Rochester Sweeps (UK)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,dillie the oast ouse opper
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 07:49 AM

this article below was taken from the Kentonline (Kent Messenger) website earlier today - and regards the travel arrangements (or lack thereof) this weekend which might affect people's ability to get to sunny ol' Rochester!
getting really excited now :0)

Charlotte x


Hundreds of Kent rail passengers could face major disruption over the May Bank Holiday because of repair work .

Trains to and from London will be disrupted on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, and will be subject to time changes and, in some cases, replacement bus services.

The work, part of Network Rail's £10bn improvement programme, is described as essential.

Iain Coucher, Chief Executive of Network Rail, said: "Our message to passengers is to check before you travel. We'll be working closely with the train operating companies and National Rail Enquiries to provide the very latest information both online, via help-lines and at stations."

Worst affected will be Kent passengers wanting to use Liverpool Street, Waterloo and Euston because of work to extend the East London line near Liverpool Street.

The disrupted routes in Kent will be from London's mainline stations to Swanley, Maidstone East, Ashford International, Chatham, Sittingbourne, Faversham, Canterbury East, Dover and Ramsgate.

Replacement bus services will operate between the following locations

• Orpington and Swanley calling at St Mary Cray.

• Otford and Swanley calling at Shoreham and Eynsford.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Dead Horse
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 09:04 AM

So the chances are that I will be driving one of those ******* rail replacement buses.
Hey, Melodeon Boy. What exactly IS the price of wales?
Could it be a new whaling shanty or is it more politically motivated :-)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 10:35 AM

More than you could afford, Dead Horse! Although judging by the number of times you flit off to the land of the cajun, you must be pretty well-breeched!

I did, of course, mean The Prince of Wales.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 10:40 AM

The price of Wales was paid by Owen Glendower.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 10:41 AM

Good one, Richard!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 30 Apr 08 - 03:22 PM

Owen Tudor got the refund

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 01 May 08 - 09:39 AM

Looks like Ron Trueman Border is part of Gastove's Sunday afternoon at The Good Intent, so there will be no cross over after all. Look forward to seeing him again.

John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,charlotte the oast ouse opper
Date: 01 May 08 - 10:27 AM

well now, I'm getting VERY excited, and am looking forward to seeing Boggarts breakfast Morris (AMAZING border side) come all the way from Sheffield. Should be good stuff.

of course, Kent Korkers and Pork Scratchings are pretty good. ;0) As are offucmduns ;0) he he.

Charlotte xx or dillie. depends how you know me!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Dead Horse
Date: 01 May 08 - 10:40 AM

And I be Owen The Bank, on account of "flittin off to the land of dem Cajuns" and wont be in the black again until next year when I get the urge to flit off once more.
Its a never ending cycle, huh?
(and NO, I dont intend to cycle to Louisiana next year)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 01 May 08 - 03:25 PM

Ruff and Reddy have the honour of sharing the bill with RTB, or is it the other way round. ( I dont think so )

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,Girl Friday
Date: 01 May 08 - 08:04 PM

Our Ben has a similar honour. One of his prizes for New Roots is supporting RTB at Redbourn on October 7th

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,synbyn
Date: 02 May 08 - 12:37 PM

just a word on trains- don't be put off by the route changes, though the Swanley line is out, they're running through Strood direct to London , accessible via Lewisham, and getting off at Strood gives you a short walk over the Medway (using the bridge if you must) to the cathedral end of the festival- much more convenient than waiting for buses! See you therrrrr!

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 02 May 08 - 07:46 PM

It's off to a good start. The Good Intent tonight was not bad at all, and the beers were tasty.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 03 May 08 - 05:02 AM

The Good Intent session finished at something o'clock this morning. My word, how am I going to keep up the pace!!! I'll give ita good try.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Mrs_Annie
Date: 03 May 08 - 07:18 AM

John
Please make sure you keep it going till Sunday night. ;)

Looking forward to our first visit :)

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 03 May 08 - 04:58 PM

A good session Friday. The bar was packed and another session going on in the garden. I have just left JBs session, which is due to end at 2,30, unfortunately he doesn't know that there are 2 - 2.30s in any one day, John chose the wrong one, (02.30hrs )

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 04 May 08 - 03:35 AM

Another good night at the Good Intent. Mayhem when we got there at about 2100 hrs, but the bar gradually quietened and some of those more determined to shout conversation over songs left. Nice to see No Worries playing, and Gastove produced a wonderful very restrained guitar accompaniment to one of Linda Smiths's songs. The button pushing and so on in the garden continued with gusto all evening. The Shrimpers Ale also worthy of commendation, a bagful of flavour and only 4.1% so even drivers could have four halves over the evening and enjoy their drink.

A good range of beers from the Nelson Brewery in the back of the Eagle. The Rochester at 3.7% light, refreshing, and very drinkable. Large range of beers in the Gordon but I was unable to stay since there was electric American music.

The Folk Factor seemed to be a great success - my daughter and friends wanted to come in only to be very firmly told by security staff that it was a 96-seater auditorium and there were 96 people in there so they were not getting in. A number of truly excellent performers. Keep an eye out (indeed both eyes out) for Rocas, the group and overall winners. A standout performance and very original arrangement of a traditional English song, 5 great YOUNG musicians (all multi-instrumentalists) - and the penny has belatedly dropped for me that the bodhran player (also played other instruments) was the girl who used to win all the under-14 bodhran championships (apart from the ones that the young Brown boy used to win). The result of their recording session will I am sure be a CD to be valued. If there is justice in the world this band is going places.

Quite apart from Pam Tilling (the solo winner) there were also two other excellent female singers, in no order of preference, Kate Holland (also young) who produced a note-perfect unaccompanied Scottish traditional song that riveted the entire auditorium, and Paulette Sheard who sounded very like Shirley Collins. It was interesting to note that contenstants performing traditional songs had apparently come to the tradition through the playing and singing of their families, so maybe oral transmission is not wholly dead yet. Maximum respect to all of the contestants.

It was also noteworthy that some of the sides dancing had not so much just a gaggle of musicians as full on bands with them and there were some fine pieces of music from time to time to be heard in the street too.

Pigs Ear ("with friends") were doing sterling service outside the City Wall winebar. They should twist the arms of all those who book to play at little festival (which I eagerly await) to do a guest spot on their stage at Sweeps, IMHO.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 04 May 08 - 03:36 AM

It will be 14:30hrs today for the mid-day session as Gastove has a 'plugged in' session from 15:00hrs to 19:00 hrs, then we start up again at 20:45hrs (but I bet they start straight after Gastove). I failed last night as only managed until midnight, but the music was still going on when I fell into the land of nod.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: naughtyforty
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:45 AM

Maria and I both had a great time - first time at Rochester for Maria. Unfortunately, our train journey home was horrendous - we had to change onto buses twice!!! We eventually got back about 11.10pm having left Rochester about 8.00pm!!! Such is life though. Good Intent was brilliant as ever - looking forward to the next session there.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: kerry and Mandy
Date: 04 May 08 - 06:16 AM

hi guys
we had afab time and will be there again today at some point.
see you at the good intent, i dare say.
great weekend so far.

quidnunc aka kerry, mandy & stuart

Subject: BS: Rochester Sweeps 2008
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 04 May 08 - 12:56 PM

Just wanted to say thanks to John Barden and others at the Good Intent, for making me feel so welcome Saturday afternoon, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Thanks also to Gastove for helping me with Summertime at the Kings Head Saturday. I always start singing in too low a register, so accompaniament is always welcome.

Music in the sessions ranged from rousing to thought provoking to hilarious and mildly obscene. I am in awe of so much talent.

This is my first time actually posting on Mudcat. I have been visiting since at least 2000. But never posted, so I hope I am doing this correctly.

I don't know if anyone will be attending the Leigh on Sea festival http://www.leighfolkfestival.co.uk/ . It would great to see (and hear)any of the people I heard this weekend again at the Peter Boat on Friday 28th or Saturday 29th June.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:33 PM

Tam, With a voice like yours, I don't think that you need to be in awe of anyone. You are welcome at The Good Intent at any time

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 May 08 - 05:09 AM

Thank you Virginia Tam - I can only second what Growler said. Such a beautiful voice, and a lovely person to go with it. I certainly hope to hear you in the future.

Managed to stagger out at something o'clock this morning. Karen & Dal (our hOsts at The Good Intent) certainly are a very special couple and really go that extra mile for us. We are so very, very lucky.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 May 08 - 06:15 AM

Huzzah for the Good Intent hosts!

Woot! Another plug to my confidence. I thought I was just loud. Luckily, loud enough at a key point Saturday night. Soon have big head to go with big mouth.

I certainly will be attending future Sweeps - sessions. Unfortunately Rochester is a bit of a trek from Chelmsford on a Thursday night for working people. Maybe this summer we will brave the long road and late night to visit the Good Intent.

Uncle Joe's Mint Balls was an experience I will never forget. I would love to have a recording of Clive's Piano Man for my brother a Piano bar player who had the misfortune to land himself in the Billy Joel video. Scott (my big bro) refuses to take that particular request anymore but I know he would appreciate the "Rat A**ed" version.

Thanks to Don (Wyziwyg-I think) for playing my request, about his wife's accomodating handbag. And to Essexgirl from whom I would love to take lessons and pinch a bit of repertoire. No double entndre intended. Cheers to T.D.Leopard - Trevor's jolly Wee and a Shave and Sue's inspired drumming. I would mention more, but I don't know the names of people and didn't catch song names. Next year, I am taking notes.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 05 May 08 - 06:32 AM

"Sue's inspired drumming"

Now there's a talking point. Or does it deserve another thread?

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 05 May 08 - 07:06 AM

Ahhh! Melodeonboy- are the shirt murderer? Still learning names here. And are you intimating that Sue's style isn't a gift from the gods? Surely not!

Blast! I think I could become addicted to Mudcat.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 May 08 - 11:50 AM

Unique implies that something of which there is only one.

Martin Crthy said tha tall English folk music is in he time signature of "one".

Sue's drumming goes further. It is in the time signature of "none".

My feeling is that God, like goodness, had nothing to do with it.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 May 08 - 12:07 PM

I have to say, blowing a trumpet that is partly mine, I think our second crack at "Byker Hill" on Sun Nite, with Kev the Clogs filling another layer of harmony below Roston's mostly parallel 5ths and Rachel my noisy daughter mostly an octave above me was a bit of a spine tingler.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: RamblinStu
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:28 PM

I had a brilliant Sweeps weekend. A great start to the season. One of the highlights for me was seeing the Prague Castle Orchestra, the four blokes playing their hearts out, fiddle, flute, guitar and bass what a sound, no idea what they were singing but it sounded very good.

It was also nice to catch up with so many friends, all of whom were having a good time.

Then there were the sessions at the Good Intent, what fun they were, both inside and out, well... maybe not the bagpipes on Sunday, but that may just be me..

Here's to the next time

Stuart Pendrill

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:31 PM

Agreed with that Richard - simply stunning is the way I'd have put it. The music ad singing on Sunday night was up there among the best in my opinion.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 05 May 08 - 04:18 PM

Thanks for everybody,despite the fact that Dal ran out of beer. He had Ten extra, but they all went.
Next Beer and Folk is 5th and 6th July, hosted by John Barden and ' Ruff and Reddy '. All Welcome.
PS, we raised iver £60 for Amaus

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 May 08 - 05:05 PM

Credit where credit is due on the charity front Growler - Elizabeth took the tin off your table and WORKED that room for contributions.

How is your faceache?

John, flattery will get you everywhere! I thought Jan's song was a cracker. The best I've ever heard her put a song across. The chaps with the big voices behind you were good too, and Paul is a professional quality guitarist. It was nice to hear PJ do traditional stuff.

The few bits I heard from the diddlers in the evening were damn good too. I noticed two of Rocas there and I gather more were there Sat afternoon.



A great shame that Bob and Kath were unable to make the festival, and much hoping that Kath is better soon. Their room was unmanned Monday lunchtime - maybe a better room can be co-opted for next year: the wash from the PA from the front bar does intrude and the room is too small.


All in all, with the help of the weather, one of the best Sweeps for years.




Now suggestions for next year:

Still hunting for another good singing/playing venue.

Vic and Bull might be a possible after refurbishment?

Or twist the arm of the bloke with the George Vaults! If he would put some barrels and a decent barman in the vaults it would make a PERFECT singing venue, and from the way both Dal and the Gordon sold out of beer he could unload a rake of beer and make a good profit.

Or the Cooper's Arms?

Or the downstairs bar at the Queen Charlotte?



Pigs Ear put in a huge amount of work and seemed less supported than ideal. A method of pre-booking or turning up and putting names down to be their "friend" and perform on their stage by the City Wall wine bar would be good.




The "retro-folk" concert was one of those "Eureka" ideas. Great to hear Martin Harris back doing both Smashie and Nicey, fielding the reminders of his BBC local radio folk program. Next year bully the long-suffering Jay with the PA rig into getting a proper pre-gig sound check with the bands and with Martin, to solve the great mysteries of life like how best to capture the sound of classical guitars, banjos, and dulcimers that have not been designed to plug in (and eliminate "piezo quack" from undersaddle pickups). There is only so much that even a good sound man can do "on the fly" and I know he has some toys in his goody bag that he must have left at home that could have gone a way to solving the sound problems. Also next year, can any of the "Brewery" all-stars be inveigled out of retirement? And of course the "Tundra" re-union gig is a must.



The final kvetch (for the moment) would be the bogs in the castle gardens. If the public en masse are going to be in the castle gardens then they need to be able to be sanitary rather than bears in the woods (or at least bears on the floor). Maintenance crew, cleaning crew, and rows of regularly cleaned and inspected (and emptied) portaloos. The Black Death may be traditional but we don't want it back. The council needs firmly to be leant on.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 05 May 08 - 05:42 PM

What a smashing weekend! Thanks to all who came to Ruff 'n' Reddy's singarounds on Friday and Monday (yes, there were still a few survivors who managed our session this afternoon); indeed , thanks to those who came to any of the Good Intent singarounds. I heard that the Sunday evening singaround was a real cracker; I couldn't make it as I was playing elsewhere.

It's quite interesting that the garden at The Good Intent seems to have become an unofficial venue for instrumental sessions while the singarounds are taking place inside. No wonder Del and Karen had no beer left today! We'd even polished off the bottles by about five this afternoon (I should know; I had the last one!).

Thanks also to:

Del and Karen for their support

All those (and there were quite a lot of them) who came to see Jumbo Gumbo

God, for the weather

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 05 May 08 - 05:51 PM

Ah yes, that reminds me of another thing. Maybe we should have a whip-round for Karen and Dal so that they can fix the doors out to the garden (a) to close automatically and (b) not to bang. And also a gentle closer on the inter-bar door. And the door on the gents crapper that sooner or later will have one fat folkie locked in the lavatory...

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 06 May 08 - 06:59 AM

I hope I was excused the Monday afternoon one, as I wanted to take in a bit of that special Sweeps atmosphere and don't get much of a chance normally.

Richard - I see where you're coming from on the sessions in the centre, but I think that the High Street after 8pm is not a nice place to be for a fat old folkie strolling about with a really expensive guitar that might become an assault weapon. Makes Troy Town look more like Toy Town :-)

Finally, a big THANK YOU to all who came and made it such a wonderful place to be. Great voices, great musicianship, great beer and above all great company.
John Barden

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,Dazbo at work
Date: 06 May 08 - 07:37 AM

Charlotte or dillie , I hope you enjoyed Boggart's Breakfast. We (I'm their main musician) had a really fantastic time. Unfortunately we had to leave on Sunday but are looking forward to the next time we can go.

Thanks to all the organisers, guides and scouts etc. at the school, all the sides there and the (mainly) fantastic crowd.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,Essex Girl
Date: 06 May 08 - 09:44 AM

Yes great night on Saturday - wished I could have made Sunday as well but got to Hastings by way of Canterbury in time for the evening session in the White Rock, then saw the Jack let out on Monday. Great time, lovely weather.
Virginia, If it's not too far to come you'd be very welcome at my BBQ on Sunday 15th June.(South East London but close to a train station) So would any other 'catters. I'll post details shortly.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 May 08 - 10:34 AM

Hey Essex Girl. Thanks for the invite. Health permitting, I would love to come.
I'll ask the Quiet Half if he can bring me. He is a lecturer so he may be up to his eyebrows in end of the year marking.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:41 PM

Blast! That is what I get for replying to this thread from work. GUEST just above is VirginiaTam. Wish I could delete my own erroneous posts.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,dillie the oast ouse opper
Date: 06 May 08 - 01:53 PM

hello
I lvoed Boggarts, my good friend Liam dances with you, and to be honest, I could watch you all day! It was my 22nd sweeps in a row dancing (i've danced since i was three) and I really had the best sweeps ever this year, the session at the good intent was great each night, the celidih on saturday was fun (but I was exhausted!) and the weather amazing. Dancing with Kent Korkers was great too.
Only thing that might have been better, would have been if there had been enough beer to go around, and if i'd remembered to re-apply sun screen yesterday afternoon, as i now can't move my neck. oweee. oh and if there had been more sides in the final procession (it was not the two hour long event i remember it being - maybe its cos i just nhad little legs back then!!)

I loved the fact that Dutch sang me a jolly song on sunday night in the good intent, (sorry if i kept asking for jolliness!) I promise to a) learn some more songs b) remember not to get too drunk to remember them for next year.

thank you all for making sweeps as unmissable as i always hope its going to be.

Charlotte, xxx

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 06 May 08 - 04:03 PM

As you say Richard, thanks to Elizabeth for handing round the jug for Amaus. And thanks to everyone for making it the best Sweeps for the Good Intent. Dal ran out of beer, despite ordering ten extra ont barrels. This will not happen again'
   Hope to see most of you ,for our Solstis festival on 5th and 6th July,
Well that was as near to the Solstis as we could get it

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Girl Friday
Date: 06 May 08 - 08:59 PM

Clive and Anne Lever looked after Bob and Kathy's do on Saturday . TDL ran it Sunday (great turnout too). There was none scheduled for Monday.
The time of 3 to 7 works well. No clash with bar guests, though we did have to tell them to turn off the juke box to the pool room at 6.00.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Dead Horse
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:56 AM

Pics n Vid

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 07 May 08 - 01:44 PM

Here's some footage from the Good Intent singaround. woodsie's blog Quality not great as I had to squash it down to upload to google. I do have the original high quality footage. which includes some morris in the high street and is about 20 minutes long. I will clean it up and burn a few DVDs for people if they want them

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 May 08 - 02:23 PM

Not getting any audio, Woodsie, what codec do I need?

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: growler
Date: 07 May 08 - 04:40 PM

VirginiaTam
You PM'ed me but I deleted it by mistake

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 07 May 08 - 05:46 PM

arrghh! So that's where that post went. Didn't mean to pm. Still learning the tools here.
Never mind. Just a lot of junk and profuse thanks and such.
Oh and an apology for beating a hasty retreat when you started singing Bedlam Boys on Sunday afternoon. The song took me by unhappy surprise. No need to go into detail here.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: GUEST,woodsie
Date: 08 May 08 - 12:49 AM

Richard - It was an MP2 when uploaded but I think google converts it to FLV ( like youtube) it plays OK on my home and work computers. Richt clicking it says that it is playing in flash player 9

I will do you a DVD anyway

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 May 08 - 03:11 AM

I've got an FLV player: I'll try saving it and playing it in that.

Subject: RE: Rochester Sweeps (UK)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 08 May 08 - 03:13 AM

Damn - those bits are on the computer that is in pieces!