF web page, © SCoFF and Forest Folk 2010
Trevor Gilson, SCoFF Webmaster
Previous Forest Folk Guests
Back to SCoFF Home Page