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.
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Join us for a midweek country dancing break, in the height of the Somerset summer.
This will be a week of lively dance encompassing all forms of social folk dancing. We will have an opportunity to enjoy American and British contra as well as traditional English, Playford, American squares and some of Mark’s own composition.
There will be dances each evening, workshops in the mornings, while the afternoons will be left free to enable dancers to enjoy the Somerset countryside in all its summer glory. Afternoon trips out will be arranged on an ad hoc basis depending on the weather and demand.
Musicians are encouraged to bring instruments for jam sessions and cloggers experienced or beginners to bring footwear. Callers aspiring or experienced may like to bring their notes or queries for an open mic session.
This week is for anyone who would like to enjoy a country dance, learn a few new moves, dance with others and enjoy the manor and its local landscape.
Whatever your level of experience in dancing, playing or singing, come and enjoy a convivial few days with like-minded people! There is plenty of opportunity for you to come and soak in the atmosphere
Mark Elvins is one of the very best contra dance callers in England. He is joined by musicians Ali, Jane and Meg – a group born out of a previous mini-fest organised by Meg.
Ali, Jane and Meg are a trio of highly experienced dance musicians. Meg Griffin from Meg ‘n’ Mor, Momentum and host of Alcester Contra Dances is on guitar, Ali Messer on accordion and Jane Harrison, who formerly played in Alterations, rounds off the trio on fiddle. Their repertoire, enriched by all three being expert dancers immersed in folk music from an early age, ranges from 1650s English tunes to modern tunes for Contra dancing.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/social-country-dancing-2026
Our great friend, Laurel Swift, is popping over from the states and we’ve nabbed her to host a small, friendly and intensive week open to all musicians wanting to explore creativity in folk music and improve their skills in coming up with ideas, harmony, countermelody and more. You’ll do lots of enjoyable musical tasks to get you listening, relaxed and tuned into your instrument, your sound and your creative response to other’s playing.
This is an intimate course, and there will be opportunities to work in 2s, 3s, 4s and 5s away from the larger group of about 10 players. Laurel will teach new tunes that illustrate particular learning points and there will also be time to work on your own tunes and ideas, with a ‘friendly circle’ - a great way to share and develop new musical ideas. Bring something to work on: a tune you would like to play better, a concept or technique that is both daunting and you want to be able to master!
You’ll leave with a greater understanding of rhythm, emphasis, and style, and with more confidence in creating harmonies, variations and accompaniments.
This retreat is perfect for players who consider themselves to be working at a lower intermediate level on their instrument. You don’t need to be able to read music, and although being able to play by ear would be an advantage, skilled players with no ‘by ear’ experience are welcome if you’re willing to have a go. All instruments are welcome.
Laurel Swift is an inspiring instigator of creative projects and performances rooted in folk arts. A musician, singer and dancer, Laurel plays with Gadarene, The Gloworms and founded Morris Offspring. She co-created Under Her Skin with Debs Newbold, teaches folk widely and is writing a folk musical!
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-music-retreat-2026
The Silk Mill in Frome will echo to the voices of Doves Peace Choir at 6pm on Monday 6th July. The 16-strong choir, led by local singer Clara Atkins, will perform a varied programme of songs of peace, love and hope. The free 45-minute concert will end with a collection in aid of Frome-based charity Building Bridges for Peace.
6.00 - 6.45 pm
Contact Clara Atkins
claracecilia.atkins AT gmail.com
https://www.claraceciliaatkins.com/doves-peace-choir.html
This month our MC will be Janet North who has also been organising our Summer Story Picnic so there will be more details of this. Please don't think you have to be a Storyteller to attend, we love people to come along and just listen to the stories, in fact listeners are more important than tellers which is why we have two ears but only one mouth !
£5 in the hat if you can afford it
7.30 p.m. - 9.30 p.m. approx
Contact Colin Emmett: 01275 332735
mendipstorycircle AT gmail.com
www.mendipstorycircle.com
This Is The Kit's charming alt-folk music received an Ivor Novello nomination. Kate Stables and her band have been turning heads in all the right places since 2003: a long time favourite among BBC Radio 6 Music DJs. A compelling first album Krülle Bol was produced by John Parish, PJ Harvey's longtime collaborator.
Now they are on Rough Trade Records, perhaps the trendiest label, well I think so anyway.
£25.00
https://www.ticketsource.com/booking/select/pkzrmybnvawo
£4.00 per person and that gets you live music, a different caller per event and a cuppa with cake at half time!
It's a very social evening and you can dance whenever you want to or sit down and have a chat with members.
7.30 - 9.30 pm
Contact Neil Arnold: 01460 234693
neil.j.arnold AT gmail.com
Kate Griffin (UK) and Matchume Zango (Mozambique) fuse banjo and timbila in a bold, contemporary celebration of global tradition
An acclaimed timbila player from Zavala, the heartland of Mozambique’s timbila tradition, Zango works internationally across performance, theatre and film. Griffin, an internationally touring clawhammer banjo player with Indo-folk collective Mishra, has been described by Dan Walsh as “one of the top banjo players in the country.”
They met during the 2020 Making Tracks residency, later recording together in Maputo and debuting their live show on a UK tour in July 2024, blending timbila, mbira and percussion with banjo, guitar and low whistle.
This show features Ford Collier (Mishra, The Drystones) on low whistle and guitar.
7.30 pm
£16/£17
https://www.bridport-arts.com/book/?id=443382
Kate Griffin (UK) and Matchume Zango (Mozambique) fuse banjo and timbila in a bold, contemporary celebration of global tradition
An acclaimed timbila player from Zavala, the heartland of Mozambique’s timbila tradition, Zango works internationally across performance, theatre and film. Griffin, an internationally touring clawhammer banjo player with Indo-folk collective Mishra, has been described by Dan Walsh as “one of the top banjo players in the country.”
They met during the 2020 Making Tracks residency, later recording together in Maputo and debuting their live show on a UK tour in July 2024, blending timbila, mbira and percussion with banjo, guitar and low whistle.
This show features Ford Collier (Mishra, The Drystones) on low whistle and guitar.
£18/£17
7:30pm
https://www.bridport-arts.com/event/kate-griffin-matchume-zango
Banding Together summer weekends provide advanced and fluent English system concertina players with the opportunity to join with others of similar proficiency to play as a big concertina band. The music is varied and challenging but help with preparation is provided. The result is an electrifying big band sound!
The weekend is for advanced and fluent English system concertina players to play as a big concertina band under expert direction. The music is varied and challenging but help with preparation is provided. The result is an electrifying big band sound!
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/j25-banding-together-1
Willow are an all female contemporary folk trio comprising Anne Cunningham on guitar and main vocals, Christina Snell on fiddle and Jane Whaley on clarinet and whistle. They create a unique sound with a variety of songs and tunes, and have recently begun composing their own songs.
The Coffee Bar opens from 7.00pm beforehand and during the interval, offering fresh filter coffee or tea. We will also have a range of soft drinks and snacks for sale (NB for cash only). You are welcome to bring your own refreshments, but please note that there is a no-alcohol policy in the church building.
Music starts at 7.30pm with the first hour open to anyone who wants to sing or play. Floorsingers are invited to arrive early to sign up in the book on the evening, but as space is often limited you are welcome to email beforehand to book a slot. We try to ensure that everyone gets at least one song, but we operate a first come/first served policy.
Our guest artists perform from about 9.00pm and we finish music at 10.00pm. Our Folk Nights are free to enter, but please remember to come prepared with cash to make a generous donation to our guest performers.
www.laurieguitars.co.uk
For more information contact Laurie Burn laurieguitars AT gmail.com 07854 750545
+ Special Guest Martha Tilston
Part Of Frome Festival 2026
Eliza Carthy will be performing a very special live show with special guest opening artist, Martha Tilston on the final night of Frome Festival 2026!
In the wake of Martin Carthy’s unexpected recent retirement, Eliza has drawn together a community of varied and talented musicians, all of whom have played a role in Martin’s outstanding career. These artists will share the stage with Eliza, honouring and celebrating Martin’s immense legacy and musical back catalogue.
This evening will present a rolling cast of admirers, colleagues and surprise guests, performing an entirely new set featuring some of Martin’s best loved work from all eras of his career, spanning from his debut to final albums, via Waterson:Carthy and beyond.
Martin Carthy is a legendary ballad singer and guitarist who has influenced generations of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, while Eliza has been twice-nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and a multiple-award winner at the BBC Radio Two Folk awards.
In recognition of his illustrious career Martin was recently shortlisted for the 2025 Mercury Prize for his wonderful new solo record Transform Me Then Into A Fish. This album both marks his 84th birthday in May 2025, and offers a full circle moment in his music journey as he revisits material from his very first (eponymous) solo record released in 1965.
With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Martha Tilston has developed a successful musical career with a large and loyal following worldwide.
She has played on some of the world’s most prestigious stages and festivals, recorded and released several critically acclaimed albums, gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer, appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with the some of the world’s most inspiring musicians.
The past few years have seen Martha venture in to the world of film making, gaining nominations for best arts film for The Clifftop Sessions and recently releasing her first feature film (with an accompanying Soundtrack Album) – The Tape – which is garnering much praise and excitement.
This event has a minimum age requirement of 10. Attendees under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
7.00 pm
£28 (advance) + booking fee
https://www.cheeseandgrain.com/events/eliza-carthy/
Dave is a former member of former UK Blues Band of the Year The Producers. Stompin' Dave was nominated for a UK Blues Award 2014 & 2024. Dave has consistently given over one hundred performances per year across the UK and beyond, including many major festivals such as Glastonbury, Camp Bestival, and Bestival.
Dorset based Stompin' Dave has worked exclusively as a musician performing across the UK and beyond. Dave started to perform with the stage name Stompin' Dave twenty years ago. Since then he has released forty albums, and made well over two hundred festival appearances, including some major ones such as Glastonbury, Camp Bestival, and Bestival.
free
4.30pm - 6.30pm
Phone: 01202 673517
www.stompinstore.com
Join Granny's Attic (Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne, George Sansome, Lewis Wood) for an intensive week of playing and arranging.
This course is a chance for instrumentalists to get to grips with some new tunes and think about how you can start to make them your own, in small groups and a supportive environment. Cohen, George and Lewis will help you to think about your role in an ensemble, how to make the most of what a tune has to offer, and why listening is as important as playing... You'll be aiming, with their guidance, for an arrangement that can be showcased before their Thursday night gig (though only if you feel comfortable to do so). There'll also be plenty of time for discussion, whole group improvisation (using the tunes and skills you've developed over the week), and informal sessions in the bar, as well as time to pick the band's brains about their inspirations, approach and processes.
Instrumentalists of intermediate level, and above. This course is not suitable for beginners. If you came to last year’s course, this will be the same format, but with different tunes (there will naturally be some crossover of subject matter).
With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny’s Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House.
The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. In May 2025, they released their latest album, Cold Blows The Wind, a new collection of songs and instrumentals that sees them reach new heights both as performers, interpreters, and composers.
Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (he/him), George Sansome (he/him), Lewis Wood (he/him)
www.grannysattic.org.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/arranging-with-grannys-attic-2026
With exceptional musicianship and boundless energy, Granny’s Attic are going from strength to strength. Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (melodeon, anglo concertina, vocals), George Sansome (guitar, vocals) and Lewis Wood (violin, vocals) have honed their skills touring the UK and Europe since 2009. They are much loved by audiences up and down the country, with bookings everywhere from Cambridge Folk Festival to Cecil Sharp House.
They’ll be supported in their gig at Halsway by course participants - the first set showcasing what everyone has been working on during their course, followed by music from the band in the second half. If we know the Granny’s though, they might add a certain something to the first half too…
The trio have been heralded for their lively performances and skilled delivery of traditional material, playing with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. Though grounded in tradition, they are keen to push new boundaries by exploring fresh approaches and writing their own compositions. In October 2021, they released their latest album, The Brickfields, an instrumental collection that sees them reach new heights both as performers and composers.
8.00 pm
Full Price £12
Concession (full-time students) £6
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-grannys-attic
with Su Hart, Helen Curtis, Sandro Shar
Pitchfolk is an intimate and friendly weekend of singing, centred on workshops featuring different singing traditions from around the world, taught be experienced experts specialising in those traditions. This year we have Baka polyphony, Swiss folk singing, and songs from the West of Georgia.
This will be the fifth Pitchfolk weekend, and we have a fascinating line up of teachers this year, with three very disparate musical traditions, linked by a common theme: 2026 is the year of the yodel! If you want to better understand the difference between your 'head' and 'chest' voices, and how to switch between them and make use of both, yodelling is the perfect way to play with that.
Weekend and individual workshop tickets available
Contact Neil McKay: 07703272510
pitchblend.gigs AT gmail.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/pitchblend/2055113
Family-friendly ceilidh raising money for the World Scout Jamboree 2027.
Booking:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/ashers-jamboree-ceilidh
Adults £10; under 18s £5
7.30 - 10.00 pm
Contact Emma Higgs: 07811 542653
ecchiggs AT gmail.com
St Wulfrics Folk Club
An evening with Maggotts Diversions, 6 local musicians with a wide range of traditional music at their fingertips. Expect slip jigs, reels, shanties, airs, polkas, jigs, bourrées, rants and songs. Instruments include, english concertina, fiddles, guitar, accordion, melodeon, hurdy gurdy, shruti box, penny whistle, bodhrán and church bell!
Licensed bar, refreshments
Proceeds to go towards the Raise the Roof fund.
£10 in advance (online tickets available see contact webpage below), £12 on the door.
Please support this special evening of entertainment
£10
Doors open 6.30, concert starts at 7.30
Contact Julian Brooks: 07980 706838
jbrooks976 AT gmail.com
https://handsontv.co.uk/live-session/19
An Audience with Polly and Paul
(Fund raising for Bridport Folk Festival)
“An audience with Polly and Paul”, will be an evening of two halves, featuring the talents of Polly Morris and Paul J Openshaw.
Polly has been described as “A whirlwind of song and theatre all combined in a package, which leaves audiences gasping. Whilst best known for the excellent comedy songs, you shouldn’t overlook the quality of the ballads”. Tony Birch (Fatea Magazine). www.pollymorris.co.uk
Having met with Grandad Paul Openshaw “You will want to spend 45 minutes in his company, for it’s like having an everyday conversation with an acquaintance, in whose presence you feel comfortable, exchanging common views and sharing genial confidences”. David Hartman (Fatea Magazine). www.paulopenshaw.com.
The event is being held in Bridport Town Hall on 18th July. Doors open at 7pm. There will be a bar. There will also be a raffle. Seats can be reserved by calling or messaging Paul on 07802 597319. Further details about this event can be found at www.bridportfolkfestival.com
£10
Doors open 7pm
Contact Paul: 07802 597319
pauljopenshaw AT btinternet.com
www.bridportfolkfestival.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.: 01929 450587
info AT artsreach.co.uk
https://artsreach.co.uk/event/the-cartographers
This entertaining duo bring a carefully curated repertoire plus self-penned songs drawing on early bluegrass, old-time mountain music, country blues and their own Scots-Irish Roots. Influences range from The Stanley Brothers, The Carter Family, Doc Watson and Hazel Dickens through to Patsy Cline. They present an authentic sound driven by guitars, clawhammer banjo and percussive Appalachian step dancing. Tickets available from www.caryfordhall.co.uk
£10 advance / £12 on door
7.30 pm
Contact Helen
helen AT caryfordhall.co.uk
www.caryfordhall.co.uk
Folk concert with animation and pop-up choir
Amy is an artist and musician inspired by folklore, fairytales, psychology, nature and the trials of being human. She writes, sings and produces original folk songs, often using thick blankets of harmony and field recordings from nature. She accompanies those songs with drawings, embroidery, needle-felted characters and stop motion animation, stitching together both the sounds and the pictures of the stories in her head.
This special, one-off event, combines and celebrates the various strands of Amy’s work. There will be a performance from her band, the Amy Hopwood Trio (with Siubhan O’Neill on double bass and Sherida Katerina on violin), interwoven with her animated music videos and, of course, plenty of tea and cake. If you arrive early enough*, she’ll also teach you a song so you can be part of a pop-up choir performing with the band later that afternoon!
Tickets are strictly limited, so please purchase in advance.
£6 to £14
2pm (*or 1pm for pop-up choir rehearsal!)
Finishes: 4pm
Contact Amy Hopwood: Box office: 0333 666 3366
info AT amyhopwood.co.uk
https://www.ticketsource.com/amy-hopwood/t-vxmpvlk
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.: 01258 820458
info AT artsreach.co.uk
https://artsreach.co.uk/event/the-cartographers
Step into the world of 18th-century elegance and energy with “Post-Playford Dances”, an immersive week-long workshop exploring the social country dances that followed the era of 'The Dancing Master' published by John and Henry Playford. This unique workshop offers a deep dive into the lively and elegant dances of the Georgian period with expert guidance and glorious live music.
Expect joyful days of dancing, beautiful live music, engaging historical context, and sociable evenings of practice and performance. Learn dances once enjoyed in drawing rooms and assembly halls, explore technique and style, and share in the delight of historical dance reimagined for today. Join us and bring the 18th century back to life—one step at a time!
This workshop is open to dancers with some experience of Playford, Regency or country dancing, rather than complete beginners. The atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive, and supportive, allowing everyone to dance at their own pace while developing confidence, skill, and musicality. Each session is thoughtfully structured to help participants grow in knowledge and enjoyment.
Georgia Delve is a professionally trained dancer, ballet teacher, and historical dance caller, specialising in the social country dances of the Regency and wider Georgian periods. She has performed in historical projects for TV and film, and choreographed for stage productions both in the UK and internationally. Georgia is passionate about keeping historical dance alive and accessible for all. Her teaching style is warm, informative, and inclusive, ensuring each participant feels supported and inspired throughout the week.
Dance workshops and evening balls will be brought to life by the acclaimed Warleggan Village Band. Comprising Richard Heacock, Matthew Coatsworth, and Chris Green, the band was originally formed in 2014 for BBC TV’s Poldark and has become a favourite at dance events across the UK and beyond. With appearances in both Poldark and Netflix’s Bridgerton, they bring an infectious energy and inventive flair to English country dance music. Their repertoire spans dances from Playford collections through to Regency favourites, providing a vibrant and authentic soundtrack to your dancing journey.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/post-playford-dances-2026
£4.00 per person and that gets you live music, a different caller per event and a cuppa with cake at half time!
It's a very social evening and you can dance whenever you want to or sit down and have a chat with members.
7.30 - 9.30 pm
Contact Neil Arnold: 01460 234693
neil.j.arnold AT gmail.com
Our accordion workshop weekend is a chance for Level 1 to Level 3 accordionists to grab a whole bag of pick’n’mix techniques and tips from three brilliant players and tutors.
Course leader Paul Hutchinson leading UK folk accordionist and composer Amy Thatcher and musician and historian Danny Pedler.
The weekend offers workshops honing technique, repertoire and interpretation of folk tunes and accompaniment, as well as a chance to look at creating your own tunes and playing together. There will also be time for informal evening sessions and tune sharings.
This course is for Beginner to Intermediate players. We recommend having a look at our accordion course levels to find out if this course would be suitable for you.
You’ll need to be able to read music, and in the higher levels, know your way around your instrument with some degree of confidence. If you consider yourself to be Level 1, a willingness to learn is key! You’ll also need to have your own instrument.
Paul Hutchinson studied piano and church organ before being persuaded at the age of 17 to take up the accordion and form a ceilidh band. Since then he’s become one of the best-known and in-demand players on the folk scene. In the UK and beyond, he was one half of duo Belshazzar’s Feast, and a member of Hoover the Dog, Pagoda Project (with Karen Wimhurst), and PLF. Paul is a regular tutor and musician at Halsway Manor, and has been the accordion tutor for EFDSS at Cecil Sharp House.
Amy Thatcher a North East England-based accordionist, is one of the UK’s leading folk musicians, known for collaborations with Kathryn Tickell, Sting, The Shee, and Monster Ceilidh Band. A Newcastle University Folk Music graduate, her career includes international performances, solo albums, and cross-genre projects, earning acclaim for her innovation in global folk music.
Danny Pedler (Tarren, Pedler//Russell) is a musician and historian rooted in the English Folk tradition. Performing with Accordion, Hurdy-Gurdy and voice Danny works with traditional tunes, songs and tales to make new music that moves people. Danny believes that Folk music is a unique vehicle for raising modern issues; a musical culture deeply rooted in humanity that unites us and allows us to talk. Stylistically, Danny's music is inspired from rhythms found in southern England, especially his native East Anglia. He grew up learning morris tunes and his distinctive accordion style prioritises the lift and bounce of this music while incorporating versatility and finesse.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/accordion-weekend-level-1-3-2026
Kimmeridge Keilidh - All Welcome! No bar, so bring your own drinks & nibbles
Adults £7.50 under 16s £2.50
7:30 - 10:00
Contact Steve & Helen Earwicker: 01929 480737
arish.mel AT btinternet.com
www.earwicker.org/arish_mel.htm
Described as ‘a master of the guitar’ by Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3 In Tune; as 'nothing short of phenomenal' by R’n’R Magazine, and as a ‘highly recommended artist’ by Celtic Connections, Iago Banet creates stories without words, enthralling audiences as he does so.
Influenced by figures such as Merle Travis, Chet Atkins and Tommy Emmanuel, he has released three solo albums, including “A Sunset Wine” (2019), “Iago Banet” (2022) and “TRES” (2023), and he has carried out several highly successful tours throughout the UK, which have included multiple sell-out shows and a fantastic reception from audiences.
Banet has built a reputation as a solo artist in what is known as ‘fingerstyle', showcasing new levels of skill and complexity and receiving outstanding reviews in the process. He has appeared on BBC Radio 3 In Tune twice and has featured on BBC Radio 2's The Blues Show with Cerys Matthews. His versatility and immense talent is reflected in his fusing of styles, including fingerstyle, gypsy jazz, blues, rock, country, dixieland swing, Tex-Mex, pop and folk; and he has performed at renowned festivals and has collaborated with multiple artists.
He is a "one man band" on acoustic guitar, not to be missed.
http://iagobanet.com/
Tickets £16.50 Full Price, £15.50 concessions
8pm
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/2101691
An opportunity for young musicians from the South West and beyond to work with leading folk artists, to develop skills, confidence and creativity, and create a new performance piece.
We’ll be providing an immersive week of music, creativity and fun, in the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Halsway Manor. It will be intensive and challenging, but also supportive and fun! Young musicians will spend the week working together to learn, arrange and rehearse new repertoire, developing musical skills and performance technique, and creating their own interpretations of traditional material. The group will live, work and play together, with opportunities for informal rehearsals and social gatherings to enrich their experience and understanding of the folk arts.
As always we’ll have a fantastic team of tutors, lead by Becki Driscoll, and joining her will be Archie Churchill-Moss, Matt Norman, and Rosie Butler-Hall, with Kerrie Seymour also returning as Pastoral Lead.
The week will end with performances at Sidmouth Folk Festival!
Participants will need to make their own arrangements to get to Sidmouth.
This is an intensive but fun course for young people aged 12-18.
You’ll need to have prior experience as a musician, and some prior experience of folk, perhaps in a school folk band or previous courses at Halsway, and you should be working at a playing level of at least grade 4 and upwards.
Any acoustic instrument is welcome. If your main instrument is piano, you’ll need to bring a digital keyboard and stand with you, and be prepared to take it to Sidmouth as well.
We’ll be teaching predominantly by ear, so if you’re used to reading music you’ll need to be happy to give that a go! It’s important that you want to be creative, work collaboratively with others, and have fun creating a performance that everybody can be proud of.
Please see the Halsway Manor website to Apply
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hyf-intermediate-july-2026
Join us for a merry day of maritime song this August! With performances that include traditional seafaring melodies, original folk songs, ballads, and shanties, the event boasts an exciting line-up of groups from across the South-West. It's set to be a hearty celebration of the sea, right by the sea here at the Marine.
Tickets allow you to enjoy full-day access to the event, with the freedom to leave and re-enter throughout.
Set times TBC.
THE LINE-UP
THE CHANTRY BUOYS
The Chantry Buoys are the hosts of the Lyme Regis Shanty Day. They are a shanty group based in Colyton, a picturesque town, in East Devon. They perform at the Marine every month. Next time you’re in the area, pop along. It’s free!
They also sing at festivals, weddings, private parties, and many more interesting gigs all over the South West. Their main aim is to bring enjoyment and fun to as many as they can while raising money for charities.
LYME BAY MOONRAKERS
Founded in 2020 by Musical Director Mark Hewitt, Lyme Bay Moonrakers is a vocal group of 20 men and women from the Lyme Regis and Axminster areas. The group sing mainly unaccompanied songs of the sea, in bold, new musical arrangements. Folk songs, ballads and shanties, as well as new original songs, feature in their pop-up performances and yearly theatre shows. You can find them singing in 19th century-style costume, supporting local events in Lyme Regis such as the Fossil Festival, the RNLI, the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy, the Lyme Regis Gig Club and many more. Their first CD ‘Songs for the Wellerman’ was released in 2022.
BRIDPORT BROADSIDES
Bridport Broadsides are a disparate collection of old (and not so old) men formed in 2019 and are currently a thriving crew of 14 with total age of 980 and average age of 70. They have a desire to enchant the world with their vocal excellence and sparkling wit (?!) through renditions of shanties and sea songs. In doing so, they have supported a variety of worthy, needy, and good causes, and have performed at various festivals and village fetes and often by invitation in pubs, but have yet to succeed in completely emptying one!
SEVERN WHALERS
The Severn Whalers hail from the banks of the River Severn near Bristol, bringing powerful harmonies, driving rhythms and a deep love of maritime song. Regular performers at festivals across the UK, they deliver traditional shanties and sea songs with warmth, humour and plenty of audience participation—equally at home, on stage, or in the pub.
DORSET WRECKS
Formed in 2013, Dorset Wrecks sea shanty group had their first gig when 5 of the initial 6 members sang in the harbour on MV Freedom to support them in taking disabled people for sea cruises from Weymouth. They rehearse weekly at the Old Town Hall, Weymouth to improve harmonies and take on new songs and have sung at weddings, social events, funerals, Trafalgar nights, Poole Fireworks and also its Sea Food Festival, Camp Bestival, Weymouth Sea Food Festival, and many other festivals.
COUSIN JACK
Cousin Jack are a singing group based in Bude, Cornwall. They are made up of 10 singers and 4 musicians and perform a variety of songs from Irish and folk to Cornish and shanties. They sing with harmony and enjoy performing all over the South West at different events and venues. Their accomplished musicians can perform a range of instrumentals so that the entertainment never stops. They were formed in September 2018. They are proud to have been supported on their journey so far by The Blanchminster Trust also Tintagel Brewery, The Cobweb Inn, Wooda Farm Holiday Park, and Bar 35. Their aim is to share their music whilst having fun with both old and new friends. They are closely linked with the RNLI with 3 operational volunteers and 2 retired crew members.
Starts 12:00 Noon
Adults £15.00
Under 18s £8.00
10% off for members
Book online at any time, or book at the Bridport Tourist Information Centre during normal opening hours, the Marine on Monday mornings 10 – 1, and over the phone on 01308 424901. The displayed price includes a £1 restoration levy.
https://www.marinetheatre.com/lyme-regis-shanty-day/
Practice can be a joyous moment to connect with yourself, your instrument and other musicians around you.
Amateur musicians, especially adults, often have difficulty practising and improving. It’s not just lack of time and the pressures of daily life. Many of us don’t have a set of skills for practising. We’re often self-taught, and just don’t know how to achieve our musical goals effectively or efficiently. In addition, the sheer number of ideas, tunes and styles that are available to us can be overwhelming.
Discover how it feels to connect to yourself and your instrument in ways you haven’t thought of before. Prepare your mind and your body to play with exciting new ideas that you wouldn’t even think of as practice. You’ll learn specific techniques to help you improve faster and feel more positive about your own musicianship.
If you’re someone who would like to work on this sometimes-overlooked skill, spending time with Mel and Judy might be the perfect opportunity for you. This is a chance for self-reflection, guided in big and small groups, and with chances to share experiences with fellow musicians. Any instrument is welcome, and you can be working at any level on your instrument to take part. You don’t need to be able to learn by ear, or read music.
The Team
Mel Biggs is a Morris dancer, tune writer, performer and melodeon teacher based in South Derbyshire, England. Renowned the world over for her perceptive, patient and mindful manner in teaching groups and individuals, Mel is a leading light in the world of online folk music education with her online courses and popular Patreon club ‘Mel’s Angels’. Having been teaching since 2009, Mel has an ever expanding toolkit of techniques at her disposal which she adapts to every new teaching scenario. You can expect a bespoke blend of learning-by-ear, call and response playing, analogies, visualisations and pattern recognition, tune deconstruction, and notation in moderation.
In her performance career, Mel played in trio Moirai with Jo Freya and Sarah Matthews for almost a decade. Together they created 3 albums, and toured the UK and Europe, culminating in their self-penned show ‘Framed: The Alice Wheeldon Story’. Mel trod the boards as an actor-musician in the 2022-2023 UK & Canada tour of ‘Fisherman's Friend's: The Musical’. She has also been part of Jo Freya’s Komposit Young Composers ensemble (with Annie Whitehead, Judith Weir CBE and Chris Woods), and cross-cultural theatre shows Priya Sundar’s Anglo-Southern Indian ‘Morris:Natyam’, and Kate Flatt’s and Adriano Adewale’s Anglo-Brazillian ‘The Oss & The Ox’.
Mel is currently working on the second iteration of her folk music camp for women and marginalised genders ‘FolkUnbound: The Gathering’ with co-founder Lucy Huzzard, coordinating several local community arts projects in her hometown of Swadlincote, and squiring her heritage-obsessed Border Morris side Wilkes’ Gob.
Judy Minot is a music educator and musician, and the author of the award-winning book Best Practice, Inspiration and Ideas for Traditional Musicians. She plays piano, accordions, and fiddle in a range of styles including Celtic, Québécois, Playford, jazz, and contra.
Judy believes in the power of trad/folk music to bring richness to our adult lives. “Amateur” musicians often compare ourselves, in a negative way, to professionals. But being a dedicated musician does not mean you have to make a living by it, or even perform. If you love making music, you deserve to take yourself seriously and love your own playing, no matter your age, your profession, or your level of playing.
Judy herself has never been a professional musician. Instead, she enjoyed a long and successful career in broadcast television and in digital marketing, while playing Celtic/Irish music with Patrick Clifford and Fiona Tyndall, and playing English Country/Playford and contra dances all over the East Coast US. She was on the staff of Folk College, an annual music camp in Pennsylvania, USA. She has recorded with Patrick Clifford, Anna Bosnick, and the band Na’bodach, and her solo CD, Give Us a Tune, is available via streaming on Soundcloud.
Judy holds a 4th degree black belt in the martial art of Kokikai Aikido, which she taught at Rutgers University for 12 years. She is also a certified yoga teacher. She has written regularly for Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and publishes a regular blog on the concepts of Best Practice. She has taught Best Practice workshops online and in person at many camps and festivals including Ashokan Northern Week, Northeast Heritage Music Camp, and the Northeast Squeeze-In. Judy currently resides in Ireland.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/practise-smarter-2026
Welcome to Ensemble 19/25 - Halsway’s new skills development opportunity for musicians aged 19 - 25!
The focus for the week will be the development of ensemble skills, composition, arranging (both instrumental and vocal), in preparation for a performance at the end of the week. You’ll work intensively, covering topics at a pace before trying them out, honing them and using them to create new work with other like-minded musicians.
This new course aims to bridge the gap between the Halsway Young Folk courses and our general course programme - you’ll recognise the team from previous HYF Advanced courses, but participants will be treated as adults while they’re here. The timetable will be structured around the workshops and won’t include pastoral-focused activities.
Draft timetable
Monday - Material collection and composition
Tuesday - Musicianship (harmony, rhythm, articulation, ensemble etiquette)
Wednesday - Arrangement
Thursday - Arrangement and honing
Friday - Performance (venue TBC)
All musicians aged between 19 and 25, who can play their chosen instrument(s) confidently, and enjoy playing and collaborating with others. You’ll have some experience of playing with others, and you might have taken part in a youth folk opportunity previously (i.e HYF, NYFE, NYFTE etc.). If you have aspirations of being a professional musician or educator, this is a great place to hone those skills.
Archie Churchill-Moss’s journey through the musical landscape is one of rich collaboration and unwavering commitment to the diatonic button accordion—a craft that has earned him widespread acclaim and reverence.
A pioneer in combining folk music with live electronics and a celebrated composer, Archie’s innovative approach seamlessly blends traditional idioms with contemporary composition. His keen attention to modern influences has enabled him to create soundscapes that expand the horizons of folk music. His music has resonated widely, receiving multiple plays on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 3.
Archie's career as a session musician is a testament to his versatility and skill. He has collaborated with esteemed folk and traditional artists such as Seth Lakeman, Sam Sweeney, Cara Dillon, Jim Moray, Eliza Carthy, Sam Kelly, and Sam Carter.
Beyond the stage, Archie’s role as an educator amplifies his impact on the musical landscape. As a Principal Lecturer at Leeds Conservatoire, he has developed a teaching style characterised by warmth and insight, guiding musicians to discover their own voices within the rich tradition of folk music. His expertise also extends to the master’s program at the University of Limerick, where he works closely with postgraduate students to develop their instrumental performance skills.
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.
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/ensemble-1925-august-2026
If you love folk music with a local flavour, The Boyd Shaw Trio will be sharing their unique arrangements of traditional songs collected in Somerset, as well as original pieces inspired by Somerset’s rich history and landscape. Amanda and Dan have previously released many of these songs individually and are now working together on new collaborative recordings.
£10 advance / £12 on door
4.00 - 6.00 pm
Contact Helen Leary
hlleary AT hotmail.co.uk
www.caryfordhall.co.uk
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
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 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
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/
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
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
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
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/
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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