Forest Folk
Previous Programme 2001-2009

North Boarhunt, Nr Wickham (Forest of Bere)

First and third Mondays of the month

Charlie Gale 01329 833625
Janet Wiles (I'm doing the admin!) 023 92 264288
I will post a flyer (with map on back) to anyone who would like one.

forest.folk@virgin.net

Forest Folk
North Boarhunt Social Club, Trampers Lane, North Boarhunt, near Wickham
first and third Monday of the month (not all Bank Holidays and not August) at 8 pm.

Informal singarounds (free with jug collection), music nights, alternate guests (£4 - £6)
Friendly club - all welcome - singers/musicians/local performers/audience.

2009

4 May Singaround

18 May COOPE, BOYES & SIMPSON (£l4/£11*)
Coope Boyes and Simpson have taken the English tradition of unaccompanied harmony singing in radical new directions. Some of their most evocative work, has arisen from their association with Peace Concerts Passendale, the Flemish organisation which unites musicians from different countries to produce songs and music that grows out of the history of Flanders in the First World War. Alongside their commitment to new writing, their roots in older traditional music also remain strong—particularly through their touring words and music productions on the history of Christmas carols, harvest and midwinter customs

Support: Barron Brady

I June Singaround

15 June THE DOONANS (£15/£12*)
The late John Doonan formed the Doonan Family Band some 30 years ago with sons Mick and Kevin. They quickly established themselves on the musical circuits playing a full repertoire of Irish tunes, mostly passed down from John’s father, who was himself a renowned fiddler. They were joined by Phil and Stu, and also now by John’s granddaughters, Sarah and Frances, whose Irish dancing is integrated into song arrangements. The band uses the wide range of instruments (piccolo, flute, pipes, fiddle, guitar and acoustic base guitar) to interpret not only traditional folk tunes, but other musical genres (just a few of the band are shown right!)

This year our Song and Ale weekend will take place on 26-27-28 June 2009 (more details above).

Monday 20 July 2009 - His Worship & The Pig
tickets £12 non members, £10 members

Dave Boulton and Jeff Parton started working together as His Worship and the Pig in 1989, with Jeff setting Dave’s words to music. Since then they have built up a huge collection of highly original, often very funny, often thought-provoking, but always highly singable songs, which have had enthusiastic responses from all sorts of audiences from folk clubs and festivals to Arts Centres and tennis clubs.
* Member tickets

CLOSED DURING AUGUST

Monday 21 September 2009 - While & Matthews
tickets £14 non members, £12 members

Best Duo Radio 2 Folk Awards 2009 - Chris While (vocals, guitar, banjo, dulcimer, bodhran and percussion) & Julie Matthews (vocals, piano, guitar, mandolin and bouzouki) are breathtaking singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose energy and commitment to their craft and their audience is boundless. Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial waste lands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between. Their songs are covered by many revered singers the world over but it is While & Matthews' musical partnership and obvious joy of performing together that really brings their songs to life.  

Support: Landermason

Monday 19 October 2009 - Little Johnny England
tickets £12 non members, £10 members

Little Johnny England comprise five musicians all of whom have worked within the folk/traditional and mainstream for many years. They have combined their experiences to become quite simply a live act in every sense, as equally at home working in an acoustic manner as they are in a major concert setting, their aim in the last ten years being to take traditional and contemporary folk music to a wide audience. The Band are - Gareth Turner - Melodeons/Vocals, PJ Wright - Guitars and Vocals, Guy Fletcher - Fiddle and Vocals, Hugh Bunker - Bass/Vocals, and Mark Stevens – Drums/Vocals.

Support: Chris Ricketts

Monday 16 November 2009 - Peggy Seeger, Norma Waterson, Martin Carthy & Mike Waterson
tickets £15 non members, £12 members SOLD OUT

Peggy, Martin, Norma and Mike have been at the forefront of their profession for many years. They continue to demonstrate their love for singing and for songs of substance. Innovative and passionate, they provide inspiration and encouragement for thousands of others. They join forces for a tour which is becoming an annual event, delighting in each others’ company and reaching new audiences along the way.

*Saturday Night Special*
Saturday 21 November Folgazán (£8/£6* which includes a Ploughman’s Supper)

Monday 14 December 2009 - Christmas Ceilidh with the Bursledon Village Band
tickets £10

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. Join us for an exhilarating evening, packed with great entertainment - John Miller calling.

Monday 21 December 2009 - Christmas with Kerfuffle
tickets £12 non members, £10 members Kerfuffle are definitely one of the premier young folk bands around today! Featuring Sam Sweeney (fiddle, percussion), Hannah James (accordion, vocals, dancing), Jamie Roberts (guitars) and Tom Sweeney (bass), Kerfuffle’s gutsy, intelligent and ultimately musical performances have won them appearances at numerous festivals, a live session on BBC Radio 3, and a loyal following of fans across the country. “Virtuosic, vibrant, entertaining, witty, and modest—great young musicians with a wonderfully fresh take on the tradition. At Shrewsbury festival, Kerfuffle quickly had an excitable capacity crowd transfixed by their superbly unpredictable mix of heady dance tunes, tender ballads and bold vocal harmonies.” (Paul Sartin, Bellowhead).

Guest nights for 2008 were –

Steve Knightley on Monday 21 January – SOLD OUT

Nancy Kerr & James Fagan 18 February – tickets £12 non members, £10 members (www.kerrfagan.com)

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan were winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo. This well-loved duo combine highly skilful and innovative performance with accessibility, warmth and stage presence. Rarely are duos so full in sound; Nancy’s earthy and exquisite fiddle and viola playing dances with the striking rhythmic texture of James’s guitar-bouzouki, while their rich singing both as soloists and in harmony evokes the stories of the songs they choose and write. They approach their music with energy and infectious smiles. Rapid musical communication with one another and the audience makes their performance spectacular and unforgettable.

Waterson Carthy on Monday 17 March - tickets £12 non members, £10 members (www.watersoncarthy.com)

For more than 30 years Norma Waterson and Martin Carthy have been at the forefront of the English folk scene. Joined by their daughter, singer and fiddle player Eliza Carthy as well as returning original member melodeon player Saul Rose, together they form Waterson:Carthy, one of Britain's most successful and influential folk bands. Their latest album Holy Heathens and The Old Green Man is a rousing mix of ritual and religion, customs and carols, savage imagery and soaring songs of celebration which come together in magnificent style.

Martin Simpson on Monday 21 April – tickets £12 non members, £10 members

(www.martinsimpson.com)

Martin Simpson is one of the finest acoustic finger-style and slide guitar players in the world. Winner of 3 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an Indie Award for his album Cool & Unusual, and the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ards Guitar Festival, he is a superb interpreter of traditional music and song from Europe and from the American South. Growing up in Lincolnshire he was inspired by the likes of Martin Carthy, Davey Graham and Richard Thompson during the folk revival of the 60s. He has worked with the likes of Jackson Browne, David Lindley, June Tabor, Martin Carthy, Martin Taylor and Eric Bibb and is a popular and much loved solo performer. Both spell-binding, and highly entertaining, he is a master of his craft.

Spiers & Boden on Monday 19 May - tickets £14 non members, £12 members (www.spiersandboden.com) SOLD OUT

John Spiers and Jon Boden have been consistently wowing audiences up and down the country for the last 5 years with their unique blend of traditional English folk song with a contemporary twist and hi-octane dance tunes which get everyone dancing.  Winners of the Best Duo category at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in both 2004 and 2006, and founders of the Big-Band folk phenomenon that is Bellowhead, Spiers & Boden now find themselves at the forefront of the new folk revival.

Jon Boden follows in the footsteps of many of the great folk-singers with his theatrical style that can tell the story of a 20 verse ballad from the 18th century while maintaining the audience’s attention throughout every twist and turn of the story and then sing a roaring sea-shanty with enough gusto to get everyone joining in.  John Spiers has taken the traditional squeezebox styles and blended them with his knowledge of contemporary dance music to create an infectious acoustic groove which sounds like folk music but has an amazing effect on the uninitiated.

Summer Barn Dance with The Woodsiders, Sibby Calling on Bank Holiday Monday 26 May 2008

The Marquee, North Boarhunt Recreation Ground

8-11 pm (bar & barbecue available)

Tickets £8, under 16s £5 (must be accompanied by a responsible adult)

all proceeds to the North Boarhunt New Village Hall Fund

The new ColvinQuarmby is born - Gerry Colvin (lead vocals, acoustic guitar, general mirth-making), Nick Quarmby (backing vocals, acoustic guitar, bass guitar), Martin Fitzgibbon (backing vocals, drums, percussion, anything that he can hit), are joined by Marion Fleetwood (backing vocals, violin, mandolin, cello, double bass) and Al Maslen (backing vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, accordion) from folk-rock legends Meet On The Ledge.

With their amazing musicianship, a myriad of diverse instrumentation and vibrant sounds, the songwriting talents of Gerry Colvin, and stunning five-part harmonies, the new ColvinQuarmby will provide you with a truly rewarding and memorable evening.

“This band is unique and unforgettable. The songs are brilliant. They should be a household name. Go see them.” Phil Beer, Show of Hands.

Kerfuffle on Monday 21 July – tickets £10 non members, £8 members (www.kerfuffleonline.co.uk)
Kerfuffle are definitely one of the premier young folk bands around today! Featuring Sam Sweeney (fiddle, percussion), Hannah James (accordion, vocals, dancing), Jamie Roberts (guitars) and Tom Sweeney (bass), Kerfuffle’s gutsy, intelligent and ultimately musical performances have won them appearances at numerous festivals, a live session on BBC Radio 3, and a loyal following of fans across the country.

“Virtuosic, vibrant, entertaining, witty, and modest—great young musicians with a wonderfully fresh take on the tradition. At Shrewsbury festival, Kerfuffle quickly had an excitable capacity crowd transfixed by their superbly unpredictable mix of heady dance tunes, tender ballads and bold vocal harmonies.” (Paul Sartin, Bellowhead)

The Demon Barber Roadshow on Monday 20 October – tickets £15 non members, £12 members (www.thedemonbarbers.com)

Monday 1 December: Singaround

Monday 8 December Christmas Ceilidh with the Bursledon Village Band (£10/£8 *)
The Christmas festivities start with our Christmas Ceilidh and our favourite ceilidh band who just happen to be the best English traditional country dance band in the land. The Bursledon Village Band play simply superb, toe tapping, wants-to-be-danced-to music, full of rhythm and bags of energy. Join us for an exhilarating evening, packed with great entertainment.

Monday 15 December Christmas Singalong with The Yetties (£12/£10 *)
The Yetties represent the heart and soul of England, which is still there if you dig deep enough. Modern technology has changed our life styles a tremendous amount but people don't change that rapidly. They still, given the chance, like a good old sing-along—come along and join us this Christmas.

2007
15 January	The New Rope String Band (tickets £12/members £10)
19 February	Coope, Boyes & Simpson (tickets £10/members £8)
19 March	Little Johnny England (tickets £12/members £10) (Gareth Turner, P J Wright, Guy Fletcher, Miranda Sykes and Trevor Foster)
16 April	Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham (tickets £12/members £10)
21 May	A double bill featuring Roy Bailey and David Ferrard (tickets £10/members £8)
4 June	Singaround
18 June	Faustus (tickets £10 /members £8)
22/23/24 June	Song and Ale Weekend Our Song & Ale Weekend has been described as one of folk’s best secrets – and although it is a lovely compliment, we of course would like to share it with you! If you want to sing, play, entertain, enjoy each other’s company or just meet up with old friends and make new ones, come along to Forest Folk anytime from Friday evening on 22 June until Sunday afternoon on 24 June. If it’s easier to stay over, there’s camping just nearby. It’s friendly, it’s informal, and it’s fun –we’ve all really enjoyed ourselves these past few years and are looking forward to June 07! The weekend is based in the Village Hall at North Boarhunt and will kick off with a Welcome Singaround on Friday evening, with good ale from the adjoining Social Club bar. The weekend will continue with musicians’ sessions and singarounds. We have programmed in a surprise supper guest for early Saturday evening and a harmony workshop on the Sunday (run by our good friends Sue and Ted Fitzgerald) – two events we introduced last year and enjoyed by all! The campsite is just down the late from the Hall; it is flat and early accessible, and suitable for tents, caravans and motorhomes (pitches cost £6 each).  We are planning an optional fish and chip supper on the Friday evening, with snacks available over the weekend.  Closeby is Wickham, a large thriving village with plenty of shops and restaurants, and the Forest of Bere, with many miles of forest paths and tracks, for walkers and cyclists alike. For further information, please ring Charles Gale on 01329 833625, Janet Wiles on 023 9226 4288 or email info@forestfolk.co.uk.
2 July	Singaround
16 July	Gráda (tickets £12/members £10)
Closed During August
3 September	Singaround
17 September	Ashley Hutchings & The Morris On Show (tickets £12/members £10)
1 October	Singaround
15 October	Brass Monkey (Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Martin Brinsford and Roger Williams) (tickets £12/members £10)
5 November	Singaround
19 November	Acoustic Strawbs (tickets £12/members £10). Dave Cousins - undoubtedly the heart and soul of the Strawbs - guitar, dulcimer, banjo; Dave Lambert - guitar god to many, Strawb’s lead guitar in the band’s heyday, on guitar and vocals; plus 70’s band member Chas Cronk on guitar, bass and vocals. This line-up has gone from strength to strength, and with brilliant new tracks and old favourites alike, the Strawbs are much more than a folk/rock band and are followed by a loyal and still growing group of fans. Acoustic Strawbs play classic Strawbs songs with the integrity and musicianship for which the band has always been recognised.
3 December	Singaround
10 December	Christmas Ceilidh with the Bursledon Village Band and Sibby calling (tickets £10/members £8)
17 December	Les Barker and The Mrs Ackroyd Band (tickets £10/members £8)

PREVIOUS 2006 PROGRAMME
16 January	John Kirkpatrick - tickets £7
20 February	Oysterband
20 March	Ashley Hutchings' Morris On Show - tickets £10
17 April	The Devils Interval (Jim Causley, Lauren McCormick and Emily Portman) (tickets £6/members £5)
15 May	Martyn Joseph - tickets £10
29 May	Boarhunt Village Ceilidh
2 June	The Yetties (tickets £7) (at Denmead Community Centre as part of their music festival week)
19 June	Vin Garbutt - tickets £8
23/24/25 June	Song and Ale Weekend (separate leaflet available shortly)
17 July	Dave Swarbrick, Kevin Dempsey and Maartin Allcock aka LAZARUS (tickets £10)
Closed in August
18 September	The Demon Barber Roadshow
16 October	John Tams and Barry Coope - see http://www.johntams.co.uk/
20 November	Chris While & Julie Matthews SOLD OUT(tickets £9/members £8)
11 December	Christmas Ceilidh with the Bursledon Village Band (tickets £6/members £5)
18 December	His Worship & The Pig Christmas Show (tickets £6/members £5)
PREVIOUS 2005 PROGRAMME
3 January	Singaround
17 January	Reavers Rant (tickets £5) (www.reaversrant.co.uk)
7 February	Singaround
21 February	Tom McConville & Pauline Cato (tickets £7, members £6) (www.tomcatmusic.com)
7 March	Singaround
21 March	The Old Rope String Band (tickets £8, members £7) (www.oldropestringband.co.uk)
4 April	Singaround
18 April	Roy Bailey and John Kirkpatrick replacing Vin Garbutt (VIN NOW CANCELLED - see www.vingarbutt.com)
2 May	Singaround
Friday 13 May	Winchester Folk Festival Folk Club
16 May	Waterson:Carthy (SOLD OUT) (www.folkicons.co.uk/wcart.htm)
30 May	Summer Ceilidh
6 June	Singaround
20 June	John Tams and Barry Coope (www.johntams.info)
24/25/26 June	Song & Ale Weekend
18 July 05	Steve Knightley (rare solo performance!)
Summer Break
5 September	Singaround
19 September 2005	His Worship & The Pig (www.hisworshipandthepig.co.uk)
3 October	Singaround
17 October 2005	The one and only Sid Kipper - The Parish Pump Show (tickets £7) This rural romp, developed over a number of years, deals with matters both cultural arhl agricultural. It ranges from the ancient (such as corset-hauling shanties, and the coming of the Romans) to the modern (incomers, and the new vicar) via the timeless (farmers' wives, and the harvest).There are songs and choruses to delight both young and old, rich and poor, mild and bitter. 'The Harvest Moan' is self-explanatory; 'We Did It Sideways' comes from the bitterly fought Cromer-Sheringham Crab Wars; the 'The Happy Clappy Chappy' celebrates some of the strange characters of Sid's village. There are stories of the highest quality, such as the mysterious 'Reedham and Weep', and the hilarious 'The Shaming of the True'. And, since Sid comes from Norfolk, he naturally talks turkey - you are guaranteed a memorable evening of laughter and song, which will both amuse and amaze. (www.sidkipper.co.uk).
7 Nov	Singaround
21 Nov 2005	Little Johnny England (tickets £12) Little Johnny England are a unit consisting of five musicians, all of which have worked within the folk and traditional scene as individuals and in bands such as The Albion Band, Phil Beer Band, Show of Hands, Dansaul and the Morris On Band. They are Gareth Turner (melodeons), P J Wright (guitars and vocals), Guy Fletcher (fiddle and vocals), Miranda Sykes (bass and vocals) and Trevor Foster (drums). Combining their experiences to become quite simply a live act in every sense, equally at home working in an acoustic manner as they are in a major concert setting, their aim in the last six years has been to take traditional and contemporary folk music to a wider audience. (www.littlejohnnyengland.co.uk)
5 Dec	Singaround
19 Dec 2005	Christmas Ceilidh with the Bursledon Village Band (tickets £6) SOLD OUT For our Christmas party, we've invited back the best English traditional country dance band in the land. Firm favourites at Forest Folk, Sidmouth Festival and beyond, and especially in their native Hampshire, the Bursledon Village Band play simply superb, toe tapping, wants-to-be-danced-to music, full of rhythm and bags of energy. (www.bursledonvillageband.co.uk)
PREVIOUS 2004 PROGRAMME
5 Jan 2004	Singaround
19 Jan 2004	Paul Downes He came and wowed us one hot June summer's evening with that smooth deep singing voice and endless supply of songs—now he's back! One of the most able and talented singer/guitarists on the folk scene today, Paul's sensitive and fun approach to his live perfommances puts him among the most respected artists on the British acoustic music scene today. He has a rich musical background that has progressed through working with Phil Beer, The Arizona Smoke Revue, Pete Seeger and, currently, The Joyce Gang. £5
2 Feb	Singaround
16 Feb	The Phil Beer Band Roots Rock At its Very Best Phil Beer is the multi-instrumentalist half of England's foremost acoustic duo 'Show of Hands'. His instrumental wizardry is well documented and has been utilized by countless artists over the years, the most notable being The Rolling Stones, Mike Oldfield and Steve Harley. He was for many years lead guitarist and singer with the Albion Band and co-wrote many of their songs. While having his feet firmly in the 'Acoustic' camp, he has "kept his hand in" with electric music over the five years with an annual outing of the Phil Beer Band. The Band plays a unique blend of folk 'n roll which is quite unlike any other band currently on the circuit. £10
1 Mar	Singaround
15 Mar	Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies
5 Apr	Singaround
19 Apr	Show of Hands (sold out)
3 May	Singaround
17 May	Brass Monkey (£10)
31 May	Summer Ceilidh with The Bursledon Village Band, Sibby calling (tickets £5) The Ceilidh is a joint event with North Boarhunt Village to raise funds for their village hall. It will be held in a grand marquee on the village recreation ground. Bar and b-b-q will be available.
7 June	Singaround
21 June	Dangerous Curves (tickets £5)
25/26 June	Song & Ale Forest Folk's Song & Ale will be held 25/26 June, starting on the Friday evening, with song and music sessions programmed through Saturday, ending Sunday lunchtime. Sessions will be held free with a jug collection, and camping will be available in North Boarhunt at £6 per pitch. Please let us know if you are thinking to coming along.
5 July	Singaround
19 July	John Spiers & Jon Boden (tickets £6/£5)
Closed during August
6 September	Singaround
20 September	Colvin Quarmby (tickets £7, members £6) We're delighted to tell you we've just booked Colvin Quarmby for our guest night in September - anyone who's seen them will never forget the high energy performance of Gerry Colvin or the beautiful lyrics of his slower numbers. Together with Nick Quarmby (Phil Beer Band), Martin Fitzgibbon (original drummer - Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Dave Dutfield (ex Albion Band), we've in for a great night's entertainment. "If the Beautiful South had gone down the roots road, they may well have sounded like this" (Folk Roots) "Chirpier than a bucketful of Trill. More hooks than a fishermans convention" (Folk On Tap) "One of the most creative and exciting bands to have emerged onto the folk / acoustic scene in years" (Record Collector)
4 October	Singaround
18 October	The Demon Barber Roadshow (tickets £10/£8) The Demon Barbers team up with some of England’s most exciting young rapper, clog and morris dancers - Black Swan Rapper - Fiona & Tiny Taylor - Dogrose Morris - to create a high energy Music and Dance Spectacular The Demon Barbers Formed in July 2001, this new band has already gained major recognition for its innovative arrangements of traditional song. With Damien, Bryony and Will maintaining the solid folk core, the band is held together by the driving rhythm section of Ashby & Sykes. Damien Barber - vocals/guitar/concertina Bryony Griffith - fiddle/vocals Will Hampson - melodeon/harmonica Lee Sykes - bass Rich Ashby - drums "Shooglenifty and Oysterband collide" (Simon Care, E2K/Albion Band) Black Swan Rapper rule the world - yes they really do! Black Swan Rapper did another great job at DERT (Dancing England Rapper Tournament) this year, coming away with loads of awards: Most exciting dance in the premier category Overall best dance Best Musician Dogrose Morris Energetic young Morris team Dogrose were founded in 1998 and made their first appearance at Holmfirth Folk Festival. They have appeared at festivals all over the UK: Sidmouth, Whitby, Warwick, and recently became an integral part of the Demon Barber Roadshow. Back in November 2002 they went on a Folkworks tour called English Roots with Waterson-Carthy and others which wowed the Turner Sims audience in Southampton and have now appeared on the popular TV show 'Later with Jools Holland' performing with Blur, Eliza Carthy, Suggs & Craig David. The Taylor sisters clog superbly at every event PDF Poster for this event (360 kb) Please download and use if you are able! The Demon Barbers' website is near! Launch date 10th Oct 04 The Demon Barber Roadshow - Review by Alan Rose, The Living Tradition There was none of this ‘can’t be a prophet in your own land’ stuff around as Damien Barber and his colleagues played his adopted home village as a preview of their country-wide tour. The friends and neighbours who packed into the Church Hall received the feast of music and dance (and an interval curry from Steve Tilston) with rapturous enthusiasm. The show, produced by 3’s Company and compered by Fay Hield, opened with an assured spot from local troubadour Spence who warmed us up neatly for the business in hand. The Demon Barbers are a five piece band featuring Damien on lead vocals and either guitar or concertina, Bryony Griffith on fiddle and vocals, Will Hampson on melodeon, and, in case you were thinking they were a conventional folk outfit, the distinctly non-folkie Lee Sykes and Rich Ashby on bass and drums. Extra percussion was interspersed through the set by Fiona and Tiny Taylor’s dynamic, dead-on clog dancing. We also got two forms of ritual dance – Dog Rose Morris put the ceiling in severe danger with their gravity-defying athleticism, while Black Swan Rapper delivered the show stopper as they danced in ultra violet tinged darkness with the whites of their shirts and the fluorescence of their swords as the only visual markers. Bryony plays for both with true aplomb, unfazed by smoke and the close proximity of enough testosterone to sink a small battleship. If it sounds like a young person’s thing then it undoubtably is. Fortunately it’s an old person’s thing too, and the Roadshow’s appeal spreads far beyond regular folk club attendees. Damien, his Barbers and the superb dancers are in posession of talents and material which, given the right exposure and a wagonload of luck, could lead them far beyond the confines of the folk circuit. I’m sure it is far too early to hold up comparisons to the Steeleye Spans of yesteryear but, on the other hand, I would like to think in days to come that you read it here first. The Worth Valley has long been a hotbed of both innovative and traditional folk-musicality. The Demon Barbers are worthy recruits , spanning the two with dazzlingly original interpretations of age-old English culture. Fair meks us proud. However, anyone seeing the Demon Barbers in the coming months will see something much more than just a concert by a band. The Demon Barber Roadshow is a total package about to make its first tour of the UK and certain to become one of 2002's major folk talking points. 'The show is quite fast, flowing together pretty seamlessly. The atmosphere is supposed to stay high all the time. It's a continuous show and we aim to stop it being bitty. The whole idea is to make it continuous and keep the energy level high." The idea of the roadshow grew out of an all-star 'Damien Barber and Friends' concert at Whitby Festival. "It went down really well. So I thought we could do something with it, tighten it up a bit. I was in the process of trying to get a band together at the time. The main problem was, with eleven or twelve people involved, how the hell are you going to pay for it? Originally we had thought of offering the Roadshow at Festivals if we were all booked individually. Then we hit on the idea of applying for the National Touring Programme, which we have just received. I have to say a big thank you to the Arts Council." One song in their set very much sums up what the Roadshow is all about. Alfred Noyes' Companion of a Mile tells the story of Will Kemp's journey, morris dancing from London to Norwich. The tune for the poem came to Damien from Chris Sugden and the combination of song and dance on the road is very much what the Roadshow is all about. In the course of the evening's entertainment three different styles of traditional dance are introduced. The Northern Clog dancing of Rhiannon and Fiona Taylor is very much an integrated element of the band. On Widdicombe Fair, for example (not the widely known song but a word-heavy Norfolk narrative that Damien collected), the vocals are driven by the clatter of clogs as much as the band's rhythm section. "One important idea early on was the clog dancing accompanying the songs, so that the dancers are very much part of the band." David Hall and The Demon's melodeon player, Will Hampson, are Dog Rose Morris. Accompanied by Bryony's fiddle, they perform traditional Cotswald Morris. Bryony is also the live musician playing when the amazing Black Swan Rapper make their appearance. Given Damien's Norfolk background his involvement in a Rapper Team is a little surprising. "My girlfriend's involved in dance and a couple of years ago I went to DERT - The Dance In England Rapper Tournament - and hung out and watched Rapper Dancing all day. Several of my friends, people I'd known for eight or nine years, were involved without my ever really realising it. One of them, Dan Offord, wanted to start a new young team. At first it was just a release for me to go out and dance and just have a good time instead of performing." Since then, Black Swan have themselves proved a massive and award winning success at DERT and are one of the most spectacular elements of the Demon Barber Roadshow. Able to operate in a startlingly confined space, they dance in smoke under U/V lights with glowing swords. If that sounds like Dark Vader meets Cecil Sharp, their choice of music is equally radical: Bryony's fiddle weaves away across a pre-recorded drum and bass track, created by Lee Sykes - no mean feat as Damien explains, "The way music normally works in Rapper Dancing is that the dancers don't work to the music; the musician plays to the dance. Whereas with a pre-recorded track you have to dance to the pace of the music, which was a bit odd to start with, because the rhythm's there and it's not moveable." The effect is stunning and unforgettable. What is obviously complex and demanding can become more even more nerve-wracking. 'The most challenging gig we had to do was at Windy Bottom Festival where we were on a seven foot by seven foot stage, some three feet off the ground. It was in virtual darkness and when we did the tumble back, the lads holding the swords had to literally pull us in to stop us falling off the edge. Thank goodness we practice on eight foot boards is all I say!" All these elements combine in a show which is literally breathtaking for both performers and audience. In a world where the word unique is casually and excessively overused, the Demon Barber Roadshow offers a literally unique entertainment experience and just the kind of shot in the arm that folk music needs from time to time.
1 November	Singaround
15 November	The Yetties (tickets £6/£5) The Yetties are ... Bonny Sartin Pete Shutler Mac McCulloch They are one of England's most popular folk groups. They take their name from the Dorset village of Yetminster which was their childhood home. Their obvious love of the West Country, it's songs, stories and humour wins them friends wherever they go.
6 December	Singaround
20 December	Christmas Ceilidh with The Bursledon Village Band, Sibby calling (tickets £6/£5) "The Bursledon Village Band provide lively English Traditional Dance Music for Barn Dances, Ceilidhs and other Folk Dances. We have been playing for 25 years, have recorded several CDs and appeared on National Radio and Television. We provide English music for Barn Dances, Celidh's both for private occassions and public fundraising events. We have appeared at most major Folk Festivals in the UK."
PREVIOUS 2003 PROGRAMME
6 January 2003	Singaround
20 January 2003	Steve Knightley
3 February	Singaround
17 February	John Spiers & Jon Boden John Spiers plays melodeon and sings. Jon Boden also sings and plays fiddle.Their musical partnership was forged in the vibrant heat of the Oxford Folk Session Scene. Regarded by those who first heard them as a musical match made in heaven, their shockingly original slant on the best of the English tradition rapidly attracted recognition and excitement. Quickest off the mark to spot their potential was Martin Carthy ("Norma and I saw this lad called Jon Boden playing at the Lewes folk club down in Sussex and we were completely blown away by him. This lad was wonderful" Adhoc Magazine). Fellside Records soon snapped them up and just two days in the studio saw them produce Through & Through, followed by stunning reviews Technically they stand head to head with the best of their generation: "Jon Boden plays fiddle with an earthy vigour that's utterly compelling and sings in a frantic breathless manner as if the hounds of hell are taking lumps out of his backside, while John Spiers harmonises and plays urgent driving melodeon to a very high standard indeed." …"halfway to reinventing the style without even realising it…a significant new act has landed" fRoots magazine. The originality, conviction, energy and technical ability of this young duo has already won them a prestigious nomination for the 2002 BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, a shortlist position in the BBC Radio 3 World Music Album of the Year, and they are already in great demand on the club/festival scene
3 March	Singaround
17 March	Martin Carthy - May 2002 tickets valid for this repeat try!
7 April	Singaround
21 April	Vikki Clayton
5 May	Singaround
19 May	Les Barker
2 Jun	Singaround
16 Jun	Vin Garbutt
7 July	Singaround
21 July	Nancy Kerr & James Fagan
Closed during August
1 September	Singaround
15 September	Tanna New trio comprising Peter Knight, best known as Steeleye Span's violinist, fiddler Tom Leary and folk-funk guitar maestro Kev Dempsey. Should be exciting! Tom and Kevin are well-renowned as a fiddle and guitar duo - they are now joined by the stunning violin playing of Peter Knight. Best known for his leading role in Steeleye Span, his violin and voice helped give Steeleye the distinctive sound heard on classics such as Gaudete and All Around My Hat. Tom Leary is one of the most respected fiddlers in folk circles - a member of Feast of Fiddles, and founding member of electric folk rock band Little Johnny England. Kevin Dempsey is a fast and fluid finger picking guitarist, and with Dave Swarbrick, formed the brilliant Whippersnapper. Definitely an evening not to be missed!
6 October	Singaround
20 October	Reaver's Rant "Drawn from Celtic roots, across oceans, and beyond the boundaries, Reavers Rant present a blend of the old and the new."
3 November	Singaround
17 November	Tim Van Eyken and Robert Harbron "Squeeze-box merchants at the height of their powers" The Living Tradition "They have a very English sound and it’s absolutely delightful! Beautiful music and highly entertaining songs . . . This combination and this CD are both winners." BBC Online Tim van Eyken and Robert Harbron are two of the most distinctive performers of English music today. Both highly skilled musicians in their own right, Tim and Rob play together with a unique style and sensitivity and a fresh sound rarely heard in England. Their heartfelt performances of traditional and contemporary tunes and songs display an incredible musical interaction to which their astounding virtuosity is the icing on the cake. Tim van Eyken was the 1998 BBC Young Folk Award winner, and has delighted audiences around the world with his melodeon playing, singing and sensitive guitar style. Tim is a member of Dr Faustus and Waterson:Carthy and has worked with numerous other artists as a producer as well as a player. Robert Harbron has performed widely in Great Britain and toured in Scandanavia, Europe and North America, performing and recording with The English Acoustic Collective, Dr Faustus, 6 FOOT 3, Chip Taylor and Music of the Northlands among others. He has been described as the greatest concertina player of his generation. £5
1 December	Singaround
15 December	Christmas Ceilidh with The Bursledon Village Band and Sibby £6 (£5 members) with buffet

PREVIOUS 2002 PROGRAMME
7 January 2002	Singaround
21 January	Tim Walker
4 February	Singaround
18 February	The Yetties. Following the outstanding support we received for Tim Walker on 21 January, and the number of enquiries we have already received about the Yetties on 18 February, we have decided to sell tickets for this evening - £4 members / £5 guests. One of England's most popular folk groups, The Yetties take their name from the Dorset village of Yetminster which was their childhood home. Their obvious love of the West Country, its songs, stories and humour wins them friends wherever they go. So there's a great evening in store - only an email away - we shall also be celebrating our first year of Forest Folk - do join us.
4 March	Singaround
18 March	Ramskyte local powerful 4-man singing group (John Bartlett, Brian Ingham, Pete Luscombe & John Thornton). All are longtime Floor singers in the SCoFF area, plus Dancers with Victory (3 of them are or have been Squire). Ramskyte perform everything from complex 'West Gallery' to rousing Chorus songs in vigorous 4-Part Harmony, with occasional Concertina accompaniment . The songs are a mixture of traditional, modern and self-penned, with all members of the group having contributed material at one time or other.
1 April	Singaround
15 April	Emily Slade Hitchin, Herts based young British turk from a long time folk family, making a great name for herself in the new millennium as a quality guitarist, singer and writer in traditional and contemporary acoustic mode
6 May	Singaround
20 May	Martin Carthy**
3 June	Singaround
17 June	Reaver's Rant "Drawn from Celtic roots, across oceans, and beyond the boundaries, Reavers Rant present a blend of the old and the new."
1 July	Singaround
15 July	Paul Downes, singer and great acoustic guitarist
Closed during August
2 September	Singaround
16 September	The Mrs Ackroyd Band
7 October	Singaround
21 October	John Kirkpatrick From the late 1960s, John has been at the very forefront of innovative folk in Britain, and has played with, among others, the Albion Band, the Albion Country Band, Steeleye Span, the Richard Thompson Band, Brass Monkey and Band of Hope, as well as establishing himself as a brilliant solo act. A solo evening with John Kirkpatrick guarantees an evening of variety and entertainment of the highest quality. Folkworks said of him, "one of the major figures of the English folk scene, John is much acclaimed as a musician, composer, singer, songwriter ... in fact he could be called the Renaissance Man of folk music."
4 November	Singaround
18 November	Will Duke & Dan Quinn Will and Dan sing traditional songs in unison and play English country dance tunes on melodeon and concertina. Will was greatly influenced by the playing of the late great Scan Tester and firstly joined the Etchingham Steam Band that played for dances. When that band packed in, Ashley Hutchings and Shirley Collins went on to form the Albion Dance Band and Vic Gammon to form the Pump and Pluck Band. Will was in both for a while but then opted for the quiet life until he met Dan Quinn in a pub in Sussex. A mutual liking for traditional music and song led them to singing and playing together. Together they have been guests at major folk festivals around the country and have appeared in venues ranging from village halls to London's South Bank.
2 December	Singaround
16 December	Christmas Ceilidh with The Bursledon Village Band
PREVIOUS AUTUMN 2001 PROGRAMME
3 September 2001	Singaround
17 September 2001	Huwie Jones (ex Spinners)
1 October	Singaround
15 October	Hen Party (Sarah Morgan, Alison Muir & Heather Bradford
5 November	Singaround
19 November	The Amazing Mr Smith
3 December	Singaround
17 December	Christmas Ceilidh with The Bursledon Village Band

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