Around Kent Folk issue 108 December 2021 - January 2022

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ke nt folk Issue 108 Dec 2021 / Jan 2022

Your FREE Guide to Folk Events in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond

Published by Tenterden Folk Festival, Charity No 1038663 Promoting folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions.

ISSN 2634-7830 (Print) ISSN 2634-7849 (Online)

Welcome to issue 108 Dec 2021/Jan 2022 issue of Around Kent Folk 2021 has been a very strange and very difficult year for all folk clubs, venues, performers, audiences and everyone involved in the folk scene. In mid-September we were looking forward to what we hoped would be a near normal Tenterden Folk Festival 2021 and making the final preparations. What happened next could have been a disaster for the festival but thanks to dedication of our guest artists, Morris sides, stallholders, volunteers and our supporters, the festival went ahead and was a success. The sudden fuel problems mainly affected London and the south east but our guest artists from as far afield as Newcastle, Liverpool, The Peak District, Derbyshire and even Ireland, braved setting out and driving up to 500 miles not knowing if they would get fuel to complete their journeys to Tenterden or if they would get back home afterwards. Their attitudes where always the show must go on.

On a personal note, in the few days before the festival I tried every fuel station in Ashford and Tenterden but could not get any diesel. I’d got to the stage where I had the fuel to get into Tenterden from Ashford about three more times when John at the William Caxton phoned me to say he had a cancellation and had a B&B room available for the festival period so I took it without delay. The extra large marquees for the Covid safe stalls were going up on Tuesday and Wednesday and the workforce started to arrive on Wednesday.

Some stewards had to drop out as they could not get fuel, so we were we expecting to be short staffed over the weekend.

For the first time ever we had trouble with youths round the marquees over night and I was called by the CCTV monitoring station in Ashford to say that youths had broken in to the empty marquees. Our security guards spent the evenings and nights chasing them back out again and the police attended a couple of times. Luckily we were able to add extra security and there was only minor damage and one table went missing at the end of the festival.

The festival got off to a great start with a popular and well attended Thursday evening concert and numbers built further on Friday. Even the barn dance was reasonable well attended and that had been the event I had been most worried about with the possibility of people not wanting to come in close contact with strangers. Then came Saturday, a day I will never forget. Torrential rain and winds. It was too bad for most of the Morris sides to dance outdoors and there were a couple of slips and falls. By late morning we took the decision to cancel the procession on health and safety grounds. Several Morris sides agreed to dance in the extra large marquee, which actually worked reasonably well. This was only the second time in 28 years that we had cancelled the procession.

All the indoor events on Saturday and Sunday went very well and there was dancing outside on Sunday. A small number of guests did not make it to the festival not necessarily due to Covid or fuel problems but due to other personal issues and other guests filled these spots. Monday was the main clear up day and by the end of it all the committee and volunteers were completely exhausted. Everyone managed to get off the campsite with only one or two needing help and most importantly all the guest artists and volunteers managed to get the fuel to get home although I know it was a close call for some of them. I hope most of these problems did not affect what the public and ticket holders saw and did not affect your enjoyment of a far from normal Tenterden Folk Festival.

Continued Overleaf...

For the latest news of online folk events check out The Folk Forecast at thefolkforecast.substack.com lots of interesting stuff there.

Financially we will have made a loss this year and have had to use some of our cash reserves. Will we do it again? Of course we will, but we will make a few changes based on what we learnt this year. Thank you everyone.

Alan Castle (Editor) PS: You can make a donation to Tenterden Folk Festival or this magazine via our websites or by post (see payment details on last page). Thank you. www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk

Big Pete Collins As we were going to press we were very sorry to hear the sad news of the death of Peter Collins from Covid 19. Peter has been a fixture at local folk clubs and festivals including Broadstairs and Tenterden for many years and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him. We will include more about “Big Pete” in the next issue of Around Kent Folk.

Alan Castle (Editor) Two little tales: It was at Broadstairs some years ago when I sang the song `The Great Train Robbery’, also known as ‘Bruce Richard Reynolds’, when Pete told me of this experience when he was working with Electricity Boards setting tariffs. It was 1963 and he had been out in the southern counties Kent and Sussex borders where he had parked in a dimly lit road waiting for a client to appear. Sometime after he arrived home there was a knock at the door and it was a police squad wanting to know why he had been where he had parked up. It turned out later they had been looking in the same place following a tip for Bruce Reynolds.

Pete had been in the Ukraine setting up tariff structures with their power supplier and he was at a meeting with the company and its director general. Pete said that after a while partway through the meeting all talk stopped, a cupboard was opened. vodka and glasses were produced and passed around, then a while later they started singing until the director pointed at Pete saying “It`s your turn now”. Little did they know what a fine singer Pete was, he laughed as he said it went on swimmingly from thereon in!

Chris Roche

Dartford Folk Club BBC Radio 2 Best Folk Club of the year 2008 www.dartfordfolk.org.uk Enquiries: dartfordfolkclub@gmail.com

FLOOR SINGERS WELCOME (PLEASE BOOK) FEATURED GUESTS

07 Dec 2021 - The Churchfitters 14 Dec 2021 - Sally Ironmonger & Brian Carter 21 Dec 2021 - Phil Beer and his special guest 28 Dec 2021 - **FESTIVE GREETINGS !!** Sorry we are closed!

04 Jan 2022 - Liz Simcock 11 Jan 2022 - Jim Causley 18 Jan 2022 - Luke Jackson 25 Jan 2022 - DOUBLE HEADER with Steve Shorey & John Cunningham AND Ian Petrie & Ted Handley FOR UPDATES AND FURTHER DETAILS PLEASE GO TO OUR WEBSITE & FACEBOOK PAGES

DARTFORD WORKING MENS CLUB Essex Road, DA1 2AU EVERY TUESDAY 8.30 TILL 11.00

Tenterden Folk Festival 2021 (photos by Philip Hinton)

Around Kent Folk, the independent folk magazine for Kent, Surrey, Sussex and beyond, which is now published six times a year by Tenterden Folk Festival, edited by me with the invaluable assistance of Andy Wood from Anmar Printing Services.

Find us online at www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk and on Twitter as @AroundKentFolk, where you can always find a link to the latest and past issues of AKF. Please pass this link on to your mailing lists and place it on your social media so that as many as possible of our regular readers can find AKF online until we are able to get back to a full print run and physical distribution of the printed magazine.

Stay well and take care in these difficult times

Scene & Heard A mixture of autumnal tints and bright lights as we prepare for the turning of the year… the reopening of most clubs for real has brought change upon change, as seen in the last AKF. Dartford have resumed a full and varied guest programme, as have Orpington. As Ian Petrie points out, the aim has always been for the audience to trust the club’s guest selection, so that there’s a good turnout even if the act is fresh to the club. It’s working!

Faversham began with Singers Nights and is now spreading its wings. Tonbridge is looking locally, which when you have Dave Arthur and John & Di Cullen nearby is commendable.

Folk In The Barn’s adventurous booking policy and close attention to the protection of large audiences and artistes has seen successful and well-received events.

Carefully management of the changing risks seems to be paying off. Rosslyn Court were quick to adapt to screens and air-con, and with high profile guests like Jez Lowe and Granny’s Attic are looking good. Mike Wheeler’s tune sessions at the Market Inn in Faversham on Tuesday nights, Bill Howarth’s East Kent Sessions at the Bell & Crown in Canterbury, the monthly Woodshed session in Broadstairs’ Wrotham Arms and Hartley’s sing at Laddingford are all up and running.

Various gatherings of musos are springing up across the county, to general relief and thanks to their intrepid organisers. Some, like Paul Green’s sessions in the Liberal Club, never closed, credit to them. It’s always worth a look at their wider musical offerings. Nigel White’s Boughton Monchelsea club on the 3rd Wednesday is now at the Bull, Linton.

Kemsing are looking at reopening in Feb/Mar 2022.

For most clubs, making the transition from Zoom is clearly necessary if venues are to be maintained. For those who cannot travel yet Gavin & Julie Atkin continue with their Zooms on Sundays, while Deal and Faversham have combined to run a session every Friday (contact Sue Watson or Ernie Warner) to keep in touch with the many friends we have made across the country.

Reciprocal visits (I enjoyed Lewes immensely, Harrogate too) were delightful and broadened our horizons no end. The ways in which good performers altered their presentation to entertain visually was intriguing. Dave Jarman’s interpretative dance…

Would John Breeze’s fridge appear? Had Steve a rabbit in his hutch? What was that duck doing in Aitch’s background? Whereas some, like Sylvia Watts, Heather McNeill and Steve & Julie Wigley played it straight with super sound. Whisper it softly, but the Sussex banter at Lewes was incredible fun. Between 12 and 24 singers, usually a couple of songs each…

Good times…

Dance too: across the summer rusty knees have been oiled, banjos and melodeons honed… it’s good to hear that most sides are active again, though Tanglefoot seem to have called it a day. They brought so much excitement and joy to festivals for so many years and will be sorely missed. There seems to be a upsurge of folk dance/ Morris through the generations, as the camaradie and sheer energy are, like Barleycorn, revived again. Good to see. Hartley starring in The Larkins were a surprise, maypole and all… Perfick… though I gather that billiard table has had to be rebeized…

Delighted to report that the Faversham Session Band charity get-togethers across Kent have now topped £6,000 in aid of Hospices. Mike and Ruth do a wonderful job in uniting local musicians and bright T-shirts in unsuspecting town centres... it’s uplifting to see the public response to lively live tunes and terrific to perform together... more next issue on county-wide fundraisers during restrictions.

Some breaking news: Joe Whittaker and Allan Richardson are Folk@ Ash, (the North Kent Ash TN15 7HB rather than the Ash near Canterbury) putting on small-style events to fit in

between folk clubs and provide another outlet for folk artists to make a living. Les Barker will have been and gone by the time this is published, Martyn Wyndham Read & Iris Bishop are due on 19 November. Contact Joe/Allan for details.

Forward planning- there’s a Broadstairs Burns Night fundraiser ceilidh on Sat January 22/1/22: The Up Yer Kilt Band featuring their esteemed caller Doug Hudson will play and there will be a Burns Haggis supper with veg alternative for a mere £20 at the Pavilion On The Sands. 8-11, tickets 01843 600999... Tam O’Shanters to the fore!

There’s so much news I’ve held over the discussion re whether local trad songs are being sung widely... in passing to note that I’ve heard the Irish Hop Pole Puller from three singers this month already ... and know it’s in the repertoire of at least four more! Your thoughts appreciated ...

And so, keep safe all. As Debs Earl points out, a single case among the band/crew could result in the cancellation of a tour, and risk the livelihood of many who have had hard times.

Most clubs have looked at guidance and the general public seems to think we are all safe.

By publication date who knows? I haven’t heard of a case related to Tenterden, where ventilation was emphasised, and will be putting on a coat for gigs in midwinter... Just now, though, news of an outbreak among a group on a singing weekend despite all precautions.

Please help all the artistes and organisers to bring back the warmth and camaraderie we know and love in the folk scene- and may the new year bring new beginnings See you soon!

The Drum, hosted by Jeff Hartley, now runs on Mondays, 7-9 pm in the bar.

Bob Kenward Tenterden Folk Festival 2021 (Photo by Philip Hinton)

Rolling Down The Old Folk Club It’s a damned tough life, full of toil and strife, We wailing men undergo; And we don’t worry none, when our songs are done, How hard it was a show.

For we’re bar room bound, for another round, With our gullets taut and free; And we don’t give a toss, about the verses lost, They just slipped from memory.

Rolling down the old Folk Club, my boys, Rose and Crown is where I’ll be; But Homeward Bound and The Holy Ground, They just slipped from memory.

Once more we’ll wail our miserable tales, Of death and grief and woe; Of calamities on the old High Seas, And battling ‘gainst the foe.

Both night and day, we’ve wailed away, ‘Bout good ships lost at sea; But some still sail, where I have failed, To remember that Verse Three.

With one string in tune, and the rest quite soon, I wail on just as well; With random chords, I crave applause, But most more memory cells.

You’d think I’d braved the Cape Horn waves, To listen to my songs; But stuff big ships, I get seasick, Just punting on the pond.

We’ll gather ‘round at The Rose and Crown, Now our work is all astern; My guitar re-strung and my songs half sung, To the wailing I’ll return.

I learnt my words from a sea dog tar, Who plied the Seven Seas;

Now you might scoff, that’s the best chip shop, Betwixt the Thames and Tees.

We’ll rant and roar ‘til our throats are sore, When we are in full sail; Like days of old, with seamen bold, And blown by English ale.

We’ll brave a trip in our Old Ship, The George and the Red Lion too, With a living gale upon our tail, Though that’s just vindaloo.

We’ve learnt our craft, both fore and aft, But mostly below decks; It’s a tragedy but for the life of me, I can’t remember what comes next.

There’s something about some ‘rant and rout’, Or did I just do that verse?

Something, something, I’m mumbling, Maybe just repeat the First…..

It’s a damned tough life, full of toil and strife…

JJ Crossley 2014

BOUGHTON MONCHELSEA FOLK CLUB (FORMERLY THE STILEBRIDGE FOLK CLUB)

SINGER’S NIGHT NOW LIVE AGAIN EVERY THIRD WEDNESDAY MONTHLY

AT OUR NEW VENUE: THE BULL INN (IN THE FUNCTION ROOM)

LINTON ME17 4AW CAR PARKING EITHER AT THE BULL, OR, IF FULL, ACROSS THE A229 AT LINTON CHURCH (ACCESS ROAD IS 100M UP THE HILL ON THE SOUTH BOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF THE A229.)

AUDIENCE, SINGERS, MUSICIANS, POETS, ALL WELCOME. £2 PER HEAD ENTRY FEE TO COVER THE COST OF THE ROOM. FOR MORE DETAILS CALL NIGEL WHITE ON 07793 076827

Towards the end of summer, thoughts turn to leafy Tenterden… the ride through the Weald to a world apart… settling in and eating out… but wait! The fish and chip shop is takeaway… where shall we all meet!!! At the Thursday night concert of course, the Club greeting as warm as ever, Nick Dow’s dulcit tones, Scold’s Bridle’s breezy harmonies and the ever versatile Brian Peters- three contrasting acts with a love of the tradition at heart. So to bed, refreshed and ready to sing…

Pondering my chipolata in the absence of Steve O’Kane, a glance down the Friday lineup… a full day of sessions and concerts. Alan and his team have extended the festival again… but where to go? Choices and timetables have been out of the window for 18 months… the opportunity to Free Bob Kenward proved irresistible, so down to the Caxton, where Roger Resch and two dozen familiar faces joined in a fabulous start with Graeme Knights. Pleased to see John and Lisa, always welcoming and throughout the weekend sympathetic to sensible precautions. A lot of cobwebs fell away as the gently exhaled choruses sounded out…

Nipping up to the Town Hall was cutting it fine, so to see Jeff & Elaine Gillett from Stroud at the Glebe. Jeff’s arrangements so sympathetic to the lyrics, and his beautiful ‘less is more‘ artistry open new horizons. Discovery indeed. Meeting the guests such a great feature: Chris and Steve Wilson I’ve only seen at distance before. Close too they were warm and engaging . And loud. VERY loud… as they proved at the evening concert. A pleasant autumn day, full of gentle strolls and much-missed music. Now for Saturday…

Craft fair marquee and a raid on PJ’s music stall, watching the concert tent flap… already it was as sodden as ever seen at the festival. Such a shame for atmosphere, even more so for the organisers who’d put in so much work. Gathered later that the procession, so vital to public appreciation and to fundraising for next year, had to be cancelled at 12. Howling gale, too, so indoors for session: a pity to miss Most Truly Yours Auntie Anne. Malcolm Ward in fine voice as ever, and the brave return of Tenterden virgins but well-known locals Howard and Maggie Rendle, back among older hands as Liz & Rob Porter and Dave Earl.

Jean Woollard, too, with her own Songs of Thanet- some great chorus singing bringing out a smile at hearing harmonies again. Missed Steve Turner all through, misreading the programme, but did eat Indian with Keith Kendrick, Sylvia Needham and Nick Dow: always so good to meet off-duty and chat.

Shanties in the Church were spaced and well attended- the weather outside having turned Biblical, most appropriate. Chris Roche in his element… as a Cinque port, a safe harbour.

Glad to see Dick Miles after dark Zooms from Ireland… Peter Collins’ deep vocal carrying over the storm… powerful, almost defiant singing from the crew, which sustained as I beat

my way across to the Club using the breeches buoy provided. 70mph gusts! Shaking off my lifeboatman’s yellows, in to hear the unfettered Bob Kenward asking a substantial audience to add the noise of the moon rising to Dr Syn… Vic Smith was right: a first… always liked Peter & Barbara Snape, they have such bounce to add to their traditional repertoire (saw them later with one of Barbara’s trademark funnies) – and seeing Scolds Bridle, Brian Peters and Chris Wilson again was a delight.

As Vic said, it was an uplifting concert to end the day.

Sunday grey turned to blue- kind of the weather gods to rub it in. Morris sides were jangling down by the station, very colourful. Again, so much choice.. Morrigan entire (Ros and Chris leading the festival choir throughout) or Broomdasher’s Country Diary.. you needed a season ticket to keep up.

Three sessions at lunchtime, each worth attending too. Travelling Folk blitzed the Vine; White Lion Sessioneers were constantly active, in busy surroundings. A lively town.

Tried to get in to Discovery at the Ancient Borough but was thwarted by Sunday lunchers, so back to the club for the final concert. A reminder of how many songs the Festival guests have at command, and how well they are selected to make up a programme. Brian Peters hoped he had enough fuel to get home… and the final Caxton session a splendid round-off to a festival which defied the odds. A long round of applause to Alan Castle was richly deserved. The volunteers too: Sally and Ronnie with their customary thoroughness and good humour, and all the assistants who attended venues and ensured safety. The campsite crew. Many, many thanks for a memorable and fascinating festival. So good to be with so many friends again!

Peter The Punter The New Folk at the Drum (FATD) Jeff Hartley, who has taken over FATD reports that there have been five or six sessions of Folk At The Drum now, and they all seem to have gone very well. He says they are not in the function room at the back of the pub anymore, but now in the main body of the pub, and the owners have given quite a big area in front of the large fireplace.

The club takes place every Monday evening. Each session starts at 7pm and finishes at 9pm, which is when the pub itself closes; Jeff hopes to negotiate a later ending, but this would require the pub itself opening for longer. He has tried to keep the structure of the sessions as much as possible like the way David Pleasants used to run them, with each performer singing three songs each half. There is a specific performance area, and the audience sits in a semicircle to try to create a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

They are not allowed to charge money for entrance to the club, but many people have contributed voluntarily. Contact details are 01303 813188 or hartleylorna@aol.com. The website address will stay the same www.folkatthedrum.co.uk.

CD Reviews

Broomdasher - The Country Diary in Song – Live Clean Sweep Records CS0121 www.broomdasher.com Broomdasher have recently been touring their folk musical which celebrates The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Edith Holden. The album was recorded live on 26th September, which was the author’s, birthday. The diary was written in 1906 and first published in 1977. The show and the album comprise a selection of acapella seasonal songs and readings from the diary. Songs include The Snow That Melts, The Week Before Easter, The Cuckoo, Wild Mountain Thyme and Bushes and Briars. Broomdasher formed in 2016 and are a London based five piece, a cappella group who sing traditional English folk songs but come from diverse backgrounds and experience. Members are Chris Hayes from The Hogeye Men and London Lubbers, Deena Marcus-Jedamzik who was taught by and toured with Leon Rosselson, Jo Swinhoe who comes from a classical background, Margaret Moore a musician, singer and actress, Richard Cryer who is a member of Dorten Yonder and The Moonshine Duo. The show was recently performed in St Mildred’s Church as part of Tenterden Folk Festival. I think you will hear more from and about Broomdasher in the future.

Alan Castle (Editor) Fanfare Ciocărlia – It Wasn’t Hard To Love You – Asphalt Tango CD-ATR 6221 It would be interesting to know if there is anyone else out there who remembers the final Sunday night concert of Tenterden Folk Festival in 2003. The early years of this century were interesting times for any broadminded folk enthusiast; the wider inclusive thinking that enabled the movement that came to be called “World Music” welcomed to these shores exciting purveyors of folk and roots music from all over world. In this way a fairly large ensemble of Romanian brass instrument players ended up in central Kent on their first tour of western Europe.

Fanfare Ciocărlia were a revelation; their playing was powerful, emotional, loud, engaging.

They played most of their tunes at a fast, precise furious pace; listening to that number of brass instruments at full pelt is overwhelming.

This album marks a quarter of a century of playing together and this, their tenth album, shows the way that they have developed in the intervening years. They have developed more subtlety and variety in their approach and their arrangements are richer but they have lost nothing in terms of the impact of their playing. They will be making an extensive tour next year to mark their 25 years together travelling to The Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, Germany and France, but sadly not the UK. To see them you may have to travel to the little strip of houses that make up their small village of Zece Prăjini in north-east Romania where they sometimes play in the Musikreisen nach Rumänien. www.asphalt-tango.de Vic Smith

Sussex Folk News Describing the current state of the folk club scene in Sussex in a couple of words, “Continuing Cautiously” might be the best choice. This is perfectly understandable in the currently atmosphere (written towards the end of October) of frequently changing regulations and guidance and a situation where the level of COVID infections are growing on a week by week basis.

This does not mean that this is a lack of activity; actually, there is quite a lot going on but most of it is fairly low-key nature. In a season when clubs are normally at their busiest with many of the folk scene’s performers making appearances at the county’s clubs, this autumn they are notable for their absence. The uncertainty also means that their programmes are not being published very far in advance; only one of them ventures to promise events in 2021. Let’s see what is happening according to their websites: The Sunday night HORSHAM club at The Normandy Centre, Denne Road has opened its doors to existing members only with a programme of evenings without guest performers apart from Sunday 12th December when they will have an evening with Pitch Hillbillies, a new young band that perform mainly bluegrass.

The CHICHESTER club meets on Mondays at the Chichester Inn in West Street. No guests are advertised for their December with a Club Night Singaround on the 6th, a theme night entitled “Wintery Delights” on the 13th and their Christmas Party on the 20th.

In Lewes, the SATURDAY NIGHT FOLK CLUB was one of the first in the area to re-open back in August and has been running themed singers’ evenings every week since then.

Encouragingly, some of these have been pretty well attended. On one when I was there, more than twenty performers offering a song, a poem or a tune in an evening arranged in a big circle. On December 4th, they will be having their first guest singer when one of the most highly regarded singers in Sussex, Bob Lewis will be bringing them some of his traditional songs from the county. This is a club that is already offering great things in 2022 with, hopefully, the return of their programme of leading performers offering All-day workshops followed by a performance in the evening. Scheduled appearances include those by top performers Alistair Anderson, John Kirkpatrick, Andy Irvine & Sara Grey.

EASTBOURNE FOLK CLUB meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month, upstairs in The Lamb Inn in Eastbourne Old Town. They re-opened in the autumn and have been booking guest performers for each of their meetings since then. During December.

On the 1st The local Ragati String Band will be playing their upbeat English, Irish, American ‘folk roots’ songs and then on the 15th a combination mainly made up of their resident musicians and singers, Black Strap Molasses will be the attraction.

Sadly, it looks like the Willows Folk Club in ARUNDEL is no more. It has been in existence since the 1960s but their website has gone and there has been no reply from emails to the last known organiser.

UCKFIELD FOLK CLUB has opened after the pandemic with a new venue and a new organiser. Right in the centre of the town, their new home is at The Station Hotel where they will meet on the third Tuesday of each month. Starting with singaround evenings, they are hoping to arrange guest evenings once the club is established. The new organiser is Pamela Langridge and she can be contacted at uckfieldfolkclub@gmail.com.

Vic Smith

Lewes Saturday Folk Club Traditional music every Saturday night

Elephant & Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ 8.00 – 11.00 www.lewessaturdayfolkclub.org valmaigoodyear@aol.com 01273 476757 Loyalty card: 6 evening visits = £5 off an evening Dec 4 Bob Lewis £7 30 max, email to save a seat Dec 11 Open Night No theme £3 Dec 18 Christmas Party £3 30 max, email to save a seat Dec 25 Closed Jan 1 Open Night No theme £3 Jan 8 Wassail £3 30 max, email to save a seat Jan 15 Open Night No theme £3 Jan 22 Open Night No theme £3 Jan 29 Open Night No theme £3 WORKSHOPS 2022 (10.45 am – 4.45 pm) The tutor performs at the club in the evening. Booking forms from club website. Half-price places for 2 under-25 year-olds.

9 April 30 April 11 June 9 July 23 July 24 July 10 Sept 17 Sept

Rheingans Sisters Fiddle Daoirí Farrell Bouzouki Emmanuel Pariselle & Didier Oliver Gascon trad JIB (Temples & Jim Mageean) Sea songs John Kirkpatrick Tune arranging John Kirkpatrick Vocal harmony Keith Macdonald, Ange Hauck German trad tunes Alistair Anderson Northumbrian tunesmiths Dan Walsh Clawhammer banjo ALISTAIR ANDERSON & DAN WALSH evening 15 Oct Andy Cutting Melodeon Rob Harbron English concertina Sam Sweeney Fiddle LEVERET evening 29 Oct Ben Paley Fiddle 11 Nov Riley Baugus Banjo

CD Reviews

The Silver Darlings - Maiden Voyage www.silverdarlingsshanty.co.uk The Silver Darlings are a six piece female shanty group from Essex. This album is made up of 11 traditional songs arranged by the group’s Laura Tanner, plus two contemporary songs, Davy Cross composed by Paul Davenport and The Last Barge composed by George King.

All songs are performed unaccompanied in a traditional style except for the addition of a shruti box on Davy Lowston. Shanties included on the album include old favorites such as John Kanaka, Haul Away Joe, Randy Dany-O, Rolling Down to Old Maui and South Australia.

Also included are Pique La Baleine and Padstow Farewell. Unsurprisingly The Wellerman, which recently brought Shanties to the attention of the general public, also gets an airing.

This is a well produced and well performed album and well worth a listen.

Alan Castle (Editor) Various Artists – Hamish Henderson Tribute Vol. 2: Ballad Of The Banfees – Greentrax CDTRAX 410 Hamish Henderson held a pre-eminent position in the folk revival in Scotland. In fact, many people point to the People’s Ceilidh in Edinburgh in 1951 organised

by Hamish is partnership with Alan Lomax and Ewan MacColl as being the beginning of the folk revival in the UK. Even now, nearly twenty years after his death, albums recounting his legacy are still being released. This is the latest.

The main content here are new settings of the songs and poems that he wrote during his army service in Italy in the Second World War and well known items like Banks of Sicily and Tail Toddle are included along with new tunes set to some lesser known poems.

Some items feature spoken and sung recordings of Hamish but in the main we hear the voices of younger performers, mostly Fiona Hunter, lead singer with Malinky and John Morran of Deaf Shepherd. Fiona contributes the finest performance on the album with her singing of The Presence.

Dr, Fred Freeman was a long-term friend and colleague of Hamish and he has written the impressive 24-page booklet and was also the producer. He brings that same spare, unfussy quality as producer here as he brought the wonderful 12 volume set, The Complete Songs of Robert Burns. He also reads a hilarious essay by Hamish of an encounter with a dentist at the time of the Battle of El Alamein.

Many of us first heard the name of Nelson Mandela from Hamish and his song about that great leader, Rivonia, concluded this album sung by a South African choir. www.greentrax.com Vic Smith

Every Wednesday 8.00 pm Emerging from the recent ‘dark days’ we venture back into a season of live performances.

24 Nov ALLAN RICHARDSON - Allan’s music is full of originality, combining English folk traditions with many other more modern elements. His hallmarks are humour, finely crafted lyrics, varied tunes and deftly played guitar accompaniment. £7/8 16 Dec MORRIGAN - A seasonal evening with Rosaline Hone, Sarah Pavey, Chris Harrison and Chris Evans, who together comprise ‘Morrigan’. Their music is a blend of traditional and contemporary songs, some self penned, and delivered in four part harmony. Although they also all play a variety of instruments they tend to sing a capella. £819 19 Jan HELEN NORTH - Kent based singer and folk song writer, Helen North, has an established reputation for her skilfully turned lyrics, strongly visual songs and beautifully true voice. £7/8 Come along to our singers nights - join in by singing, playing, reciting, dancing or just be part of the audience.

All singers nights £2. Under 16s free.

Tonbridge Folk Club (Nellie’s) The Beer Seller, 64 High Street, Tonbridge, TN9 1EH

First and third Mondays of each month, 8 - 11 pm

Subject to the Covid 19 emergency, please check our website for the latest information tonbridgefolkclub.org Our provisional programme is: 6th December 20th Dec

Dave Arthur

Four Gone Confusion

21st February

Alan Reid

Tel: 01892 822945

info@tonbridgefolkclub.org www.tonbridgefolkclub.org

Singdanceandplay

Farnborough Social Club

6 Pleasant View Pl, Farnborough, Orpington, BR6 7BL DECEMBER

2nd

Nick Dow

9th, 16th, 30th Singers & Musicians Night 23rd Our popular online sessions on Sunday nights continue – they’re fun and attract great performers. Email gmatkin@gmail.com.

— We’re not planning in-person workshops in public spaces in the very near future, but there are lots of instructional tunes videos to work on at https://bit.ly/3jfOald.

— Julie and I would be delighted to play for online events or future live shows, including with our country dance band The Tonic!

The Kimberleys

JANUARY

6th, 13th, 27th Singers & Musicians Night 20th

Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer

Orpington Folk Music and Song Club exists to promote folk music and song. It is a non profit making organisation and is for those who wish to listen to or take part in an informal evening of folk music and song.

For those who wish confirmation of guest(s) nights they can call any of the telephone numbers below.

Thursdays @ 8pm 01959 532 754 020 8325 6513 Website: www.orpingtonfolkclub.org.uk E-mail:orpingtonfolkclub@hotmail.com

Rosslyn Court

Thank you for supporting live music at Rosslyn Court this year. We hope you have a joyful holiday and can keep supporting live music in 2022.

Did you miss our last minute booking Granny’s Attic gig here In Nov? Shame! Check www.rosslyncourt.com/concerts for updates. *****Gift Vouchers available for concerts and workshops. Call us.*****

Concerts doors 7.00.

usually £12 - 2 x 45 min sessions

Full list/YouTube link: www.RosslynCourt.com/concerts or Facebook

book:W WeGotTickets/Rosslyn Court or 07902140248 s t The 1 hour (only) is also live streamed on YouTube -donations please! www.rosslyncourt.com/concerts for updates www.rosslyncourt.com/recordings for 60+ livestreams December 2 Gavin Alexander – a welcome return of a superb songsmith 16 Something festive 22 Jazz at Rosslyn Court at 8pm. £10 January 6 Moa Pappillon – Swedish drinking songs and much more.

13 Steve Gifford – Ramsgate singer songwriter 19 Jazz at Rosslyn Court at 8pm. £10 20 Reg Meuross – the breadth and depth of his material is unparalleled 27 Jo Solo – Benefit for “We Shall Overcome”- Punk folk Licenced micro bar, hot and cold soft drinks + cake! available .

Fun and Friendly socially isolated Workshops usually £14 Clog/Step taster workshops monthly – Lesley Riding and banjo Dave Dec 14 £10 Jan date tba -see website for details Other workshops – see www.rosslyncourt.com/courses 62 Sweyn Rd, Cliftonville, Margate CT9 2DD 8/33/Loop bus -please try to park on the sea front-unless your mobility is limited..

W e really appreciate the financial support w e received from the Music Venue Trust , ACE and Thanet DC

Tenterden Folk song and music sessions RETURNING SOON The William Caxton West Cross, Tenterden TN30 6JR The second Tuesday of every month 8.00 p.m.

Free, sing-a-round style folk session Floor singers, musicians storytellers, step dancers, etc. always welcome Information: E: info@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk W: www.tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk T: 01233 626805 Tenterden Folk Club has been running consistently since 1993 Tenterden Folk Club is part of Tenterden Folk Festival (Charity No 1038663) Promoting folk song, music and dance

Collections or Best prices paid 354 135 Ring Collin 07860

WANTED

LPs, EPs, 45s, CDs

Folk, Blues, reggae, jazz and WANTED rock LPs, EP

s, 45s, CDs Folk, blues, reggae , jazz and rock Collections or small er items

Collections or smaller items, best Best prices paid prices paid Ring Collin 07860 354 135

Ring Collin 07860 354 135

CD Reviews

With Covid restrictions lifted and mixing returned to something like normal, we are now starting to get a lot more review copies of CDs. This is good news as it means that artists and musicians are beginning to get out and about more. Many of the albums we have received over the last few months reflect the time people have spent at home writing new songs and tunes. Many are excellent but many are more what I would call singer songwriter or acoustic music albums rather than folk albums. However good some of these are, we will be limiting our reviews to the more relevant albums we are currently receiving.

Various artists - Friends and companions sing Vin Garbutt HHM058 graemeknights.net/vin-garbutt-tribute-cd While at Tenterden Folk Festival, Graeme Knights handed me a copy of this charity album which he was instrumental in putting together to celebrate Vin’s life and music. All the tracks were donated by Vin’s friends including Martyn Wyndham Read, Eric Bogle, Bob Fox, Stan Graeme, George Papavgeris, Keith Hancock, Flossie Malavialle, Winter Wilson, Jez Lowe and of course Graeme Knights.

The tracks are all songs Vin wrote or sang and mainly taken from previous albums these friends had recorded over the years. For instance Jez donated a recording of his own song, My Blood, on which Vin had arranged the harmonies and whistle parts. With all these artists involved and singing Vin’s songs you do not really need me tell you how good it is and that you should have it in your collection. The CD comes with a small booklet with short notes on each track. After production costs all proceeds will go to the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity. I only saw Vin perform a few times and only managed to actually book him once many years ago for a folk club I was running at the time but we are all very familiar with his songs and musicianship. Sadly missed.

Jez Hellard and the Djukella Orchestra - The Fruitful Fells JDHCD004 www.jezhellard.net In issue 107 of AKF I mentioned seeing Jez Hellard and the Djukella Orchestra in the Memorial Park during Broadstairs Folk Week. Jez’s new album was released just before Broadstairs and I’ve played it several times since seeing them live. The songs and tunes on the new album are very upbeat and lively. The album was mainly recorded by Mike Ward at 9th Ward Pickin Parlor in Wales and produced by Jez. It features a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music and many of the songs Jez sang at Broadstairs. On the CD the orchestra consists of nine people as opposed to just the three at Broadstairs. The album comes in a double fold cover with a lot of information about Jez, the orchestra, the CD and the songs. There is also a thick well produced booklet with photos and all the lyrics. A few of the songs were written by Jez but most are by other writers including The Joy of Living by Ewan MacColl, Foodbanks and Ferraris by Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter, Home by Christmas by Robb Johnson, Westlin Winds from Robert Burns and For Mr Thomas and October Song by Robin Williamson. Certainly an album worth listening too.

Alan Castle (Editor)

SAGITTARIUS Freely with Spirit

Words & Music by Bob Watson

© COPYRIGHT 1990 ROM Watson/Patchworks 9 Compton Close Earley READING RG6 7EA UK Phone: 0118 926 7489 watson.bob@tiscali.co.uk

SAGITTARIUS Words & Music by Bob Watson

Chorus (to start and finish) Now Sagittarius, that is me name, And to miss the mark that never was me aim; The arrow’s mine, I would have it known, That put a Norman king on the English throne.

1. Since early days the bowman did enjoy A high demand his talents to employ, For the straightest arrows meant the battle won, And at Agincourt so the deed was done.

Chorus 2. To noted archers my respects I’d pay, Like Robin Hood, who on his dying day Fired off a last dart and then says he: “Where that one lands I’d ask you bury me!”

3. And William Tell who took his aim with care, No time for pratting round he split an apple square, Likewise the redskin boys fired with renown From off of a prancing horse, while hanging on upside down.

Chorus 4. The bowman’s trade it changes with the times, Olympic medals are now what he‘s got in mind; Same old skills you need, plus the same old knack, But now the targets don’t fire arrows back!

5. Some modern hunters you can but distain, Don’t care to risk their skins, computers make their aim; From two miles’ range now their kill is made -They bring disgrace to the arching trade!

Chorus 6. When love’s in season, watch out for Cupid’s dart, In case he fires it straight at your heart; Your fate well sealed then, all with a loving kiss, I’ve never known the little bastard miss! Or b*****d or beggar 7. My song is sung, and I’ve tried to tell Of the arching trade, I hope I done it well; While I’ve good arrows and a bow to draw, I’ll be content and I won’t ask for more!

Last chorus © COPYRIGHT 1990 ROM Watson/Patchworks 9 Compton Close Earley READING RG6 7EA UK Phone: 0118 926 7489 watson.bob@tiscali.co.uk

Thu 29th Sept to Sun 2nd October Folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions

TENTERDEN

olk festival 2022

folk festival

f

Tenterden

“Tenterden the Jewel of the Weald”

Wed 23 February 2022

LAU Doors 7pm / Start 8pm / Seated

Over 14s welcome, under 16s to be accompanied by an adult.

Quarterhouse – 01303 760750 creativefolkestone.org.uk seetickets.com * Booking fee on tickets from seetickets.com

UNPLUGGED

“Lau are a remarkable band – the most musically adventurous trio in British folk – exquisite and hypnotic, musicianship at its best.” ***** The Guardian

meltingvinyl.co.uk lau-music.co.uk

£20 / £24 on the door

Four-time winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for best group.

Winter 2021

Declan O’Rourke Friday 12th November – Canterbury Cathedral Lodge The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican Saturday 20th November – Gulbenkian (CF Hall) Usher’s Island Sunday 28th November – Gulbenkian Martyn Joseph Saturday 4th December – Waterstones, Canterbury St Agnes Fountain Thursday 16th December – Gulbenkian, (CF Hall)

www.folkinthebarn.co.uk

Albion Christmas Band Saturday 18th December – Gulbenkian

M OORE ESS OLK LUB M OOREor orL L ESSF F OLKC C LUB Oast OastCommunity CommunityCentre, Centre,Granary GranaryClose, Close, Rainham, Kent, ME8 Rainham, Kent, ME87SG 7SG (next to Rainham railway station) (next to Rainham railway station)

Live Liveclub clubnights nightsdue duetotoresume resumeon on Friday 13th August, 2021 Friday 13th August, 2021 2021 Friday 10th December, Dates: Dates: Friday 13th Friday 13thAugust, August,2021 2021 Friday 10th September, 2021 Friday January, 2022 Friday14th 10th September, 2021

All Allclub clubnights nights8.30 8.30toto11.00pm 11.00pm Entrance Entrancefee fee£4.00 £4.00( guest ( guestnights nightsasasadvertised) advertised)

Enquiries EnquiriestotoChris ChrisWilkin Wilkin– –01634 01634366155 366155oror07821 07821606076 606076

This issue of Around Kent Folk was produced by Alan Castle and Andy Wood on behalf of Tenterden Folk Festival. Promoting folk song, music, dance, crafts and traditions.

Registered Charity No 1038663 Issue No. 109 February/March COPY DATE: 18th Dec Then …

18th December 2021 – February / March 18th June 2022 – August / September 18th February 2022 – April / May 18th August 2022 – October / November 18th April 2022 – June / July 18th October 2022 - December / January

ADVERTISING RATES: With both printing and postage costs continuing to rise we

have reluctantly decided to increase some of our advertising rates with effect from issue 91.

The new rates are as follows: Full colour: Back cover: £85 Inside front or back cover: £75 Full page run of issue: £65 Half page (run of issue): £40 **NEW**

Grayscale: Full page (run of issue): £39 Half page (run of issue): £28 Quarter page (run of issue): £18

Series discount: 15% if you pay in advance for a series of six adverts. You can still submit new artwork for each issue.

Artwork: Copy for new advertisements should be supplied as camera ready artwork by email as a high-resolution PDF, JPEG, or TIFF. Existing, regular advertisers need only send in new copy to update existing adverts.

A minimum extra charge of £10 will be made if you cannot submit your artwork in the correct format or sizes. Adverts and listings should be sent to akf@tenterdenfolkfestival.org.uk with a copy to anmarprintingservices@gmail.com Payment: Cheques payable to Tenterden Folk Day Trust (not Tenterden Folk Festival or Around Kent Folk). Send cheque and hard copy of adverts to: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent, TN23 3HA You can also pay by BACS or internet banking. Ask for details.

REVIEWS AND NEWS ITEMS: AKF also includes CD and book reviews. Please send items for review to the address above. AKF also welcomes reviews of live gigs and festivals that you have attended and other folk news which you can email to us at akf@tenterdernfolkfestival.org.uk WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA: www.aroundkentfolk.org.uk twitter.com/AroundKentFolk ● facebook.com/AroundKentFolk Around Kent Folk Subscription Form Name........................................................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................................

Telephone:.......................................................... Email:...........................................................

SUBSCRIPTION £9 for 1 year (6 issues) Cheques payable to “Tenterden Folk Day Trust” Send to: Alan Castle, 15 Repton Manor Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 3HA