Miskin @ Easter 2004

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 01:49 PM

No probs,you can have the freezer pack next year.Welsh lamb is the BEST you can buy,but i give you yours as a special promotion as it will be a new side line for the festival.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 12:23 PM

That's strange the word "Shaggy" came straight to my mind at the time.
Please could I have any resulting lambs as a freezer pack !

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 08:38 AM

You noticed Lucy.I thought i hid my "shaggy look" so well,lol.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Hawker
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 08:05 AM

I thought you were looking a little sheepish Scooby!
Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 07:37 AM

Andy says "he choose the prettiest sheep to be in the near field"

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: mrTibbs
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 06:26 AM

She who Knows says we will be there in 2005. Great festival. Thank you all for Miskin 2004.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 20 Apr 04 - 04:55 AM

Well I noticed you used the past tense. Anyway what do you expect in Wales if you're down on all fours wearing a sheep's costume ?

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 05:17 PM

Sorry Dave that was me!!!

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:35 AM

Were "the locals! Miskinfolk virgins" the ones going Baaa-Baaa on the campsite ?

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Cats
Date: 19 Apr 04 - 06:24 AM

Thanks, Andy and Jillie, for another superb weekend. Yes of course we are coming next year even though I will have to fly to gatwick on Monday morning so I can be in Brighton for Conference by lunchtime! Will there be a 20th End of Strike concert? If so put me down for songs from the womens support groups around the country and a couple of stories from a storytelling tape made to support the Yorkshire pits.

Anyone fancying a sing like the Saturday night / sunday night ones in the Cottage will be welcome at the Fox and Hounds.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From:
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 06:03 PM

Miskin folk sometimes include the locals! Miskinfolk virgins who had a great time. Thanks Andy and Co for a great effort. We will follow Cloudstreet to Banbury in October. Cheers and long may the Bongers and all diverse folky things live, we will be back next year.

Alan and Sue Thomas

Selected photos to follow on the website.

Ciao.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Morticia
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 06:16 AM

Thanks for the words Splott Man and great piccies, Andy.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 05:04 AM

To simplify & 'clickify' the link above, this one takes you to Miskin 2004 Index to view enlargeable thumbnails

Nigel

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 04:27 AM

Andy you just realised we are "Mad hatters",well sorry that includes you as well as you write on the site.Brilliant site Toby has done.I am so pleased you won the award.
Take care Andy,Jillie and Toby see you you all soon.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: MBSLynne
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 04:15 AM

Good one Andy! We love you too!

I think I should now be as upset if there were to be no more Miskins as I would if Sidmouth ended

Love Lynne

Subject: ADD: Three Wise Women
From: Splott Man
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 03:15 AM

Here's the words of Three Wise Women by Stanley Accrington as promised.
I can't guarantee that I've got them down 100% accurately, there's at least one reference I don't get and substitute my own when I sing it, but the meaning is there.
The tune is approximately the same as Poor Old Landlord, Can't Get The Buggers Out.

THREE WISE WOMEN

Three wise women went to the stable, (First line repeated twice each time)
To see the baby king.

They got lost and asked for directions.
"Oh, you mean that bright star there!"

They still got there two weeks before the wise men,
To see the baby king.

When they got there they helped with the delivery,
Sent Joseph to boil some water.

When the baby was born they all crowded round him,
Told the angels to keep the noise down.

Then one wise woman said "Isn't he like his father?"
Mary gave her a strange look.

Then two wise women started cleaning out the stable,
The third one made a casserole.

Then three shepherds came to see the baby,
The women told them to take their shoes off first.

Now the three wise women didn't bring gold, frankincense and myrrh,
Their presents were far more useful.

The first wise women brought a Bob the Builder romper suit,
To fit size nought to six months.

The second wise woman brought a packet of disposables,
And those nappy sacks that smell faintly of Holmans. (a reference I don't understand, though I'm sure someone does)

The third wise woman brought a Winnie the Pooh mobile,
And a tape of Cilla Black singing lullabies.

Then the three wise women said goodbye to Mary and Joseph,
Went back to where they had come from.

Then the first wise woman said "Did you see her sandals?"
They just didn't go with that robe she wore.

The second wise woman said "You'd have thought they'd have cleaned the stable out!
The smell, not to mention hygiene!"

Then the third wise woman said "You know that Joseph's not in work?!
How do they afford that donkey?"

Then the three wise women met the wise men going the other way,
Who stopped them to ask for directions.

The three wise women shrugged and just carried on their way,
Muttering about the usefulness of myrrh.

Three wise women went to the stable,
To see the baby king.



As Stanley himself says, a carol is not just for Christmas.
Enjoy

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 07:49 PM

Well what's to say? Another succesful weekend - Thanks for your continued support and enthusiasm. I am still getting over the surprise of being awarded the Harry Prigg Absent Friends Trophy, It's the nearest I will ever get to winning an Oscar, but so much more precious.
We managed to drink 2232 pints of assorted good ales and 160 pints of Draught Cider!!!
We had over 28 hours of quality concerts, two ceilidhs three or four Folk Club evenings and almost continuous song and music sessions. Not to mention the Workshops, the Craft, the Procession, the stories, the campfire .....

So now try this other new idea from my Toby, have a look at this for the first set of piccies from this year
http://miskinfolk.fotopic.net
If you have any of your own, please let me have a copy.
Meanwhile.....
There once was a bunch known as Catters,
All thought of as bright in Folk matters.
But I know them now,
And I must just say how,
I really think they're all mad hatters.

If to rumours last weekend you were list'nin',
(And my wrath they really were riskin),
Now I just need to say,
That if I have my way,
Next year there'll be Easter at Miskin.

I Love you all..XXX

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 02:57 PM

Personally, I think you're all bong-kers

Nigel

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Snuffy
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 11:40 AM

That's how the actions went, certainly, so I suppose it makes sense for the words to follow suit.

Or half the audience do that and the rest just bong the tune out?

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 10:16 AM

I thought it developed rather well with the gong being one big Bong (with vibrations),
the church bells being a couple of bongs, and then each verse increasing the frequency. So maybe the cowbell should come before the doorbell?

What do you think?


Oh and I'll post the lyrics for Three Wise Women soon, as you asked Morticia.

Splott Man

Subject: Lyr Add: Miskin Music Man
From: Snuffy
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 09:24 AM

Splott Man, I think this was all the verses we did, but feel free to add more. And don't forget the actions!


I am the Music Man, I come from down your way
And I can play. What can you play?
I can play J Arthur Rank
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong bong Bong bong bong
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong Bong bong bong.

[subsequent verses]

I can play the church bell
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong bong Bong bong bong
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong Bong bong bong.

I can play the doorbell
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong bong Bong bong bong
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong Bong bong bong.

I can play the alarm clock
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong bong Bong bong bong
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong Bong bong bong.

I can play the cowbell
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong bong Bong bong bong
Bong bong bong bong Bong bong bong.
Bong bong Bong bong bong.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Essex Girl
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 09:24 AM

Mary, sorry to hear of your accident, it must have been terrifying, but glad to hear you weren't hurt. I hope you manage to sort things out soon. Linda

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 08:03 AM

Well someone is telling porkies?.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 07:44 AM

She must have been an imposter, look at posting 129 above

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 06:03 AM

Avril Betts was around the whole w/e!!!!.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 04:46 AM

What d'you mean "Avril Betts didn't make it", I'm sure I saw the name badge several times!!!

Nigel

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 04:42 AM

A footnote:

Llantrisant stalwart Roger Evans, who was stewarding at the weekend, had a mild heart attack on Tuesday and is doing fine in hospital in Bridgend. he was out with fellow stewards Peter and Liz when it happened. The Folk Club all signed a card last night wishing him a speedy recovery.



Splott Man

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Splott Man
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 03:53 AM

Thank you for putting it so eloquently, Snuffy, it was a hilarious session, I'm sorry I was too knackered to stay longer. It's always fun when Steve V is around. I think your version of Music Man has legs without it becoming just an in-joke for us.

Too many highlights to list in full, but the indestructable Siwsi George is one of them, also Cloudstreet joining Vicki and Jonny for a storming interpretation of a (unknown to me) ballad, full of passion, energy and humour.
Special mention too to our own criminally under-rated Jeff Hankin whose songs deserve to get out more, Pat and I are working on a couple to see if we can do them justice.

Thanks to all the survivors who stayed on Monday evening in the Windsor, despite the noisy (but actually very good) duo in the bar below.

Great to put faces to so many of you as well.

Sorry Avril Betts didn't make it.

Splott Man

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 15 Apr 04 - 03:48 AM

Leadfingers has now added the lyrics to The Three Bells parody also known (now) as The Bong Song.
Link included here so I can find it again

Nigel

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: GUEST,croc
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 07:17 PM

Thanks everyone for a wonderful weekend, for the bongs and the singing - especialy Siwsi George who was fantastic even if I couldn't understand a word. And thanks too for the good wishes re the journey home. Thanks Mary for almost holding her straight. You were brilliant. It certainly was a festival to remember - and we're here to tell the tale. The smell from the smashed bottle of rose hip wine was a bit of a give away when it came to suspicious policemen though. No wonder he got the little bag out.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: vectis
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 04:02 PM

What a kind offer MGAS. Thankyou.
I will let you know. I'm going to root round in the loft and see if my old dome tent is still there, intact and weatherproof. If not I'll PM you. I can always nick my sons car (when he's not looking) to get to Upton in.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: pixieofdoom
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 02:41 PM

Not only did we not cause any trouble, we didn't even make ourselves sick on chocolate.......slightly sticky of course but otherwise very well behaved.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: My guru always said
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Must thank the lovely Splott Man for allowing me to snaffle that pint he promised earlier, went down a treat just when I thought my throat had been cut!

The Chocolate donations certainly were a calming (& cheering) influence too....

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Phot
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 02:26 PM

Bugger, Bugger, Bugger!! Why did I have to leave early? I must make sure to stay for the whole weekend next year. Glad to hear that you two are ok Jane.   Now, what festival's next? Pass the chocolate Morty!

Wassail! Chris

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Morticia
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 01:48 PM

I completely forgot to say thank you for all the donations of chocolate from terrified....I mean, from very kind and disinterested well-wishers.They appeared to be much enjoyed from all the chocolatey smiles I saw in the bar and it will be noted that neither I nor the Pixie commited any acts of Mayhem,Pillage or Actual Bodily Harm for the whole weekend.People attending future festivals might want to reflect on that a bit.....

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Hawker
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:53 PM

Thank you Guru thats was so nice of you, Kevin my other half said what a wonderful voice you had, and I have already said so much, so the feeling is mutual! ;0)
Mary! Glad you & Liz are fine, what a bugger of a thing to happen! Well done for not being over the limit! I made the bed in the back of the camper and lay down all the way home, Knackered and a little hung over (What Me?), I was unable to cope with anything until about 5pm!
For me the magic moment was seeing Harriet Earis & Colman Connolly, I missed them last year WOW! harpist and flute / pipes! it wasnt just their music that captivated you, it was Harriet and the way the harp and her became one when she played, magical, just magical.
Also Andy winning the Absent friends trophy was a highlight, and a tear jerker! well deserved indeed.
Another highlight for me was working as a steward with other folkies I may not have got to know or talk to, had I not stewarded! Really great, it added to my festival.
Snuffy we joined the bong session at about 3am ish and thoroughly enjoyed it! I agree that the fellowship and community singing spirit is what festivals are all about, may Miskin go on forever! (sorry Andy, can you cope with being immortal too?)
Thank you all for you contributions be they songs, music or good company, I really enjoyed them all, look forward to good times together again soon,

Cheers, Lucy

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: kitchen piper
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:04 PM

:-O
Sorry to hear about your journey home Mary!

We had a wonderful time at Miskin, feeling really >sigh< now.

I've put some photo's up from the weekend on our website, so take a look.....

click here

Thanks to Andy and everyone for a wonderful time!

:-))
Vicki

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 06:29 PM

The Gods (?) were with you both! So glad you're able to tell us about it. A decent sized tent & airbed available along with 2 spare seats in the car for Upton if you can make it up to Leatherhead Mary - just pm....

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: vectis
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 06:23 PM

Liz and I are fine, shaken but not stirred. Unfortunately "little Home" and car look as if they will be written off by the insurance companies.
We got a fairly high speed blowout and I just couldn't hold the thing straight. We clobbered the central reservation and then jack-knifed gracefully across all four carriageways to come to a halt, still upright, on the hard shoulder but facing the wrong way.
Some heavies behind us stopped the traffic until they were sure we were safe and then the M25 resumed until we got lifted out by the AA.
I got breathalised but was clear.........
It would have been different if they had tried that over the weekend eh what??? :-))
So for a while I'm grounded and may not make Upton after all :-(((

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: My guru always said
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 06:02 PM

Another Miskin Magic weekend! Major thanks to Andy, Jillie, Toby and all other associated magicians.

So many wonderful memories, my highlight has to be Hawker singing her song about a Tree on a Battlefield in the Cottage on the Sunday - just heart-rending....

Steve singing the Curry Song (twice) is another, Bonging notwithstanding....

What's your highlight??

Mary: Gobsmacked by your M25 news. We're all hoping you can elaborate a little when things have calmed down a bit for you. Meanwhile, we assume you guys are OK & are so glad about that!!!

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Snuffy
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 05:31 PM

Most heartfelt thanks to Andy and Jilly and the rest of your crew for an absolutely stunning working weekend.

Depending where you were, you probably think that the bar song session on Sunday evening was an inspired episode of communal lunacy or just a load of drunks singing mostly non-folk songs none too well and making a lot of noise.

Certainly at the same time there was singing elsewhere that was technically far superior, with more meaningful and challenging lyrics, better harmonies, people paying more attention and not talking during songs, and all the other things that make the difference between a folk club or concert and a pub. But out of this drunken musical mediocrity came something that was absolutely magic - a re-creation of the way that countless generations of our forebears experienced the music that became "folk".

The selection of songs may not have been "folk", but it was surely traditional. We were singing songs that we knew because we were folks, not because we were folkies; songs we had known for years, since childhood or youth. People have always absorbed songs from many sources: it matters not whether the song is two years, two generations or two centuries old; whether it has been handed down orally, or written for money by a known author; whether its lyrics will inspire you to change the world or your underpants. Some songs have that certain "something" and people will take them to their heart. If you were there in the 60s "The Times They Are A Changing" and "Lily The Pink" are both part of a tradition you have lived.

In the "olden days" you could go to the music hall or opera house and hear excellent performers, or you could go round to the pub and entertain yourselves. People of all abilities and temperaments came together to do whatever they could to make sure everyone enjoyed themselves. Some couldn't carry a tune in a proverbial bucket, some had weak voices, some could never remember the words, but everyone was involved. There was no "performer" and no "audience": just equal participants. "Everybody join in with all the bits you think you know" has a long and honourable heritage.

But more important than the quality of either songs or singers was the communality of the experience: gradually new things were introduced and adopted into a tradition that grew in an organic and unplanned way from what had gone before.

On Sunday the ladies and gentlemen in the bar experienced exactly that. Much that happened was unplanned but was inextricably related to what had gone before - there were no pre-defined set lists or running orders in this experience. "Fine Girl You Are" started here at Miskin a year ago, and returned home after a year-long national tour. "The Music Man" and "Young Bongker" and all the other bong stuff could not have been done if the "Three Bells" had not got the night off with a bong. But Steve had already done that song the day before, and would probably not have done it again had it not been requested. You can change the whole complexion of an evening for many people by making a simple request.

It was a real old-time pub evening: weak singers sang songs that got undivided attention because people wanted to listen or join in; highly-rated performers sang songs that people were happy to have as wallpaper while they chatted with their neighbour. New "traditions" were made up on the spot and flogged to death within minutes and for hours. It was absolutely magic. It is the reason I go to festivals - to get the buzz of a whole crowd of folkies supporting each other and feeding off each other to create something much bigger than the sum of its parts.

Let every man so pitch his song
To help his neighbor sing along
To each and all contentment bring
When all men sing.

That is what really rings my bell. BONNNNNNNGGGGGGG

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Morticia
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:16 PM

jaysus, Mary, you guys okay? What the hell happened???

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: vectis
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 03:13 PM

PS
Lancaster - Pah!!!

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: vectis
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 03:11 PM

Wonderful weekend. Great fun. Great craic.
I'll be back next year if I can.
Even writing off the car and caravan on the M25 on the way home didn't spoil the memory of a lovely Easter in Wales.

Mary

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: GUEST,Jillie
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:16 AM

Anyone wanting info for Miskin @ Easter 2005 should email
[e-mail] with contact name and address or email address.

or send to the ticket address :
Miskinfolk
Linden House
141 High Street
Wootton Bridge
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 4LZ

We have been trying to get a database together to be able to keep everyone informed.

Jillie

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Essex Girl
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 09:16 AM

Thanks to everyone who made this such a great weekend. I'll be back.

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: ChocolateLover
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:47 AM

Fantastic weekend, fantastic music, loved every minute - where to I sign up for next year?

ChocolateLover

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: Avril Betts
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:30 AM

Dave Bryant - where did you and Linda get to. I asked you for a lift to Miskin and you never picked me up. I waited at Well Hall roundabout until gone midnight on Thursday. The last bus had gone by then, so I had to pitch my tent in the middle of the roundabout and sleep there. I started trying to hitch a lift on Friday, but the cheeky bloke who picked me up turned out to be only going to Catford and we ended up in his flat for the rest of the weekend. Stll all things considered . . . . . .

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: GUEST,Andy and Jillie
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 07:07 AM

Subject: RE: Miskin @ Easter 2004
From: MBSLynne
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 04:56 AM

While we are all saying thank you...thank you to eveyone who was at the folk club in the Cottage on Saturday night. Running it wasn't easy, with so many people and we only managed to get round the room once by ten to twelve, but the quality of the singing and music was just fantastic. We had one young lady there who sang a beautiful song beautifully, leaving us all gasping, only to be told that it was the first time she'd sung in public! Before we'd got over the shock of that, we were also told that she wrote the song herself! Along with Graham giving me goosepimples with "The Hiring Fair" and the two ladies who did "Who knows where the time goes" and reduced me to tears, to name a very small proportion, it was a fantastic evening. Thank you all again

Love Lynne