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NEWS? - Where I might have been
This page gives a rough idea of where I have been and what I saw. After a while Log entries will be moved back into a holding page and then ultimately to a deep storage facility until I believe that they are too old to be of any use.
26th February - Pamber Heath Village Hall - Pamber Heath
Shep Woolley and Doc Pearce - A wonderful evening at Pamber Heath, (Near Tadley) for those who have never been there. Easy to get to from the motorway and good parking facilities.
Shep and Doc gave a magnificent evening of Rock and Roll history through the eyes of Shep. For those old enough to remember the songs from the first time round it was a blizzard of nostalgia for those too young it was an insight into what parents were really like.
We even remembered to get hold of a copy of one of his CDs to send to a friend in Australia.
For more details of his programme take a visit to Shep's site click on the picture and go to his Gig List.
23rd February - The Famous Willows- Arundel
Isla St Clair - What a night. Lots of you missed a wonderful night at The Famous Willows at Arundel in West Sussex where the guest for the evening was Isla St Clair. Her songs still take you through the the gamut of emotions. Laughingly trying to keep up with her British Rail Porter and sighing along with her rendition of The 51st Highland Division's Farewell to Sicilly.
The welcome at the Willows was as warm as ever and the floor spots are as marvellous as ever.
And then it was home through the driving snow.
9th February -Hambledon Village Hall- Hambledon
George Wilson - The trip to Hambledon was well worth it with some magnificent entertainment from George Wilson. If you missed him on this outing then watch out for him at the Gosport and Fareham Easter Festival.
29th January - St Mary the Virgin, Rowner - Gosport
Trouble on Eight Legs plus Two - An evening of Scottish tunes and songs from a local band.
14th January 05-Fo'c'sle Folk Club - Southampton
Shep Woolley -A magnificent night from a master of Folk with a generous sprinkling of comments on life as we live it.
30th October -Ashcroft Arts Centre - Fareham
Martin Carthy -A great evening out with another of Folk's magnificent performers. A smoothly flowing set with very good sound for those of us who like to hear the words, well done all.
29th October -
Lee on the Solent Sailing Club - Lee on the Solent
A fun evening with lots of news about people we haven't seen for a while. Occurs on the last Friday of the month and starts at about 9 pm. A fine mix of music and song. Warm welcome must make an attempt to get back next month.
2/3/4/5 September - Fylde Folk Festival - Fleetwood
What a weekend. So much happening and so little time to do it in. Sorry we didn't catch up with Cloudstreet but don't worry guys, the TimTams won't go to waste.
Special thanks to Rusty and Stu for the Guitar Workshops, I promise I will get it out of the case today.
Scold's Bridle's performance of Ron Baxter's songs was tremendous. Next year I will take a packet of tissues. Good to see Syd again as we missed Lichfield this year. Still trying to work out what I did or didn't get to this year, and I was driving.
6th June - Holy Trinity Green - Gosport
A musical interlude by Charlie, Ann and Richard on the Green by Holy Trinity Church Gosport supported by the Holy Trinity Acoustic Ensemble and Singers. Look out for more events as the Summer progresses.
30th May - Windward Spotlight Folk Club - St Albans
Yet another visit inland to continue my education in British Geography. Having arrived early the staff at the British Legion were extremely helpful and courteous. Thanks guys.
George, Vanessa and Steve made us feel really at home and comfortable. The singing was an amazing mix including the guest, Ann Barratt. Now that I know how close this club is to home I will have to look at fitting in another visit soon.
26th May - The Famous Willows - Arundel
Road problems at Fontwell meant that we nearly didn't make it along to a magnificent spotlight evening featuring Stewart Owen & friends / Chris Davis. Stewart regaled us with a mix of familiar songs and his own pieces based on experience as a schoolteacher. Anyony who has had to write reports recognised their own schools and students in many of his words. Chris Davis was taking a break from being the MC and his performance was as usual stunning. Perhaps we will get to see him closer to home soon.
15th May - Tudor Merchants Hall - Southampton
A charity show for the Society of St James arranged by Brian Hooper and Jeff Henry. A lovely venue which I have never visited before and a fantastic evening of folk arranged by this local Duo. In addition to their own performance there was a guest performance by Christina Waldron. Perhaps this could be the start of a Charity series?
8th May - Weymouth Folk Festival - Weymouth
A wonderful trip out with reasonable weather (yesterday it was snowing in Dorset according to local radio!).
A great set of workshops to start the day, a series of interesting new acts through the afternoon and some good times in the local pubs. Unfortunately the video of the 2003 event shows that 'I was there', other than that though it was not a bad video for a reasonable price. Now, Show of Hands tonight and then a quick look at the programme for tomorrow.
26th March - Isla St Clair- Wallington
A wonderful night out in a lovely little hall. (I must ask Mr. Woolley if he has considered this as a venue to continue his Cabaret Caffs.) Isla sounded as lovely as ever and her new CD was available for a very reasonable price.
17th March - The Clarence Irregulars - Gosport
Where could any folkies be on St Patrick's night but in a pub selling Real Ales.
21st/22nd February - Various - Southsea
This was an unfortunate weekend for me from the planning point of view. Having promised to go to the Winter beer Festival in Gosport I had no hope of being sober enough to make it over to the wilds of Southsea for this exciting weekend of music.
14th February - Shep Woolley - Pamber Heath Village Hall
Alright, I will start with my confession, I hadn't heard of Pamber Heath before I read the Hog the Limelight Brochure at the end of last year. Here at last was a chance to hear the legendary Shep Woolley live on stage for his own show. Don't get me wrong he is equally great at everything he does, compering, organising Beer Festivals in Portsmouth in Summer 2004, arranging opportunities for people to show off their talents but what I really wanted was a chance to hear Shep himself. The hall itself was both easy to find and very nice to be in. If my singing is ever good enough to be launched on the unsuspecting public this is the sort of place I would like to visit a few times. The Man himself kept us entertained throughout the evening until he had to pack his bags and rush back to the joys of Portsmouth.
8th February - Various - Cabaret Caff
After a short intro set by Shep and Colin entertainment was by Big Bruvva & Marilyn Middleton Pollock. I had never seen either of these acts before but the evening flew by and the taste of there shows means that I will be watching out for them in the future. Another great night, thank you Shep.
7th February - Paul Downes - Wimborne Acoustic
A lovely club to visit, the extension to the back room makes enough space for an enjoyable evening in this non-smoking venue. And on top of that another wonderful evening of songs and music from this magnificent performer.
5th February - Session/Singaround - The Clarence Tavern - Gosport
The New Year is under way and visitors mean that the weekly session can include a very wide mix of music. Looking ahead the 17th March will be a Wednesday this year so watch out for plans for the celebration.
19th January - Paul Downes - Forest Folk
A very entertaining evening by an expert. Good Singer good musician, if you missed him here he will be at Wimborne Acoustic on the 7th February. If you can't go send a friend to get you a CD.
18th January - Singaround - Royal Oak Langstone
Back to a slightly more genteel pace. This club meets in a very attractive Pub with lovely views of the Harbour. If you haven't visited this venue yet, why not?
16th January - Isla St Clair - Hordle Women's Institute Hall
What an evening! Started with a meal at the Hare and Hounds at Sway and then on to the Hall. First visit to the area so stopped at a garage to ask directions and the very helpful man said "It's just across the roundabout." Her music and singing were great and everybody enjoyed singing about the Porter.
10th December - Session/Singaround - The Clarence Tavern - Gosport
A very enjoyable practice session with some carols thrown in. A good range of Real Ales from the nearby Oakleaf Brewery keep the evening flowing.
1st December - Singaround - Forest Folk North Boarhunt
A busy night. Difficult to find room to sit. The team were as efficient as ever though making sure that seats were available. Sadly I was too tired after the journey back from Bedworth to stay long
28th to 30th November - Bedworth Folk Festival - Bedworth
If you haven't tried this one yet it is a lovely way to round off the year. A great set of guests including the Australian Duo Cloudstreet. An amazing mix of harmonies both accompanied and unaccompanied. If your club has a space to fill in the next year this could be your opportunity to introduce them to another part of the British Isles.
16th November - Royal Oak - Langstone
A singaround night, a veritable mix of styles and a good evening out. Good to see Henry again after such a long time.
14th November - Threllfall, Ellison, Edwards -
SS Shieldhall - Southampton
A great evening's entertainment with Pete Atkins and Steve Jordan maintaining the nautical theme in their spots. Pete's rendition of his song Waverley really does reflect her visits, 'like an old friend'. Steve, your definition of home must qualify you for most shanty choirs. The headliners for the evening gave a full and varied performance despite the fact that the room rocked considerably every time the ferries went past. Worth watching out for them in the area again.
9th November - Remembrance - Gosport
Well it is that time of the year and I happen to support The Royal British Legion. And to finish the day there were two familiar faces on Songs of Praise this evening. (Well alright 1 1/2.)
6th November - Pub Visit - Cropredy
Out for a few days and stopped for a drink in a place called Cropredy. Now where have I heard that name before?
3rd November - Singaround - Forest Folk North Boarhunt
A very busy night, but Charlie and Janet managed to shoehorn us all into the Bar for a really mixed evening of songs, tunes, stories and poems. There were a number of new faces there and we all look forward to seeing everyone again in two weeks for Tim van Eyken & Robert Harbron.
2nd November - Bernard Wrigley - Ferneham Hall Fareham
Shep Woolley's Cabaret Caff this month brought us the talents of The Bolton Bullfrog - Bernard Wrigley.
1st November - Isla St Clair -Merchistoun Hall Horndean.
The Hall took a bit of finding but the evening was well worth the effort. Isla, as always, perfomed beautifully and took the audience through a wide range of emotions and by the end of the evening had us all joining in songs including the British Porter and clapping time to her 'mouth music'. A wonderful evening's entertainment in a very nice venue, I really hadn't realised that it was so close.
16th September - Tom Paxton - Ferneham Hall Fareham.
What a wonderful evening. This Cabaret Caff Special gave me the chance to sit at the front of the Ferneham Hall and luxuriate in the entertainment from Tom Paxton and his companions, (Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer). I must confess that I was uncertain of what to expect after some of the local advertising descriptions, but the performance was everything that the Tom Paxton fans I already knew had told me to expect. Perhaps a little greyer than folk described him but I will certainly be watching out for future opportunities to hear him.
If you hear of any Clubs or activities which you think should be mentioned here let me know and I will try to get along to try them out
Page last updated 7th June 2004