Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006

Subject: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 01 Sep 06 - 10:31 AM

Thanks to the efforts of IanC, we have a new venue for the Winter Sing. As was noted in an earlier thread, the Crown at Buntingford, where we have held this event for the past ten years, no longer has a music licence, and the landlord there was not prepared to apply for a single event licence.

Anyway, we have been offered the facilities of the Bushel and Strike in Ashwell, where there is a larger room, more bar space, better parking, a limited amount of indoor camping space in the pub itself and an enthusiastic landlord. What more could we ask? Well, Ashwell is worth visiting in its own right, there are camping and motorhome facilities in the area, plus B&B and hotel accommodation at reasonable prices within easy reach.

Singers, poets, musicians and their consorts and friends will be welcome to participate during the weekend, which will start on Friday 17th November at 8:30pm and end sometime on Sunday afternoon.

ADMISSION IS FREE!!!! There will be raffles and competitions to raise money for charity (tba) and to cover any expenses. It is proposed to hold a ceilidh on the Saturday evening to a scratch band.

Full details will be on my website within the next few days, and will be updated there as necessary.

Information about Ashwell is here!

Details of the Bushel and Strike can be found on this site.

A number of Mudcatters have already expressed an interest, so let's see how many of us can get there!

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 02 Sep 06 - 06:46 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 03:54 AM

Moved up the road a bit, but that makes is quite a lot more accessible (via the A1) to people from Beds and Hunts.

;-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 08:23 AM

Count me in please.
and thanks for all the leg work.
Keith.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 04 Sep 06 - 06:03 PM

Sounds good. I hope to make it, at least for the Saturday. What with the Flanders Experience, Ashwell and Bedworth all in November, and Haddenham folk day on 2 December, that doesn't leave much time for Christmas shopping.....

Kitty

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 06:24 AM

Looks like there'll probably be about half a dozen people from the Ashwell session there.

We also have some North Norfolk singers who look like they might come too (especially if there's a nautical theme anywhere during the weekend).

Anybody else?

:-)

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 12:17 PM

Me. Any yummy Ale??

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 05 Sep 06 - 01:41 PM

Well ... it's a Charlie Wells pub but they usually do Adnams Broadside and occasionally one or two more. What would you like? I'll have a word with Mark the landlord.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the Orifice
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:43 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: GUEST,Lanfranc at the Orifice
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:54 AM

In order to be a little more inclusive, I have (albeit unilaterally) decided to rename the event "Ashwell Winterfolk Weekend" to emphasise that all branches of the Folk performance arts are welcome.

I still propose a three melodeon limit, however!! (only joking)

See my website for the latest update.

For the benefit of the Norfolk crew, we will, of course, have a session with a nautical theme. "Portsmouth" played on kazoo and jews harp will no doubt feature!

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Scrump
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 09:57 AM

Can anyone tell me roughly what to expect? Will it be all day or just the evenings etc.? Will it be singarounds/playarounds or all join in type sessions? I might be interested, but if I turn up with a guitar will I be able to play, or isn't it like that? Sorry for my ignorance but all these things are different and I don't know what to expect.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Ross
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 10:29 AM

http://www.folkmusic.org.uk/page2.html

Is the kiddie Scrump

Beware of background music

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: My guru always said
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 01:40 PM

Brill, in diary! Think there's a caravan site nearby so may be able to do more than a day trip. Warming up the old voice most weekends till then & looking forward to a Broadside or two. Thanks for all the hard work!!

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 06:50 PM

Website background music switched off!

Our office PCs don't have sound cards, so it never bothers me, but I don't want to cause anyone problems.

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Mr Happy
Date: 06 Sep 06 - 07:31 PM

f

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Ross
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:48 AM

Sorry - I was only joking about tut music

It's quite interesting if you're playing a CD on the computer

Sort of DJ mix - I had it merged with Led Zeppelin

There's a lot of food on the programme - not a good weekend to start a diet

We have set up a Bedfordshire day of song at the Bull in Barton-Le-Clay - 11th November - 12am to 12pm - all mudcatters welcome

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Ross
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:49 AM

Sorry - those times are confusing

The Bull - 12 midday to 12 midnight

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Scrump
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:54 AM

Bah! I was hoping to sing all through the night ;-)

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Ross
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 04:49 AM

That's life for you - bliss is always snatched away by the jaws of inevitability

What does f mean? - is it the answer to everything?

What do you call a lady with a frog on her head - Lily

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Scrump
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 05:36 AM

Thanks for the link Ross. I have a couple of questions arising, which I hope someone can answer:

The Friday is billed as "It's Child's Play" - is this an event for kids, or involve Child ballads, or what?

What are the "Themed Sessions"?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to find out whether it's worth me coming along, and if so, which are the best things to attend.

Thanks in advance again for any answers.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 03:57 PM

Scrump

Basically anyone who's in the room is invited to contribute when it's their turn. There are themes, which are usually set out in the programme, but tenuous links are accepted (even encouraged), and there are opportunities to contribute to local charities by guessing possible variables, such as the death count of humans or animals or whatever takes the MCs' fancy. It's all very good-natured and relaxed, and I hope you'll feel it's worth turning up for.

Kitty

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 07 Sep 06 - 07:23 PM

Thanks, Kitty for that description of the way the event works.

The rationale for the "Child's Play" theme was the coincidence of the BBC "Children in Need" appeal falling on the same evening. Needless to say, a Child Ballad, a playground rhyme or a childrens' song would be equally acceptable in the context of the "theme", as would a tune that named or implied a child, a story or poem about a child ...

I hope to sit down with Ian C and possibly John Grey to come up with the final programme for the themed sessions. It was one of the aspects of the Buntingford Sing that appealed to me and to many others. By popular request, there will be at least one session devoted to songs of the sea (which could be perverted by someone who performed a song or tune in the key of C!). Dyslexia lures and tenuous connections rock!

La lutte continua!

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 02:47 AM

Alan - presumably as usual the programme will be only a rough guide to the times when the themes will run? (I guess the links just get more tenuous if the previous theme is still going when the singing comes round to you, rather than the theme you thought would have just started.....)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 08 Sep 06 - 05:00 PM

Nice one Ross. Hope to see you before, but if not see you there, And Lanfranc, any real ale is great with me as long as they DON'T serve them with the sparklers on. YUCK.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 06:16 AM

Refresh.

Sparklers, Unicorn Man? Diamonds or fireworks? The former acceptable, I assume, the latter not!

Just for you, we'll have the ale served by a virgin clad in white samite.

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Scrump
Date: 11 Sep 06 - 07:35 AM

Thanks for the information, folks. I've experienced themed sessions before (now I know what they're called) and they're good fun. I hope the organisers at Ashwell will insist on a link, however tenuous it may be, with penalties for anyone failing to provide one. I remember joining in one session where most of us made the effort to fit in with the theme, but some members would say things like "Well I don't know any songs about Scottish one-legged urban shepherds so I'll just sing this one I wrote last week about my recent business trip to Japan" or something else totally unconnected.

[ I wholeheartedly endorse The Unicorn Man's sentiments re sparklers - IMO they should be banned. For those who don't know, the sparklers in question are nowt to do with November 5th, but they are fiendish attachments to the beer outlet on a handpump, which forces the ale through a myriad of tiny holes, giving the ale a ghastly artificial head, in appearance not unlike that on nitrokeg beer. Real ale connoisseurs (and I include myself in their number!) claim that the ale's flavour is adversely affected by this unnatural act - not to mention that the breweries can get away with selling an apparently full glass of ale with a fair proportion of air in it, thus increasing their profits at the punter's expense. Given the choice I always prefer ale straight from the cask, as that way it tastes as nature intended ;-) ]

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 02:50 AM

Well, the bushel doesn't use sparklers anyway.

:-)

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: GUEST,Unicorn
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 04:03 AM

There should be a mention in the Unicorn magazine
In the chatterbox and small ad
Hope that's all right
What's the matter with froth anyway?

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 04:07 AM

I wish I could join you. I had such a nice time in Ashwell, thanks to IanC and his family.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Scrump
Date: 14 Sep 06 - 04:57 AM

GUEST,Unicorn wrote: What's the matter with froth anyway?

Froth is mostly air mixed with a small amount of liquid (in this case beer). If you are served a 'pint' which includes a substantial frothy head on top, you may be only getting 90% or less of the ale you are paying for. At (say) 2.50 UKP a pint, that's 0.25 UKP extra profit for the brewer/pub. And (does a quick calc) you are paying more like 2.77 UKP a pint than 2.50 UKP. The bigger the head, the more profit they make, and the more you pay for your air. That's what's the matter with it!

Anyway, glad to hear the B&S doesn't use sparklers!

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 15 Sep 06 - 03:19 AM

And what a sparkler does is effectively take the CO2 gas OUT of the beer, leaving it "flat" but with a load of froth at the top.

YUK.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Carol
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 04:30 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Ross
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 05:39 AM

I see it's been mentioned in the Unicorn Magazine - in the chatterbox section

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Carol
Date: 25 Sep 06 - 01:12 PM

Good although it's sad for me that the Buntingford Sing which I started 10 years ago hasn't been able to continue.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:21 PM

Guest Unicorn, I should add has nothing to do with "The Unicorn Man" just incase people are confused. I don't want to bore people too much, but, there are two pubs both about 5-10 mins walk from my house who say they serve Real Ale, they serve it with the sparklers on and refuse to remove them, so I walk down to the town, 40-45 mins walk, to two proper pubs who serve it properly and yummyly. It is not the cost thing that bothers me, but the taste thing, it tastes yukie and just like a pint of John Smiths or Tetley Super Smooth. OOOOOOH yuk yuk and always makes me feel sick and gives me a headache after two pints. Cheers Lanfranc and Ian C and Scrump. See you all there and maybe at The Bull in Barton the weekend before, where they have started to use sparklers, but at least remove them when asked. Tatty bye everybody Tatty bye.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 12:42 PM

I'm sad about the demise of the Buntingford Winter Sing, too, but Colin and Cherry had no interest in continuing it and if you haven't got the landlord onside, you've had it!

Anyway, on a positive note, I hope to finalise the Ashwell Winterfolk Weekend (as I have renamed it in the hope of extending the appeal to musicians - poets and storytellers were always welcomed) by the end of this week. I'll post full info here and on my website

The room at the Bushel and Strike is larger than at the Crown, and the landlord seemed enthusiastic. There is good beer and food available - all that is needed is the singers, musicians etc!

Alan

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 26 Sep 06 - 02:14 PM

Yippee.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 27 Sep 06 - 07:33 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: Lanfranc
Date: 28 Sep 06 - 07:04 PM

Revive

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 29 Sep 06 - 08:24 AM

I'll help you Lanfranc. Not long to go now.

Subject: RE: Ashwell Winter Sing 17-19 Nov 2006
From: IanC
Date: 02 Oct 06 - 10:57 AM

Alan

How are things going with the planning?

Looks like some (but not all) of the Norfolk crew will be coming down and staying in Ashwell. Rose & Crown Folk will be decamping to The Bushel for the duration too.

I Look forward to seeing you all there.

:-)
Ian