Will & Wolfie at Elsie's

Subject: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 03:50 AM

Just a brief bit of shameless self-promotion here.

"Will & Wolfie" - alias meself and my guitar-playing buddy Chris "Wolfie" Wolferstan will be entertaining the massed ranks in the bar of the Queen's Arms (otherwise known as "Elsie's") in Cowden Pound near Edenbridge this evening (11th Feb 2017). An evening of rags, blues, folky stuff, a bit of jazz and some catchy tunes from the 1920s and 1930s is in store.

It's worth going just to sample a pint in Elsie's - a pub which has remained virtually unchanged, bar a few coats of paint, for 50 or 60 years or more. There's a sign by the front door - "Lager Not Sold Here" - which means what it says. Neither will you find a juke box or background music, a cigarette machine, a fruit machine or food. Just beer and company. Sadly, Elsie herself is no longer the publican at the pub, and there was much speculation as to what would happen to the place when her tenancy ended. By the hand of fortune, a local man liked the pub so much the way it was that he bought it - and Elsie's continues in the old way.

The peace and calm of Elsie's is broken once a month by those stalwarts, Elsie's Band, who play on a Saturday evening and act as hosts to other musicians.

As I write this, a little snow is falling, but - come what may - we'll be at Elsie's tonight.

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Alan Day
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 06:29 AM

Sorry I cannot be there.
Have a great night.
Al

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 06:34 AM

Cheers Al - we'll do our best. Regards and good wishes to you and yours in Suffolk.

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 08:09 AM

Weather permitting , I shall risk the trek

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 11 Feb 17 - 08:11 AM

Good on you Terry - snowshoes at the ready!

The forecast is some snow - turning to rain. Let's hope...

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Feb 17 - 07:59 AM

Boys done Good !!

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 12 Feb 17 - 09:17 AM

Cheers Terry - it was nice to meet up again. Loved the Tom Lehrer!

Cheers,

Will

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 02:39 AM

I would have loved to have travelled down to have been there. A floor spot at Elsie's is on my bucket list.

The Butley 'Oyster', a famous old singing pub, is our Suffolk equivalent, untouched for many years under an elderly landlady, but it stood empty for a long time. Now due to reopen in March with a micro-brewery and village shop, joining the reinvigorated Alderton 'Swan', which starts Sunday afternoon sessions with the excellent Ross Birkett on Feb 19, and the appalling Rusty Dobro on March 19.

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 03:18 AM

I know Butley quite well, but not the Oyster. It sounds very promising. I'm sure that the famous Rusty Dobro will go down a treat there, having seen him in action at the Sorrel Horse!

If I didn't have a gig that night I'd come along and heckle - in the nicest possible way.

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 04:56 AM

Damn, I wish I'd seen this earlier Will, I'd have been there :-(

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 06:24 AM

Sorry you missed it, Rob - we had a great evening. It's a lovely, friendly place to play, and John, David and Irish (Elsie's Band) make everyone feel welcome as well as performing excellent songs.

Perhaps another time...

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Will Fly
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 06:25 AM

My fingers are better at playing than typing - Iris (Bishop) of course - not Irish!

Subject: RE: Will & Wolfie at Elsie's
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 13 Feb 17 - 02:30 PM

Should have mentioned that the Alderton 'Swan' sessions are monthly, third Sunday, 3.30 to 6.00, and the format is host + guest, rather than the usual 'round the room' or floor-spots.