STEVE HARLEY ACOUSTIC BARROW – Forum 28 on Friday

Steve Harley has announced a set of Spring / Summer live dates with his acclaimed Acoustic Band [all dates below, some already Sold Out]. Having recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of Cockney Rebel, Steve is widely considered one of the most charismatic performers and he continues to play to sold-out venues across the UK and Europe. The Times wrote, in a profile marking this half century, that signature hit ‘Make Me Smile (Come Up And See Me)’, “Remains one of the most beloved songs of the modern age”. For Steve, life on the road is more than just a job: it is almost his life’s blood.

The Acoustic Band for 2023 will find Steve supported by long-standing bandmate, violinist/ guitarist Barry Wickens, with Oli Hayhurst on double bass, and Dave Delarre on lead guitar. Steve has been playing Live shows around the world for over 50 years and the thrill of another night in another place to another audience has not dimmed at all. “I still get a buzz when boarding the tour bus, like I did all those years ago. There’s still that magical feeling. It has not diminished at all.”

The acoustic sets will include songs taken from his last album ‘Uncovered’ [re-recordings of a couple of his own songs nine others he’s always wanted to perform] but of course a selection from the vast and eclectic Harley Songbook. ‘Mr Soft’, ‘Judy Teen’, ‘Sebastian’ and the legendary ‘Make Me Smile’ will all be reproduced in the unique acoustic style. Close-Up Culture stated of an Acoustic Band show: “It was an intimate night in the presence of a great musician. An individual whose passion for live performance and perfection (it shows in his face) remains undiminished.”

Rod Stewart, who covered Steve’s song ‘A Friend For Life’, describes him as “One of the finest lyricists Britain has produced.”

MOJO said simply, “Harley creates rock songs that are proud, lyrical and full of yearning.” Steve has also been described as “A consummate performer at the top of his game,” and Record Collector said: “Harley’s eloquent, on-the-edge shows never fail to impress”.

Steve has previously received a Lifetime Achievement Award for Acoustic Music from the Acoustic Festival of Britain, and a prestigious Gold Badge of Merit from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters.

Ticket available from - www.thegigcartel.com/Artistsprofiles/Steve-Harley-Acoustic-Band.htm

A trip to remember, without leaving the town!

By Lee Quinn

You would think with a name like Quinn I’d have known what was coming… A sell out show it was that captivated its audience early on, as they were taken through history and taken on a tour of poetry and music from the Celtic times, featuring historical moments and people that changed and influenced an island. Twists and turns with some fantastic classics and toe tappers. Real live, traditional music from a very talented group of actors and musicians.

Did you miss it? Would you like to go again? Seeing is believing…

The Story of Ireland returns to raise the floor on Saturday 23rd March 2024, so book now!

Penrith Playhouse Theatre, 1 Auction Mart Lane fliers: the dragonflies.

Back in the Carboniferous era, 300 million years ago, dragonflies really lived up to their name. Fossils have been found of insects with a 75cm (30 inch) wingspan. Luckily for us, they don’t weigh in at such an alarming size these days, but they are still very impressive creatures.

Although dragonflies love the summer sun, even at this time of year there are still plenty of these aerial predators to be seen. Cumbria has over 20 species of dragonflies and their smaller cousins the damselflies. Although none of them are of prehistoric size, the emperor dragonfly, which is Britain’s largest, still reaches 8cm (3 inches) in length with a wingspan of 11cm (over 4 inches.) It’s not only our biggest insect, it’s a ferocious hunter too.

Dragonflies have two sets of wings which operate independently, rather like a very flashy helicopter. This means that they are phenomenally manoeuvrable, being able to fly forwards, sideways and even backwards, changing direction in the blink of an eye. Not that they blink. Their eyes are huge for their size and are able to look in all directions at once. This allows them to spot and then pursue their prey - including butterflies, moths and even other dragonflies - which they grab with their front legs. It’s obvious that they have spent those 300 million years really getting the hang of flying.

Cumbria has been home to a dragonfly success story in recent years. The white-faced darter, a variety that is found at only a handful of sites in England, was reintroduced to Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve, in 2010. Each year, thousands of these dragonflies hatch out in the restored peat bog, giving this rare species a good foothold in south Cumbria.

By looking after their habitats in this way, we have more chance of enjoying these magnificent insects with aerobatic skills that put the Red Arrows in the shade. What’s more, it allows us to watch a bit of prehistory in the present day and, just for a moment, a Cumbrian wildlife reserve can become our own Jurassic Park.

Alasdair McKee

Do you know your dragons from your damsels?

Dragonflies have different shaped fore and hind wings. Their hind wings are much broader and don’t taper so much where they attach to the body, giving them more of a plane look.

Damselflies have wings that are both the same size and shape, which taper where they attach to the body.

Great places to see dragonflies and damselflies

Barkbooth Lot Nature Reserve - rough fell, grassland, wetland and wooded areas provide a varied habitat where dragonflies and damselflies abound. Dragonflies include the downy emerald, emperor and fourspotted chaser. Also look out for the beautiful demoiselle (that’s its name!) damselfly around Arndale Beck.

Bowness-on-Solway – this former quarry has been colonised by wildlife at remarkable speed. The ponds are home to many different dragonflies, including the emperor, as well as the four-spotted chaser, southern hawker and darters, as well as the eye-catching azure and emerald damselflies.

Foulshaw Moss Nature Reserve - the rare white-faced darter dragonfly can be seen here, the result of the successful reintroduction by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and British Dragonfly Society. Whitefaced darters love the open area of peat bogs. Following the success at Foulshaw Moss, they are now being introduced at Drumburgh Moss Nature Reserve, another peatland site.

JSV Roofing carry out competitively-priced roofing services throughout the Cumbria area including:

• New roofs

• Roof and chimney repairs

• Flat roofing

• Maintenance-free gutter & fascia installations www.jsvroofing.co.uk/penrith

With 20 years’ experience, we work to the highest standards using only quality materials and all our work is covered by a 10-year guarantee.

Competitively-priced, quality roofing services in Penrith and across the Eden Valley and the North Lakes.

CALL 01768 838019 NOW for your free, no-obligation quote!