We had an utterly excellent day out in London this Saturday celebrating the 50th anniversary of the death of Vaughan Williams at Cecil Sharp House. The day consisted of workshops and singarounds with the likes of Chris Coe, Katie Howson, Mary Humphreys and Anahata, and Shirley Collins, and two wonderful concerts of VW music - in the afternoon "VW & Friends" with Tim van Eyken, Mary Humphreys and Anahata, Chris Coe, Katie Howson,Jim Causley, Sam Lee & Lauren McCormick, and in the evening "Bushes and Briars" with Eliza Carthy (on truly stunning form) Jon Boden and Fay Hield (wonderful chance to see them together), Lisa Knapp, Jackie Oates & Jim Causley & Jim Moray, with narrative readings by Tim van Eyken & Shirley Collins.

All this plus a chance to visit and poke about in the CSH Library.

Everyone involved is to be congratulated. I came to a CS concert some years ago when the place seemed rather stultified and spiritless, but wow has that changed. Excellent front desk, great food on site, and a decent bar, and wonderful music with a great crowd and an utterly committed and attentive audience.

And what a chance to see so much "new wave" talent delivering traditional material with verve and style. We'll definitely be going to more events at CS House in the future.

Jim