Thursday folk music entertainment traditional tune sessions at the Bell Inn, Ash, Martock near Yeovil Somerset

The Bell Inn, Ash, Martock, Somerset traditional folk music session, run by the ever amicable Martin Hughes, is one of my favourite traditional folk music entertainment tune sessions. Recently there have been some management issues  at the Bell Inn that needed to be resolved but happily now, possibly the Yeovil areas favourite landlady, Caroline Halfhide (Caz),  is back and providing a wonderfully welcoming environment for eating, drinking, chatting or just playing a few traditional English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Swedish, Eastern-European or whatever tunes.

As I understand it, the Thursday traditional tune sessions at the Bell Inn, Ash, Martock, Somerset will now be monthly on the Fourth Thursday of the month and I look forward to going back often. (However, it is always well worth phoning to check before-hand with the management of the pub in case of changes to arrangements.)


So, if you are looking for some music entertainment in the Yeovil, Martock or South Somerset area and would like to join in monthly on the Fourth Thursday of the month with a folk music tune session as a musician, or just would like to listen to some traditional folk music tunes from a variety of traditions, why not check out the Bell Inn, Ash near Yeovil in Somerset. People tell me the food is great too :-)

Wednesday Xmas music entertainment in Exmoor and West Somerset rocked at Kildare Lodge Hotel with traditional English, Irish and French tunes plus some Christmas favourites

As Xmas draws near and festive entertainment gets into full swing, Christmas favourites rocked alongside traditional English, Irish, French and Eastern European tunes at the Kildare Lodge Hotel and Bar in Townsend Road, Minehead, West Somerset on the borders of Exmoor National Park last night (Wednesday 30th November 2011).

Although the 5th Wednesday of the month traditional music tune session only consisted of a single violin, piano accordion, banjo, whistle, guitar, soprano saxophone and mandolin on this occasion, the evening rocked along nicely with great music and the followers of this group of musicians seem to be on the increase so the bar was buzzing which provided a marvelous atmosphere at the Kildare Lodge Hotel and Bar in Minehead.

If you are looking to find out what's on Wednesdays in West Somerset and Exmoor and fancy listening to some traditional Christmas favourites mixed in with lots of English, Irish, French and Eastern European (Klezmer) tunes, why not check out where this local session of musicians is hanging out currently.

Information can be found on the local website Somerset and Dorset Folk Diary which gives details of where this group of musicians can be found on other Wednesdays of the month. Just look down the page for 'Half-Pace' Sessions to see a list of other folk music pub venues and to get contact details for the organiser for this traditional folk music session or phone the venue direct to confirm in case of change of schedule.

Christmas is a great time for traditional music entertainment and for fellowship so what better way to spend an evening than listening to a variety of lively traditional tunes or, if you are an acoustic musician, joining in with this local group of musicians playing traditional English, Irish, French and Eastern European (Klezmer) tunes. All for the price of a drink at the bar! See you there, perhaps :-)

What's on Wednesday entertainment in Exmoor or West Somerset? Try a musicians folk music tune session at Esplanade Club, Watchet if it's the fourth Wednesday

If you are wondering what's on in Exmoor or West Somerset and think you might enjoy some traditional folk music tunes, for the price of a drink at the bar, you might like to try the local traditional folk musician's acoustic session at the Esplanade Club, Watchet in West Somerset where I enjoyed a very pleasant evening last night (23rd November 2011).

On the fourth Wednesday of the month, from about 8.30 pm, a small group of amateur musicians usually turn up and play traditional folk music tunes all evening. The tunes vary depending on which musicians turn up but can include traditional Irish, English, Scottish or even tunes from Eastern Europe or Klezmer.

At the Esplanade Club, Watchet, West Somerset, the tunes are often supported by a few songs from local singers. Last night, fine local singer David (see photo below) sang a number of excellent sea shanties including local references to Watchet and Swain Street (Watchet's main street) and later a lady, whose name I didn't catch, led two great songs too.

Instruments depend on which musicians are out for the evening but frequently include guitars, mandolins, piano accordions, melodeons, violins, whistles, banjos and bodhrans but any acoustic musical instrument is welcome and, if you are a musician, whatever your level of experience, you will be welcomed and encouraged to join in.

Whilst this traditional folk music tune session has been going for many years, it is made up of an informal group of musicians who play for the fun of it and checking with the Esplanade Club, Watchet (01984 634518) is advisable to ensure there haven't been any changes to the local routine before travelling far.

If you are trying to find out what's on for entertainment in Exmoor or West Somerset and it is not the fourth Wednesday of the month and you would like to listen to a musicians folk music tune session or to join in, this group of musicians can often be found at other local pubs and bars on other Wednesdays. Checkout the local website Somerset and Dorset Folk Diary which gives details of where this group of musicians can be found on other Wednesdays of the month. Just look down the page for 'Half-Pace' Sessions to see a list of other folk music pub venues and to get contact details for the organiser of this traditional folk music session.

If you have never experienced a pub folk music tune session and you like traditional music, I'd recommend giving it a try and you might find you will never need to be looking for what's on on a Wednesday in Exmoor or West Somerset again :-)

What's on Wednesday entertainment in Exmoor or West Somerset? Try a musicians folk music tune session at Foresters Arms, Williton if it's the third Wednesday

If you are looking for what's on in Exmoor or West Somerset and you enjoy the occasional traditional folk music tune, for the price of a drink at the bar, you might like to check out the local traditional folk musician's acoustic session at the Foresters Arms, Williton in West Somerset (55 Long Street  Williton, Taunton TA4 4QY).

On the third Wednesday of the month, from about 8.30 pm, an intrepid group of amateur musicians usually turn up and play traditional folk music tunes all evening with the very occasional song. The tunes vary depending on which musicians turn up but can include traditional Irish, English, Scottish or even tunes from Eastern Europe or Klezmer.

Instruments depend on which musicians are out for the evening but frequently include guitars, mandolins, piano accordions, melodeons, violins, whistles, banjos and bodhrans but any acoustic musical instrument is welcome and, if you are a musician, whatever your level of experience, you will be welcomed and encouraged to join in.

Whilst this traditional folk music tune session has been going for many years, it is made up of an informal group of musicians who play for the fun of it and checking with the Foresters Arms, Williton TA4 4QY is advisable to ensure there haven't been any changes to the local routine before travelling far.

If you are wondering what's on for entertainment in Exmoor or West Somerset and it is not the third Wednesday of the month and you would like to listen to a musicians folk music tune session or to join in, this group of musicians can often be found at other local pubs and bars on other Wednesdays. Checkout the local website Somerset and Dorset Folk Diary which gives details of where this group of musicians can be found on other Wednesdays of the month. Just look down the page for Half-Pace Sessions to see a list of other folk music pub venues and to get contact details for the organiser of this traditional folk music session. If you have never experienced a pub folk music tune session and you like traditional music, I'd recommend giving it a try and you might find you will never need to be looking for what's on on a Wednesday in Exmoor or West Somerset again :-)

Weekly Friday Devon pub folk music session gave a friendly welcome to Jerry Tozer and his musician friends when they met up at the Crown and Sceptre, 2 Petitor Road, St Marychurch, Torquay to join in

I was looking forward to playing some tunes again with Jerry Tozer, home for a week from the North East (as Jerry describes Oxfordshire where he lives at the moment – Sonning Common being NE of Exeter!) for a mini-break, and a few of his musician friends last night (4th November 2011) when we met up at the regular Friday evening pub folk music session at the Crown and Sceptre pub in Torquay, Devon and I wasn't disappointed.

The regular Friday session folk musicians were friendly, even if we did somewhat swamp them with our numbers, the ambiance of the pub was great and the tunes flowed fast and furious.

It is always good to share a few tunes with Jerry Tozer. Jerry seems to know lots of really good musicians, including of course the tutors that help him with his folk music workshops which I hear are becoming increasingly popular amongst amateur folk musicians wanting to improve their skills.

 I certainly wasn't disappointed last night with some first class folk musicians providing a constant flow of English and Scottish jigs, reels, hornpipes and waltzes to encourage me to keep my fingers nimbly running up and down my soprano saxophone with hardly a break throughout the whole evening.

 Becky and Jon who run  several sessions around Exeter were there so we sneaked in a quick rendition of Papirosen to ensure Eastern tunes were given a chance. However, it seems that the pleasures of ragtime haven't yet travelled as far as the Torquay folk scene and, although I quite fancied a quick blast of Pig Ankle Rag, a quick check around indicated I'd be playing it alone so I passed on the opportunity.

The Crown and Sceptre is a busy pub musically. It has regular Jazz sessions and I hear that the Friday evening folk music session has been running for many years. Eddie, who was a friendly chap, said he'd been playing folk music at the Crown and Sceptre for many years, although he refused to describe himself as the host or organiser. 'If I can't turn up, others will make sure it keeps going'. However, somebody described him as a musical 'geru' and he certainly played tunes on his squeezebox beautifully. 'If you are ever back in Torquay, drop in and visit our regular session', he said. I certainly will and I suspect others would receive as friendly a welcome.

 The ambiance of the Crown and Sceptre is worth a mention. It was one of candle-lit tables, old pictures on the walls and chamber pots hanging from the ceiling, I found there was always something to look when there was a lull in the traditional folk music tunes or conversation.

 It was a two hour drive from West Somerset to Torquay but it was worth it. The session rocked with excellent traditional pub folk music tunes (although I understand this is normally a mixed folk music session) and I will be pleased to add this Torquay pub session venue at the Crown and Sceptre to the list of pub music sessions to which I look forward to returning in the future. Thanks should especially be extended to the regular musicians and the friendly welcome they gave to the sudden influx of all of Jerry's friends :-)

Enjoyable entertainment at a traditional musicians joining in pub folk music tune session at the Globe Hotel, Topsham, Exeter, Devon on the 1st Thursday of the month

Invited by John Stephens, whom I met at the Bampton Folk Festival 2011 and is one of the organisers of the Sunday evening Folk Club at the Globe Hotel, Topsham, Exeter, Devon,  I enjoyed a pleasant 1st Thursday of the month pub folk music tune session last night (3rd November 2011), also at the Globe Hotel. A particular bonus was to bump into folk dance musicians Pete and Nicole Mac and Sue Mentz of the Pete Mac Band whom I played alongside for the evening (see photo).

Tunes flowed fast and furiously and were mainly traditional English folk music with brief excursions into tunes from further afield. (One rather Irish sounding tune was actually Hebridean). There was a good mixture of instruments, including melodeons, violins, whistles and piano accordions, and the strong brass contingent, including trombones and a tuba, gave a rich depth to the traditional music that was very enjoyable.

Starting at 8pm, this session is obliged to finish at 10.30 pm promptly so I was able to get away early and head back to West Somerset with the expectation of getting back for midnight. Topsham, Exeter, is handily close to the M5 motorway.

The Globe Hotel, Topsham, Exeter, Devon is approached from a really narrow (and rather quaint) street. When I was there, it was lined on one side by cars leaving only just enough room for my car to get through on the other side of the road and the entrance from the street at the front of the hotel was extremely narrow. I managed to get in to the very crowded car park at the back but it was a squeeze. Thank goodness I was driving the Ford Focus and not my campervan which would never have made it. Access from the back of the hotel car park would have been somewhat easier but I would recommend anyone visiting the pub session to consider using the public car parks nearby instead. I needed two friendly and helpful guys to help me insert my vehicle in amongst the others and Pete and Nicole Mac kindly helped me extricate my car again at the end of the session, thankfully without accident.

All in all, the traditional pub folk music tune session at the Globe Hotel was a very pleasant evening playing traditional tunes in a friendly traditional hotel which I look forward to revisiting in the future. Currently this folk music session is the 1st Thursday of the month at the Globe Hotel, Topsham, Exeter, Devon but, as always, it is worth checking before travelling in case of changes to arrangements.

How to solve UK's economic problems and build communities! Bampton Folk Festival 2011 (After the Fair), North Devon and its visiting traditional folk music joining-in musicians, singers and dancers entertainment could have the answer!

I'm just back from an excellent weekend at Bampton Folk Festival 2011 (After the Fair) and have been contemplating how events get started and how they grow to become a self sustaining tradition. All of which is prompted by Bampton Folk Festival which just seems to gain popularity each year, despite very little publicity. People seem to hear about it by word of mouth and then keep turning up to enjoy a fantastic weekend of traditional dance, traditional song, traditional tunes and traditional community get-togethers, with lots of audience participation, that turns the small and normally rather quiet North Devon Town of Bampton into a vibrant community of traditional folk music, dance and song.

Of course, at the heart of this free festival, there is a very hard-working committee of folk musician and dance enthusiasts (Pennymoor Singaround) who, over the years have formed relationships with musicians, singers and dancers who are also passionate about folk traditions, from as far afield as Ireland and Brittany, and who arrange each year for these people to come and visit, but the general ethos of the festival is relaxed which enables visiting musicians and dancers to find space to express their musical and dancing skills at the various informal pub sessions and workshops without any great degree of apparent organisation.

In addition to the great sessions and fantastic traditional English, Irish and French (Breton) folk tunes I played with other traditional musicians and singers at the Swan Hotel and Blackberries (restaurant, bar and B&B accommodation), many of my best memories of Bampton Folk Festival (After the Fair) were the hours of conversation I had with other musicians and singers, some well known to me and others newly discovered.

I read somewhere that musicians comprise only 3% of the population with that small percentage including all musical traditions (Rock, Jazz, Classical, Pop etc.). So folk music festivals are a very necessary opportunity for practicing musicians, amateur or professional, to get together and share experiences.

But it was not just the musicians, singers and dancers who were enjoying themselves. Judging from the applause that we got in the Swan Hotel many listeners and watchers were having a great time and that even included youngsters, who may have been more used to modern music but who also joined in with the appreciative and generous clapping.

In these days while there seems to be a constant stream of announcements of economic doom and gloom and every pundit is wondering aloud how to grow the Gross National Product and provide employment, the extra economic activity that has been brought to Bampton over this last festival weekend must stand as a beacon to practical and immediate achievement in improving a local economy.

Indeed, perhaps next year, if every town in the country had a folk festival where people got together in the pubs and halls to dance, sing and play music for a few days, perhaps we could turn our UK economy around at a single stroke.

Not to mention, of course, that lots of people would enjoy themselves, meet each other and generally have a happy, healthy and social time.

Of course there will be the naysayers who will find fault and point out the problems but why can't we in Britain be a can-do society and just get on with it as Pennymoor Singaround demonstrates is possible.

With happy musicians, dancers and singers from places far and wide, happy audiences and significant amounts of money being brought into the town of Bampton North Devon, a lot of people have an interest in Bampton Folk Festival (After the Fair) continuing. So many thanks to Clare Penney and her friends at Pennymoor Singaround for a great festival and I look forward to coming back next year :-) (More photos of Bampton Folk festival 2011)

Musicians attending traditional international folk music session at Crown Inn, Long Load, Somerset boosted by local band musicians from Picketty Witch pub, Yeovil session after visit to recording studio

Last night, the numbers of musicians attending the traditional international folk music tune session at the Crown Inn, Long Load, Somerset received a late and very welcome visit from local band and members of the new tune session at the Picketty Witch pub, Yeovil, Somerset when Alex, Andy and Kat popped around to join in to play some traditional tunes after their visit to a recording studio.

Playing some of their music, which specialises in driving rhythms and tight harmonies, Kat on the violin, Andy on the double bass and Alex on guitar and fiddle demonstrated why they may well soon become a powerful force in the up and coming traditional folk music movement.

Whilst the Picketty Witch, Yeovil traditional pub session is only once a month currently on the third Friday, the Wednesday pub music session at the Crown Inn, Long Load, Somerset is fortnightly so the two sessions don't clash and, if more musicians start to attend both, the way could be clear for some really rocking sessions.

Beginner or experienced acoustic instrument musicians are always welcome at these pub sessions and all musical instruments are encouraged including guitar, melodeon, violin, viola, double bass, cello, piano accordion, jews harp, bodhran, clarinet, oboe, flute, piccolo, hammer dulcimer, banjo, mandolin, penny whistle or indeed any other musical instrument. Tuition can't be given but more experienced musicians can often give advice as to how to get started on the road to joining in with pub sessions and Martin Hughes is particularly helpful to beginners.

So, if you like listening to some free pub entertainment, or if you are an experienced musician looking for some fun playing tunes with other musicians, or a beginner musician looking for an opportunity to play your instrument in public, the traditional pub music session at the Crown Inn, Long Load, Somerset may well be worth checking out. (Or even if you like talking to a very friendly parrot - see photo right).

Finally, always phone ahead to the pub to ensure the traditional joining in pub session is happening as there have been a lot of changes to local venues recently. The Crown Inn, Long Load session has only just moved to its present location after previously being held at The Bell Inn, Ash and before that at various other local pubs. If you are on Facebook and are a musician, it could be helpful to check out Martin Hughes Twitter account ( http://twitter.com/#!/martinrchughes ) or his website ( http://www.mrch.freeserve.co.uk/sessions/ ) and he can give you up to date news. I look forward to seeing you at one of these pub sessions :-)

New traditional folk acoustic music entertainment session at the Picketty Witch, 147 Ilchester Road, Yeovil, Somerset for musicians learning their instrument or experienced playing Irish, English, Klezmer, French and more, singers welcome.

Last Friday's entertainment (21st October 2011) at the Picketty Witch pub, 147 Ilchester Road, Yeovil, Somerset rocked with traditional folk music tunes and songs hosted by local Somerset sessionmeister Martin Hughes and his musician friends with a wide range of music. Driving Irish tunes, haunting Klezmer music and rollicking English barn dance or ceilidh tunes kept the early part of the evening pulsating and then, later on in the evening, there was some delicious  Country Western from a new musician who said he had been taking singing lessons and had hardly ever played at this sort of musician get together before.

Which made me wonder how many other prospective musicians are out there in Yeovil or nearby who are learning an instrument or taking singing lessons who would like to get an opportunity to play their instruments with others in public or to have a friendly audience for a few traditional songs that they have just learned.

If you are one of these and you can get to the Picketty Witch for Martin Hughes's session which is planned for the third Friday of the month, musicians and singers will receive a friendly welcome. (But check with the Picketty Witch pub beforehand in case of any change to schedules, especially if you are travelling any distance).

Acoustic musicians are welcomed, learning or experienced, who play guitar, melodeon, violin, viola, double bass, cello, piano accordion, jews harp, bodhran, clarinet, oboe, flute, piccolo, hammer dulcimer, banjo, mandolin, penny whistle or indeed any other musical instrument. Tuition can't be given during the evening because the pub bar is a public stage and the need to entertain the audience always comes first but there is an informal and friendly atmosphere and Martin Hughes (who is an expert piano accordion player and can make a pretty good rhythm sound on the double bass) is always ready with an encouraging word and helpful suggestions for chord progressions or help with the tune's key for beginners.

So, if you are wondering what to do or where to go on the third Friday evening of the month and you like listening to a wide variety of traditional music, the Picketty Witch, 147 Ilchester Road, Yeovil, Somerset is definitely worth checking out.

If you are a musician or singer who likes joining in with traditional music (Irish, American, English, French, Klezmer, Welsh, Swedish, Scottish or whatever), experienced or just learning your instrument, you will receive a warm welcome from Martin Hughes and his friends in session at the Picketty Witch, 147 Ilchester Road, Yeovil, Somerset on the third Friday of the month (but always check with landlord beforehand in case of change to schedule). See you there :-)

Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage, Oxfordshire beer festival, folk music sessions and barn dance ceilidh musician workshops

What a splendid last weekend I enjoyed (19th - 20th August 2011) in session with Monty's Maggot Barn Dance and Ceilidh Band at the beer festival hosted by the Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage, Oxfordshire. I think the landlord Peter Fowler must qualify for a 'good pub host of the year award' if there is one. The weekend went swimmingly with great music, great drinks and all with a friendly and smiling face from the landlord (who, it turns out, is also an artist - checkout his pictures on the pub wall!).

The Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage, Oxfordshire is certainly a pub that is now going places and I hear Peter (see photo left) has great plans. Already offering extremely tasty vegetarian food as a speciality of the pub and wonderful beer, rumour has it he is planning to host his own micro brewery on the premises to add to his wide range of beers and other drinks. If his own beer is as yummy as his vegetarian food, which I enjoyed Saturday evening, customers could be in for a treat indeed.

Local Wantage and Oxfordshire folk musicians have also discovered the pleasures of Shoulder of Mutton hospitality (photo right) and the pub now hosts regular Wantage folk music sessions with all welcome and musicians invited to join in.

The network of intimate pub rooms that comprise the Shoulder of Mutton real ale pub would seem an ideal venue for the workshops planned for 19 & 20 November 2011, at the Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage. These are being organised by Jerry Tozer (photo left) of Monty's Maggot Barn dance and Ceilidh Band and focus on the English music tradition for all levels of musician.

The tutor line up for the workshops is spectacular indeed. On Sat & Sun mornings there will be ‘Single Instrument’ tune and technique workshops' with melodeon (& free reed) tutored by Ian Dedic of The Committee Band & Panjandrum. The fiddle workshop will be led by Flos Headford of The Old Swan Band & Mellstock Band and, tutoring wind & other instruments, will be Jo Freya of Blowzabella, Old Swan & Token Women bands. On Sat & Sun afternoons, participants will be divided into 3 ‘bands’, playing for dance.

I had the opportunity to play with Flos Headford over the weekend (bearded Flos is seen seated next to well known local Oxfordshire folk musician Cat Kelly playing fiddle in photo on right) and it was an amazing experience. He transforms simple folk tunes into a wonderful musical experience and is immensely stimulating to play with. One member of the audience over the weekend just sat there and kept saying 'Wow!', another described the music as having 'amazing energy' and much of the energy was provided by Flos Headford's lead.

With such great musicians as tutors at the barndance and ceilidh workshops 19 & 20 November 2011 at the Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage, musicians on the courses should find the courses stimulating indeed.

Not only musicians but also singers and belly dancers entertained the public over the weekend at the Shoulder of Mutton, Wantage. There were some wonderful songs from Ellie Brown, the 15 year old (August 2011) modern singing phenomenon from Witney, and Lutece Constant, a 17 year old modern singer from Oxford. On the dance front, the Ashnah Performers belly dancers performed at first to their own music and then, showing music knows no barriers, belly danced to traditional English tunes played by Monty's Maggot Ceilidh and Barn Dance Band - a delight for the eyes as well as for the ears!