Teens to pensioners welcome at 2010 Winter musicians folk music weekend reunion, as Sidmouth Sailing and Angling Club music sessions exceed ten years

Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club rocked last weekend (26th - 27th March 2010) to the sounds of the Sidmouth folk festival Sea Angling and Sailing Club musicians Winter's reunion with its impromptu session band, gently and expertly hosted by the Loose Knit Band and well attended by members whose ages varied from teens to those who were not afraid to admit to having more than a few grey hairs.

I have no idea how many tunes we played throughout Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime and Saturday evening but the sound of one traditional English tune had hardly died away before somebody else jumped in with another tune so we must have played hundreds with hardly any repeats. It was great fun!

Sidmouth Steppers put on a fine dance display Saturday lunchtime for those who needed a bit of time out from playing their instruments.

Since this excellent Winter folk music musicians reunion session has been going for more than ten years, it is inevitable that there were more than a few admitting to collecting their pensions but it was wonderful to see younger new members joining in for the first time as well. Although the venue is private and attendance for the Winter reunion is by invitation the organisers are always happy to welcome new musicians who have a passion for traditional English folk tunes and they try hard to make the tunes played appropriate for all standards throughout the weekend. So, if you are in Sidmouth during the August folk week and would like to play some traditional English tunes, the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club session is worth checking out.

Of course, being part of a friendly community with many types of expertise, as well as musical, is one of the big benefits and there always seems to be somebody who can give good advice to deal with a problem. My camper van had developed a transmission whine which had been worrying me so I sought the advice of resident mechanical expert John (featured with his violin and who also kindly took session photos) who was able to reassure me the camper van would probably last for a few more reunions at least, although I might not be able to hear the radio as I drive. This was not too much of a problem, I assured him, as the radio doesn't work either. Sadly, my poor camper van doesn't get anywhere near as much attention as my doted over soprano saxophone which has now replaced my flute as my main instrument :-)

Winter musicians reunions are always a good opportunity for bands seeking new members to network and I took the opportunity of mentioning that the new Streetband in Pilton, Barnstaple, Devon is looking for new instrumental members to counterbalance its excellent drum section. (Just a few of the members photo right). As a result, superb cello musician Matthew Benjamin may now be joining in our next practice session Thursday from 8pm in the skittle alley of the Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple, North Devon. This new streetband which plays in public and collects for the North Devon Children's Hospice has recently been reformed and reorganised so is welcoming new instrumental members willing to play free for charity (call Reform Inn, Pilton to confirm if coming to join in rehearsals as venue not available every Thursday).

As everybody left the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club at the end of the session late Saturday evening, everybody agreed that they were now looking forward to August 2010 when we could do it all again during the Sidmouth folk festival week.

Were you there? Comments are welcome about the Sidmouth Sea Angling and Sailing Club folk musicians Winter reunion below; just click on 'post a comment' :-)

Bye for now

Rob