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Local (to East Kent) Music Making
Local (to East Kent) Music Making
The original purpose of this page was to record the widespread and diverse range of informal music making taking place, mostly in pubs, in the area of East Kent where I live. I had thought that visitors to the area might be interested in going along to listen or join in these folk sessions and this information might provide a useful guide. However, it soon became apparent that many of these musical events were quite transient, with new sessions starting up and others ceasing for various reasons. Recording what was going on at any time was like trying to hit a moving target! Perhaps I should say that these informal sessions are quite separate from the various, more organised, weekly or monthly folk clubs in the area, particularly Whitstable, Faversham and Deal, which I strived to get along to from time to time.
The original purpose of this page was to record the widespread and diverse range of informal music making taking place, mostly in pubs, in the area of East Kent where I live. I had thought that visitors to the area might be interested in going along to listen or join in these folk sessions and this information might provide a useful guide. However, it soon became apparent that many of these musical events were quite transient, with new sessions starting up and others ceasing for various reasons. Recording what was going on at any time was like trying to hit a moving target! Perhaps I should say that these informal sessions are quite separate from the various, more organised, weekly or monthly folk clubs in the area, particularly Whitstable, Faversham and Deal, which I strived to get along to from time to time.
Since the Coronavirus Lockdown in the UK, all the pubs are closed and music-making gatherings and folk clubs have been prohibited, though there are some signs that the Lockdown may be relaxed at the time of writing. So what is recorded below is a historical account of what was going on before Lockdown or slightly before that in some cases as the sessions have now 'moved on' to other locations.
Since the Coronavirus Lockdown in the UK, all the pubs are closed and music-making gatherings and folk clubs have been prohibited, though there are some signs that the Lockdown may be relaxed at the time of writing. So what is recorded below is a historical account of what was going on before Lockdown or slightly before that in some cases as the sessions have now 'moved on' to other locations.
This is a fine photo of a fairly full-house of traditional musicians playing at the Old Lone Gin Band Monthly Playaround Session which took place at the Chance, Guston, near Dover, until 2018 (when the pub started serving Sunday lunches). The session was primarily of English and Cornish dance music, with this interspersed by songs and sometimes clog dancing by Lesley of the Arkwrights, see the Arkwrights Facebook Page. This photo was skilfully taken by Sam Lucas - who can be seen reflected in the mirror on the back wall. For more information on the Old Lone Gin Band see page 2 above.
This is a fine photo of a fairly full-house of traditional musicians playing at the Old Lone Gin Band Monthly Playaround Session which took place at the Chance, Guston, near Dover, until 2018 (when the pub started serving Sunday lunches). The session was primarily of English and Cornish dance music, with this interspersed by songs and sometimes clog dancing by Lesley of the Arkwrights, see the Arkwrights Facebook Page. This photo was skilfully taken by Sam Lucas - who can be seen reflected in the mirror on the back wall. For more information on the Old Lone Gin Band see page 2 above.
This is a lively shot of the last Sunday evening of the month session (mainly traditional, but anything goes) that takes/took place at the Market Tavern, Faversham, and is organised by Martin Long, who can be contacted through his Facebook Page Thanks to Gavin Atkin for this atmospheric photo.
This is a lively shot of the last Sunday evening of the month session (mainly traditional, but anything goes) that takes/took place at the Market Tavern, Faversham, and is organised by Martin Long, who can be contacted through his Facebook Page Thanks to Gavin Atkin for this atmospheric photo.
The New Inn/ Fordwich Arms/ Bell and Crown Session, Canterbury
The New Inn/ Fordwich Arms/ Bell and Crown Session, Canterbury
This session of mainly English Traditional Music, with some singing, has moved location several times over the past four or five years as recounted in the following shots. However, many of the same musicians have followed the various relocations and now come along to the (virtual) Bell and Crown session (see the Pandemic Postscript on this).
This session of mainly English Traditional Music, with some singing, has moved location several times over the past four or five years as recounted in the following shots. However, many of the same musicians have followed the various relocations and now come along to the (virtual) Bell and Crown session (see the Pandemic Postscript on this).
Peter in full voice, with chorus, at the New Inn.
Peter in full voice, with chorus, at the New Inn.
Sessioners at the Fordwich Arms, near Canterbury, joined by Will Duke, June 2016.
Sessioners at the Fordwich Arms, near Canterbury, joined by Will Duke, June 2016.
An enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Bell and Crown, Canterbury, June 2019.
An enjoyable Sunday afternoon at the Bell and Crown, Canterbury, June 2019.
Jan and Pete Croucher run Folk Evenings at the Coach and Horses at Hacklinge, near Deal, on the first and third Monday of the month, where almost any kind of folk music seems to be well received. Jan and Pete also run the very successful Midwinter Folk Festival at this location at the start of January each year. This is a photo of Jan and Pete (far right) and other Deal folk notables, in the line up of the former Sunshine Ukes. Sadly the Sunshine Ukes no longer play as a band, but I really like this photo. For details of the Hacklinge folk evenings contact Peter Croucher.
Jan and Pete Croucher run Folk Evenings at the Coach and Horses at Hacklinge, near Deal, on the first and third Monday of the month, where almost any kind of folk music seems to be well received. Jan and Pete also run the very successful Midwinter Folk Festival at this location at the start of January each year. This is a photo of Jan and Pete (far right) and other Deal folk notables, in the line up of the former Sunshine Ukes. Sadly the Sunshine Ukes no longer play as a band, but I really like this photo. For details of the Hacklinge folk evenings contact Peter Croucher.
Folk Clubs: East Kent is fortunate to have several excellent folk clubs, which encourage local performers to take the stage and have occasional 'guest nights' where invited singers and musicians take a longer time slot to finish off the evening. I do not manage to attend as frequently as I would like, but can warmly recommend an evening at the Whitstable, Faversham or Deal Folk Clubs, where performers or listeners are sure of a warm welcome and an appreciative audience. These clubs all have Facebook pages where information about times, locations and guests can be found.
Folk Clubs: East Kent is fortunate to have several excellent folk clubs, which encourage local performers to take the stage and have occasional 'guest nights' where invited singers and musicians take a longer time slot to finish off the evening. I do not manage to attend as frequently as I would like, but can warmly recommend an evening at the Whitstable, Faversham or Deal Folk Clubs, where performers or listeners are sure of a warm welcome and an appreciative audience. These clubs all have Facebook pages where information about times, locations and guests can be found.
I am clearly enjoying this evening at the Whitstable Folk Club, in April 2017, but cannot recall who took the photo. Nigel Hobbins perhaps?
Crabble Mill, near Dover, hosts Acoustic Music Evenings on the last Friday of each month. This is a well supported evening, with Jumbles performing the finishing spot, July 2017.
Crabble Mill, near Dover, hosts Acoustic Music Evenings on the last Friday of each month. This is a well supported evening, with Jumbles performing the finishing spot, July 2017.
Thanks to Adrian O for this photo.
For almost a decade, Blean Village Fete and Music Festival took place on the field behind the village hall. Sadly there was not a music festival in 2019 and the event did not take place in 2020 due to the Lockdown, but there is a hope that it may be revived when normality resumes. Below are some photos of the Festival that took place in 2018 as a reminder of this wonderful event.
For almost a decade, Blean Village Fete and Music Festival took place on the field behind the village hall. Sadly there was not a music festival in 2019 and the event did not take place in 2020 due to the Lockdown, but there is a hope that it may be revived when normality resumes. Below are some photos of the Festival that took place in 2018 as a reminder of this wonderful event.
The shots below from the Blean Fete and Music Festival below feature: 1/ The Jumbles 2/ Lesley of the Arkwrights 3/ The Sunshine Ukes 4/ The Jones Boys 5/ Arthur Kitchener 6/ Porch Swing Blues 7/ Mark Bowerman on sound 8/ The Hall Singaround run by Jon and Phili and 9/ the Crowd (apologies to the many people I have left out - but acting as MC, left me too little time to take photos!)
The shots below from the Blean Fete and Music Festival below feature: 1/ The Jumbles 2/ Lesley of the Arkwrights 3/ The Sunshine Ukes 4/ The Jones Boys 5/ Arthur Kitchener 6/ Porch Swing Blues 7/ Mark Bowerman on sound 8/ The Hall Singaround run by Jon and Phili and 9/ the Crowd (apologies to the many people I have left out - but acting as MC, left me too little time to take photos!)
Despite the suspension of the Fete and Music Festival, Blean continues to be folk musically active. This is a half-time shot of the performers from a Hospital fund-raising concert which took place in October 2019 - an assortment of Jumbles and Arkwrights performed a well-received evening of folk music and clog dancing for the people of Blean Rough Common and beyond.
Link to 9. Other Musical Collaborations
Link to 9. Other Musical Collaborations
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For links to other pages, use the drop down menu at the top right of the page.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
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