Towersey Village Festival 2003

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 03:19 PM

Gorsh, thanks Kitty, screws foot into carpet - the tune was mine. Les knew I'd written a tune for it and kindly said I could do it. When I first read it, I Emailed him and asked if there was a tune in mind when he wrote it, but he said no, there wasn't, but I could sing it if I found one. I couldn't find one so I wrote one instead. Since then, I've realised that with a little tweaking, it goes to the verse of the Coventry Carol.

And as Chris Sugden is the maiden name of Sid Kipper, I think we can forgive Jo, particularly as few people know Sid has an alias. That's usually his uncles' department.

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 01:52 PM

LtS

Some of us have known for a long time that Les Barker does some really good serious stuff. It was a great song that you sang.

Interestingly, Jo sang "Confidence" in the barn, and attributed it to Sid Kipper, when it was copyrighted as being written by Chris Sugden (and is credited to Chris by Damien Barber on his "Boxed" CD).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 02 Sep 03 - 11:42 AM

Well, I finally made it back via Kipper country - North Norfolk (shuts at 8.30pm, last one up put the loights out).

Sorry the Mudcat thingy didn't really happen on Sat, got taken out to get money - a more urgent matter!

GUEST - wish you'd made yourself known. I was in the Prego dance for the last 45 mins, it was bloody good even though I don't dance any more!

Any reports that I took all my clothes off in the barn on Sunday are totally not true.

Any photos of me not taking my clothes off in the barn on Sunday can be exchanged for quantities of cash.... just pm me you bastard, you know who you are!

Sorry to the people I scared by revealing that Les Barker does serious stuff as well as silly stuff.

And thanks to those who made very complimentary remarks about a song that's only taken 3 years to write and is the only one I've ever remembered a tune I wrote for it.

Next year is the 40th anniversary... should be good!

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 28 Aug 03 - 05:40 AM

Finally managed to download and watch the clip... yes, guilty as charged. The tune is an Old Time Americian one which I was in the process of learning (so was quite happy to keep playing while he filmed) called something like 'Rushing the Bushes' but I'm not 100% sure... might be 'Brushing the Rushes' ... that sort of thing. The sleeping boy is the guitarist's son.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Adrianl
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 03:35 PM

What a wonderful weekend. I didn't get to the barn - so much else to do with concerts, ceilidhs and just soaking in the atmosphere. The link in nickp's message sums it up well.

Spiers and Boden were great with a Friday late night concert that got a Cotswold morris conga going and on the Saturday with a more reflective set.

At Roy Bailey's workshop/concert on the Monday he performed some less well known songs (as well as some favourites). The suggestion from the audience of reviving Band of Hope for the 40th Towersey next year seems a good one. Emails to Mrs Casey Music

Adrian

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 03:11 PM

You certainly did Pixie - well done! And such an appropriate song for the occasion (Down where the drunkards roll, for those of you who missed it).

Kitty

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 12:37 PM

I've not yet stopped being a stream train! Towersey was great though, I'd forgotton how much I enjoyed it. I'll never cheat on it with another festival again. I even got my voice out even though I thought I was going to pass out with terror!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Phot
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:49 AM

Bugger! I went home and got absoloutly soaked from Bridgenorth, I hit a total monsoon in Somerset, A real sod when you don't have waterproofs! Still, Wearham this weekend, Towersy next year.....Where can we put a railway?......(Toot Toot[PoD!])

Chris:)

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:35 AM

Thwarted - it's the work firewall (serves me right) will have to wait until I get home! Oh well, back to doing what I get paid for!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: BUTTERS
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:30 AM

Can only reinforce in spades the thoughts of Ian.The Barn must be the only thing to compare with the old Cellar Bar at Bracknell. Thanks to Tony & Pearl for a good crack and all the usual suspects who make the Barn atmosphere what it is. Didn't see Bazza this year, hope he's O.K.
Good harmonies be with you all till we meet again
Butters

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:12 AM

That's him, what a star! Who can spot me in the pink, swirly sequence?

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 11:12 AM

OH b***ER - BETTER DO IT THEN!

Thanks Noreen

I'll save the file and go pc hunting - still it saves me putting my picture up on the 'Cat. And lets hope I didn't make too many mistakes...

Nick

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Noreen
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 10:31 AM

nick, if you were wearing dk blue basball cap, glasses and have greying beard and long hair, find another computer which will do Real Player as you are the star of the audio visual presentation!

I presume it's your mandolin playing over the slideshow too, with guitar accompaniment from young chap in white t-shirt & shorts.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Ian
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:35 AM

For those tht did not make it You missed a fantastic Barn assembly.
The admiral ran the campaign with skill and charm. All praise to him for his memory of the names, the order of appearance and the words of his own songs. There was a range of traditional/ music hall and contempory songs. Some sad, some happy and some so funny you missed the next verse as you laughed so much. A golden aniversary will never be the same again!
The sunday stippers prooved in the words of Jack Frost the ladies are worse than the men. (fm mudcat v m barstaff)
Pearl made a special farewell to the departing landlord/lady.
Thanks again to All who were there singers and none singers alike.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 09:02 AM

I only knew it might be there because a cameraman spent some time shoving his 'Dougal' mike up my nose!! Fortunately my nose didn't feature although my mandolin did! There should be audio/visual stuff there too but it's 'Real' and my pc comes up with an error when I try to run it - possibly the wrong version (maybe its Unreal'... oops!).

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Morticia
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 08:18 AM

great link,Nick, thank you

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 07:54 AM

local bbc reports

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: JudeL
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 05:39 AM

Micca, my darling is that a snippet of something that already exists if not you MUST write the rest of it!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 04:19 AM

LOL Micca!!.......PS I thought you were supposed to be at work!!!!!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Micca
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 04:18 AM

since someone (Dave Earl, I think) sang the "proper" version I have been teased by the thought....
" for She's gone and married a lighter man
now to Weightwatchers I must go
would she have loved me still, my dear
If I'd lost 2 stone or so"

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST,KingBrilliant
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 02:54 AM

oops - that was me - sorry, hit the thingy b4 putting in my name....

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Aug 03 - 02:54 AM

Hi all
We didn't get to the pub - but still managed to bump into Micca & CatPhiddle & LTS. All were looking bright eyed & bushy tailed.
I found it a nice relaxing festival this year - and was monstrous lazy. Lovely.
Wallingford Bunkfest next week - which will be more hectic as we are going with two other families.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 03:43 PM

First time at Towersey for about twelve years - lovely to see the Three Horseshoes hasn't changed at all (still all the same faces as well!) Tricky time sharing the festival with a muscian friend although he did confess to mumbling his way through a shanty chorus,(I stayed to hear his 'heavy metal' intro in the LNE so reckon we're equal) However it was great to see my old neighbour (well neighbouring village) Ian Woods again.
I'm never touching Absinthe again whoevers birthday it is!!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Morticia
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 01:49 PM

Yes, Pixie and I have sorted out the Clash of the Festival dilemma...we went to both! Bridgnorth was interesting but not really for me, I like to sing and it seemed to be very concert based.....and running out of beer both Friday and Saturday night caused much consternation all round!It was lovely to see so many people though.

We packed up on Sunday and went to Towersey and had a lovely time and once again, it was great to catch up with so many people. Actually we had a nice time at both ( the steam train ride was a real highlight and I am hoping Pixie will have stopped her whistle impersonations before I have to kill her) ...and my tent erecting skills are now lots better than they were.....just in time for Wareham next weekend (gulp). Festivalling is NOT for sissies.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Micca
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 09:26 AM

Many thanks to The Admiral and Pearl for helping to make this a memorable w/e and to the other Mudcatters who said "hello" KB, Mark and Hammerite among others, and those mentioned by CatsPHiddle above!! I am almost all sung out!! I managed to sing all 3 parts of my Trilogy of songs about WW1 that has been a long time in writing!! and My sincere thanks to Andy Barnes for reading and commenting on, and his very helpful advice on, a new song I am writing!! a Real Good Towersey!!!! If you were there, Nice to see you, if you weren't My sympathies for missing out!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 26 Aug 03 - 08:51 AM

Just home from another excellent weekend at Towersey!!....We had a great time...and didn't run out of beer like Bridgnorth!!! great to see everyone again...Gervase and MJ, HergaKitty, Tony and Pearl and Morty and Pixie abandoned Bridgnorth for Towersey and had a good sing and drank plenty of alcohol!....Pixie sang in the Barn and it was grand!!! Hope to see everyone there next year if not before!

Keep safe and well everyone

Khatt

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 22 Aug 03 - 12:04 PM

Have just arrived home from Whitby, so hope to get out to Towersey for at least one sing in the barn. Bridgnorth sounds really good, but is in completely the wrong direction for someone travelling home from Whitby to Harrow and going to work next Tuesday. Not to mention wailing at Wareham the weekend after.....

Kitty

PS Noreen please don't mention road signs...

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Noreen
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 07:52 PM

Oooh, Jude, your gaze-bo is switching allegiances, along with cheeses and dips?? :0) (We're having Xmas at Bridgnorth FF.)

See you at Bridgnorth- leave the 'e' out or you'll not find it on roadsigns...

I would love to do the Barn at Towersey again, praps next year.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Gervase
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 10:40 AM

Will be in the barn Saturday lunchtime (just popping over for the day this year, sadly), so I'm sure I'll see those of the usual suspects who aren't going to Bridgenorth.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: JudeL
Date: 21 Aug 03 - 04:57 AM

Not doing Towersey this year. Am trying Bridgenorth for a change, along with the infamous gazebo.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 06:30 PM

Guest - I don't do the LNE often - I'm usually mooching for cocoa.

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST,skippy
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 06:08 PM

can't decide which dress to wear!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 06:03 PM

Hope the threatened ferry strike doesn't happen and I get off this island tomorrow! 12hours turnaround time to pack a tent etc. Hope to meet up again with you Liz - look for me in the Late nite extra with Prego!!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 12:34 PM

Beware! It may be walking distance from Thame but not from the station!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Morticia
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 06:52 AM

just in Thame.......I found you just in Thame....sorry, I'll get me coat

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Ian
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 04:02 AM

Towersey is mid way between Oxford and Aylesbury, A418 off the M40 J6 J7 or J8 twix Bicester and High Wycombe. Walking distance from Thame.
Good Bus links from Oxford and Aylsebury. Poor from Bic & HW. Train Station THAME / HADDENHAM PARKWAY. Birminghan - London Line hourly.

Lots of free parking and there are shops in Thame.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 01:01 AM

Oh Lead, I'm hurt - did you not think I could do that myself?

And Arbuthnot (any relation to Percival Victor Arbuthnot String?), you've not stood next to me singing have you......

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Arbuthnot
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 07:45 PM

And the volume up!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 04:51 PM

I am ferrying on the Friday but might just make it over on Saturday afternoon if the Catters are congregating.Someone has to keep the tone down.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 10:51 AM

Just tell them that Geordie Wilson's pig says hello from Saltburn.

LTS

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Snuffy
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 08:36 AM

Most of the Shellback catters will be at Bridgnorth, Liz. Shall I pass on your best wishes to the Wilsons?

WassaiL! V

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:39 AM

Where is Towersey?

http://www.mrscasey.co.uk/towersey/ttravel.html

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:38 AM

DW

FInd Oxford on the map (aim south from Yorkshire and it's near the middle before you get to London!) Then go about 10-15 miles east to Thame. Towersey is a little (very little) villlage about a mile & half east of Thame

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST,DW again
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:35 AM

Tarnation, hit the wrong key, guess I can't get used to these damn right-hand drive keyboards.

Vacationing in the old country after a terrible year, should have asked before I got here really, but I just plain forgot! Gee, this place has changed in a year!

Where is this place Towersy? I can't find it on any map I have and no-one I know here in Yorkshire has heard of it.

DW

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST,DW at work usually but on vacation
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:30 AM

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:29 AM

And also the access to the 'showground field' is (I think) £4 from 9am-6pm giving access to bar, music sales, record sales, 'market area', food and craft marquee. Also the arena theatre for afternoon shows - but NOT the main field which has concert and dance marquees. You need 'full' day/weekend tickets for them.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:24 AM

Many thanks.

There seems to be a trend - some festivals are worse than others - to use the local pubs as alternative/additional paid gigs for featured artists, or local bands. Nothing wrong with that of course but it does make it difficult sometimes to find somewhere to play without feeling that you may be treading on someones toes.

Note for organisers: It would be nice if a few pubs could always be made available or just left for informal gatherings.

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Micca
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 05:12 AM

Shambles, It is a good Festival if you want to Spectate(filthy beast) or make Music, The 3 Horsehoes in the Village has usually a "come and play music" session in one of the bars, and the Barn is the sine qua non of unaccompanied singing with its wonderful acoustics and accomplished team of chorus singers!!! Try it, You'll like it!!!! and if you just want to sample it, come for the day, the pub is accessible without a ticket!!

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: The Shambles
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 04:53 AM

Is it a good festival to attend if you mainly wish to attend in order to make music - or are there festivals on over this same weekend that are better suited to this purpose?

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: nickp
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 03:32 AM

I'll be there but busy stewarding as usual

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 03:09 AM

Micca and I will be there this year....however I supect we fall into the same old suspects category!!!!! A get together sounds grand! See you there!

Khatt

Subject: RE: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: GUEST,KingBrilliant
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 02:51 AM

Hi Liz - we'll be there. Om is looking forward to her morning chat with you at the gate.....(you, of course, may not be looking forward to it........ :>) )
A get-together sounds a great idea.

See ya

Kris

Subject: Towersey Village Festival 2003
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 01:22 AM

So, it's nearly time for another festival - anyone else apart from the usual suspects going to be at Towersey this year?

Do we want another little Mudcat get together like we did a couple of years ago, on Saturday afternoon after the main session in the Barn had finished (subject to availabilty of course)?

LTS