Here is a complete listing from the Somerset and Dorset Folk Diary. To receive regular updates to this listing, along with other news items, please subscribe.
Regular events, such as music sessions and dance clubs are listed separately here.
Please note that all the email addresses on this page have been altered to try to limit the effect of spam programs. The @ symbol has been replaced with " AT ". Also note that the web addresses on the page may not act as hyperlinks. You will have to cut and paste them into the address bar of your web browser.
Come and enjoy an enjoyable holiday that has dancing at its heart, alongside optional folk-related activities for all to enjoy.
Hosted by Jane Thomas, the Halsway Folk Dance team brings together caller Ivan Aitken, musicians Richard Jones and Chris Jewell, plus their partners, for an enjoyable summer holiday in the beautiful setting of Halsway Manor.
Each morning will include two workshops, one for dance, one for another folk activity, which might be dance, song-based, or musical, depending on audience preference. There will be an early evening sing before dinner, and dances every evening/night. The team have organised a programme of fun things to do which make use of the Manor and its lovely gardens for both indoor and outdoor activities. All of these are optional and there is free time each day after lunch (packed lunches available if preferred) plus one day completely free, giving you time to explore the area, or to relax at the Manor.
Both the dance workshops and the evening dances will include dances from across the UK. Novice dancers are very welcome, and there will be sufficient quality and variety to entertain more experienced dancers too.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-dance-holiday-august-2026
Come and join us for a weekend of music and dance from the Balfolk and Breton traditions.
Friday night from 7pm -
Pot luck supper and session in the barn. All welcome. Bring instruments and food to share.
Saturday night - Main dance.
6.30pm Beginners dance workshop
7-8pm Food in the farmyard - Beef & veg and Vegan stews for sale - £5/bowl - includes bread & cheese.
(please bring your own food for other meals if camping)
8pm - Dancing with our two amazing bands Wod and Venn.
End - When we can't stay up any longer.
We are very excited to have both of these great bands playing for us this year!
WOD - Fiddle player Jane Griffiths and Anglo-Concertinist Jim Penny have spent the last decade exploring their shared passion for the beautiful music of Brittany. The result is Wod, a duo dedicated to playing Breton music for dance. Captivated by the subtle complexity of traditional Breton melodies, Jane and Jim seek to bring out the joyful connection between musicians and dancers that leads to what flue player Jean-Michel Veillon calls 'the common trance'.
Venn - Venn brings the vibrant sound of French and Breton balfolk to life with bagpipes, flutes, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, strings and driving rhythms. Based in Gloucestershire, the band features talented musicians Mike Smith on hurdy-gurdy and guitar, Ken Lush on electric bass, Julian Scott on flutes and bagpipes and Marcus Scott on diatonic accordion, blending traditional and original tunes into energetic, feel-good performances that get dancers moving and audiences smiling.
Acoustic floor session after the bands - All welcome to play - Fire pit outside the barn.
Camping is free of charge - Friday-Monday.
Bring your own booze - Free hot drinks.
Open session on Sunday with whoever is still around.
This is a working farm with dogs and livestock so consider that if bringing a dog.
No advance tickets, just turn up, there's space for everyone.
PLEASE BRING CASH WITH YOU.
Hope to see you there!
£17/under 16s free/Concs.£12
Contact Heather Coombes: 07967 351519
canningscourt AT btinternet.com
A renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England, Rachael McShane gained fame as an original member of the award-winning folk band Bellowhead. A much sought-after performer and recording artist, her 2009 debut solo album, No Man’s Fool, established impressive credentials that led her to signing with the prestigious Topic Records, the oldest independent record label in the world.
Rachael is also the leader of The Cartographers, a band that brings together the exceptional talents of guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing), and melodeon player Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell, Sting). Playing with expertise and sparkle, their music is a powerful blend of traditional folk and contemporary sounds.
The Cartographers have built a loyal following thanks to their lively performances and critically acclaimed albums, combining stunning vocals and impressive instrumentals with innovative arrangements in a refreshing take on traditional folk.
Running time: 90mins + interval
Touring Dorset with Artsreach, the county’s rural arts charity
£14, £6 u18s
7.30pm
Contact Tel.: 01300 345455
info AT artsreach.co.uk
https://artsreach.co.uk/event/the-cartographers
Do you struggle to pick up tunes by ear? Would you like to be freed from behind your music stand? Experienced musicians and tutors Rob Harbron and Miranda Rutter are back at Halsway Manor with an extended edition of this popular course - in a midweek slot for 2026 - designed to help you get to grips with the essential 'folk' skill of learning by ear.
You'll learn different techniques and strategies to improve your confidence to play by ear in solo and ensemble contexts, using some accessible folk tunes as a starting point. Once you've got the hang of those, you'll have chance to play them with other people, and even go on to think about how you might turn the tables and teach them to someone else!
Learning will mostly take place in a big group, guided by the tutors, and there may be some time in small groups, both guided and self-led. You won't need to prepare anything in advance. There’ll be plenty of time for consolidation during the week.
The course is suitable for melody players with an interest in folk tunes. All standard melody instruments are welcome, as long as you’re happy in the common folk keys (G, D, Em, Am). However it’s not really suitable for transposing instruments. You don't need to be able to read music, but unsurprisingly, you do need to be open to the possibility of learning by ear!
This course is not suitable for players who are complete beginners but if you can play at least a few tunes and want to establish or improve your ability to play by ear, then this could be the perfect chance to give it a go. You're advised to bring a recording device with you (most phones have this capability now).
Rob Harbron is a uniquely skilled player of the English concertina, described by The Guardian as a ‘concertina wizard’ and renowned for his highly individual and harmonic style of playing. He is a member of Leveret (alongside Sam Sweeney and Andy Cutting), with whom he has toured extensively and released four landmark albums.
Known for his work with a wide range of artists including Jon Boden and the Remnant Kings, Emma Reid, and The Full English, he has also worked extensively with the National Youth Folk Ensemble and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Now he is exploring solo playing with a repertoire which includes settings of rediscovered traditional tunes as well as his many fine compositions. His debut solo album Meanders was released in 2019 and he has recently published a tunebook containing 54 original and adapted tunes.
Miranda Rutter is a fiddle and viola player, composer, and educator. She is a founder member of the folk string quartet Methera and a much sought-after tutor, having being involved with many National Youth Folk Ensemble courses and as part of the English Acoustic Collective Summer School team.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/learning-by-ear-august-2026
The Stuns’ls are beating a voyage up to Bristol from South Cornwall to perform with Bristol’s infamous Harry Browns. Both groups are at the top of their game. They have powerful voices and love to use harmony and carefully crafted arrangements. They sound fantastic and are a lot of fun! The Stuns’ls are arguably the best shanty group from Cornwall and are at the heart of the annual Mevagissey Shanty Festival. The are stopping off in Bristol en-route to Holland. The Harrys will be just back from Germany and have been singing for almost forty years. They sing a cappella and also use exquisite guitar and fiddle arrangements in their songs. The setting of Holy Trinity church provides the best acoustic to hear these wonderful singers.
Both groups are donating their fees to this very good cause, St Peter's Hospice.
Tickets available from: http://ticketsource.co.uk/nailsea-folk-club
(Please note that online purchases are subject to a 7.5% booking fee)
The Songs of Martin Carthy
The Sandy Denny Project
Ninebarrow and friends
Ophelia
https://www.lymefolk.com
Our beloved Folk Summer School is back for 2026. There’ll be music, dance and song – for adults of all abilities – led by a crack team of tutors who have detailed knowledge and extensive experience of a wide spectrum of folk music. Throughout the week, you will develop your skills and put them into practice, working towards a full-group ensemble piece which includes the whole summer school cohort – the ‘Big Ensemble’; it’s a powerful way of bringing everything and everyone together in one shared experience, allowing you to learn about how to structure a performance, work together, use all levels of skills (in small and large groups), and create something that’s amazing and all-inclusive.
How the days are structured:
Mornings
are mostly Main Instrument classes – you will choose one ‘main instrument’ in advance but will have the opportunity to move between groups and learn from different tutors during the afternoons, should you wish.
Afternoons
are mostly Bringing it Together – a big ensemble piece which is worked on during sessions throughout the week, giving musicians and dancers the opportunity to explore collaborations and arrangements.
Options – a chance to try out workshops with other tutors.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-summer-school-2026
In June 2025 singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones walked from Holy Island to Durham Cathedral via St Oswald’s Way and The Way of Light (Northern Saints Trail). As he went he carried a small guitar on his back and performed concerts for local communities everywhere he stopped. The journey provided inspiration, connections and stories that form the basis of a new song collection written and recorded in Autumn/Winter 2025. The new album “A Troubadour Journey : Lindisfarne to Durham” was released in April 2026.
Doors 7.00 pm. Music 7.30 pm
Suggested donation £10
laurieguitars AT gmail.com
Muco is a singer, songwriter and composer of British-Burundian heritage whose music is shaped by a love of language and storytelling. He specialises in reimagining medieval folk songs and poetry in Middle and Old English, alongside original songs inspired by myth and folklore.
£ 12.50
7pm doors
Contact Curzon : 01275 871000
info AT curzon.org.uk
www.curzon.org.uk
Holly Clarke, a singer who draws from the old ballads and stories, conjures a performance that immediately captivates any listener. As a performer, Holly transports the listener into the heart of ballads, immersing them in the narratives that have shaped humanities experience through time. From songs of the supernatural and folklore, to the tales of love and loss, Holly Clarke sings with an infectious energy and passion for traditional song. Rising in popularity among folk audiences and performing with the likes of Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Daoiri Farrell and Queer Folk, Holly Clarke has made a name for herself as a powerful singer and accomplished guitar player. Performing at festivals and venues such as The Glasshouse International Centre For Music, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Bromyard Folk Festival, Tiree Music Festival, The Fire Station Sunderland and many, many more.
Alongside Holly’s affinity for traditional ballads, she is a strong composer in her own right, with her tune compositions being performed by Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle legend Annbjørg Lien and Shetland’s very own Catriona Macdonald. Outside of performing, between 2019 to 2020 Holly was The Glasshouse International Centre for music’s Artist in Residence specialising in Traditional Folk Song and Ballads. As well as performing solo, Holly has a duo with George Sansome (Granny’s Attic), The powerhouse band RE:VULVA (Amy Thatcher, Janice Burns, Cathy Geldard) and also gigs with the trio ‘Holly and the Reivers’, featuring Newcastle based musicians Bertie Armstrong (Banjo and Voice) and Merle Harbron (Fiddle and Voice), with whom she supported the legendary Billy Bragg at Folk on the Tyne Fest.
£16.00
7.45 pm
Contact Taunton Brewhouse: 01823 283244
boxoffice AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
https://www.tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk/events/the-folk-series-holly-clarke/
This event has been rescheduled to Sunday 23 May 2027.
Ruby is a remarkable talent whose musical journey is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from Scotland and now making her home in the South West, she is a passionate songwriter and a gifted multi-instrumentalist. Her incredibly diverse and versatile repertoire, spanning from harmonica to guitar and even bagpipes, has enabled her to busk around the world raising funds for Save the Children. Ruby’s dedication and artistry were recognised last year when she won Best Female Solo Artist at the Wiltshire Music Awards. Please enjoy the following links to a couple of her performances:
£8/£10
4.00 - 6.00 pm
Contact Helen
hlleary AT hotmail.co.uk
www.caryfordhall.co.uk
The Halsway Nyckelharpa Festival is a weekend of harpa workshops, ensemble playing, sessions, a concert and more! Hosted by Vicki Swan, along with Magnus Holmström and one other guest tutor who will be announced soon, this is a weekend you won’t want to miss!
Come and explore a diverse range of repertoire, and meet, play and socialise with other players and enthusiasts of this fascinating Scandinavian instrument.
The weekend is for players of all abilities except complete beginners to explore a range of repertoire, and to meet, play and socialise with other players!
Vicki Swan studied at the Royal College of Music on the double bass. She also plays the various types of bagpipes, flute, recorder, piano and nyckelharpa. On leaving music college Vicki started down the long path of folk music and was only seen on rare glimpses back in classical orchestras. You’ll find Vicki now inhabiting the troll-ridden forests on the hunt for new and exciting tunes from the näcken. Vicki plays not only the standard 3-row modern chromatic, but also the 1408 sienaharpa, the 1526 moraharpa, the 1700s kontrabasharpa and the 1800s silverbasharpa. Over the pandemic Vicki worked tirelessly on a Virtual Music Room to try to help isolated nyckelharpa players remain motivated and focused on playing and learning. She is the host of the yearly Halsway Nyckelharpa Festival.
Magnus Holmström three time world champion nyckelharpa player. Rikspelman and the boss at the Eric Sahlström Institute. The loudest player in the known universe. Imagine the loudest nyckelharpa in the world and double it. Rumour has it that Magnus eats surströmming for breakfast. All round amazing guy, brilliant teacher and we can’t wait to have him back at Halsway! (When Magnus sends a better biog it’ll be added in here!)
Video Link: https://youtu.be/D93OD5IYDx4
One more tutor to be announced soon.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/harpas-at-halsway-2026
One of England’s most revered folk performers, widely acknowledged as one of the finest acoustic and slide guitar players in the world, Martin's interpretations of traditional songs are masterpieces of storytelling. His remarkable solo shows are intense, eclectic, spellbinding and deeply moving. Always prolific, and never one to rest long without a guitar in his hands and a song in his head, Martin Simpson continues to travel the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his remarkable intimate solo performances. Martin has been nominated an astounding 32 times in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards - more than any other performer - and has won numerous awards.
2026 sees the release of the new album “Some Kind of Jubilee”. 50 years on from his first LP this record captures Martin at his absolute best, supported by a cast of brilliant musicians. Recorded in Yorkshire and Santa Monica, courtesy of Jackson Browne, “Some Kind of Jubilee” contains new originals, reimagined classics and traditional songs.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19.50 Full. £18.50 Concessions
www.martinsimpson.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2101311
Argentinian folk.
Sensational vocals and beautiful arrangements from four exceptional guitarists make this a very special night. On tour from Buenos Aires this is world class music featuring tangos and charisma. A night to remember!
https://www.ticketsource.com/nailsea-folk-club
Multi-award winning Merry Hell offer joyful, uplifting Folk-Rock, with a message for troubled times. Native to the North-West of England, the 8-piece musical charabanc was built from the embers of the much loved folk-punk band The Tansads, developing a life and feel all of its own. Their energy and passion is are complemented by their love of what they do and desire to share hope and togetherness with as many people as are willing to listen. With chart hit album releases, positive press and radio reviews and plays, major festival appearances and a host of sell out gigs, everything points to a band not to be missed!
Tickets: £19 Full. £18 Concessions
www.merryhell.co.uk
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1936515
An un-tutored course for experienced singers and players of early instruments.
Non-fixed ensembles of recorders and viols form the main part of the week with a variety of small singing groups depending on participants. Evening sessions for all are conducted and include music for instruments and voices. All of these sessions are at 440 pitch. We usually have harpsichords available and arrange chamber groups at 440 and 415 and are also able to welcome baroque oboe, flute, and violin as second instruments. Cornett, cornamuse, sackbut, curtal and crumhorn are also welcome as second instruments and we can usually arrange sessions for these. The repertoire is primarily renaissance and baroque.
The association organises two meeting a year (end May and mid-September). Those who wish to join us must be experienced on viol and/or recorder, able to play one to a part, and be good sight readers. We welcome additional harpsichords (the owner will not be expected to play continuo exclusively all week).
This course is a partnership event, organised by The Voices, Viols and Recorders Association who can be contacted via Halsway Manor or directly through our email vvr-association AT hotmail.com
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/voices-viols-recorders-association-1-1
The workshops are suitable for all levels and acoustic instruments. Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £20 on the door
Or cheaper when paid in advance via the website.
www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
Halsway Harvest Weekend, hosted by Rob Dawson, is a long-running dance event for experienced dancers doing mainly Playford-style dances, but with a few contras and squares.
Live music is supplied by the band Dampier’s Round (Peter and Moira Gutteridge).
This year’s guest caller will be Jane Thomas who will call the Friday and Saturday evening dances together with workshops of more challenging dances on Saturday morning and a “challenge” workshop on Saturday afternoon.
Additional workshops on Saturday and Sunday mornings will be taken by Rob Dawson, Frances Oates and Brian Stanton.
The weekend finishes with a “Repeats” dance on Sunday afternoon which includes the most popular dances chosen from those done over the weekend. The weekend finishes with a cream tea.
For those staying on Sunday evening there is a Ceilidh where anybody can call a dance (to recorded music), tell a story, play an instrument, sing a song or do a recitation. Contact Rob Dawson (halswayharvest AT gmail.com) for an application form.
Sunday night B&B is also available.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-harvest-weekend-2026
Emily Portman is an award-winning singer and songwriter with a passion for traditional songs, hailed as ‘one of the new British folk scene’s most beguiling presences’ (Uncut). She has toured widely for over 15 years as a band leader, with The Furrow Collective, the folk chart-topping Sea Song Sessions, and in a duo with Leveret’s Rob Harbron. Emily was awarded a BBC Folk Award for Best Original Song and has released three critically acclaimed albums of original songs that recast old ballads and fairytales into new shapes.
In 2026, Emily returns to the road with an inspired new live show previewing songs from her forthcoming solo album Dominion of Spells, released in May 2026, alongside selected material from across her acclaimed catalogue. Dominion of Spells marks a bold new chapter in Emily’s songwriting. Drawing on ballads and folktales, the album weaves lived experience with rich mythic imagery, charting a heroine’s midlife journey through dark woods in search of transformation and wonder. Shape-shifting selkies, fairy queens, foxes, and owl goddesses are woven through contemporary story-songs exploring parenthood, home, burnout, grief, and the transformative power of creativity.
Emily’s new songs are brought vividly to life in performance with a new live line-up featuring sought-after guitarist Louis Campbell and acclaimed cellist Lucy Revis (Before Breakfast). Together they create a richly layered yet understated sound world, with Emily’s luminous vocals, banjo, and piano at the centre, woven through crystalline harmonies, lush strings, and interweaving electric and acoustic guitars. Audiences can expect an intimate, spellbinding performance as traditional influences meet contemporary stories in the room.
www.emilyportman.co.uk
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19.50 Full, £18.50 Concessions.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2206695
It’s all about folk song, and it’s all in good company! Whether you want a good sing in the bar, to hear and share new songs, to improve your voice or to create songs of your own, this is the weekend for you.
Bob & Gill Berry host this all-singing weekend, with special guests (TBC). Information regarding special guests and any other course detail will be added here as and when we receive it so do check back!
Singers of all ages (teenagers to pensioners) and abilities are welcome to join the fun, in the comfortable and relaxed surroundings of Halsway Manor. ‘Singin’ in the Bar’ (with everyone having a chance to lead chorus songs or share their favourites – if they want to) when the bar is open, opportunities to explore songs and individual singing in between, learn how to look after your voice and performance, or have a ramble around the glorious countryside – it’s up to you! You’re welcome to bring accompanying instruments if you wish. The extensive folk library will also be open throughout the weekend should you wish to delve into the collection.
Arrival is from 4pm on Friday, with dinner at 6.30pm followed by the first singing session at 8pm. The course includes a Leaders’ Concert at 5pm on Sunday, followed by a buffet supper (included in the price).
This is a friendly weekend is for singers of all ages and abilities to enjoy and explore traditional song in a convivial and supportive atmosphere, with opportunities to learn how to look after and improve your voice and performance.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/give-voice-2026
A unique concert experience combining song, narrative and world-class musicianship, Stolen From God shines a light on a history that still echoes today.
Acclaimed songwriter Reg Meuross presents Stolen From God, his powerful and deeply researched song cycle exploring England’s role in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. Through original songs, masterful musicianship and live narration written by Meuross, the performance brings history vividly to life.
Reg is joined by two exceptional musicians: kora master Mamadou Susso and concertina virtuoso Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, whose thrilling artistry weaves together West African musical traditions and English folk music.
Moving, thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful, Stolen From God invites audiences to reflect on a shared history through music, storytelling and song.
Ticket price: £20
Doors 6.30 pm, show 7.30 pm
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/event/reg-meuross-stolen-from-god-with-mamadou-susso-cohen-braithwaite-kilcoyne-and-narrator/
Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist James Kirby has built a devoted international following, captivating audiences with his fusion of Celtic, folk, pop and blues. Renowned for his extraordinary acoustic guitar mastery, James blends intricate finger style, bluesy slide, and dynamic percussive techniques — often transforming the guitar into a full rhythm section, melody, and harmony all at once.
His new album, Breathe, explores themes of renewal, movement, and human connection, showcasing both his virtuosic guitar work and his deeply expressive voice. Touring throughout 2026, James will bring his live performances — and his unmistakable blend of emotion and artistry — to audiences around the world.
8.00 pm
Tickets £18.50, Concessions £17.50
www.jameskirbymusic.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1996501
Our American Contra Dance weeks are tremendously popular so we really do encourage early booking! Our Autumn dance week is led by American caller Seth Tepfer with music from Sail Away Ladies. Meg Griffin joins us again as host, and between them, the team will guide you through the week’s programme and dances with good humour and style!
Dance workshops take place each morning with fun optional outings and activities in the afternoons. There is usually a musicians’ workshop Wednesday tea-time, so bring instruments too. Dances every evening, all in the lovely setting of Halsway Manor!
Dancers of all levels of experience; newcomers to Contra are welcome (though some related dance experience would be useful), with plenty to challenge more experienced dancers too!
Since 1997, Seth Tepfer (USA) has been calling dances and festivals in almost every state in the union and around the world. Known for his infectious energy, his short walk-throughs, and his ‘hash-contras’, Seth’s warm enthusiasm is contagious, and gets everyone moving, smiling, and having a great time.
The duel fiddles of Linda Game and Betsy Branch are perfectly complemented by Sue Songer’s piano and together, Sail Away Ladies create a warm, welcoming atmosphere with unforgettable dance highs.
Linda is a Halsway mainstay, and is known internationally for her work with Box of Frogs, ECDB, Kitchen Girls, Sail Away Ladies, and more. Inspired by dance, her driving style and dynamic improvisation inspires dancers in turn.
Betsy is a versatile musician based in Portland, Oregon (USA). She plays regularly in Fine Companions and Fiddle Hellions and loves to collaborate with new musicians. A key figure at festivals across the United States for decades, she will perhaps be most familiar to UK audiences from the Portland Playalong Selection, a playalong CD for the canonical tune collection.
Sue, also from Oregon, is the creative force behind The Portland Collection, founder of the Portland Megaband, and a powerhouse contra dance musician. You may know her from Joyride or The Stage Crew; like Linda and Betsy she enjoys creating new collaborations. Sue was the 2019 recipient of a CDSS Lifetime Achievement Award.
Meg Griffin is a familiar face at Halsway Manor, and the perfect, friendly and knowledgeable host to make sure you get the best from your break at Halsway!
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/autumn-contra-october-2026
Storytelling preserves the past, reveals the present and creates the future…
Join England’s first storyteller Laureate, Taffy Thomas MBE and a hand-picked team of tellers and musicians for a weekend of workshops, performances and presentations to stir the heart and feed the soul.
From our earliest years, we remember our history as stories. These stories describe good and bad characters, and so helped to created our moral compass without preaching. The fact that stories inspire our imagination can enable us to consider a future that is kinder and more humane for generations to come. If you join our enthusiastic company, you with leave enriched by a wealth of folk tales, and keen for more!
The weekend is suitable for storytellers and traditional performers of whatever experience, those who would like to include storytelling in their work or anyone who just wants to relax and listen.
It will also feature the popular Storyteller’s Supper event on the Saturday evening.
The team will be led by Taffy and Chrissy Thomas.
There will also be workshops and performances by special guests.
Taffy Thomas MBE, England’s first storyteller laureate. Taffy is the patron of The Society for Storytelling. Taffy received The English Folk Dance and Song Society Gold Badge award in December 2010. With Taffy’s head bursting with stories, riddles and folklore, professional storyteller Giles Abbot once commented, “when Taffy goes it will be like a library burning down.”
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/tales-in-trust-2026
Honey & the Bear have been a tour de force on the UK festival circuit in recent years. The British folk and roots duo bring folklore to life with delicately interweaving vocal harmonies inside a dynamic world of songwriting. With a diverse range of sounds and textures, and rhythms that flow from the fast and furious to gentle ballads, their live performances are spirited and enthralling.
Conjuring stories in song, they tell tales of Suffolk folklore, courageous people they admire and their passion for nature which has been enchanting audiences up and down the country.
The multi-instrumentalist pair, comprised of songwriters Jon Hart (guitar, bass, bouzouki) and Lucy Hart (guitar, ukulele, bass, banjo, mandolin & percussion), are joined on-stage for this show by band guests Toby Shaer (Fiddle/Flutes/Whistles) and Archie Churchill-Moss (Melodeon) who also feature on all three Honey & The Bear studio albums.
Their new album "A Wish and a Tide" was released in April 2026.
www.honeyandthebear.co.uk
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full, £17.50 Concessions.
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2221347
Recognised with a double page feature in global Guitarist magazine, Jon is a guitarist of exceptional calibre. His stand-out talent has received regular acclaim from publications such as Uncut Magazine and The Guardian.
With his latest album, Needless Alley, has come a further raft of appreciation – ‘Wilks is a genuine gem in British folk and beyond.’ (Songlines ****). ‘Wilks fully deserves his place alongside names such as Jansch, Carthy and Simpson.’ (KlofMag) His penultimate album was chosen as The Guardian Folk Album of the Month. His recent music career includes five solo albums and one EP.
Released on 19th September 2025, Jon’s 5th solo album is a patchwork of memories, “what you’d find if you rummaged around in my head for an afternoon.” Both lyrically and sonically, Needless Alley looks back at the sounds Jon connected with in his teens, shaped by early songwriting instincts and formative band experiences. With influences including Nick Drake, The Pentangle, Paul Simon and other folk luminaries the album never strays too far from the folk music he’s become known for. The title and title track relate to a street in Birmingham, Jon’s home city, on which he used to busk as a teenager.
With this album Jon makes a shift from his previous, more traditional repertoire to a collection of nearly all original songs. It’s a recording that is set to unite Jon’s heartfelt songwriting with his wide-ranging influences and experience in traditional music and far beyond.
£16.00
7.45 pm
Contact Taunton Brewhouse: 01823 283244
boxoffie AT tauntonbrewhosue.co.uk
https://www.tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk/events/the-folk-series-jon-wilks-in-concert/
The workshops are suitable for all levels and acoustic instruments. Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £20 on the door
Or cheaper when paid in advance via the website.
www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
Dance workshop from 6 - 7pm
Main dance from 7 - 9.30pm
All welcome, no experience needed
Tea and coffee available
Free town centre parking
£4
Contact Chris Edmunds 07530 103228
chrismartinedmunds AT gmail.com)
https://balcrew.wixsite.com/balcrewkerne
Join Jane Harris and Pip Wright, guest tutor from Cornwall, for the fourth Songways singing weekend at Halsway.
A joyous weekend learning and singing harmony songs from a wide range of traditions, including their own original compositions. Jane and Pip both play the fiddle and have a special musical bond, bringing much joy to all their music-making.
The weekend will include a Nos Lowen (Cornish Ceilidh) on the Saturday evening - if you play an instrument you are welcome to join the band - and a special Songs with Spirit, Songs for the Soul session – meditative harmony singing with Pip.
Open to anyone who loves to sing. Teaching will be ear with scores provided for some songs.
Jane Harris is an experienced choir leader and Director of Songways, based in Bath. She leads singing workshops and singing retreats in beautiful places, and thriving choirs in Bath and Bradford on Avon. With her lively, clear and enabling teaching style, Jane brings out the best in singers’ voices, with open, resonant, heart-felt singing.
Jane teaches by ear and loves to explore songs in different ways to enrich and deepen the singing experience. She writes original songs for choirs, has released her own album, One touch of nature, and performs with her vocal ensemble, Rolling Harmony.
Pip Wright is a choir leader and musician from West Cornwall where she runs two established community choirs: the Dawn Chorus and Levow an Bys (Voices of the World in Cornish). Pip is passionate about singing for wellbeing and enhancing peoples’ skills and confidence with singing and music. She has been teaching her ‘Find your own Voice’ and Musicianship courses to adults for over a decade.
Pip enjoys playing and singing many different genres of music including fiddling in Cornish bands, sessions and festivals and leading informal ‘Shout’ (traditional song) sessions in local pubs. She enjoys facilitating community song-writing projects – especially bringing together different generations and groups who may not usually sing or play together. Having trained in Singing for the Brain and Singing for Lung Health, Pip led the first groups in Cornwall for both fields. For over ten years she has been bringing world-class singing leaders to Cornwall to lead workshops through her Kana Kernow (Singing Cornwall) initiative.
https://www.songways.co.uk/
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/songways-singing-weekend-2025-1
Twenty years on from winning the Danny Kyle Open Stage Award at Celtic Connections, Breabach remain securely ranked amongst Scotland’s most skilled & imaginative contemporary-folk acts and at the forefront of the burgeoning traditional music scene. The band unite deep roots in Highland and Island Gaelic tradition alongside progressive musical influences and have cultivated a unique sound, anchoring double bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, step-dance and song with energetic double bass and guitar accompaniment.
Tickets: £24.50, concessions £23.50
8.00 pm
www.breabach.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2020152
We are pleased to welcome TradTöchter to Halsway Manor. Vivien Zeller and Ursula Suchanek present a guided tour of traditional music, beautiful melodies, groovy tunes and breath-taking dances from Germany. There will be spotlights on various instrumental aspects such as working on second voices, harmonies and danceable accompaniments, playing together as an ensemble and of course some dancing. All instruments welcome.
Instrumentalists of all levels of experience welcome. You need to be comfortable with your instrument to get the best from this workshop. Intermediate level recommended.
TradTöchter (meaning Daughters of Tradition) are two German violinists who love traditional dance tunes as much as newly written dance music, and play both for the joy of dancers and listeners. Stirring compositions join with virtuosic arrangements of traditional tunes and songs.
Ursula Suchanek grew up in Bavaria as a classical musician, involved in various projects with renowned orchestras in Germany, Lithuania and Poland. Having loved Jazz and free improvisation all along the way, she finally encountered traditional dance music in her twenties and found her new musical home there. She studied with European fiddle masters such as Dave Shepard, Julien Barbances and Janusz Prusinowski, but most of all Vivien Zeller to whom she owes her love for and knowledge of Northern German dance music. In order to explore the inseparable connection between music and dance further, she studied dance at the Eric-Sahlström-Institute in Sweden.
Vivien Zeller is a musician, singer, dancer and composer from Berlin. She has been playing and dancing to traditional music since the age of 16, with a particular focus on tunes and dances from Germany. Her work as a performer in many different contexts brings together her reinterpretations of German folk songs with her own compositions and a dedication to playing dance music with a compelling groove. As a teacher, Vivien runs dance workshops and instrumental courses in arrangement, improvisation and playing for dance. Her ongoing research into archived historic manuscripts has produced a wealth of material which she co-curates as the online collection www.tanzmusikarchiv.de and the German traditional music youtube channel “TradTanzMusik”. She is involved with the Centre for Traditional Music in Schwerin and is one of the organisers of the festival Klangrauschtreffen.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/german-weekend-october-2026
Hailing from the Isle of Skye, the legendary Scottish trailblazers have created a glorious mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves that have been embraced worldwide. Drawing upon a dazzling myriad of influences from jigs and reels through Dance Music, Jazz, African, and more, they bring the sound of Scotland fresh-faced and breathless to the new audiences around the world.
Starts 8pm
Doors/bars open 7pm
£26 adv / door
(14+ / U18 must be accompanied by an adult)
https://www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event/peatbog-faeries/
With a professional conductor and aimed at a more advanced level of playing, being able to play a bass recorder of some description is essential. All participants are expected to frequently change instruments through the course to give everyone the opportunity to play a variety of recorders. This course will focus on cannons and fugues.
Because of the challenging nature of the repertoire, all course participants should have a very good sense of rhythm and be experienced ensemble players. Ideally you should also play both F and C instruments, including tenor AND bass. Being able to play a bass recorder of some description is essential.
This partnership event is organised by Recorders for All, an entirely voluntary, not-for-profit organisation with Pam Smith as musical director and Jan Epps as secretary and administrator. For more information go to the Recorders for All website.
https://www.recordersforall.org.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/recorders-for-all-2026
Why “Churchfitters”? Nobody knows! They’re not fitters and have absolutely nothing to do with churches. The name’s origin is lost in the mists of time, but there is one aspect that suits them perfectly - its quirkiness. When your array of instruments includes a motorcycle petrol tank, a musical saw and a Mercedes Benzouki made from hubcaps there’s little point worrying if the name makes sense! Saucepan dulcimer, glass harp, Bing-Bong machine and magic boots all join some more conventional instruments (fiddle, banjo, sax and whistle to name a few) to back Rosie Short’s sublime voice.
These three flamboyant characters present their uplifting and entertaining show with a unique dynamism, and describe their music as “Folk Unlimited”. Mike Harding calls it “Brilliant and beautiful” while Dave Pegg says they are “The most musically inventive group I’ve seen in decades”.
Tickets: £18
8.00 pm
https://www.churchfitters.com/
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2223214
A social dance week for more experienced dancers; enjoy dancing in a happy, friendly atmosphere working together as a team to get the greatest possible satisfaction from your dancing. There will be a selection of workshops and evening dances, looking at dances from both sides of the pond.
The event is designed for dancers of an intermediate and experienced level.
Rosemary Hunt leads the course; she regularly calls at festivals in UK, and has been a guest caller at events in the USA, Holland and Belgium.
This year Rosemary is supported by Brian Stanton and Liam Binley, and a workshop with Liesbeth Krijgsman will bring an international flavour. The band is Orion’s Ring, well known for their lovely sound and their supportive 'lifting' playing, allowing the dancers to enjoy the dances to the full.
For more information and booking, contact Rosemary Hunt: rosemaryashunt AT icloud.com
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/mosty-english-rosemary-hunt-2026
“Bathed in the gentle glow of a solitary spotlight, she steps onto a stage set with a range of instruments. She picks up her electric guitar and walks to the microphone. What follows has been entrancing audiences around the world for decades.”
Renowned Irish singer-songwriter Eleanor McEvoy returns to the UK in November 2026 with It’s Good to Be Here - a warm, witty and uplifting concert celebrating the simple joy of being alive.
Best known for her world-renowned hit “A Woman’s Heart”, the title track to the biggest-selling Irish album of all time, McEvoy’s live performances are celebrated for their intimacy, storytelling and musicianship.
Her songs have been described as “touching, inspiring and consoling thousands” (The Guardian) and have featured regularly on screen and TV, including in the cult classic series Derry Girls. Her works have been covered by numerous artists, including Emmylou Harris, Jack L, Emma Langford, Derek Ryan, Saint Sister and Mary Black.
https://eleanormcevoy.com/
8.00 pm
Tickets: £22.50 Full. £21.50 Concessions
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1975284
This will be an intensive week of skills-based learning focusing on your development as a musician, discovering new ways to interpret and play, and to make the music your own. You need to be open to trying new things, and to be prepared to work hard – it will be intensive but also an enjoyable and rewarding week, with time to relax in the evenings and enjoy informal sessions.
The group - limited to approximately 22 students - will be split in two by the tutors at the start of the course; you'll spend roughly the same amount of time with each tutor. This will be done according to ability level; if you are coming with friends this may mean you will be working in different groups, but there's plenty of informal time to meet, chat and play with others.
Arrival is from noon on Monday, with lunch at 1pm, and work begins after lunch at 2pm! The course ends late morning on Friday.
This course is for advanced and advanced-intermediate level players of the DG melodeon (If you also have a box in GC, you’re welcome to bring that along as well).
Please read the Halsway Melodeon Levels description carefully before you make a booking, this course is for levels 4 and 5.
If you have any doubts please email us for advice.
We are delighted to welcome Lucas Thébaut and Lolita Delmonteil Ayral to teach this extended course (please note the earlier start and later finish) at Halsway Manor for advanced, and advanced-intermediate level D/G melodeon players.
This will be an intensive week of skills-based learning focusing on your development as a musician, discovering new ways to interpret and play, and to make the music your own. You need to be open to trying new things, and to be prepared to work hard – it will be intensive but also an enjoyable and rewarding week, with time to relax in the evenings and enjoy informal sessions.
Lucas Thébaut is a diatonic accordion player from Poitou (France). He started music and dance in his early twenties and hasn’t stopped yet experimenting to improve phrasing and groove over various repertoires in search of what in dance and music movement will make the specificity, the essence of each dance.
All these elements brought together in a unique, musical universe.
After 20 years of thinking and tinkering, of sharing experiences and joy all over the world, still the path ahead lies anew, full of possibilities – and the journey continues. Rest assured that he will never miss an opportunity to share a tune, a dance… or a drink with you.
Plus one tutor TBC.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/advanced-melodeons-2026
Contra dancing originated in New England as an evolution of the English and European country dances that the early settlers had taken with them to America. It is usually danced in two long lines with your partner opposite, or ‘contrary’, to you. In the 1980s, a more ‘zesty’ form of contra emerged, with the emphasis on high-energy dancing, smooth flowing transitions, and lots of interaction with neighbouring dancers. Contra dancing is still evolving, with new dances continually being written in this style.
Rhodri Davies and Mark Elvins return in 2026 to lead you through some of the best of these contras, new and old! Music will be provided by Mollie Koenigsberger and Ali Messer, joined by Matt Norman on Saturday evening. With two evening dances, morning workshops, as well as open mic and musicians workshops, this is a “not to be missed” weekend for both new and experienced contra dancers.
You’ll spend most of your time as a whole group, with some opportunity for smaller group work on specific themes and topics. We’ll send you a timetable before the course starts so you know what to expect, but there’s nothing to prepare. Just come and have a great weekend of dancing!
This weekend is aimed at those with at least some experience of social dance, but no previous experience of Contra is necessary. It will feature plenty of new material not covered in recent Zesty Contra weekends so is suitable for dancers who have taken part before. The tutors will be guiding you towards improved technique, a greater knowledge of key moves and formations, and will help you to explore new dances in an informative and enjoyable way.
If you are a musician, don’t forget to bring your instrument if you’d like to take part in the musicians’ workshops, or to play in the bar after the dancing has finished.
Dance callers Rhodri Davies and Mark Elvins are two of the very best contra dance callers in England. Their annual double-act of workshops and dances gives them an extended opportunity to work with and to entertain dancers.
Mollie Koenigsberger has been playing for sixty five years and divides her time between playing fiddle for folk dance and viola for chamber and orchestral music.
Ali Messer plays piano and accordion, and when playing for dancing likes Chick Corea’s rule no 11: Play to make the other musicians sound good. Play things that will make the overall music sound good!
They’ll be joined by Matt Norman on Saturday afternoon – Matt is a Halsway regular, mandolinist and fiddler, choir leader, and step dance champion.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/zesty-contra-november-2026
For three decades, Baka Beyond has been a pioneering force in world music. With a multicultural lineup from Congo, Sierra Leone and the UK, they create an irresistible, joyous sound by fusing the rhythmic traditions of Baka Forest People with the melodic soul of Celtic folk.
Formed after founders Martin Cradick and Su Hart lived with the Baka Pygmy people, their music is both a celebration and a means of direct support, with royalties funding projects in the Baka's Cameroonian homeland.
The band welcomes back drummer Clyde Kramer after a 6-year absence, adding his powerful dynamic to their celebrated live performances and contributing to new recording sessions for a new album to be released in 2026.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £21.00 Full, £20.00 Concessions
https://bakabeyond.net
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2223291
The workshops are suitable for all levels and acoustic instruments. Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
1:30 - 4:30 pm
Admission: £20 on the door
Or cheaper when paid in advance via the website.
www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
Bellowhead celebrate the 20th anniversary of their full-length debut album. The 11-piece folk outfit made a watertight case for ‘big being beautiful’ with the release of which features songs including London Town, Frog’s Legs and Dragon’s Teeth and Rigs of The Time.
Showcasing their unique blend of traditional English folk music with a modern big- band sound, Bellowhead went on to record another 4 studio albums (selling over a quarter of a million copies), were the proud recipients of 2 x silver discs and won a staggering 8 x BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards before calling it a day in 2016. After a hiatus and prompted by a record-breaking online stream during the pandemic, the band reunited for a joyous sold-out tour in 2022 and repeated the success in 2024 as they celebrated their own 20th anniversary. Both tours reaffirmed their status as one of the biggest and most in demand UK folk acts.
Doors & bars 7:00 PM
Show start 8:00 PM
£39.60 (inc. fees)
https://bathforum.co.uk/whats-on/bellowhead-tour-83ms
Join us for the second Halsway Old-Time Weekend, hosted by one of the UK's foremost Appalachian bands, Old Spot. The weekend will be a relaxed and joyful way to connect with the roots of Appalachian music at the foot of the beautiful Quantock Hills and will include:
Workshops - building repertoire, technique and deepening understanding of the genre. We will draw from classic string band repertoire and find hidden gems in the Halsway archive. We'll help you build the technique, ear and understanding to deepen your enjoyment of Old-Time music.
Jams - supported and friendly Old-Time jams, with the opportunity for a slower pace if that's requested. We'll leave plenty of room for spontaneous jams to pop up all weekend and fill the manor with music.
Square Dance - this is dancing music, and we'll be including some dancing as part of the weekend! If dancing is not your thing, you can join the scratch band.
You'll also be able to enjoy informal performances by Joe and Rowan, when you'll hear Old Time music explored and brought to life.
Most of the sessions will be guided by the tutors in small groups, with some self-led time, and will offer you a chance to learn new skills, techniques and repertoire, or an opportunity to build on what you already know.
Everyone will go away with a deeper understanding of the European roots of Old-Time music and have developed techniques and understanding to help you thrive in an Old-Time session. You'll also have the chance to explore some of the ways Old-Time music is evolving and developing in 2025, looking at arrangements, instrumentation and harmony, and how it's received by modern audiences.
Joe and Rowan hope to offer you a weekend where players can feel connected or re-connected to their instrument, this repertoire and their fellow musicians, through the meditative, connective magic of Appalachian music.
This is a course for instrumentalists who play Fiddle, Banjo, Double Bass, Viola, Mandolin, Guitar, Dulcimer or Autoharp- the classic String Band instruments.
You will need to be comfortable with learning by ear, but you don't need to be able to read music.
You won't need to prepare anything in advance of the course. The tutors will send you a timetable, a list of what to bring with you, and course materials a few weeks in advance.
Rowan Piggott & Joe Danks were introduced in 2021 and bonded over a shared passion for Old Time Appalachian music. An initial campsite session turned into living room jams, sharing lifts to sessions and ultimately the creation of a new old-time duo - Old Spot. Old Spot play Old-Time Appalachian music made with modern audiences in mind, seeing two musicians from strong traditional backgrounds exploring a shared musical love, creating new music that is bursting with joy and imagination. Old Spot have taught workshops at Gainsborough Old-Time Festival and Sidmouth Folk Festival, and both have extensive experience as educators and facilitators in various traditions.
Joe is a multi instrumentalist, singer and Morris dancer based in Wirksworth, Derbyshire. He has released a number of solo projects (Seaspeak 2021, Take Courage 2024) to critical acclaim and national press coverage. His solo work has been featured on BBC Shows across the UK, Wales & Scotland. Joe is also currently performing with experimental folk acts Nick Jonah Davis and Jim Ghedi. Despite being best known in the English folk scene, he grew up surrounded by the patchwork of American folk musics played by his parents, and found himself drawn home to these traditions in the confusion of lockdown. Five string banjo became Joe's place of solace and is now the beating heart of Old Spot. His trademark rhythmic intensity and energy is more present than ever.
Rowan is a folk fiddler, traditional singer and tune collector who grew up in the foothills of the Burren on the west coast of Ireland, surrounded by traditional music. The author of two successful tunebooks, he is an experienced teacher and has also written articles for several magazines and led workshops at festivals all over the UK. His debut album, Mountscribe, was met with critical acclaim, as was his SONGHIVE folksong project to raise awareness of the current plight of the bees. Rowan is best known for performing and writing with his folk trio, The Wilderness Yet, and he brings his scholarly passion for different traditions to link Old-Time to its European and African roots with his inventive and unique 5-string fiddling.
www.oldspotmusic.co.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/old-time-weekend-2026
A fantastic singer/songwriter who has been a regular visitor to us for many years. Martyn Joseph creates a performance with a huge, far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate. He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics. A jaw-dropping guitar player with a percussive style, teamed with a powerful, show-stopping voice, he has been called “The Welsh Springsteen”. Martyn’s career spans over 40 years, 27 albums, and countless live shows that have left audiences spellbound across the globe.
Tickets: £23 Full, Concessions £22
8.00 pm
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2180570
Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. Their songs tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world.
Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ (Songlines) comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.
With their relaxed and personable approach to performance, Janice & Jon are renowned for the warmth of their connection with audiences. From opening Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival, to playing at the likes of Celtic Connections, Edinburgh Tradfest, Sidmouth Folk Festival and Cecil Sharp House, the duo are highly sought after across the UK and beyond.
Following the success of their self-titled EP in 2020, Janice & Jon released their debut album, "No More the Green Hills", in Autumn 2022. The album had overwhelmingly positive feedback, finding its place in the Official UK Folk Albums Chart, as well as gaining airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Scotland. In 2024, they followed this up with "Great Joy to the New", an album of winter songs which reached #17 in the Official Folk Albums Chart, as well as being played on BBC Radio 2 and featured in The Guardian.
The duo's winter gigs have become something of a tradition over the last few years. People have always forged customs to survive the winter, with rituals that bring people together and bring light to the dark nights. These rituals have often been born of necessity. Beautiful, colourful, musical traditions, linked by the common cause of sustaining people spiritually, mentally, or financially through a harsh winter. Janice and Jon’s new album and live show explores these themes through a collection of traditional folk songs about Christmas, winter, and optimism for the new year.
£14 + 2 in advance, £16 + 2 on the door
7.45
Contact Lucy Franklin
lucy AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
The Long Road Tour 2026
Following a hugely successful run of shows, Steve Knightley and the Winter Yards Band return in Autumn 2026. Best known as co-founder of revered folk phenomenon Show of Hands, Steve Knightley’s latest work blends poetic songwriting with a cinematic acoustic sound, a ‘folk noir’ style which has been winning audiences across the UK. Featuring David Delarre, John Parker and Evan Carson, the show combines songs from the Winter Yards album with powerful new material written on the road — stories of landscape, community and the changing world around us.
Tickets: £29.50
www.steveknightley.com
8.00 pm
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2145979
Join Miranda & Jim in celebrating the festive season with some gorgeous West Country carols, medieval and secular carols from around the British Isles, moving settings of Christmas poems by Cornish poet Charles Causley, as well as a choice selection of seasonal songs by contemporary songwriters on the UK folk scene. All delivered by two of Britain’s best-loved voices, accompanied on a variety of instruments and gurt dollop of festive fun!
If you are feeling a little dismayed with the over-commercialisation of “Christmas present”, then join Miranda & Jim for a journey through Christmas past that will be guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit!
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19.50
www.jimcausley.co.uk
www.mirandasykes.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2225551
Dance workshop from 6 - 7pm
Main dance from 7 - 9.30pm
All welcome, no experience needed
Tea and coffee available
Free town centre parking
Free as it's Christmas (usually £4)
Contact Chris Edmunds 07530 103228
chrismartinedmunds AT gmail.com)
https://balcrew.wixsite.com/balcrewkerne
Are you looking for an opportunity to take some time away from the December hullabaloo? Then look no further than our Festive Retreat - a chance to sing, make music, craft, relax, walk and generally enjoy the festive surroundings of Halsway Manor decked for Christmas.
The flexible programme might include options such as:
Sing and play traditional folk carols in harmony
Learn some great new folk tunes and creative things to do with them
A spot of seasonal crafting with tree decorations to take home
An introduction to Dartmoor step dancing and playing for dancing
Optional walks in the beautiful Quantock Hills, weather permitting
A storytelling session
Each session includes something for instrumentalists and non-instrumentalists, so we'll keep you entertained - however, if you're looking for some time out, that's OK too! We hope to see you there and will light the fire in anticipation.
All are welcome - guided sessions will mainly cater for singers and instrumentalists, all instruments, all abilities, but you are also welcome to use this time as a getaway if you would prefer.
There will be a range of parts, notation parts in all clefs and keys available. We will work both by ear and with dots. We want this week to be fun for all, with guidance and support to help you develop your musicality, at whatever level you're at.
Matt Norman is a performer, teacher, composer, arranger, workshop leader and conductor.
He predominantly works with traditional English music, steeped in the traditions of Devon and Dartmoor. He is also blues and classical musician, and a Dartmoor Step Dance Champion!
As a multi-instrumentalist, Matt plays mandolin, fiddle, mandola, banjos, piano and also sings. He performs solo and in bands including Gadarene and A New Vintage ceilidh band, and regularly deps in other line-ups. He's also a singer and choir-leader.
Matt's extensive teaching experience includes working in community and festival settings with all ages and abilities. He has a relaxed, fun and accessible approach to learning, tailored very much to the group. He has a broad expertise embracing mixed-instrument ensembles, choral and voice work, instrument specific tuition (mandolin, fiddle, banjo), and also step dancing.
Rosie Butler-Hall is a Sheffield based English-folk fiddle player, morris dancer and textiles artist. Her work - whether that be music or weaving - is directly influenced by the Yorkshire landscape, which she spends much of her time in. In 2022 Rosie became the Dance Director for the Shrewsbury Folk Festival.
She has a wealth of experience as a performer, appearing at festivals across the UK and around the world. She can often be found MC’ing, playing fiddle for ceilidhs (Relentless Ceilidh Band, Urban Folk Theory), for audiences (The English Fiddle Ensemble, The Rosie Hood Band), dancing morris or at sessions. Rosie has taught on our Young Folk residentials at Halsway.
Two of the most recognised musicians on the British folk scene today combine their considerable talents to provide a beautiful and warm evening of the highest calibre music; the perfect antidote to the materialism of the festive season.
With their understated brilliance, the duo invite you into their captivating world of English carols, wassails and other historical traditions, festive songs and tunes from the British Isles and far beyond. Concerts include original music and selected covers, and a host of instruments are played - fiddle, melodeon, percussion, recorders and stomp box - creating a richly textured sound. By sharing insights into their own family traditions, the duo provide inspiration for a simpler and wholesome Christmas - one where tradition, family, ritual and celebration are the beating heart.
Multi-award-winning and hugely influential folk musicians Jackie Oates and John Spiers bring their breadth of experience to this finely matched duo. Jackie (two-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner and five-time nominee) is an exquisite singer, expressive fiddler and composer with a string of critically acclaimed albums and a reputation as one of our most gifted interpreters of traditional song. John (Bellowhead, Spiers & Boden) is a leading squeezebox player and composer who mixes infectious dance tunes with incredibly moving and sensitive slow airs. John expertly blends traditional squeezebox styles with contemporary dance music to create an infectious acoustic groove.
8.00 pm
www.johnspiers.co.uk
www.jackieoates.co.uk/
Tickets: £20.50 Full, Concessions £19.50
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2089924
Members of Moonrakers return to Halsway Manor bringing their exciting and dynamic Folk Orchestra event for musicians and singers, now over a weekend!
Whether you play bowed, fretted or reed instruments, whistles or flutes, or simply like to sing, you are very welcome on this course.
You'll work on your own improvised arrangements of folk tunes and songs, guided by the tutors, in big and small groups. You'll be able to download resources (sheet music and sound files) for the week in advance of the course via a link sent out to participants. The idea is not to just learn tunes but to look in detail at how they can be arranged for a mixed ensemble of instruments. The sound files will provide the skeleton of the tune itself and the beginnings of an arrangement. What you may come up with together as the group works with the tune could be very different!
In the evenings, there will opportunities to showcase some of your own material.
If you're looking for a longer Folk Orchestra course, Moonrakers will also be with us in March.
This Folk Orchestra Weekend is aimed at instrumentalists and singers with some experience under their belts. You'll need a good understanding of your instrument and to be open to working in small and larger groups and trying new ways of working. Diatonic instruments are welcome.
You'll need to be able to read music but there'll be no requirement to learn by ear.
Don't worry if you've been on the course before, there will be plenty of new material to choose from!
You should be happy to look at at least some of the material in advance. Please print out the music and bring a music stand and a notebook/pencil.
The tutors are two of Moonrakers' members - Jon Bennett (guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, whistles, vocals) and Jacqui Johnson (cello, fiddle, whistle, vocals). Both tutors have many years’ experience of running enjoyable workshops and folk orchestras across the country.
William Lyons and Richard Thomas from The City Musick will be heading back to Halsway Manor this Christmastide, bringing with them all the joys of the festive season during the Renaissance. We can't promise a Boar's Head bedecked with bay and rosemary, but plenty of other music delights will be on offer.
Intended for players of renaissance wind, brass and strings, this course will celebrate the huge variety of sounds and styles of Christmas music heard during the Christmas season in renaissance Europe. We will look at the splendors of music written by Giovanni Gabrieli and co. in the churches and courts of Venice, and of the music written by Germanic composers including Hans Leo Hassler and Michael Praetorius for grand festive occasions in German court and city. There will also be chances to explore smaller scale repertoire from the British Isles, France, and Spain, much of which had its origins in traditional song and dance.
We're offering you the chance to gain a greater knowledge of renaissance Christmas music while enjoying communal music-making on historic instruments. The Christmas tree will be decorated and the fire lit - a perfect December treat.
This Renaissance music course is for players of the cornett, shawm, dulcian, sackbut, any members of the violin family, and viol players. You might play more than one of those instruments - that's OK too! If you play an instrument not listed above but are keen to take part, please get in touch so that we can advise.
You should be a strong sight reader, consider yourself to be playing at an upper intermediate to advanced level, and be prepared to look at repertoire in advance if necessary. We will send you a timetable in advance, with any sheet music that the tutors provide. You will need to be able to read music for this course.
The majority of the weekend will focus on whole-group teaching and learning, with some opportunity for smaller group work, both tutor- and self-led. You'll be able to work on and improve your existing skills and techniques, while learning new repertoire, and perhaps working on some that you're already more familiar with.
William Lyons is artistic director of the acclaimed ensemble The City Musick. As a player, he has performed with leading historical performance ensembles for over thirty years. He has featured as a specialist session musician on the soundtracks of such iconic films as the Harry Potter series and The Hobbit, as well as several Wes Anderson creations. He is also a composer for theatre and film, including for many productions as composer and musical director at The Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London from 1998 to 2015. Most recently he has worked as historical consultant and composer on major films including Emma, and Mary, Queen of Scots. In 2019 he won the Crystal Pines award for Best Original Score for his work on the Oscar winning The Favourite. In the world of academia William is a Leverhulme Research Fellow, and a professor at the Royal College of Music. Published works include a chapter on theatre musicians in early modern London and articles for the Chanter journal. William is currently writing his PhD on theatre musicians in Shakespeare’s London.
Richard Thomas studied at the University of Wales, the Royal Academy of Music and the Schola Cantorum, Switzerland. Richard was a band member at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, London for many years, and plays regularly with ensembles directed by Sir John Elliot Gardiner, Sir Roger Norrington, Trevor Pinnock, Harry Christophers and Paul McCreesh, touring throughout Europe as well as to North & South America, Asia, and Australia. An interest in period instrument performance began at university and eventually led to the formation of the acclaimed sackbut and cornett ensemble QuintEssential in 1993. Richard is also a founder member of The City Musick and the 19th century saxhorn quintet, The Prince Regent’s Band. Richard teaches natural trumpet and cornetto at the Royal College of Music, the University of Birmingham, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and at the Dartington International Summer School for several years.
The City Musick was formed by William Lyons to explore the diverse repertoire of civic and court wind bands in early modern Europe and is now firmly established as the premier renaissance wind band in the UK. The City Musick made their BBC Proms debut in 2012 with a performance of Venetian music in collaboration with the vocal ensemble I Fagiolini. The Decca recording of this and that of the Striggio Mass, also involving the ensemble, have both met with great critical acclaim. The ongoing collaboration with I Fagiolini continues, with a recording of the magnificent Benevoli Missa Tu es Petrus released in 2023 and the next in the sequence of works by this sorely neglected composer being recorded in 2024. Their recording of music of the London Waits, The Topping Tooters of the Town received unanimous critical praise. The new project by the ensemble: The Count & The Duke – A Renaissance Big Band was premiered at the Stour Festival and York Early Music Festival in 2023 and is a gloriously varied programme featuring a band of twenty shawms, dulcians, recorders, sackbuts, crumhorns, racketts, cornetts, trumpets, keyboards, strings and percussion!
After a sell out tour in the Spring, Katherine Priddy is coming to the South West for candlelit church concerts in midwinter; it will be Christmassy, however hard that is to imagine in a heatwave!
She released her third album, These Frightening Machines in March 2026 to critical acclaim, produced by Rob Ellis (PJ Harvey).
With her haunting vocals and distinctive finger-picking guitar style, Priddy opened for Suzanne Vega on her tour.
She also recently wrote and released two songs with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage and performed on the legendary BBC Later with Jools Holland TV show.
£25.00 advance
https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/krooregebdrm
It’s a staggering 25 years since St Agnes Fountain first launched their unique brand of festive music into the world. Originally comprising David Hughes (guitar, vocals), Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, guitar, flutes, vocals), Chris While (guitar, percussion, vocals) and Julie Matthews (keyboards, guitar, bouzouki, vocals), the band quickly carved out a sound all of their own.
Blending original Christmas songs with traditional carols, delivered in their unmistakable style, St Agnes Fountain have become an essential part of the festive season for thousands of people. So much so, they inspired the much-loved phrase: “Christmas starts with St Agnes Fountain.”
Following David Hughes’ retirement due to ill health in 2020, and his sad passing in 2023, Chris While, Julie Matthews and Chris Leslie continued as a trio. Since then, they have released two studio albums and one live album, adding further depth to an already formidable catalogue of festive recordings.
December 2026 will see St Agnes Fountain tour their Silver Jubilee Show - a celebration of a quarter-century of music-making and festive celebrations. The show will draw from their extensive back catalogue of songs and tunes, poems and stories, as they once again raise the stained-glass arches and drape the fairy lights.
If you like Christmas, you’ll love St Agnes Fountain.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £25
www.stagnesfountain.net
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2188465
Something new for December 2026 - a chance to learn traditional and contemporary carols in unique arrangements, and perform as a choir with full instrumental support from the The Carnival Band. If you’ve ever been part of their Carnival Choir before, this is an opportunity to explore the songs over a longer period in the festive surroundings of Halsway dressed for Christmas.
On this course you’ll learn folk carols and festive songs drawn from The Carnival Band's long association with Maddy Prior on much-loved albums such as A Tapestry of Carols and Carols and Capers. Since 2012, the band has regularly formed a Carnival Choir to perform with them in their concerts with Maddy, culminating in their final Carols and Capers tour in 2024. Even if you missed that, here’s another chance to take part!
The course will begin with Andy Watts and Giles Lewin teaching you the carols in four part harmony (SATB). Scores will be provided, and for those not so confident with musical notation, recordings will be available on The Carnival Band's website. Later in the week, the other band members, Steno Vitale and Jub Davis, will join the party to give you full instrumental support. The final evening session will be a public gig given by The Carnival Band and The Carnival Choir, open to the public.
This course is for singers working at an intermediate level, who enjoy singing with others. The ability to read music would be advantageous, but not absolutely necessary. You’ll want to build on your existing skills and technique, mostly working in a big group with the tutors, but with some opportunities for smaller group work during the week.
Andy Watts grew up with ‘early music’ in the 1960’s thanks to an enthusiastic teacher in his Yorkshire primary school who was a fan of David Munrow. Shawms, crumhorns, recorders and viols were just as much a part of Andy’s musical life as clarinet and subsequently bassoon.
After graduating from Cambridge University, he studied bassoon and recorder at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and baroque bassoon at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. London’s period instrument orchestras, including The Academy of Ancient Music and The English Baroque Soloists. In 1984, he formed The Carnival Band, who have won acclaim for their recordings and live performances with folk-rock star Maddy Prior. They are also the lead ensemble in the 100 Ballads project, which was awarded the Roy Rosenzweig Prize for Creativity in Digital History by the American Historical Association.
A keen music educator working with children and adults, Andy previously taught at the Royal Academy of Music and continues to teach at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. As musical director of Shropshire Harmony Quire, he is exploring the Country Psalmody of the 18th and early 19th centuries. Not one to stand still, he has recently taken up jazz clarinet as a refreshing change from historically informed performance!
Giles Lewin is equally at home in folk, medieval and Arabic music. In the 1980s he joined theatre company The Medieval Players playing rebec and medieval fiddle and in 1987 became a founder member of The Dufay Collective. At the same time he was working with Irish band After Hours. He has performed with June Tabor, is in a trio with Maddy Prior and Hannah James and was a founder member of folk supergroup Bellowhead. He has studied Arabic violin in Cairo with Ashraf Sharki and Abdu Daghr and oud (Arabic lute) with Lebanese singer Abdul Salaam el Kheir. With singer Vivien Ellis he formed the duo Alva.
Jub (Andrew) Davis is one of the most sought after bass players on the classical and contemporary scene. He co-founded the Kreisler String Orchestra which won the 1986 Jeunesses Musicales competition, and has played with the London Mozart Players and English National Opera. He played with indie pop group The Band of Holy Joy and has worked with Youssou N’Dour, Tanita Tikaram, Abdullah Ibrahim, Loose Tubes, Brian Eno and Sting. He has undertaken world tours for choreographer Hofesh Schecter and taken part in the collaboration with Anthony Gormley on mixed media and physical theatre production ‘Survivor’.
Steno Vitale began his career with rock band Kashmir and folk rock band Chanter. With a talent for words he was drawn naturally to the theatre and worked as musical director with Leicester based company Bamboozle. He has devised the show Magical Mishaps for the Dearngate Theatre Northampton and appears frequently as a workshop leader at festivals. Several of his songs have been recorded by Maddy Prior and The Carnival Band.
Celebrate the New Year in style – folk style that is! See out the Old Year and bring in the New with dancing, singing, music and games in the glorious setting of Halsway Manor.
With good food, good music and a packed programme of activities for musicians and dancers, plus with workshops and evening dances. There will be plenty of activities to keep you entertained, or room by the fire to relax with a good book. If the weather is fair, optional walks will be arranged, and you can expect playing sessions too; pack your walking boots and instruments.
Enjoy the Manor is its festive finery and see in the New Year with good company!
An enjoyable New Year break for anyone who wants to enjoys folk music and dancing, and a ‘Country House’ style New Year!
The team returns for 2026, led by Bridget Flett, with music provided by Rod & Frances Stradling as the house band. Rod and Frances have an energetic style, with a broad variety of repertoire that covers all styles of English and Scottish dancing and much more. Bridget will be assisted by Anne & Fritjof Koerber, Jane Thomas, and Beverley Tapper.
Bridget Flett, a Somerset based caller for Ceilidhs, Folk Dance Groups and Scottish Country Dancing, looks forward to welcoming you to the festivities at Halsway.
Jane Thomas is a regular on the Devon and West Country folk dance scene who will help you make the most of your week at Halsway.
Anne Koerber, who sings with a Bristol based classical choir and leads two West Gallery choirs, looks forward to singing with you.
Rod (accordion) and Frances Stadling (percussion) will be your music for the period. They play for English, Scottish and International dancing and, being active dancers themselves, will provide lively music to keep you going through the day.
Beverley Tapper runs a U3A Folk Dance Group in Taunton and calls for other groups in the area. She is also a Scottish dancer and a member of Sou'westers - the South West region handbell orchestra.
Real Ale bar. Cheese and biscuits included. Piper to welcome the New Year. Tickets from www.sherbornefolkband.org
Discounts for groups and earlybird tickets
7.30pm – 12:30am
www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Julia: 07527 508 277
Ring in the New Year with a celebration ceilidh at The David Hall. Everyone is welcome to this fun evening with live music from Crooked Furrow and traditional ceilidh dances suitable for all ages and abilities.
A light supper is included to keep you going. Please get in touch with us in advance with any dietary requirements.
Tickets £19
Doors open 8pm with dancing starting at 8.30pm
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2226142
Join us for the GreenMatthews Midwinter Getaway – a relaxing holiday of fun and festivities in the sumptuous surroundings of Halsway Manor with hosts Chris Green and Sophie Matthews.
GreenMatthews are well-known for their touring Christmas shows such as A Brief History of Christmas, A Christmas Carol and Midwinter Revels.
This holiday is an opportunity to get up close and personal with Chris and Sophie and enjoy 3 days of music and merrymaking. Please note: the course takes place Monday - Wednesday this year.
The Midwinter Getaway is very much about fun and relaxation, rather than Halsway’s usual intensive workshop-type weekends. With good food and good company, the house is the perfect place to gather with old friends and meet new ones. Free time will be an important part of the holiday, giving you the opportunity to explore the surrounding area or simply relax by the log fire with a glass of something warming.
If you play an instrument (to any level) then please do bring it along. If you don’t play, bring a voice, and if you’re not comfortable with either, please bring an appreciative pair of ears or a pair of dancing feet. There’ll be feasting, drinking, carolling and storytelling as well as a wintry walk across the beautiful Quantock Hills (the oldest area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK).
The GreenMatthews Midwinter Getaway is for anyone who fancies a relaxing break at the Manor without the pressure of an intense timetable. You can recover from Christmas, recharge for the New Year, or simply enjoy time with good company.
Chris Green and Sophie Matthews are modern-day balladeers, specialising in telling stories through song.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/greenmatthews-midwinter-getaway-january-2027
GreenMatthews are firm believers in the age-old power of narrative song to delight contemporary audiences. Taking their cue from ancient troubadour tradition, they are 21st-century wandering players. They tour throughout the UK and Europe. Their music and tales are rooted in the past, but their performances are entirely of the 21st century – immediate and accessible to modern audiences.
Born into a musical family in Coventry, Chris began playing guitar at the age of eight and piano from the age of nine, and plays most things with fretted strings or keys. Largely self-taught, he’s worked in a variety of musical genres including folk, theatre and early music. He’s a regular musician at Shakespeare’s Globe and was also one of the musicians on BBC’s Poldark, appearing in series 1 and 2.
He also writes and composes, having adapted The Wind in the Willows (2017), and A Christmas Carol: In Concert (2018). His solo album Switched-On Playford, fuses 17th-century dance music with electronica, using a blend of early instruments, synths and loops. His latest commission from English Heritage is a live score for the 1922 silent film Nosferatu which will be touring in Autumn 2023.
www.chrisgreenmusic.co.uk
Sophie began playing flute at the age of ten but is known best as one of the foremost players of the English border bagpipe in the UK. She plays a variety of early woodwind instruments such as shawm, rauschpfeife and recorder. She’s one of a handful of British players of the baroque musette, an 18th century French bagpipe similar to the Northumbrian smallpipes. Sophie is a superb interpreter of narrative song with a clear, pure and unaffected soprano voice. When not touring with GreenMatthews, Sophie is an accredited lecturer for The Arts Society, lecturing on Music in Art. Sophie also makes instruments (she made her own baroque oboe) and works with respected luthier Tony Millyard on his flutes. As a musician Sophie plays with The Oxford Waits as well as the early music collective Piva.
www.sophiematthewsmusic.co.uk
Our popular Klezmer weekend course returns, now as a long weekend, with Susi Evans, Szilvia Csaranko, Indra Buraczewska and Flora Curzon at the helm to inspire you to explore this celebratory, soulful and melodic music from nineteenth century Jewish Eastern Europe.
Learn some great tunes and gain knowledge of the modes, ornamentation, rhythms and accompaniment that give klezmer its unique flavour. Play in an orchestra led by four of Europe’s top klezmer specialists, join a small ensemble where you can develop your arrangement skills and learn tips and tricks on your instrument to play music in a klezmer style. There will also be an informal tutors’ concert and plenty of opportunity for jamming in the bar!
We’ve added an extra night to our Klezmer music course to give you a bit more time to work with the tutors and play together. Sunday will now be a full day of workshops instead of ending after cream tea. Although we ask that you check out by 12pm on Monday morning, you may leave earlier if necessary.
This is a course for all* instrumentalists from all musical backgrounds. We welcome people who are new to klezmer, but you will need a good grasp of your instrument in order to participate. The course will be taught by ear as well as using the dots and there will be opportunities to develop both of these skills. We aim to set a pace that is right for everybody, and we will sometimes divide the group by instrument or level of experience.
If you’ve taken part in the course before, you’d be welcome back as the majority of the material covered will be new, and you’ll have the chance to build on your existing skills and techniques. The majority of your time will be spent working with a tutor in a small group, with some opportunity to play as a whole group.
*For diatonic instruments such as whistles and diatonic accordions, the klezmer modes can present a bit of a challenge. Please contact us if you’re not sure.
Susi, Szilvia, Indra and Flora are all exceptional musicians who are passionate about the tradition of klezmer music. Susi and Szilvia perform internationally and are in demand as teachers at the major klezmer festivals such as Yiddish Summer Weimar, Klezfest London, Yiddish New York and KlezKanada. They are also the authors of the Klezmer Playbook and founders of the KlezmerPlaybook CLUB where they regularly have up to 100 participants attending their online workshops.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/halsway-klezmer-weekend-2027
The London Klezmer Quartet is a dynamic group of performers whose deep understanding of klezmer, the celebratory and soulful music of Eastern European Jews, is reflected in exuberant, passionate and accomplished performances that captivate audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
The group plays old and new traditional material guaranteed to move audiences from toe-tapping to tears and back again in moments.
LKQ was formed in 2009 by a group of klezmer specialists keen to explore the almost-lost wedding music tradition of Jewish eastern Europe. The band was swiftly picked up by some of the UK’s foremost folk & world music promoters - Songlines Magazine, Continental Drifts and The Magpie’s Nest offered stages for the group's unique combination of artistry and exuberance. The band is also one of the few in the world who lead the Yiddish dances that this music would traditionally have accompanied.
8.00 pm
£12 (full time students £6)
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-a-night-of-klezmer
Winter Warmer is a fun and friendly folk break to get your year off to a great start! Expect a range of activities - all optional - including dances, dance workshops, music workshops, games, quizzes, singing, craft activities, and hopefully a walk or two, depending on the weather.
You'll be guided by the Winter Warmer team: Sue Irving, Jane and Mark Hunter are your hosts for the event and will lead some fun and games to keep everyone relaxed and entertained; Madeleine Smith - well-known to many as a friendly and knowledgeable caller - will lead the dancing, assisted by Jane and Mark; and musicians Dampiers' Round (Peter & Moira Gutteridge) will lead music for dancing and also offering workshops for musicians. There will also be opportunities for anyone attending to call a dance or run an activity, if they so wish.
There will be a range of activities to keep you entertained including daily music and dance workshops, plus afternoon activities and walks for those who want to get out into the fresh air. Dances every evening, with the option for you to play in the band or call a dance should you so wish, before retiring to the bar to enjoy the convivial relaxed atmosphere of the manor.
This break begins with an introductory meeting in the bar at 5pm, before dinner at 6.30pm, which is followed by the Welcome Dance.
Who is it for? Everyone! The week offers a varied programme including folk dance, music and song, games, quizzes and fun, and all levels of experience are welcome to come and join a fun and sociable winter folk break. Bring instruments if you have them and would like to play.
Sue Irving
Sue began playing folk fiddle and participating in folk dancing in Worcestershire, towards the end of her career in education. Happily, Sue can now enjoy a second career in the world of folk music, putting her sense of merriment and imagination into helping run and participate in folk events, as well as playing with her local bands for dances. Sue has been a frequent guest at Halsway, often on courses run by Dampier’s Round and Madeleine Smith, and is delighted to be a member of the team for the Winter Warmer.
Jane and Mark Hunter
Jane and Mark have been involved in the folk scene for many years as dancers and more recently as callers. They are regular attendees of many folk festivals including Chippenham and Lichfield. They are very involved with their local folk dance club at Sytchampton where they run dance workshops for newer members. They also organise walks, trips and other activities for the club members.
Madeleine Smith
Madeleine learned her art from some outstanding teachers, including Pat Shaw and Ethyl Anderson. She is known for her clear calling and teaching, her sense of fun, and her ability to use her extensive knowledge of country dancing and its historical context to create interesting workshops and dance programmes. As a musician, Madeleine works on the principle that 'dance is music made visible', and puts the tune, phrasing and rhythm at the centre of her teaching. She was the recipient of an EFDSS Gold Badge in 2022.
Moira and Peter Gutteridge
Moira and Peter are the Worcester-based dance band Dampiers’ Round, well known at Folk Festivals and Dance events round the country. They will be leading music workshops as well as playing for dancing. Multi-instrumentalists both, they enjoy helping players of all abilities to discover and develop their skills playing together in mixed-instrument ensembles. They will no doubt be helping Sue and Madeleine with the fun and games, and lead a walk or two, weather permitting.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/winter-warmer-2027
We’re delighted to be working with Leveret – three of England’s finest folk musicians – again to offer this intensive weekend exploring ensemble playing, aimed exclusively at young adults, aged 18 to 30(ish) looking for folk music development.
During their first decade together, Leveret’s captivating interaction and intimate presentation style charmed audiences, helping the trio build a loyal following, and demonstrating the enduring appeal and endless potential of the folk tune.
All three are experienced teachers and workshop leaders, sharing a commitment to developing the next generation of folk musicians, and Leveret are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all participants both during and outside workshops.
Who is it for? You’ll be a competent musician with a good knowledge of your instrument; the weekend will focus on general music-making skills rather than instrument-specific technique, so you’ll need to have a sufficient grasp of your instrument to get involved. You’ll be happy to learn by ear, with a desire to build confidence, develop musical ideas, and experience playing in ensembles. There will be some degree of spontaneity during the weekend, both musically and organisationally, so you'll need to be prepared to go with the flow.
Because of the time limitations inherent in running a weekend course, you will be asked to do a little preparatory work in the run up to the weekend, to make sure everyone arrives ready to start.
Participant numbers will be limited and we anticipate this weekend will be popular so don't miss your chance!
Fiddler Sam Sweeney was voted ‘Musician of the Year’ at the 2015 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards thanks to his work in Bellowhead, Eliza Carthy’s Wayward Band, The Full English and his own Made In The Great War project. He was the inaugural Artistic Director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Melodeon genius Andy Cutting is a three-time winner of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards ‘Musician of the Year’ award, and as well as his new trio with Martin Simpson and Nancy Kerr currently performs with Blowzabella, Topette, June Tabor, and Roger Daltry.
Concertina wizard Rob Harbron is known for his work with The Full English (Best Group and Best Album BBC Folk Awards 2014), Emma Reid, Fay Hield, Jon Boden and others. He has, for many years, led the English Acoustic Collective Summer School.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/leveret-18-30s-weekend-january-2027
In a shift of emphasis from his mandolin courses over the last few years, Simon will be giving ensemble playing and playing by ear equal attention for a few days. So if you want to perfect that elusive ability to instantly 'play what you hear', alongside brushing up your music and/or tablature reading skills, this is the course for you. There'll be plenty of technique tips along the way, and a chance to talk through with Simon any of your own mandolin related questions.
Workshops will take place each morning, with afternoons free for personal practice, exploring the local area, delving into the library, or impromptu ensemble work.
Who is it for? Mandolinists, mandola players, mandocellists and mandobassists (are there any out there?) are all invited to this group experience involving some ensemble playing (with easy parts to follow).
All ability levels are welcome, with the exception of complete beginners who may find themselves struggling. Ideally you’ll be able to get from start to finish of a fairly simple tune without stalling, and you’ll be able to read music or tablature to a reasonable standard (if you’re an experienced player but have only ever played by ear, tablature is very easy to learn). If you’re a guitarist or violinist trying a mandolin for the first time, you should be OK, but this is otherwise not going to be suitable for a beginner. Simon will send out PDFs of music/tablature and sound files in advance.
Simon Mayor is one of the world’s leading mandolin virtuosos and composers for the instruments. His many faceted career includes his own series on BBC Radio 2, an album in the Classic FM Top Ten chart and causing mayhem at a Canadian humour festival, but his most thrilling moment was a journey through the square window on BBC’s Playschool!
Simon moves effortlessly between classical, traditional folk, jazz & blues. His dazzling technical skills grace all the music he plays. He’s also a fine guitarist & fiddle player, with a delicious sense of humour & great teaching ability. In 2022, he and Hilary James were awarded honorary directorships of The Classical Mandolin Society of America.
www.mandolin.co.uk
Simon will be joined by Hilary James with her mandobass.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/spring-mandolins-2027
Guaranteed to be one of Halsway’s noisiest weekends, our popular Hurdy-Gurdy Weekend runs alongside our Bagpipe Weekend, with masterclasses, workshops, sessions and a Saturday night concert/dance. A frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things! Early booking advised.
The weekend is hosted by Claire Dugué, hurdy-gurdy maker and repairer, and she’ll be available to help people get the most out of their instruments with tips for maintenance. Our international tutor team includes:
Lucy Laigle and Iván Abal (Intermediate/Advanced Hurdy Gurdy Workshop – one group each)
Scott Marshall (Beginner Hurdy Gurdy Workshop).
Discussions are welcome before the course to adapt the content to the students. Each tutor will dedicate themselves to a specific group for the full weekend allowing for maximum learning and progression. You will need to decide which tutor you wish to work with and tell us when booking; numbers in each group are limited.
Want to make a long weekend of your trip? For an extra £65, you can stay until Monday morning, including supper and B&B. Please enquire when booking your place.
Iván Abal’s class - Playing Galician bagpipe tunes on Hurdy-Gurdy
In this workshop, we will explore the main rhythms of traditional Galician music, typically played on the bagpipes, and examine their application on the hurdy-gurdy. We will focus on aspects such as fingering adaptation, ornamentation, variations, and how to create rhythms with the right hand based on traditional percussion.
Additionally, we will also discuss the different phases of repertoire study and how to acquire resources to improve our technique on the instrument.
Lucie Laigle’s class - Making the Hurdy-Gurdy Dance: Variations, Cadences, and Arrangements
First, we will focus on hurdy-gurdy interpretation. Making the hurdy-gurdy dance means highlighting the cadence through both melodic and rhythmic playing. We will therefore dissect certain melodies in order to make them danceable, working on left-hand ornamentation and right-hand wrist techniques.
Next, making the hurdy-gurdy dance also involves creating arrangements that serve the dance. In the second part of the workshop, we will invent additional musical elements together to accompany the melody (modal harmonies, loops, exploring different playing styles of the hurdy-gurdy). The goal will be to create one or several beautiful arrangements designed to make people dance! The repertoire will be quite varied, ranging from traditional tunes from Centre France to more recent folk melodies.
Because course places are limited, we aren’t able to take bookings from those not wishing to fully participate in one of the workshop groups (unless you’re coming as the friend or partner of a participant, and sharing a room).
This course is for players of the hurdy-gurdy who already have their own instrument (including beginners).
Beginners/Improvers Class with Scott Marshall
This class is for the beginner who has a hurdy gurdy (or has borrowed one from a friend) and wants to spend some time to check out if playing the instrument is for him/her.
It is also for the player who has been playing for a few years but hasn’t yet progressed far, and needs to strengthen his/her ability to play tunes/use the trompette.
Intermediate/advanced classes with Lucie Laigle or Iván Abal
On both these classes, we expect players who are in control of their instruments, can set them up and tune them. They need to have a repertoire of tunes under their belt and master the trumpet techniques to a coup de quatre minimum.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hurdy-gurdy-weekend-2027
+ support
Jim Moray is an English folk musician, singer, and producer known for his innovative approach to traditional folk music. First gaining notice in the early 2000s for his startling reimagining of traditional songs, blending acoustic instrumentation with electronic production, he has established himself as one of the key figures in the English Folk Revival of the last 25 years.
A true polymath, he is known for playing nearly all the instruments on his recordings as well as producing, arranging and mixing. He is also in demand as a producer for both a new generation of forward-looking folk musicians and the older generation of musicians who came before him. Never satisfied with staying still, the artist is still moving after shaking the folk world to its foundations twenty years ago. And in a genre where musicians reach their peak the older they get, there’s a sense that he has only just begun.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19.50
www.jimmoray.co.uk
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2134669
Sam Kelly is a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning musician, singer, songwriter, and producer from Norfolk, UK. His band The Lost Boys are festival favourites across the UK folk scene and beyond, and his portfolio as a guitar and bouzouki player includes playing with the likes of Kate Rusby, Seth Lakeman, John McCusker, Phil Beer, and Katherine Priddy. Sam has become known as a unique and innovative arranger and pioneer of traditional folk song, and has produced albums by The Changing Room, Kitty Macfarlane, Chris Cleverley, Ainsley Hamill and more. He is also is a published songwriter, with his music being used on Sky Sports, Sky Arts, Channel 4, Channel 5, as well as BBC Radio 1, 2, and 3. Described by legendary folk broadcaster Mike Harding as ‘one of my favourite singers ever’ and by Cara Dillon as ‘an amazing singer with so much soul’, Sam will be performing a rare solo show, showcasing material from across all of his varied projects, with a signature dash of humour!
£14 + 2 in advance, £16 + 2 on the door
7.45 pm
Contact Lucy Franklin
lucy AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
Wielding the distinct voices of fiddle, concertina and mandolin, the Grace Smith Trio brings together three like-minded musicians to create one dynamic and expressive musical dialogue. Acclaimed fiddle and viola player Grace Smith is joined by Sam Partridge (concertina) and Tom Kimber (mandolin) in this innovative ensemble, which offers a fresh take on folk. Drawing deeply from tradition, whilst also expanding their repertoire with new melodies of their own, the Grace Smith Trio explores the boundaries of what folk can be to mesmerising effect; their music will stay with you long after you finish listening. Their debut album Overleaf was released in Autumn 2023 to great critical reception. In their review of Overleaf, Klof Mag said; “If you’re looking for the exciting future of instrumental folk music, you need search no further.”
£14 + 2 in advance, £16 + 2 on the door
7.45 pm
Contact Lucy Franklin
lucy AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
Ellie Gowers is a UK singer-songwriter crafting emotionally rich, story-driven music described as a “sunset-hued 70s folk-pop hug.” Blending folk, indie, and acoustic pop influences, she has gained acclaim through her debut album Dwelling by the Weir, EP You, the Passenger, and captivating live performances across the UK.
£14 + 2 in advance, £16 + 2 on the door
7.45 pm
Contact Lucy Franklin
lucy AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
After many years of collaborating in various guises, Nick Hart and Tom Moore are finally on the road as a duo. Both renowned interpreters of English traditional music, Tom's playing has been described as “ingenious” (The Guardian) and “irresistible” (The Independent), while Nick has been called “...probably the finest interpreter of traditional English folk songs this generation has produced...” (tradfolk.co).
The unusual combination of Tom's viola and Nick's tenor viol creates a rich set of textures with which they explore a variety of traditional songs and tunes. The result is an absorbing expression of English music by two master players.
2023 Saw the release of their first LP, 'The Colour of Amber', which quickly garnered much critical acclaim and featured in many top ten lists for the year, being described as “An inspired pairing of two musicians at the top of their game.” (Folk London) and “...head and shoulders above just about any English traditional album of the last few years” (FRUK).
£14 + 2 in advance, £16 + 2 on the door
7.45 pm
Contact Lucy Franklin
lucy AT tauntonbrewhouse.co.uk
This event has been rescheduled to Sunday 23 May 2027.
Ruby is a remarkable talent whose musical journey is nothing short of inspiring. Originally from Scotland and now making her home in the South West, she is a passionate songwriter and a gifted multi-instrumentalist. Her incredibly diverse and versatile repertoire, spanning from harmonica to guitar and even bagpipes, has enabled her to busk around the world raising funds for Save the Children. Ruby’s dedication and artistry were recognised last year when she won Best Female Solo Artist at the Wiltshire Music Awards. Please enjoy the following links to a couple of her performances:
£8/£10
4.00 - 6.00 pm
Contact Helen
hlleary AT hotmail.co.uk
www.caryfordhall.co.uk