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Last update 26-04-2003

At last I've managed to find some time to update this page - sorry to all you fans out there who check regularly for updates. A change of job has meant far fewer hours to spend on looking after the web site.

Last year I reported that there seemed to be fewer bookings around, this year we're having to turn people away because we're already booked for their chosen date. I suppose over the last 26 years I should have recognised the ebb and flow of popularity of Ceilidh's, Barn Dances, call them what you wil. Last year was obviously a bit of an Ebb and this year were back in the Flow. We spent most of the winter playing locally apart from a very enjoyable re-visit to Bideford at the beginning of March. The rest of this year sees us doing a lot more travelling with visits to Middlesborough, Devon, Dorset, Cornwall and North Yorkshire. You can see a full list of dances open to the public on our public bookings list.

For those of you who live near Barnard Castle we'll be coming to play for you on 3rd May. This is a new booking for us but the events title, "The Teesdale Thrash" sounds right up our street and we're looking forward to good old knee's up. Maybe see you there.

Later in May, the 31st to be precise, we'll be at Merton near Oakhampton on the edge of Dartmoor with our old friend Gordon Potts. This is a Morris get together so should see some energetic dancing if they've got any energy left after a day of dancing out. In June we're playing for the Wimborne Folk Festival with Gareth Kiddier calling. We've also persuaded him to call for the Saturday evening dance as part of Alton Morris weekend of dance on the 5th July. This is one we've played for before so looking forward to meeting old friends.

In previous years we've played for a free dance organised by the Petworth Festival, this year their date clashes with Sidmouth so we've had to decline. But for those of you who like a free event (and who doesn't) you can come and see us for free on Hamble Quay on Saturday 28th June. It will be an open air dance and will be part of the Hamble Week Festivities, which includes the Hamble Regatta. Sibby will be calling so you'll be in safe hands !!

In August we'll be spending a week in Whitby, playing for the Folk Festival. This will be our fourth visit and if we have as much fun this year as we have in the past we'll have a good time. Hopefully some of you will be able to come and join us for a dance and maybe a play in the pub too.

Towards the end of September we travel to Bodmin, Cornwall to play for a dance organised by Trigg Morris. We played for them last year and were made very welcome, really looking forward to seeing them all again. If you live nearby check out our public bookings list so you can ring and book your ticket.

Last year I told you about finding various Folk based radio stations on the internet. In particular I mentioned Folkswagon, www.folkswagon.co.uk Unfortunately this station has ceased to operate but you can still listen to www.hober.com. If you have broadband internet access it's worth searching for these radio stations, there are literally hundreds playing folk music of all kinds, not much English I'm afraid but better than the wall to wall pop music played by most mainstream stations.

I'm afraid the project to produce our first book of tunes has been put on hold. A change of work arrangements has meant that I just haven't had time to complete it. I will, but probably not until th eWinter.

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