Folk at the John Clare Festival

Subject: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,Lord Radstock
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 03:16 PM

Back in 1983 George Deacon published his seminal work, 'John Clare and the Folk Tradition'. In this book Deacon noted that the Nineteenth Century poet, John Clare was one of the earliest collectors of English traditional songs and tunes and was a tradition bearer himself (he played the fiddle). In addition both of Clare's parents were singers.

As part of its 25th Festival, in Clare's home village of Helpston (near Peterborough), the John Clare Society has programmed a folk evening into the proceedings. This event will be held in the barn at the back of the Exeter Arms on the evening of Saturday 15th July at 8:00 pm.

Singers and musicians booked to perform include Annie Dearman, Steve Harrison, John Adams and Dave Bishop (all residents of the Ryburn 3-Step Folk Club in West Yorkshire) and local singers Terry and Florence Warrington and Mark Swingler (who plays melodeon for P'boro Morris).

So, if you happen to be in the P'boro area on that evening, please turn up and give your support.

Lord R.

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 05:40 PM

I won't be able to make it but I really wish I could.

Does anyone remember The Celebrated Radcliff Stout Band - they had written a nice songabout Clare. I've got the album somewhere. not the means to play it.

when I was young, too young to know any better, I tried to write a folk opera about Clare. He was a fascinating guy, his life story was quite as astonishing as his poetry.

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,Blowzabella at work
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 11:50 AM

Sounds interesting - if I was closer (I'm in N Lancs) that is something I definitely would have tried to get along to

Blowz

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,Lord Radstock
Date: 06 Jul 06 - 01:33 PM

For those who can't make it this year you may be interested to know that we hope to make it an annual event.

For those interested in Clare (and it seems that lots of people are) try the John Clare Society website: www.johnclare.org.uk

One interesting snippet of news is the the JC Soc. have recently manged to acquire Clare's old cottage in Helpston, via various grants, and are planning to turn it into a study centre - I hope to find out more about this, on my annual pilgrimage to Helpston, and will report back.

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 02:04 AM

Bout thirty years ago I did a gig in Helpston in a pub. I was chatting to the locals, and I mentioned John Clare to them. And they oh yes, he was laid out on that table you're sitting at....

Afterwards I thought, ......nah! can't be!

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,GT
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 05:51 AM

Hope it goes well - as I'm sure it will.
I've done an album of settings of Clare's poems and music on Fellside "A Distance From The Town" and did a one-off performance of it at the Stanza Poetry festival in scotland this year.A few songs from the cd have been taken up by other singers - which is nice! Pete Morton has written a song about Clare too - about his forced march when he escaped from the asylum.

      Gordon

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,Lord Radstock
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 02:10 PM

Dear WLD,

You may be interested to know that the pub in which Clare was 'laid out' is the Exeter Arms - where we're having the folk evening! I hope his shade approves and enjoys the evening.

Dear GT,

I've got your album of Clare poems - and very good it is too!

Subject: RE: Folk at the John Clare Festival
From: GUEST,GT
Date: 07 Jul 06 - 03:23 PM

Thankee kindly sor!

   Gordon