southwestfolk

CORRECTION
This year’s Pennymoor Song & Ale will be held at the Black Dog Inn, near Crediton, NOT at the Cruwys Arms. PLEASE BOOK if you want to come. See JUNE FESTIVALS 2009 (below) for contacts & details.

CHANGE OF VENUE
Ash (nr. Martock): The Bell Inn, Main Street TA12 6NS (01935 822727, Laurie Phillips: 01458 274732, 07899 097983)
First Monday of the month, 8.30pm. (Mainly Irish) session.
Formerly at the Lamb, Tintinhull. First session at the Bell Monday 1st June.

CHANGE OF TIME
Brompton Regis (nr. Dulverton): The George Inn TA22 9NL (01398 371273)
Second Sunday of the month, 7.30 for 8pm. Informal lunchtime music and song session.
Now evening instead of lunchtime.

NEW VENUES
Shepton Mallet: The Swan, 27 Town Street BA4 5BE (Ian: 01749 344995, www.swanatshepton.co.uk)
Last Wednesday of every month, 8:30pm to 11pm. Acoustic open mic.

Sparkford (nr. Yeovil): Sparkford Inn, High St. BA22 7JH (01963 440218)
Monthly open mic.
Not yet established on a regular basis. Watch this space.

RIP
Shurton (near Bridgwater): Shurton Inn, Stogursey TA5 1QE (01278 732695)
Alternate Thursdays from 9pm. Folk sessions.
Landlord says, ‘They stopped coming.’ Sad. If anyone wants to start it up again…

FINGERS CROSSED: ELI’S NOW DUE TO REOPEN ON FRIDAY 8TH MAY
Huish Episcopi (near Langport): Eli’s (The Rose & Crown) TA10 9QT (01458 250494)
Music Night with Diaspora (John: 01458 250005): Last Thursday of the month, 8.30-ish. Friendly band Diaspora host an acoustic evening. Jam with the band or do your own thing. Relaxed hospitable session in an old-style pub.

Traditional singaround (Rod: 01823 481253): Third Saturday of the month (September to May, inclusive), 8.30pm.

SATURDAY 9TH MAY: 'SONGS OF THE MAY AND THE SUMMERLANDS'
Glastonbury: The King Arthur, 31-33 Benedict Street BA6 9NB (01458 834677, nathanvibration@yahoo.co.uk.)
8.30pm in the main bar. Admission FREE. Folk singer Nathan Lewis Williams and Band will perform a set of 'Songs of the May and the Summerlands'. Local folk musicians will also be invited to sing a few songs on a May theme. Phone to book a spot. Examples of Nathan's traditional and original music are now available for download at www.nathanlewiswilliams.co.uk.

SATURDAY 16TH MAY: DIFFERENT VENUE
Brendon (near Lynton): The Staghunters EX35 6PS (01598 741222)
Third Saturday of the month, 8.30pm. Singaround.
This month only it will be at the Blue Ball Inn, Countisbury (near Lynton) EX35 6NE (top of Countisbury Hill on the A39).

SUNDAY 17TH MAY: LUNCHTIME IRISH SESSION
Nailsea: Ring Of Bells, 4 St. Mary’s Grove BS48 4NQ (01275 790009)
Sunday Lunchtime (12 noon - 2pm in the garden. Free Irish session. “Following a very successful outdoor session last year we look forward to doing it all again in 2009. Please ‘pop’ along to the ‘Ringers’, join in and enjoy.”

SATURDAY 23RD MAY: WELLINGTON ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB
Wellington : Wellington Acoustic Music Club, Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane TA21 8PS (Tony Woollard: 01823 660969, tony.woollard@talktalk.net)
Normally third Saturday of the month, 8.30pm. “Players of all ages, genres and abilities are welcome. Play on a first come first served basis. Its FREE but we do pass the 'pot' round during the evening to help fund special events (workshops, guest stars). The beer is very reasonable in price.”
Fourth Saturday instead of third this month.

SATURDAY 30TH MAY: MUSIC & SONG AT THE LETHBRIDGE
Bishops Lydeard (nr. Taunton): Lethbridge Arms Hotel, Gore Square TA4 3BW (01823 432234, Gerry: 01823 432 827)
Music and song session hosted by Gerry Mogg. Folk singers, musicians, and storytellers in all genres welcome.
This is a one-off at the moment but it might become a more regular event – watch this space.

BLAZING STUMP POSTPONED TO FRIDAY 19TH JUNE
Luxborough (Exmoor): The Blazing Stump Folk Club, The Royal Oak TA23 0SH (George Ody: 07970 116816)
Second Friday of the month, 8.30 pm.
For reasons that have unfortunately escaped me the club will NOT be meeting on the usual Friday in June. Instead it will meet on the following Friday 19th June.

SINGERS/MUSICIANS WANTED: VENUE IN SEARCH OF A SESSION
Sherborne: The Mermaid, Bristol Rd. DT9 4JD (01935 817065, thenewmermaid@rocketmail.co)
The Mermaid is trying to put on lots of music and would like some folk. If anyone can help, either with a session or something a bit more formal, why not contact Ellie and Danny.

SINGING WORKSHOPS
Want a singing workshop at your festival? Gabrielle Newman Turner, experienced festival singing workshop leader. Folk/African/Taize/Gospel etc. Bookings now being taken for 2010 fests. (Sorry, July fully booked.) 01823 680690 or Email gilesnt@talktalk.net.

MAY FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 8th to Sunday 10th:
Bridestowe (near Okehampton): Fox & Hounds Weekend of Song (http://www.redherring.unisonplus.net/fah.htm, http://www.broadsideman.co.uk/)
Informal sing.

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th :
Chippenham: Chippenham Folk Festival (www.chippfolk.co.uk)

Friday 22nd to Monday 25th:
Dulverton: Dulverton Folk Festival (John Lowday: 01398 323776, www.dulvertonfolkfestival.net/)
Free entry to all events.

THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MAY
Tiverton: Tivvy Fest (www.tivvyfest.co.uk)
Monday 11th: Tom & Barbara Brown "This Farming Life" (Time, venue & ticket price - tbc)
Thursday 14th: Folk night at The Racehorse, Wellbrook St., Tiverton from 8.00pm (Free)
Saturday 16th - Nick Wyke & Becki Driscoll music workshop & concert (there may also be a singing workshop - awaiting confirmation on that) Times etc to be confirmed Workshop free to those in full-time education, otherwise £6.00 covers both workshop & concert or Concert only. At the United Reformed Church, St Peter Street, Tiverton.
Sunday 24th: lunch-time music & song session - Prince Blucher - from 12.30pm (Free)
Sunday 24th: Cornwall Songwriters "Cornish Lads" (tbc)
Monday 25th (Bank Holiday): lunchtime music session Prince Blucher from 12.30pm (Free)
Monday 25th (Bank Holiday): American Music Night (Bluegrass etc.) (details tbc)
Thursday 28th: Open Invitation Acoustic Music Night, The Racehorse from 8.00pm (Free)
Sunday 31s: lunchtime music session Prince Blucher from 12.30pm (Free)

JUNE FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 5th June to Sunday 7th June:
Black Dog (nr. Crediton): Pennymoor Song & Ale, The Black Dog Inn EX17 4QS (Clare Penney: 01884 860023, west.land@lineone.net)
PLEASE BOOK. “You have to have booked this in advance so no good anyone just turning up! The reason is that the venue is just one pub and is too small to accommodate more than have booked - we feel rotten turning people away but there is no choice so please don't come if you haven't booked. We have a strictly first come first served policy.”

Friday 5th June to Sunday 7th June:
Weymouth: Wessex Folk Festival: (www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk)
Takes place around the Old Harbour.

Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June:
Bradninch: Bradninch Music & Arts Festival (www.information-britain.co.uk/eventframe.php?id=5449)

Friday 12th June to Sunday 14th June:
Wimborne: Wimborne Folk Festival (www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk)

Friday 19th June to Sunday 21st June:
Teignmouth: Teignmouth Folk Festival (www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk)

If you would like the Acoustic Calendar for Wessex sent to your inbox each month please let me know by emailing me at sanchobramble@hotmail.com. You will also receive frequent updates and it costs nothing.