Johnny Collins’ funeral

Posted on August 15, 2009 by John Taylor

The funeral of Johnny Collins took place at Breakspear Crematorium in Rusilip, West London on Thursday 13th August. The repatriation process from Poland took weeks to be completed, and he wasn't returned to these shores until nearly the end of July.
Suffice to say that the service, and the reception afterwards back in South Pinner at the home of his Herga Folk Club, were totally awesome. Hundreds of people came from near and far to say a final farewell to someone who had played a part (large or small) in their lives. The tributes at the service from his family and closest friends, summed up the man perfectly. The songs selected were, again, perfect for the occasion, and the singing just took your breath away. The reception was, as anticipated, a wonderful celebration of Johnny in song – hours and hours of songs sung in tribute, with wonderfull choruses, harmonies and so much affection.

I just feel humbled to have been a part of that day.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Johnny Collins, farewell.

Posted on July 8, 2009 by John Taylor

Johnny Collins has been a guest at Bromyard Folk Festival continuously for nearly forty years, so it very sad to have to write that Johhny died from a heart attack on Sunday 5th July in Gdansk Poland. He and Jim Mageean were performing at the shanty festival and had just finished their concert at the Sailor's Club when he was taken ill.

I am sure there are many, many people locally who will remember Johnny for his singing, his friendship and his gentleness. Just a lovely man in so many ways. I count myself fortunate to have been known him, and to have sung in the same room as him on so maay occasions.

Farewll, Johnny – an inspiration and example to everyone. 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bromyard Sessions at Bromyard Gala

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Tony Burt

I am arranging live music for Bromyard Gala on Sunday 5th July from 2.45 to 4.45. The stage is next to the Beer Tent (wonder who thought of that?) and a good time is anticipated for all.

If you are coming to the Gala that day please come along and say Hi. I do have a few slots left for performers so email info@bromyardsessions.co.uk to express an interest in being included.

The Gala is really a terrific day out, proper Country Fair with Shire horses, fairground organs, vintage cars, caravans, tractors, steam engines and much more.

Visit their website at http://www.bromyardgala.org.uk.

Posted in Events, Music, News | Leave a comment

Musicians Wanted For Bromyard Scarecrow Festival

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Tony Burt

I have two music slots to fill as part of the Bromyard Scarecrow Festival on June 7th between 12.30 and 1.30 and again between 3.00 and 4.00.

It'll be organised chaos but I'm sure it will be fun. If you are interested either post a comment here or email info@bromyardsessions.co.uk. I guess I can fit in up to 5 acts + me to give 6 sets of 20 minutes each. Failing that 4 x 30 minutes or even 2 sets of 20 minutes for just 3 performers.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Folk ‘n’ Ale weekend Festival – Bishops Frome

Posted on May 5, 2009 by John Taylor

This weekend, 8th – 10th May there is a three day Beer Festival combined with music and dancing in and around the Green Dragon.
There will be over 20 cask conditioned ales on offer from all over the UK, and proceedings get under way from 4-00pm on Friday.

Music and dance will include :

Appalachian Clog by Soft Option
Morris by Silurian and Faithful City
Dancing round the Maypole
Music and Song sessions ('Come All Ye' format)
Acoustic Open Mic Sessions

Camping available on village sports field (small concessionary charge applies)
Toilet and shower facilitiers available
No fires on camp site

Camping space on the sports field is limited – book in advance (contact Green Dragon)

More information from :

Simon or Alison at Green Dragon : Tel – 01885 490607  E-mail : greendragoninn@btconnect.com

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Two Big Events – We Need Your Support

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Tony Burt

There are two big events coming up in the next week and a bit – and we need your support!

Firstly on Tuesday next, 28th April, we have the relaunch of the session at the Wheelwrights Arms in Pencombe. For many years this was one of the finest sessions in the West Midlands till long standing licensees Colin and Sue retired. Then we had an object lesson in how to ruin a successful pub in no time flat and the session died. Now it's back again! The atmosphere is great; very pleasant beer from Holdens, Greene King plus a guest or two and very nice straightforward food – all the meats from Legge's in Bromyard, cooked to perfection! I'm not joking – seems like me and Brigi are eating there at least once a week.

Next Tuesday, 28th April is the first session back there. Please come and support us, kick off the revived session with a bang and give Liz and Paul (the new licensees) a bit of encouragement for getting the session back. I'll be doing my usual slavedriver thing, making sure there's more music than blather. Make the effort, come along, bring your friends. For directions post code is HR7 4RN. Just find Pencombe – the pub's in the middle of the village.

Then there's the big event!

From 1st to 4th May is Spring Festival in Bromyard. All sorts of events going on including Town Criers' Competition, Maypole dancing and lots of music. Prime venue is the Falcon Mews, the medieval banqueting hall behind the Falcon Hotel. This is an astonishing venue – if you haven't seen it yet don't miss this chance. It was  the stables of the Falcon in 18th and 19th centuries, the town's cinema in early 20th century but research suggests it was part of a medieval monastery or such like even earlier.

On Friday 1st May it will be graced by HotFeat, a really fun soul band but for your particular delectation it's the venue, on Saturday 2nd May, for another "Bromyard Sessions In Concert". Not for the first time, we have a selection of the acts who turn up to play in our pub sessions presenting themselves in concert. The lineup is a bit fluid but so far includes Foxtail Soup, AngelCynn, Ramshackle Bluegrass Band, Al Clearwater, Brian Jones + whoever he drags along, Tony Burt, Ken Crowther and more.

This will be the 3rd "Bromyard Sessions In Concert" and if you missed the first two make amends now!

Doors open at 8.00, music from 8.30 till we get fed up, it costs nothing so be there early as it will be busy (Bromyard folk love a bargain!), Wye Valley Bitter + Brains Rev James from the barrel. It'll be some night. Turn up in droves, tell your mates, support us PLEASE!!!

Posted in Events, Music | Leave a comment

Sessions In April/May

Posted on April 9, 2009 by Tony Burt

Just a reminder of events/sessions in Bromyard and surrounding villages over next few weeks:

 

12/04 – Rose & Lion

14/04 – Green Dragon, Bishop's Frome

19/04 – Rose & Lion

21/04 – Falcon

26/04 – Rose & Lion

28/04 – Wheelwrights Arms, Pencombe

02/05 – In Concert at the Falcon Mews

03/05 – Rose & Lion

05/05 – Falcon

10/05 – Rose & Lion

12/05 – Green Dragon, Bishop’s Frome

17/05 – Rose & Lion

19/05 – Falcon

24/05 – Rose & Lion

26/05 – Wheelwrights Arms, Pemcombe

31/05 – Rose & Lion

 

Basically schedule is now:

 

Rose & Lion every Sunday

Falcon 1st and 3rd Tuesdays

Green Dragon 2nd Tuesday

Wheelwrights 4th Tuesday

 

For anyone not familiar with these sessions all are in singaround format and all are based on acoustic instruments only. Different sessions are more or less "folky" but any kind of good music is welcome at all.

 

The Rosie is the most variable and probably the most raucous of the sessions, tends to start fairly folk-oriented but later on plenty of 60's, blues, gypsy jazz as well as folk. The Green Dragon is probably the most "folky" of the sessions. The 3rd Tuesday at the Falcon is very well supported with a wide range of high quality music, the 1st Monday session there has just started and can't see a pattern yet. Finally the session at the Wheelwright's is a resurrection of an old long running session that died a while back. First new session yet to happen but history suggests it will be a good 'un

 

The "Bromyard Sessions In Concert" event is different. It's featuring a selection of the regular performers at the pub sessions but in concert format. This will be the 3rd such concert we have run and the previous two have been a great success. More info on this shortly.

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

New Session At The Wheelwrights In Pencombe

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Tony Burt

Up until about 18 months ago one of the best and most thriving sessions around this part of the world was held on the 1st Tuesday of every month at the Wheelwrights Arms in Pencombe. The pub is old and characterful, the beer quality was legendary and the welcome from Colin and Sue second to none.

Then Colin and Sue retired. Despite their best efforts to find successors they could entrust the place to it fell into the wrong hands. Beer quality and choice spiralled downwards and the culmination was the night the new landlord refused to turn the TV off for the musicians because he was watching it himself! Those are just a sample of the causes of the demise of the pub and are sad evidence of just how fragile is the standard and reputation of a great country pub!

The really good news is that the pub is now run by Liz and Paul, who are wholly committed to restoring the place to its former stature as a real ale and folk music Mecca! I have made a couple of visits and checked with friends in the village and am glad to confirm that the beer is excellent (Holden’s, Spinning Dog, Morland’s and GK Abbott Ale on my last trip); the food delicious (all the meat from Legge’s and very nice too!) and most importantly the atmosphere is most welcoming.

Liz and Paul are very keen to get the monthly sessions going again so we will be launching on Tuesday 28th April and the fourth Tuesday of every month thereafter. Please spread the word to musicians and observers alike and let’s fill the place on the 28th. If you need more info email info@bromyardsessions.co.uk. If you want to contact Liz or Paul call 01885 400358.

Pencombe1 

The Wheelwrights Arms : Pencombe

Pencombe2 

Inside The Wheelwrights

Posted in News, Venues | 1 Comment

Temporary Session date changes – Amendment

Posted on March 20, 2009 by John Taylor

To accommodate other vents at a couple of the local sessions the days/days for April have been rescheduled as follows:

1. Walter de Cantelupe, Kempsey, Nr. Worcester : Sunday 19th April instead of 12th April

2. Admiral Rodney, Berrow Green, nr. Martley : Thursday 23rd April for the annual St George's Day celebrations, instead of Wednesday 22nd April.

Be good to see as many of the regulars, and any newcomers, at either or both sessions.

JT

Amendment

Admiral Rodney – totally missed that there were five Wednesdays in April, therefore there will be the usual acoustic/folk monthly session in April on Wednesday 15th.

Apologies for oversight.

JT

Posted in Events | Leave a comment

Music, Song & Dance Weekend – The Salwey Arms

Posted on March 18, 2009 by Tony Burt

Friday 17th April to Sunday 19th April there's another music, song and dance weekend at the Salwey Arms, Wooferton, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 4AL (on A49).

Singarounds and Music Sessions throughout the weekend +

  • Ceilidh Workshop – Saturday Morning 10.30 am - £2.50
  • Ceilidh with Cut The Mustard – Saturday Evening 8.00 pm – £5 at the door

Hard standing for campers and caravans – free, but please book

Rooms in the hotel or Travel Lodge (next door)

For rooms phone Mike on 01584 711203

For other enquiries call 01568 770821 or email sally.stamford@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.myspace.com/sallystamford

The last weekend they held was terrific so get yourself along – see you there!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment