Sue's Scribbles Only available Here.....

July 4th Rainham Folk DayIt was an honour for TDL to be invited to play here, with the many others who graced the stage. It was great too to be back in The Oast Community Centre. We took Ben along with us, and eventually persuaded him to do a spot. Along with the various floor singers there were several of us who had been "booked". The list included Paul Steele and Junk And Disorderly. We spent a very pleasant 7 hours.

Two days In Dorset. Trevor and I arrived at our B and B late Wednesday afternoon. The trip was my birthday present. At the Loders Arms I phoned Derek Smith's number, he was out. He's gone back on the road since losing Viva. Marion was in France, so we had a drink, and returned to Base. The next day we spent a very long day at Monkey World. I hadn't been down there for at least five years. How Gordon has grown! Trevor was so taken with the capuchins that he has adopted all of them! We were just about to leave base for Bridport, and dinner, when Marion rang. She was home! So instead of leaving after breakfast we had a lovely day, shopping, having lunch with Marion, and visiting West Bay with her. We finally left at around 6.00, arriving home at 10.45. Trust me to miss out on a busy Friday! Phone call from Kim during morning coffee, followed by one from Bob Cash. Home to email from Pam and Paul and message from Les Elvin, all wanting floor spots! Well done Ralph for fitting everyone in !

Broadstairs 2009

We had a wonderful week at Broadstairs Folk Festival. Trevor has got three new instruents... a flat back mandolin, a wooden resonator guitat,..... and wait for it.... a pink ukelele !!!. We didn't do any busking this year, to the disappointment of our followers, but we did get to play in 2 pub gigs, in support of our friends

The Winsocks

 This band is the succsesor to "Norcsalordie". Check 'em out...
We also sang in the Festival Song Club,the Woodshed Sessions. and the late club on the campsite. Ben did aShooting roots Workshop which culminated in two short performance at a Ceilidh, and the final folk concert at The Bandstand,
We were able to attend several excellent concerts too.

My Festival Highlight was witnessing Paul Downes playing "Cousin Jack", on Trev's uke, whilst singing it as George Formby! You had to have been in the Beer Tent at the time to witness the scene!
Trevor is torn between that extraordinary and surreal moment,
and , whilst emerging from the cellar toilets in The Royal Albion,
being greeted by an unfamiliar gentleman saying "Too late, whilst
shaking his leg. (A la "Wee and a Shave"!)

We missed the autumn Knockholt due to my being well dodgy on my pegs after a fall at Broadstairs. We did make it down to Deal Festival and spent a great afternoon in The Bohemian's garden. Fantastic weather and good singing, including a visit from Kimbers Men. Then, our usual Saturday at Tenterden, no room at the lunchtime sessions, but a good afternoon's shopping and listening top the guests in The Marquee. At 6.00 we headed to The Vines for John Barden's evening session, which was of course, well attended, and fun.

Our friends from Derby invited us up to stay with them. and to attend the Derby Folk Festival. Held in two magnificent venues, with catering, indoor camping, record and craft stalls, (alas no music stalls though), it brought a magnificent array of top performers to our ears and eyes. Their "Local Talent" concert had Coope, Boys and Simpson, Martin Simpson, and John Tams ! Other performers included, Les Barker, Steve Tilston, Rory McLeod, Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell, Mawkin- Causley, The Poosies, Keith Kendrick and Sylvia Neddham, to name just a few. There were others that we didn't see. We had Steve Tilson to ourselves for the first part of a guitar workshop. He was inrigued by Trev's small Dean, and we can now say, "as played by Steve Tilston. We gave Steve a copy of Ben's demo disc, and, when Trev found himself behind Martin Simpson in the tea queue, he gave one to him too. It was nice to meet up with Lucy Ward and her parents again also. Will we be going next year? Too right, we will! Before coming home, we visited Belper Folk Club. i think they liked us once the initial shock wore off.

November and time for Ben to get his New Roots prizes. Firstly, we travelled to Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club, where Ben had a support set (unpaid) to Monroe's Revenge.It turned out to be a very expensive evening. It was a lot further than we thought,(150 mile round trip).. a gastro pub where it cost £9.00 for 3 drinks (one being coke.) I was asked to pay one admission too. (they let us off one for bringing Ben). Now, I know that running a club can be costly, but to charge on this basis isn't on. BTW the admission was £8.00/£9.00 and I was charged 8 because TDL did a floorspot.

Waltham Abbey on November 23rd couldn't have been more different. We had a very warm welcome. Ben was paid  for 2x 20 minute spots in a lovely, relaxed singaround, where there were several of our friends present. Ben was very good,and demonstrated excellent communication skills.

December 5th - Off to Rochester.... My first visit to the Christmas Dickens Festival. This year the music was staged in the Gordon's Beer Tent. It was chilly, and damp outside, but Nigel's Bar, the stage performers, and the Appalation Clog Dancing made it feel like Spring. The tent was alive with chatter, (Rochester is the great meeting place for Kent Folkies.) Excellent entertainment from The (New) Dealers, and Skinners Rats. For those who stayed later there were The Singing Loins. The three of us had a damp stroll along the darkening High Street. We saw several people in victorian costume, and witnessed the lamp lighter at his work.




Cheers

Sue