FASH CHAT
In a previous issue of Solent Waves, Dennis asked if anyone had been to the Lewes Arms Music Workshops. I've been to several now and so I thought I'd write a quick article to give people the idea of what they are like. As background, it's worth telling you something about myself: I play the pennywhistle, mainly Irish and English Folk, and although I can read music I'm not very good at it so I mainly try to learn tunes by ear.
My first experience with the Lewes Arms workshops was one entitled "Early Music for Folk Musicians". This caught my fancy so I got up the nerve to contact Valmai who runs the workshops. She put me on the list, and then a few weeks before the workshop she sent out the written music.
The workshops are held in the room above one of the pubs in Lewes and when you arrive the atmosphere is always friendly. The Early Music workshop was very well attended – there must have been around 20 people with various instruments including mandolins, recorders, concertinas, fiddles and even an oboe. Phil Humphries, who ran it, added the lovely tones of his trombone to the bass parts every-so-often! There was a mixture of people ranging from novices right through to several fine musicians. Somehow we managed to play 4-6 different parts in small groups. Although I tried to get past the sight reading by practising some of the tunes at home before the workshop, Phil kept pulling out new scores all the while – which seriously stressed my sight reading! On the other hand, he did give us a few nice slow run-throughs of each tune. The workshop was really great fun and I learnt some interesting tunes and met some great people.
Since then I've been to two different flute and whistle workshops. These were more select gatherings with about 6-10 participants and – in both cases – some of the same people turning up. Once again there was a range of people – for example self-taught whistlers to classical flautists. The first was taught by Gordon Tyrrall – who learnt his Irish flute skills in Leeds – and the second by Claire Mann who hails from Newcastle. Both were excellent musicians and teachers. I learnt a lot in both cases.
In the three workshops I've been to, I've been most impressed by the teachers, who have been patient, kind, and incredibly talented. I always find it a little daunting when I get a wad of new tunes through the post, and I never seem to practise them enough beforehand, but despite that it has worked out really well each time. And there's always interesting workshops I'd like to attend – more that I have free time for. After the workshop there is always an evening concert by the teachers. Unfortunately I've never managed to stay on for one of these, but I can guess at how good they are.
The final remark I have to make is to praise Valmai Goodyear who organises the workshops. Next year will celebrate the 100th workshop. Past teachers include John Kirkpatrick, Paul Sartin, Kevin Burke, Tim Laycock, Martin Carthy, John Spiers, Jon Boden, Mick Ryan & Pete Harris and Tommy Peoples. And its not just instrumental music either – there are plenty of workshops of vocal harmony, singing West Gallery, English Folk Song, and even Appalachian flatfoot dancing. See www.lewesarmsfolkclub.org/LAFC/workshps.html.
Paul Fremantle
FASH Dance
The FASH annual dance this year will be on Saturday evening 1st November. John Turner will be calling a mixture of styles so there will be something enjoyable for everyone.
We will be at the Bedhampton Social Hall instead of Soberton Village Hall. The Bedhampton hall is modern with automatic doors and a beech dance floor in the main hall. The hall is five minutes or less by road from the last exit of the A3(M) and shortly before Bedhampton level crossing on the right past the Volvo garage. You can see more information and a map on the web at www.bedhampton-social.hampshire.org.uk In effect it is just off the junction of the M27/A27 and the A3(M). We hope that having such an easy venue to find will encourage as many of you as possible to attend.
Dress will be optional (no that doesn't mean that you can come naked!) but being a beechwood floor, spiky heels are not permitted. Please make a note in your diary and tickets will be on sale from committee members in due course.
Sarah Morgan Workshop - Petersfield Community Choir
We had such a great Sunday singing at Sarah Morgan's FASH harmony workshop recently, that I thought I'd include a mention of the choir at Petersfield. While this may be a little way for some of us, there are other similar choirs around who would no doubt welcome new members.
Have you ever thought of joining a choir but been put off by the formality, or the feeling that you'd be up against experts in choral singing? How would you like a choir which has no auditions, no solos and no requirement for you to read music?
If that sounds good to you, the new Petersfield Community Choir could be just what you are looking for. This informal and friendly choir meets on Wednesdays during school terms (8 - 9.30 pm) at The Studio, Petersfield School. The choir is led by Sarah Morgan, who many on the folk scene will know from her singing with ace harmony groups such as Craig Morgan Robson, Hen Party, Bread and Roses etc. Sarah has run singing workshops in many parts of the country and also co-leads the hugely popular Winchester Community Choir. She has been described as "one of life's encouragers". "Her workshops are brilliant - a fascinating learning experience and fantastic fun!" says Miranda Johnson of Winchester, who has sung with Sarah on many occasions.
"Singing in a group is great way of getting to know people, it improves health and it makes you feel really happy!" says Sarah. "We'll be singing a lot of world music, folk and gospel songs which are easy to pick up and sound fantastic. A lot of people joined the choir with very little confidence in their ability to sing in harmony, but have been amazed at how quickly they've made progress."
The choir welcomes new members at the start of each new term. It costs £4 per week, or you can pay on a termly basis. If you would like to give it a try, just turn up on the 22nd or 29th of April. You'll be made very welcome.
Contact the Studio at Petersfield School, thestudio@petersfieldschool.com 01730 234641
or Sarah Morgan sarah@smbourne.plus.com 01264 7329
Festivals
The summer festivals are getting nearer and I have now seen details of the Stokes Bay Festival (which was held last year at Wickham) on 31st July to 3rd August with many artists booked including The New Rope String Band, Martyn Joseph and Show of Hands. See www.stokesbayfestival.co.uk.
Then there is the Southsea Folk and Roots festival running from 23rd to 25th August and the daytime acts are free, so you could just drop in. See www.southseafolkfestival.co.uk.
A new festival is kicking off this year on the Isle of Wight called FolkStation on 15th – 17th August. This festival is based around the stations of the island's steam railway. Contact sandy.hector@gmail.com or call 01983 882269 for more information.
Then on 6th to 8th June there is the Wessex Folk Festival based at Weymouth (see www.wessexfolkfestival.co.uk) and last, but by no means least, right in our area is the Winchester MayFest on 15th to 18th May. Many of the local Morris sides will be there and some clubs are coordinating events with this festival. FASH are again sponsoring the Children's Ceilidh, which was a great success last year with many local schools participating. See www.winmayfest.co.uk
Morris programmes
As always the display sides are slowly sorting out their programmes (including that of Wickham Morris, for which I am responsible). Please can the secretaries or bagmen send me whatever they would like publicised. I usually check the websites and find that they are between 1 and 5 years out of date.
But what is certain is that on May Day, Thursday 1st May the sides will be up at dawn. The Meddlars will be dancing in the New Forest, King John's will be at the Bargate in Southampton, the Men of Wight will be at the Longstone on Mottistone Down and Wickham Morris will be in Wickham Square. I know that some folk from FASH come to Wickham Square each year to watch and if any of you fancy breakfast at the Wheatsheaf, let me know and I'll book you in.
At 6.30 in the evening in Wickham Square there will be many sides dancing, kicked off by the children. This year we expect to see 4 schools dancing maypole, Morris and country dancing.
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Submitted by (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).