New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes

Subject: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 03:07 PM

On the fourth Sunday afternoon the month, starting in April, there will be folk concerts under the title of Folk In The Chapel at The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH

Running from 2.30 - 4.00 there will generally be three 1/2 hour spots from performers. The first of these concerts will be on Sunday 26th April with the following line-up:-

MURRAY SHELMERDINE
STEVE & DIANE NEVILL
BING LYLE

All the proceeds from these concerts will go the the admirable self-help disability group The Oyster Project which has taken over this wonderful but underused building. The project has recently been given The Queen's Award For Voluntary Service, the MBE for volunteer groups. You can read about their varied activities by clicking here. Despite the great work that they do, like many such charities, they are under-funded.

It will be interesting to see the reaction to these concerts because this will be the first time in this area that a regular folk music venture has been run (a) in the daytime and (b) in a non-pub venue.
There are photos and biographies of the performers, a map and a lot more information on the Folk In The Chapel website.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: GUEST,BrendanB
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 04:05 PM

Best of luck with this Vic. I hope it goes well. Unfortunately, we are a little too far away to get there!

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 Mar 15 - 04:07 PM

Thanks, Bren.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 19 Mar 15 - 07:11 PM

Folk In The Chapel now has a Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1421929884769139/?fref=ts

Have a look - join us!

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Alan Day
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 05:28 AM

Good luck with this Vic.
Al

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 06:19 AM

Thank you, Alan.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: GUEST,matt milton
Date: 20 Mar 15 - 09:14 AM

good to hear that you're back in the saddle Vic

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 28 Mar 15 - 10:51 AM

Sunday 26th April 2.30 - 4.00pm
Concert includes:-

MURRAY SHELMERDINE

Click here to see photo.


Murray Shelmerdine is an old hippy. He was a tiny part of the folk revival in the 60s, and is now back in the fold. His writing tends to political satire and seedy love-songs. He is a huge fan of George Brassens and has translated many of his songs.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 30 Mar 15 - 06:05 AM

Sunday 26th April 2.30 - 4.00pm
Concert includes:-

STEVE and DIANE NEVILL

Click here to see a photo.

Steve & Diane Nevill are regular performers at both the Lewes Saturday and Seaford folk clubs. Steve, a former musician for various local morris sides, now concentrates on accompanying Diane's singing of contemporary and traditional folk songs using a variety of instruments including guitar, melodeon and concertina. He is also a singer in his own right.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 03 Apr 15 - 08:51 AM

Sunday 26th April 2.30 - 4.00pm
Concert includes:-

BING LYLE

Click here to see a photo.

Bing Lyle sings and plays the piano accordion and guitar. He sings traditional songs, songs by other people, and some of his own.
Since settling in Brighton in 1989, Bing has been busy as a community musician and teacher,
As Musical Director of 'Same Sky', (Brighton and Hove's flagship Community Arts organisation), he wrote music for a variety of Brighton Festival events, ran three bands, and set up 'The Same Sky Community Choir'.
After working for Shirley Collins in 'The Wealden Folk Project', Bing teamed up with Gail Duff's 'TRADS' (Traditional Arts South East), providing music for dozens of Folk dance, drama and story-telling projects in schools and youth clubs across Kent and Sussex.
He has collaborated with many musicians including Pete Castle, Pete Morton, Ian Kearey, and Ben Paley, with whom he recorded the critically acclaimed CD: 'We are Melting'. Bing plays alongside Ben and Ian, with Vic and Tina Smith and Dave Levett in 'The Sussex Pistols' Barn Dance Band.
Bing's passionate belief that music-making is for everyone, has led him to work with people of all ages and abilities
For ten years Bing was the Music Co-ordinator at 'The Orpheus Centre', (the National Specialist College for disabled students, set up by Sir Richard Stilgoe).
For twenty years as a regular tutor on Herbie Flowers' 'Rockshop' he has helped teenagers develop their musical confidence. More recently, his work in Care Homes with older people, including those with Alzheimer's and Dementia, has allowed Bing to share a life-long love of song

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 21 Apr 15 - 04:56 PM

A reminder that the first of this new series of concerts takes place this coming Sunday at the Westgate Chapel in Lewes High Street - plus news that the line-up for the three subsequent concerts will be:-

MAY 24th
•        Stuart Reed
•        Vic & Tina Smith
•        Terry Masterson
JUNE 28th
•        Mike Ainscough & Chris Wolferstan (Will & Wolfie)
•        Hickory Signals
•        Guy Hayes

JULY 26th
•        The Mighty Quinns (Dan & Matt)
•        Oliver & Spong
•        Gavin & Julie Atkin

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 25 Apr 15 - 03:37 PM

Just a reminder that the first of these concerts takes place tomorrow (full details above) I am delighted at the interest this seems to have generated locally and the many messages, emails and phone calls that I have received.

Just hope it is reflected in numbers at the door and bags of dosh for the very worthy Oyster Project.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 27 Apr 15 - 06:07 AM

The first of these monthly concerts took place yesterday and seemed to make a most encouraging start, with some great music and song and a lovely atmosphere.

Click here to see some photos of the event.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 09 May 15 - 09:35 AM

Sunday 24th May 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

STUART REED

Click here to see a photo.

Stuart Reed is a veteran of the local music scene who has survived, he says, mostly unscathed except for a few bruises, from several decades as a performer in a variety of musical settings. His early days were spent riding the folk boom with The Brighton Taverners folk group. Their repertoire ranged from cutting-edge political songs to upbeat comedy routines and were seen in folk clubs, festivals and cabaret concerts and their five albums sold in their many thousands.
Since then Stuart has recorded three as a soloist and toured extensively, from Bermuda to Berlin and beyond. He has worked with a variety of other musicians including Show of Hands and Fisherman's Friends, with whom he appeared at the Royal Albert Hall.
He currently hosts the Brighton Acoustic Session on the first Monday of the month at The Lord Nelson in Brighton.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 May 15 - 12:29 PM

Sunday 24th May 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

VIC & TINA SMITH

Click here to see a photo.

Vic & Tina's close involvement in folk song, music and dance now goes back over a half a century. As a duo, they have appeared in concerts, folk clubs and festivals all over Britain and have played in folk dance bands for almost all of that time. Their longest commitment has been to their current band, the very popular Sussex Pistols and they have played with this band with Vic as the caller for over twenty years.
The organisation of these Folk In The Chapel concerts is just the latest in a long commitment to furthering interest in traditional music and song that has seen them work as club, dance and festival organisers, broadcasters, journalists, writers etc. Vic has been joint editor of the local folk music listings magazine, The Folk Diary, since its inception over forty years ago.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 May 15 - 06:27 AM

Sunday 24th May 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

TERRY MASTERSON

Click here to see a photo.

Terry was born on the outskirts of Bedford in 1935. His life-long involvement with the oral tradition he attributes to the storytelling of his Irish father and song sessions at family gatherings. He was further immersed in the Irish tradition during the time he served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and later among members of the Irish diaspora in West London. During the mid-50s he formed his own skiffle group but his first contact with a folk music club , however, was in 1958 at Eel Pie Island on the Thames at Twickenham which led to his becoming resident singer at several clubs in the London area, notably Bunjies Coffee Bar in the West End and The Crown at Twickenham, and eventually in 1964, to being invited to run folk clubs on the south coast, at Brighton, Lewes and Worthing.
Since those early days, Terry has appeared at folk clubs all over Britain as well as tours of the U.S.A and Canada, where he also topped the bill at the Red Deer Folk Festival. Appearances at British Folk Festivals include Broadstairs and Keele , as well as frequent appearances on radio stations both in Britain and America.
Nowadays his appearances have become much rarer and he is more likely to be found singing at gatherings of the Travelling community with whom he also has strong links.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 25 May 15 - 01:50 PM

Photos of yesterday's concert by clicking here.

Clearly the word is getting around; a very pleasing sized audience for a Sunday afternoon on a Bank Holiday weekend

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Jun 15 - 09:38 AM

SUNDAY JUNE 28th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

MIKE AINSCOUGH & CHRIS WOLFERSTAN
(a.k.a. WILL & WOLFIE)

Click here to see a photo.


Will bought a guitar at the age of 20 and, 50 years later, is still playing and singing. After starting in the folk world in the north-west in the 1960s, he moved down to London and formed up with some like-minded souls to form a jug band. Over the years he has played and sung in many different bands and styles, from jazz to rock'n roll and funk and back to folk music.

Chris is a past master of flatpicking and also a fine exponent of fingerpicking in the style of Doc Watson and Merle Travis. He has travelled all over the world, playing in places such as Spain, New Zealand and South America, finally coming to his present base in Sussex. As well as being an accomplished guitarist, Chris has also written some fine songs , two of which are on their CD.

Folk In The Chapel website

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 23 Jun 15 - 04:43 PM

SUNDAY JUNE 28th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

HICKORY SIGNALS

Click here to see photo

Hickory Signals is a Brighton-based duo taking inspiration from the folk music of England, Ireland, Scotland and the USA. They perform original music as well as interpretations of traditional tunes with pared-down instrumentation.
Laura Ward - Vocals, Flute, Guitar
Adam Ronchetti - Guitar, Percussion, Glockenspiel

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 25 Jun 15 - 03:29 PM

SUNDAY JUNE 28th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

GUY HAYES

Click here to see a photo.

Guy plays and sings British and American folk music using voice, guitar and banjo. Guy performs regularly in Brighton and Sussex, and is a regular contributor to the local folk scene, supporting local clubs and hosting the monthly At The Folkhouse session in Kemptown. As well as solo performances, Guy plays banjo in an old-time string-band, sings Sacred Harp and other shape-note music, and is part of an Early Music polyphonic vocal quartet.
Guy will have friends Dan Stewart and Dave Richardson joining him on a couple of songs/tunes.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: The Sandman
Date: 26 Jun 15 - 03:15 PM

well done, Vic

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 11:51 AM

Photos from the three concerts that have taken place so far can be seen by clicking here.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Jul 15 - 12:31 PM

See MIKE AINSCOUGH & CHRIS WOLFERSTAN in concert at Folk In the Chapel in Lewes on Sunday 28th June 2015 by clicking here.

* Mike is better known as Will Fly here on Mudcat.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 03 Jul 15 - 09:17 AM

See GUY HAYES, DAN STEWART & DAVE RICHARDSON in concert at Folk In the Chapel in Lewes on Sunday 28th June 2015 by clicking here.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 04 Jul 15 - 07:17 AM

See HICKORY SIGNALS (Adam Roncetti & Laura Ward) in concert at Folk In the Chapel in Lewes on Sunday 28th June 2015 by clicking here.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 15 Jul 15 - 12:13 PM

SUNDAY JULY 26th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

THE MIGHTY QUINNS

Click here to see a photo.

The Mighty Quinns consists of Dan & Matt Quinn, they play melodeons, fiddles, mandolins and sing. They perform traditional English songs and tunes. This father and son duo are vastly experienced in a wide range of clubs, festivals, concerts and dances.


Folk In The Chapel website

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Jul 15 - 03:45 PM

SUNDAY JULY 26th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

OLIVER & SPONG

Click here to see a photo.

They are singers who are at home singing and playing 'between decks', in concerts, in nautical museums and in dockside pubs.
They are musicians who play concertina, mandolin and fiddle. Charlotte has a number of very fine song compositions to her name.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 21 Jul 15 - 04:21 PM

SUNDAY JULY 26th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

GAVIN & JULIE ATKIN

Click here to see a photo

Kent-based singers and musicians Julie and Gavin sing and play a wide range of traditional and old fashioned material.
Julie has a particularly lovely voice and a trained delivery that perfectly suits old popular songs accompanied by Gavin's Jeffries duet concertina and melodeons, while Gavin has a large collection of mainly traditional songs, and particularly enjoys putting over a good story.
The couple also love to session, with Gavin playing fiddle and melodeon, while Julie plays crisp and driving piano.


The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 09:00 AM

Another successful concert at Folk In The Chapel on Sunday 26th/ See photos of it by clicking here.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Jul 15 - 04:21 PM

What a shame ; for some reason I can't see the photo of cousin Will !!

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 23 Sep 15 - 07:09 AM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

JOHN CAVE

Click here to see a photo.

I learnt six guitar finger picking styles from my art teacher at school and have been steadily getting worse ever since. Ralph McTell, James Taylor, The Spinners and some American folk songs were my early influences. Quite how I got to Jake Thackray, Richard Stilgoe, Richard Digance, various parodies and a few of my own songs, I just don't know. But I luv'em.
My first visit to a folk club was in Sept 98. I popped in to Seaford folk club, at the Wellington, to find out what went on there, having just been to a classical guitar concert across the road at the Little Theatre. Both were very enjoyable, but the folk club was cheaper. So I've been coming ever since. I've met some lovely people, who have become good friends.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 05:57 AM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

GLASHIN

Click here to see a photo.

Paul and Jo Dengate both have a long history of playing around the Hastings folk and music scenes for more years than they would care to count. Until recently (January 2014), they both played with the long-established and busy barn dance band, The Catsfield Steamers.
For more than seven years, Paul and Jo have organised a monthly traditional Irish music session at the Royal Oak, Whatlington, near Hastings. In addition, they can often be seen participating in other traditional music sessions around Hastings. Individually or together, they also perform with other groups of musicians as and when the opportunity arises. They are both part of the team that organises the annual Hastings Folk Fest.
For a number of years, they have played their music at events that benefit St Michael's Hospice (St Leonards-on-Sea) including their open garden programme and Tescos!
Paul is a fine and talented musician and singer who played both nationally and internationally with the Hastings folk rock band "Better Days". As well as a long association with traditional music, he has also played in blues, rock and country bands and for a number of years played classical guitar. He will provide guitar lessons to those wanting to develop their accompaniment of traditional music and song.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 06:28 AM

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 27th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

WILL DUKE

Click here to see a photo.

Will Duke lives in Sussex and is a fine anglo concertina player who has studied and learnt much from the playing of the great Scan Tester. He even has an instrument that was once owned by Scan and he leads workshops teaching the tunes and style of this iconic musician.
Will is also a fine singer of traditional songs and ballads and he varies his singing programme with comic items which he delivers in a unique droll manner.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 27 Sep 15 - 03:02 PM

Another lovely Sunday afternoon concert today.

Click here to see photos of the event.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 18 Oct 15 - 01:23 PM

SUNDAY OCTOBER 24th - 2.30pm
Concert includes:-

IAN CHISHOLM

Click here to see a photo

Ian has been actively involved in the folk scene in Sussex for decades as a singer, performer and organiser. He is currently a member of one of the area's leading folk dance bands, The Unreel Ceilidh Band as well another popular unit, The Twagger Band. He is also heard playing as a duo with fiddler, Stephen Sibbald but this is a rare opportunity these days to see him give a solo performance. He runs the very popular session on the last Sunday of the month at The White Horse in Ditchling.
In January 2004 he retired from full time work as an engineer in the film and TV industry. Since then he has had the time to develop his life long interest in making guitars and similar musical instruments. He currently makes around eight instruments a year as well as carrying out repairs and customizations.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 09:37 AM

Sunday 24th October at 2.30
The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH.
Folk In The Chapel Concerts will include -

ELPHICK, MATCHAM, TRISTRAM

Tony Elphick, Steve Matcham and Mike Tristram come from the West Sussex villages of Binsted (near Arundel) and Sompting. Tony plays concertina/melodeon for Broadwood Morris, and Steve plays recorder for Martlet Morris. After 7 long years in a Barnham pub they occasionally form a trio. The trio mostly sing traditional songs with links to Sussex and nearby counties - mainly harmony, sometimes solo or accompanied.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Will Fly
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 01:30 PM

According to my calendar, Vic - the Sunday is the 25th October.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 19 Oct 15 - 02:37 PM

Indeed it is, Mike, and you win first prize for noticing my error.
I made the same mistake on Facebook, but at least there you have the facility for editing your posts!

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 07:45 AM

Sunday 25th October at 2.30
The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH.
Folk In The Chapel Concerts will include -

TERRY MASTERSON

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 20 Oct 15 - 07:47 AM

Click here to see a photo.

Terry was born on the outskirts of Bedford in 1935. His life-long involvement with the oral tradition he attributes to the storytelling of his Irish father and song sessions at family gatherings. He was further immersed in the Irish tradition during the time he served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and later among members of the Irish diaspora in West London. During the mid-50s he formed his own skiffle group but his first contact with a folk music club , however, was in 1958 at Eel Pie Island on the Thames at Twickenham which led to his becoming resident singer at several clubs in the London area, notably Bunjies Coffee Bar in the West End and The Crown at Twickenham, and eventually in 1964, to being invited to run folk clubs on the south coast, at Brighton, Lewes and Worthing.
Since those early days, Terry has appeared at folk clubs all over Britain as well as tours of the U.S.A and Canada, where he also topped the bill at the Red Deer Folk Festival. Appearances at British Folk Festivals include Broadstairs, Newton Abbot, Lewes and the National Folk Festival at Keele, as well as frequent appearances on radio stations both in Britain and America.
Nowadays his appearances have become much rarer and he is more likely to be found singing at gatherings of the Travelling community with whom he also has strong links.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 27 Oct 15 - 08:29 AM

Another lovely concert at Folk In The Chapel on 25th October 2015.

Click here to see some photos taken at it

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 12 Nov 15 - 01:12 PM

Sunday 22nd November at 2.30pm
The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH.
Folk In The Chapel Concerts will include -

COTILLION

Click here to see a photo of them.

Who are we?
We are Anne Sartain, Bonnie Flitney and Alan Wheeler. Bonnie: vocals & harmonies, violin, recorder and percussion: Anne: vocals & harmonies, guitar, treble recorder and whistles, Alan: vocals and harmonies, guitars, six course mandolin, mouth organ, melodeon and concertina.
What do we do?
We sing and play easy-listening acoustic music; even recite a few poems. We accompany our singing on a variety of instruments: - six and twelve string guitars, six course mandolin, fiddle, baglarma, melodeon, concertina, whistles and recorders, harmonica, banjalelee and percussion.
What sort of music?
A wide selection of old and modern songs (Folksy) We sing songs for you to join in. We specialise in melody, harmony and fun.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 12:49 PM

Sunday 22nd November at 2.30pm
The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH.
Folk In The Chapel Concerts will include -

MIKE NICHOLSON

Click here to see a photo of him.

Mike Nicholson is one of those remarkable singers who manages to create an immediate and loyal following everywhere he goes. This is due in large part to his unrestrained passion for what he loves doing the most - singing good songs! He draws his audience to him through an unassuming approach which only asks that the listener might share his love of singing and of the songs.
Mike performs a wide spectrum of material, and generally speaking, it's material that has something to say. From his early acting days, he's retained an enthusiasm for utilising any format which can tell a story or which might stimulate the intellect. Through his singing, many audiences would agree, he's found the vehicle that suits him best.

Subject: RE: New Regular Folk Music Venture in Lewes
From: Vic Smith
Date: 17 Nov 15 - 02:36 PM

Sunday 22nd November at 2.30pm
The Westgate Chapel, 92a High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XH.
Folk In The Chapel Concerts will include -

THE BARNFIELD BAND

Click here to see a photo of them.

The Barnfield Band is a Brighton-based group of musicians with a wealth of experience playing traditional English, Eastern European, jazz, American old-time and more. As we all come from a dance and/or dance music background, we love playing for a lively ceilidh but we are equally at home making music for private events and receptions where the focus is on creating atmosphere.
Our tunes come from across the northern hemisphere, and we take delight in finding the links between them. We are not a 'fusion' band, though: we just enjoy playing tunes we love from wherever we can find them, on melodeon, fiddle, nyckelharpa, clarinet, recorder, whistle, guitar, keyboard and double bass.