Welcome to a brief Newsletter this week as we are off up country as part of our house move.
A pleasant singers night last Sunday but this Sunday with the Red River Singers will be a very different event. There will be no floor spots, so no instruments, only voices, no charge on the door and no raffle. It looks as though large numbers are expected, possibly more people than we have ever had at the Vic which could mean standing room only so it’s suggested that, if you need to sit down, you should think of bringing a foldable camping chair. There will be a film show and lots of singing of the songs that the Cornish love to sing and a re-launch of Hilary & Sally Burleys book “Shout”.
Meanwhile, the June session of the Cornish Zoom Folk Club is this Saturday. 27th June starting at 7.30 as usual. We hope that the weather around the country won’t affect numbers too much but you never know – folk might fancy an evening in with some great music. Let me know if you need the link.
There’s another opportunity to hear some local performers next Thursday, 2nd July, when Woodkern are performing at Wheal Martyn. Woodkern are a 7 strong group including Kessenyan and a number of other young faces from Cornwall and Devon who weave traditional music and song (including Cornish, Irish, English and beyond) with original material to create their own powerful and distinctive sound. Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Carthew, St Austell, PL26 8XG, more info at www.wheal-martyn.com
And another event at Wheal Martyn on Saturday 11th July with the Mevagissey Shanty Festival’s annual fundraising concert. The Block House Chainers from Fowey and The DerryAirs from Downderry will be performing traditional and original shanties and folk songs inspired by Cornwall and our rich mining and maritime heritage. Bar open on the day and pre-booked pasties (at £6.95) are available at point of booking. Tickets £14 with proceeds raised split equally between Mevagissey Shanty Festival and Wheal Martyn Trust (Charity no. 1001838). Doors open at 6.15pm, performance starts at 7.00pm. Same web-site as above.
Plenty more events being announced at Sidmouth including seated events at the Manor Pavilion and the Arts Centre. Some really eye-catching concerts on the programme including a new offering from Mick Ryan. “The Innocent” trlls the story of Thomas Helliker, the young “Trowbridge Martyr hanged in 1803 despite maintaining his innocence. Music by Steven Faux and featuring Bob and Gill Berry, Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman among others. This moving production explores injustice, industrial change and ther human cost of progress. Many other great performers, new as well as familiar. https://sidmouthfolkfestival.co.uk/
That’s all for this week, hope all goes well with the Red River Singers and we hope to see you at our next singers night on 5th July.
All the best
Nigel