Well, it seems an age since I wrote about what I’ve been doing. I’ve spent a long time in New Zealand, travelling around with friends. Winter in the U.K. is always difficult for me so a long trip abroad is very fulfilling. Fortunately, I had the pleasure of doing a gig at the Bunker in Devonport, having met Roger and Hilary in the Royal Oak, at the Lewes folk club when they were visiting England earlier in 2010. It’s a fantastic club in Auckland and Roger and Hilary are great hosts. We had a great time and as a result I went to the Auckland folk festival where I met loads of lovely people, including the Maritime Crew, a bunch of shanty singers…..small world!
I’ve been catching up with friends and family ever since and also getting back into the folk music world…..always great for me.
I’ve recorded a c.d. “Like a Small Bird in a Cage” at Alistair Russell’s studio in Southbourne of which I’m very proud and also put together another recording of mainly traditional songs, “With Frills and Bows” with Dean Hobbs, a fantastic musician in his own rite. Next job is to put some music on the website or You Tube or somewhere!
I’ve been regularly going to the Chichester folk song club on a Tuesday evening at the Four Chesnuts, but haven’t managed all the other clubs on the south coast with any regularity yet…….now the folk festival season is underway, I’m drawn to many of them….can we possibly have longer days and more time to fit everything in, please?
Since my trip to New Zealand I spent a lovely weekend in Stroud, hosted by Rod and Danny Stradling singing in the Stroud Spring sing. It was a great weekend in the company of some wonderful singers. I also joined in the May sing at Lodge Hill, hosted by Jim and Chris. Again, a fantastic weekend featuring some wonderful singers.
I had a great time at the Fareham festival and will be at Priddy, Bideford, Sidmouth and Whitby this year. I hope to join in the Hampshire song evening on 1st August in Sidmouth and am involved with Martyn Wyndham-Read’s “Ladies of the Outback” at Whitby.
Dean and I have sung at the Fab Club in Grays and the Bournemouth folk club, Centre Stage. Two good experiences and we will be at music day in Essex at the end of July, the Hoy at Anchor, Leigh on Sea in August and at the Chichester folk club in September. So, looking forward to all of that.