Hi and welcome to this week’s Dreamers Newsletter. Apologies for the gap in production – we were away 2 weeks ago and then returned to find we had lost our broadband connection so had no realistic way of researching for news or for sending it out.
It was good to be back at the Club on Sunday even with a number of regulars away, mostly on holiday. However, we heard that Roger Bryant has had some medical episodes and was in Treliske. I gather he has now been released which is obviously great news and we all hope he’s getting good treatment and on the road to recovery so we can see him back at Dreamers.
It was also good to hear the message from Niall and Kitty’s family expressing appreciation of the recognition of their huge contribution at our 25th Anniversary Night a few weeks ago. I think we all enjoyed having them with us that evening – as they said in the message, onward for another 25 years.
Those who knew John Tremaine, editor of the excellent “Folk in Cornwall” (among many other contributions to the folk scene) may wish to attend his funeral which has now been arranged for 2.30 on Monday 19th May at Bodmin Crematorium, Turfdown Rd, Fletchers Bridge Bodmin PL30 4AP.
It’s another singers night this coming Sunday (18th May) and then, on 25th May, we welcome our next guest, Mark Dowding from the North West. Some of us got to know Mark well during the early days of lockdown and covid when he came along to the zoom sessions. More about him next week. The next Cornish Zoom is on Saturday 24th May (always 4th saturday not the last Saturday).
Festival season is nearly upon us with the Falmouth Shanty Festival from 13th to 15th June being the first of the reasonably local events. Lots of information at https://www.falmouthseashanty.co.uk/ As usual it coincides with Falmouth Classics which features three days of enjoyable racing and a spectacular Parade of Classic Boats and the Small Classic Boat Parade. One of the largest Classic sailing events in the UK. We then have the massive Sidmouth Festival from 1st to 8th August followed by the Cornwall Folk Festival from 21st to 25th August. The web-sites for these are Homepage – The Sidmouth Folk Festival (the “taster programme can be found there) and Cornwall Folk Festival: Thu 22- Mon 26 Aug in Wadebridge, North Cornwall
A couple of notable online opportunities from Live to Your Living Room:-
· This Friday, 16th May (7.45), a rising star in Holly Clark a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, immersing listeners in the narratives that have shaped humanity’s experience through time. Rising in popularity among folk audiences and performing with the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Daoirí Farrell and Queer Folk and supporting the folk icon Martin Carthy, Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. A hybrid gig from Downend Folk and Roots in Bristol Holly Clarke | Live To Your Living Room
· And, from the other end of the experience spectrum, on Monday 26th May (8.00) there’s Peggy Seeger’s final and 90th Birthday Tour, livestreamed from in Cubley Hall in Penistone. A joyful celebration of over 75 years in music, covering new songs from Peggy’s latest album Teleology, as well as much-loved classics. Performing with sons Neill and Calum MacColl, expect whip-smart humour, beautiful harmonies, and world-class musicianship, alongside friendly banter and lots of audience participation!
And new episodes on Folk on Foot with Sam Lee (and nightingales – birds not backing singers!) from a Sussex wood (Folk on Foot Classic: Sam Lee singing with Nightingales in Sussex) and also Georgia Shackleton from the Norfolk coast with a violin made from the floorboards of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton’s home, a climb to the top of the Happisburgh lighthouse and a song about whales stranded on the shore – just three of the highlights of this glorious sunny seaside walk.
That’s all for now, hope to see you on Sunday
Nigel