Welcome to this week’s Dreamers Newsletter
Thanks to all who came along to the Club last Sunday, not a huge attendance in terms of numbers but consistently high on quality so a thoroughly enjoyable evening. We can look forward to another singers night this coming Sunday, 12th April.
Before that, on Friday evening, April 10th, we’ll be visiting Bodmin Folk Club as the first of our annual exchange visits this year. Bodmin F/C runs from 8.00 to 11.00 at St Petroc’s Parish Centre, Priory Rd, Bodmin, PL31 2DP. This should be a great evening with plenty of us going along, the opportunity to hear (and chat to) Bodmin’s own performers and some good grub and non-alcoholic refreshments (bring your own booze if you want). There’s very limited parking there but we can use the Lidl Car Park nearby or the Priory Car Park.
After that, on April 19th, we welcome our next guests, Scolds Bridle, a Lancashire duo consisting of Sue Bousfield and Liz Walmisley. Scolds Bridle celebrated their 50th year performing as a duo in 2025. Their performances blend beautiful harmonies and humorous chat with a range of material, traditional and contemporary and maritime songs with guitar, bouzouki and concertina accompaniment. (The name “Scolds Bridle” refers to a brutal historical iron muzzle used in the 17th century, primarily for women accused of nagging or arguing).
I’m advertising that early as there may not be a Newsletter next week if we have visitors.
And then, on Saturday 25th April, there’s another opportunity to meet up with folk from Bodmin and many others who’ll be coming together at the Membly Hall Hotel in Falmouth for the celebration of Roger Bryant’s life. This runs from 1.00 until 5.00 (when we must be out!). Pip Franklin is working hard on the organisation but it seems that Bodmin F/C will have time in the first part of the afternoon and Dreamers will have some time later, after refreshments. It sounds as though there will be a number of other performers, many of whom came regularly to the Falmouth Voice Tour which Roger and Gaye organised for many years at the same venue. (The Voice Tour will be in early October this year).
The next Cornish Zoom Folk Club is later that same evening, 25th April.
Also on line, next Thursday 16th April (8.00) Live to Your Living Room features Banter, described curiously as the world’s smallest gig band. Banter is a quarter founded in 2015 consisting of Simon Care (melodeon and concertina), Nina Zella (keyboards and vocals), Tim Walker (drums, percussion, brass, guitar, bass, and vocals), and Mark Jolley (bass, fiddle, guitar, and vocals). Vibrant renditions of folk classics, stunning original songs, and a few ‘folked up’ versions of classic pop favourites! Buy tickets – Banter – Zoom
I’m happy to report that the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at Cecil Sharp House have agreed to be a library of deposit for the 70 + booklets of poetry which the late, great Les Barker produced. It seems that neither his agents nor John Watterson (Fake Thackeray) have a complete set so they are looking to the folk community to send in any of the booklets or photocopies thereof to Tiffany Hore at the VWML, Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents park Road, London NW1 7AY. Any help welcome!
Finally, best wishes once again to Ruth – hope we’ll see you before long (and, of course, to Paul).
Looking forward to seeing everyone at Bodmin or Dreamers or both.
All the best
Nigel