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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Music session with occasional songs. Mainly English tunes, other styles welcome.
Everyone welcome to join in.
Free
3.00-6.00 pm
Contact Mandy Waltham: 07816 178040
Mandy.Waltham AT googlemail.com
Join us for the GreenMatthews Midwinter Getaway – a relaxing weekend of fun and festivities in the sumptuous surroundings of Halsway Manor with hosts Chris Green and Sophie Matthews.
GreenMatthews are well-known for their touring Christmas shows such as A Brief History of Christmas, A Christmas Carol and Midwinter Revels.
This weekend holiday is an opportunity to get up close and personal with Chris and Sophie and enjoy a weekend of music and merrymaking.
The Midwinter Getaway is very much about fun and relaxation, rather than Halsway’s usual intensive workshop-type weekends. With good food and good company, the house is the perfect place to gather with old friends and meet new ones. Free time will be an important part of the weekend, giving you the opportunity to explore the surrounding area or simply relax by the log fire with a glass of something warming.
If you play an instrument (to any level) then please do bring it along. If you don’t play, bring a voice, and if you’re not comfortable with either, please bring an appreciative pair of ears or a pair of dancing feet. There’ll be feasting, drinking, carolling and storytelling as well as a wintry walk across the beautiful Quantock Hills (the oldest area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK).
www.chrisgreenmusic.co.uk
www.sophiematthewsmusic.co.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/greenmatthews-midwinter-getaway-2026
Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evening
Barn Dance evening. Usual easy and fun dances, friendly atmosphere, but no bar. BYO if you wish. No need to come with a partner.
£7.50
7.15 for 7.30 - 9.15
Contact Jenny and Ian Edlin: 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
Following on from A Christmas Carol: In Concert and A Brief History of Christmas, GreenMatthews present their new festive show. Spanning several centuries, GreenMatthews’ Midwinter Revels is a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with GreenMatthews’ trademark wit and humour.
8pm
£12 Concession (full-time students) £6
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-midwinter-revels
Christmas Carol Concert
Admission by donations
2:30 - 4.30 pm
Contact Olive: 01460 30539
stanchesterquire.org
Christmas concert
3.00pm
Details from Olive, tel. 01460 30539
Email tankeram AT outlook.com
Once again we’re opening our doors to professional folk artists* at all stages of their careers wanting a place to write, rehearse, recharge, relax, and be creative. We’re offering full board – accommodation and all meals – from dinner on Monday evening until breakfast on Friday. You’ll be here alongside other artists so if you’re someone who likes to share ideas, experiences, advice and support, then this could be right up your street.
Booking is by application. We are limiting this opportunity to around 20-25 artists, and we’ll be asking for a financial contribution of £140 towards your place (subsidised by Halsway Manor).
Halsway Manor, set in beautiful West Somerset has a variety of resources, including the biggest folk library collection outside of London, large and small rehearsal spaces, and a lovely wood-panelled bar (with log fire, naturally). There’s direct footpath access from the Manor onto the Quantock Hills, the coast is 10 minutes’ drive away, and there are views to Exmoor from our door. Nearest mainline station is Taunton, from which there’s a regular bus service stopping an easy 5 minute walk from our door.
*By ‘professional folk artists’ we mean artists – musicians / singers / writers / dancers / theatre-makers etc – who use traditional material either directly or indirectly to inform their paid work. Applications from students / early-stage career artists are as welcome as those from established artists. Previous applicants and attendees are welcome to apply again, though we may take this into account when making our final decisions. We base these decisions on the answers you give in your applications, so be sure to include any information you’d like us to consider as part of our shortlisting.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/open-house-january-2026
Ahoy there—local group The Chantry Buoys sing traditional sea shanties and other well known songs. Join them for a fun sing-along with local drinks, old seafaring melodies, and maritime frolics.
Based in Colyton, they sing traditional sea shanties, and other well known songs. They have performed at many Sea Shanty festivals, including Falmouth, Teignmouth, and recently performed on Lyme’s Marine Parade, to close Lifeboat week.
Sea shanties were work songs, set to a rhythm for working, to reduce the monotony of undertaking repetitive tasks aboard ship. But they were also Foc’sle songs, which were storytelling verses to be listened to at leisure, to remind sailors of home and these helped to keep alive traditions and record local events and people.
7:30 P.M.
Free entry - no tickets
https://www.marinetheatre.com/the-shanty-sessions-48/
Our popular Klezmer weekend course returns, now as a long weekend, with Susi Evans, Szilvia Csaranko, Indra Buraczewska and Flora Curzon at the helm to inspire you to explore this celebratory, soulful and melodic music from nineteenth century Jewish Eastern Europe.
Learn some great tunes and gain knowledge of the modes, ornamentation, rhythms and accompaniment that give klezmer its unique flavour. Play in an orchestra led by four of Europe’s top klezmer specialists, join a small ensemble where you can develop your arrangement skills and learn tips and tricks on your instrument to play music in a klezmer style. There will also be an informal tutors’ concert and plenty of opportunity for jamming in the bar!
We’ve added an extra night to our Klezmer music course to give you a bit more time to work with the tutors and play together. Sunday will now be a full day of workshops instead of ending after cream tea. Although we ask that you check out by 12pm on Monday morning, you may leave earlier if necessary.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/klezmer-weekend-2026
Our seasonal ceilidhs have become so popular lately that Tatterdemalion has sought a new, larger venue! So join us once again to dance away those winter blues, this time at the Hardye Theatre.
Dorchester-based Tatterdemalion play 200-year-old folk tunes for dancing for a fun evening at what has become something of a tradition over the past few Januarys. An experienced caller will teach the dances, so no foreknowledge or experience is required. Nor do you need a partner; someone will take you by the hand. The bar will be available to quench a danced-up thirst. A treat for those who enjoy the simpler things in life, such as fine company, good music, and energetic dancing!
5.30pm
All Tickets £5
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2025/11/20/sat-10-january-the-big-dorset-midwinter-ceilidh-kiddies-keilidh/
Our seasonal ceilidhs have become so popular lately that Tatterdemalion has sought a new, larger venue! So join us once again to dance away those winter blues, this time at the Hardye Theatre.
Dorchester-based Tatterdemalion play 200-year-old folk tunes for dancing for a fun evening at what has become something of a tradition over the past few Januarys. An experienced caller will teach the dances, so no foreknowledge or experience is required. Nor do you need a partner; someone will take you by the hand. The bar will be available to quench a danced-up thirst. A treat for those who enjoy the simpler things in life, such as fine company, good music, and energetic dancing!
£13/£7 U20s & Low Waged
7.30pm
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2025/11/20/sat-10-january-the-big-dorset-midwinter-ceilidh-kiddies-keilidh/
Sunday 11th January - with guest tutor, Ben Moss
Sunday 22nd February - with guest tutor, Chas Blacker
Sunday 22nd March - with guest tutor, Thomas Gold
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 10th May - with guest tutor, Jon Dyer
1.30- 4.30pm
Tickets available via the website or on the door www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
Julia: 07527 508 277
Leveret return to Halsway Manor for their popular musicians’ week, this time taking place in winter. We’ll light the fire and you bring the creativity...
Leveret features three of England’s finest folk musicians – Andy Cutting, Rob Harbron, Sam Sweeney – in an acclaimed collaboration, and we’re delighted to welcome them back to Halsway to lead this musicians’ workshop. Every year this workshop sells-out well in advance, and numbers are limited, so book early to secure your place!
Leveret’s music involves playing together spontaneously without using arrangements. This workshop week for instrumentalists will explore ways of playing together intuitively in ensembles of varying size, as well as discussing repertoire development and composition. Some of the sessions will be discussion-focused, with more practical work as the week progresses.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/leveret-musicians-week-2026
Phil Beer is the multi-instrumental half of the west country’s award-winning acoustic duo, Show of Hands. With a professional career of over 36 years, Phil has a great deal of material to draw on for his solo appearances, which are an eclectic mix of traditional tunes, covers of Springsteen or The Hollies, together with his own compositions and songs from his contemporaries.
All are songs and music of memory and significance sung in the subtle and melodic Phil Beer style and interjected with musings and amusings to an almost personal audience. It is a treat of past and current favourites from one of the most popular musicians on the acoustic circuit.
7.30pm (doors 7pm)
£22
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2025/10/07/thurs-15-january-phil-beer/
Dance, music and masque at the court of Elizabeth I
This lively weekend is based on re-creating the Masque of Diana and Actaeon, performed at the court of Elizabeth I. Tutors are Ann Hinchliffe, Anne Daye and Sam Brown. You'll learn Elizabethan social and court dances as a basis for our version of the masque, with sung and spoken parts for people willing to have a go. Friday and Saturday evenings will offer some social dancing — a chance for anyone with Tudor-style costumes to wear them -- and a talk on the historical background. After rehearsals on Sat afternoon and Sunday morning, we'll perform the masque on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend is organised by the Historical Dance Society but you don't have to be a member. Beginners and improvers will learn with Ann Hinchliffe; if you have some dance experience (any style) you can join Anne Daye's class. For the first time we have a music tutor, international lutenist Sam Brown. Any portable acoustic instrument (pitch 440) welcome, if you can read music; music will be sent in advance. Please let us know your level. Tutors are experienced, knowledgeable and friendly.
Information about what to bring will be sent nearer the time. Please email Thedancingmaster AT outlook.com or annhinchliffe AT hotmail.com if you have any questions.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/the-historical-dance-society-weekend
Exciting and poignant music from the wonderful Eastern European Klezmer and Balkan traditions from 4 piece band Zeffe. Expect voice, violin, clarinet, accordion, double bass, darabouka and more.
Tickets from the Town Hall, Green Dragon Bookshop, TicketSource or via zeffe.music AT gmail.com
£15 (or £13 for members of Crewkerne U3A)
7.30 ( doors open 7.00)
Contact Chris Edmunds: 07530 103228
zeffe.music AT gmail.com
zisforzeffe.wixsite.com/zeffe/
Barn Dance
The hall is on the left when travelling north. The only street light along the main road is on the hall. Roadside parking.
All are welcome, no experience necessary. We enjoy an evening with live music and a caller who will guide you through all the dances. You don't need to bring a partner. No refreshments other than water provided, feel free to bring your own.
Do come along have some fun and laughter.
£7.50. Accompanied under 16 free
7.15 for 7.30 - ends 9.30
Contact Sally Condon: 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT icloud.com
Ceilidh/energetic barn dance with the amazing Banter band and caller Tim Walker Banter comprise Simon Care on melodeon and concertina, Nina Zella on keyboards & vocals, Tim Walker on drums, percussion, brass, guitar, bass & vocals and Mark Jolley on bass, fiddle, guitar & vocals. Banter are both steeped in English tradition yet uniquely cutting edge, weaving in influences from other musical genres - these qualities have ensured that they feature at all the major folk festivals. Their infectious, rhythmical dance tunes will get you up and dancing and Tim Walker will be multi-tasking by acting as your caller for the evening!
This event is open to all ages and abilities - no previous experience required.
Please note there is no bar at this event so you will need to bring your own drinks. Water on tap.
Profits from this ceilidh will be donated to local charity Time is Precious (Charity Ref No 1141671) which aims to create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for children and their families in hospital or at home.
7.30 - 11.00 pm
Adult £15.00, Student £10.00, Child age 7-16 £5.00, Child under 7 FREE
https://bathceilidhs.wixsite.com/info/event-details/banter-ceilidh
Winter Warmer is a fun and friendly folk break to get your year off to a great start! Expect a range of activities - all optional - including dances, dance workshops, music workshops, games, quizzes, singing, craft activities, and hopefully a walk or two, depending on the weather.
You'll be guided by the Winter Warmer team: Sue Irving, Jane and Mark Hunter are your hosts for the event and will lead some fun and games to keep everyone relaxed and entertained; Madeleine Smith - well-known to many as a friendly and knowledgeable caller - will lead the dancing, assisted by Jane and Mark; and musicians Dampiers' Round (Peter & Moira Gutteridge) will lead music for dancing and also offering workshops for musicians. There will also be opportunities for anyone attending to call a dance or run an activity, if they so wish.
A friendly relaxed atmosphere, and lots to do – for me, a perfect Winter ‘pick-me-up'
There will be a range of activities to keep you entertained including daily music and dance workshops, plus afternoon activities and walks for those who want to get out into the fresh air. Dances every evening, with the option for you to play in the band or call a dance should you so wish, before retiring to the bar to enjoy the convivial relaxed atmosphere of the manor.
This break begins with an introductory meeting in the bar at 5pm, before dinner at 6.30pm, which is followed by the Welcome Dance.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/winter-warmer-january-2026
We’re delighted to be working with Leveret – three of England’s finest folk musicians – again to offer this intensive weekend exploring ensemble playing, aimed exclusively at young adults, aged 18 to 30(ish) looking for folk music development.
During their first decade together, Leveret’s captivating interaction and intimate presentation style charmed audiences, helping the trio build a loyal following, and demonstrating the enduring appeal and endless potential of the folk tune.
All three are experienced teachers and workshop leaders, sharing a commitment to developing the next generation of folk musicians, and Leveret are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all participants both during and outside workshops.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/leveret-18-30s-weekend-2026
Formed by Aaron Collis and Mark Manning, Rum Ragged takes a bold approach to the distinct Folk music of their home, the Eastern Canadian Island of Newfoundland. Boasting bouzouki, fiddle, bodhran, banjo, guitar and button accordion, these new champions of East Coast music enliven and enlighten audiences with both songs and tune sets which they deliver with an honest swagger that is far beyond their years.
With reverence for their roots and a creative, contemporary edge, this young band have quickly become known as the finest purveyors of their great living musical tradition. Rum Ragged is not your run-of-the-mill Folk band, they are the genuine article.
8:00 PM
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions.
www.rumragged.com
https://www.thedavidhall.com
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
The High Grange sold-out Burns Night returns
The annual Scottish knees-up is a great excuse to dance away the January blues. Enjoy a fantastic Scottish haggis feast provided by Edinburgh-born Sara and Luke from High Grange Devon (bringing their award-winning Feast and BBQ Fire School experience) with piper Ben Scott followed by a traditional Cèilidh (Scottish dance).
Whether you choose to come along to both the Supper and the Ceildih, or just turn up to dance at the Ceilidh this promises to be fantastic evening.
Bar opens 7:00 P.M.
Starts 7:00 P.M.
Advance: supper & céilidh £56.00
Advance: céilidh £16.00
On the door: céilidh £19.00
10% off for members
https://www.marinetheatre.com/burns-night-2/
Reg Meuross and Boo Hewerdine are delighted to be returning to Halsway Manor in Somerset to run a third songwriting retreat together
This retreat is a wonderful opportunity for songwriters of all levels to forget about the rest of the world and immerse themselves in their writing amongst like-minded people, and well-supported by Reg and Boo and founder of Company of Song / music manager / artist mentor Katie Whitehouse.
The programme includes group and individual tasks to stretch and challenge, opportunities to collaborate, a chance to play songs to Reg and Boo for feedback (song clinics), song sharing with the group, Q&A sessions, space to write brand new songs, time to relax at the bar, and to enjoy good food and good fun.
As well as running workshops and song clinics throughout the three days Reg and Boo will perform a live gig on Thursday night (free for retreat participants and tickets available soon for the public).
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/winter-songwriting-with-reg-meuross-boo-hewerdine-2026
Our popular Bagpipe workshop weekend returns in 2026, running alongside the Hurdy Gurdy Weekend, in a frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things!
This is a course for complete beginners. You will be finding out how the instrument works, posture, tuning, basic techniques, and simple repertoire to enjoy when learning to play. Most of the learning will be by ear with music scores provided to support your learning. We will aim to have a bit of fun too!
Instruments will be available for course participants to borrow. You will need to let us know when booking if you'll require a loan instrument. Sunday night B&B is available for anyone wishing to stay on.
Our thanks to the Bagpipe Society for their support of our beginner bagpipe weekend.
The Bagpipe Society was formed in 1986 to bring together players, makers, researchers and people who love the bagpipes. They've been a great support to Halsway in running this bagpipe workshop weekend over the years - thank you! It’s a great resource for pipers everywhere – check out their website here: www.bagpipesociety.org.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/beginner-bagpipe-weekend-2026
Our popular Bagpipe workshop weekend returns in 2026, running alongside the Hurdy Gurdy Weekend, in a frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things!
This year’s intermediate/advanced course will be led by Sébastien Brebion (Fr). This workshop will be the opportunity to study the specific ornamentation of the Cornemuse du centre! There'll be a focus on technique - rappels, vibratos and other finger gymnastics - but musicality will be the main aim. You’ll take traditional melodies and some compositions to play with rappel, roulades, vibrés…
Outside the workshops, there will be plenty of opportunity to socialise with the other tutors and participants not in your group.
Want to make a long weekend of your trip? For an extra £65, you can stay until Monday morning, including supper and B&B. Please enquire when booking.
This course runs alongside the Beginner Bagpipe Weekend for those not quite ready for the Intermediate / Advanced course.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/bagpipe-weekend-2026
As part of Independent Venue’s Week 2026 Steve Knightley, a highly acclaimed and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter and musician, occupies a prominent position in the Folk/Acoustic and Roots music scene. As a founding member of the revered ‘Show of Hands,’ Knightley’s musical journey is deeply intertwined with a profound connection to geographical places, particularly the West Country, where he currently resides.
His body of work, infused with a profound love of English traditional folk music, the songs of Bob Dylan and the poetry of Ted Hughes showcases a unique ability to craft compositions that authentically bridge historical narratives with contemporary themes.
www.steveknightley.com
8.00 pm
Tickets: £23.50. No concessions
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1859476
Guaranteed to be one of Halsway’s noisiest weekends, this popular Hurdy-Gurdy Weekend runs alongside our Bagpipe Weekend with masterclasses, workshops, sessions and a Saturday night concert/dance. A frenzy of reeds, drones and buzzing things! Early booking advised.
The weekend is hosted by Claire Dugué, hurdy-gurdy maker and repairer, and she’ll be available to help people get the most out of their instruments with tips for maintenance. Our international tutor team includes:
Aline Pilon and Sébastien Tron (Intermediate/Advanced Hurdy Gurdy Workshop – one group each)
Scott Marshall (Beginner Hurdy Gurdy Workshop).
Discussions are welcome before the course to adapt the content to the students. Each tutor will dedicate themselves to a specific group for the full weekend allowing for maximum learning and progression. You will need to decide which tutor you wish to work with and tell us when booking; numbers in each group are limited. Because course places are limited, we aren’t able to take bookings from those not wishing to fully participate in one of the workshop groups (unless you’re coming as the friend or partner of a participant, and sharing a room).
Additional course notes
Aline Pilon’s workshop is suitable for both G and D tunings. Please tell us the tuning of your hurdy gurdy at the time of booking.
Sébastien Tron’s course will focus on the following: Sensitive instrumental technique workshop. Based on a few pieces of dance music, we will work on musical gestures with both hands and seek to feel the contact, touch, and pressure on our instrument. Playful bodywork through rhythm and voice exercises. Keyboard: melodic paths between pentatonic and arpeggio notes, foot-print positions, fingerings, accents, and articulations. Crank: phrasing and bow movement, set pieces, and of course wrist strokes or “coups de poignées! Group work, personalised instruction with individual feedback.
Preferred tuning: G/C. D-string hurdy-gurdy accepted. Please tell us at the time of booking. Sunday night B&B is available for anyone wishing to stay on.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/hurdy-gurdy-bagpipe-weekend-2026
Join us for perhaps the most vibrant gig of the year at Halsway Manor. More pipes and gurdies than you can shake a stick at! Tutors of international reknown are coming to Halsway to lead the popular Pipes and Gurdies weekend. You can experience their magic at this concert performance.
Our International tutor team includes gurdy players Aline Pilon, Sébastien Tron and Scott Marshall and pipers Sébastien Brebion and David Faulkner.
Aline Pilon (Fr) Intermediate/Advance Hurdy-Gurdy started playing the hurdy-gurdy around the age of 12. At the time Aline was dancing in a folk group where she was able to learn the main standards of the Nivernais / Morvan / Berry / Bourbonnais repertoire. She immediately experienced the pleasure of playing for dancers, a pleasure that is still as intense today! Aline’s favourite group is T.O.G. (The Old Guard), we play ball and concert music. She teaches the hurdy-gurdy, in its traditional Central France repertoire, and emphasises the personalisation of each musician's playing: there is no question of training clones! The idea is that she shares her musical toolbox, so that you can take it and / or be inspired by it.
Sébastien Tron (Fr) is a French artist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, arranger, sound designer, artistic director, and cultural facilitator. He is particularly known for the originality of his creations and his ability to generate enveloping sonic images, poetically blending instrument and voice. He exhibits an atypical hurdy-gurdy style, influenced by the phrasing and space of Pat Metheny's synth-guitar, the sonic cosmopolitanism of Bill Frisell, and the explorations of trumpeter Jon Hassell.
Sébastien discovered participatory creations and popular education at an early age. Traditional European dances, classical piano, jazz improvisation, hurdy-gurdy, and percussion in the polyrhythms of West Africa were the cornerstones of his youth.
He founded and was co-artistic director of the multidisciplinary company Antiquarks and Coin Coin Productions from 2004 to 2022. During this prolific period (more than 800 artistic intervention in France, Europe and around the world), he worked in particular with the Native American blues singer Pura Fé and the Senegalese lyricist Souleymane Faye (Xalam), as well as with numerous African choreographers and musicians (Jahkasa, Sayouba Sigué, Famoudou Konaté, Monique Séka, M’Bemba Camara, etc.).
Since 2002, he has collaborated with accordionist Stéphane Milleret in the Mustradem collective (Djal, Illa). They co-produced two comic book concerts with Vocal 26 (Groenland Manhattan, 2015, and Le Fils de l’Ursari, 2022), stories of forced exile inspired by true events.
In 2018, with the help of Barnaby Walters (English luthier and computer scientist), he brought his hurdy-gurdy into the world of polyphonic instruments and created an augmented instrument that combines acoustic, electroacoustic, and digital (MIDI) functions.
Scott Marshall (UK) beginner hurdy-gurdy has been playing hurdy-gurdy since 2005. He has been a regular festival and workshop tutor for the last decade. In 2017 he recorded his first solo album Gurdymania, followed in 2018 by Gurdymania 2, using multiple hurdy-gurdies and effects units. He is currently recording the third and final Gurdymania album before moving onto new folk and metal projects. He will be teaching the beginners class at Halsway focusing on good habits, solid playing skills and creating musical exercises for practice.
Sébastien Brebion (fr) started his formation at the music academy of Calais in the jazz guitar class before discovering the traditional music from the center of France. He then started learning bagpipes with Michel Lebreton and Renaud Hibon to become a teacher himself in another music school in Hauts de France. In parallel, he continued his guitar formation until his graduation in classical guitar. His encounters with musicians from different musical universes made him open to multiple styles and aesthetics. He played in several bands from traditional music from Ireland, Scotland and Berry to medieval music and jazz.
David Faulkner has been playing English Border Pipes for over 30 years. He has played with groups such as Jon Swayne’s Zephyrus and the Eel Grinders. David has toured in Europe, America and Canada. Highlights would be playing at the William Kennedy Piping Festival, the Saint Chartier Festival and the Newcastle Piping Festival. David runs piping courses and teaches pipes regularly. He also runs three community folk orchestras and conducts a mandolin orchestra!
8.00 pm
£12 (Concessions-full time students £6)
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-pipes-gurdies
As part of Independent Venues Week 2026
Nicolas Boulerice - vocals, electro acoustic hurdy-gurdy, piano. André Brunet – fiddle, foot-tapping, vocals. Réjean Brunet – basses, diatonic accordion, jaw harp, piano, vocals. Olivier Demers - fiddle, guitar, foot-tapping, mandolin, vocals. André Gagné - vocals, bouzouki, guitar
The multi-award winning and highly acclaimed Le Vent du Nord is a leading force in Québec’s progressive francophone folk movement. The group’s vast repertoire draws from both traditional sources and original compositions, while enhancing its hard-driving soulful music with a broad range of global influences.
Since its inception in August 2002, Le Vent du Nord has enjoyed meteoric success, performing well over 2,500 concerts over 4 continents and racking up several prestigious awards, including a SONGLINES MUSIC AWARD -Americas (UK, 2023) Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), two Junos (Canada’s Grammys), three FÉLIX at ADISQ (Québec), a Canadian Folk Music Award, and been awarded Artist of the Year at the Folk Alliance annual gala.
The group exhibits great finesse and flexibility, appearing regularly on Canadian, American, French, and UK television and radio, and participating in a wide variety of special musical projects. They’ve collaborated and performed with a diverse range of artists including: Väsen, Sharon Shannon, Harry Manx, singer Julie Fowlis, Dervish, The Chieftains, Yann-Fañch Kemener, Québécois roots legend and master storyteller Michel Faubert, Apiary fiddle band, Breabach and many more.
As an amazing live performance quintet Le Vent du Nord continues to explore new sounds with stunning vocal arrangements. On stage these 5 friends create intense, joyful and dynamic live performances that expand the bounds of tradition in striking directions.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £27.50 Full. £26.50 Concessions
https://leventdunord.com/
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Stompin' Dave performs a broad spectrum of vintage style music including blues, bluegrass, classical, country, folk, jazz, rock n roll, and old time. He is equally capable of providing a whole evening of entertainment in one genre, or mixing it up. Stompin' Dave was nominated for a UK Blues Award 2024.
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 over fifteen 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.
Dave has stomped his way onto the line up of many top folk festivals including Cork, Warwick, Towersey, Priddy, and many other folk and music clubs. Dave's vast repertoire ranges from traditional songs and tunes to vintage covers and his own originals.
free
4.30 - 6.30 pm
Phone: 01202 673517
www.stompinstore.com
venue link: https://www.facebook.com/PortsmouthHoyPooleQuay/
In a shift of emphasis from his mandolin courses over the last few years, Simon will be giving ensemble playing and playing by ear equal attention for a few days. So if you want to perfect that elusive ability to instantly 'play what you hear', alongside brushing up your music and/or tablature reading skills, this is the course for you. There'll be plenty of technique tips along the way, and a chance to talk through with Simon any of your own mandolin related questions.
Workshops will take place each morning, with afternoons free for personal practice, exploring the local area, delving into the library, or impromptu ensemble work.
Simon teaches a further course in the summer - https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/mandolins-with-simon-mayor-2026
Mandolinists, mandola players, mandocellists and mandobassists (are there any out there?) are all invited to this group experience involving some ensemble playing (with easy parts to follow).
All ability levels are welcome, with the exception of complete beginners who may find themselves struggling. Ideally you’ll be able to get from start to finish of a fairly simple tune without stalling, and you’ll be able to read music or tablature to a reasonable standard (if you’re an experienced player but have only ever played by ear, tablature is very easy to learn). If you’re a guitarist or violinist trying a mandolin for the first time, you should be OK, but this is otherwise not going to be suitable for a beginner. Simon will send out PDFs of music/tablature and sound files in advance.
Simon Mayor is one of the world’s leading mandolin virtuosos and composers for the instruments. His many faceted career includes his own series on BBC Radio 2, an album in the Classic FM Top Ten chart and causing mayhem at a Canadian humour festival, but his most thrilling moment was a journey through the square window on BBC’s Playschool!
Simon moves effortlessly between classical, traditional folk, jazz & blues. His dazzling technical skills grace all the music he plays. He’s also a fine guitarist & fiddle player, with a delicious sense of humour & great teaching ability. In 2022, he and Hilary James were awarded honorary directorships of The Classical Mandolin Society of America.
www.mandolin.co.uk
Simon will be joined by Hilary James with her mandobass, she will bringing another instrument along for any aspiring mandobassists!
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/mandolin-with-simon-mayor-2026
Simon Mayor and Hilary James are celebrated across the UK and around the world for their unique blend of virtuosity, versatility, and charm. From evocative Irish ballads to sparkling mandolin and guitar arrangements of Handel, and from exquisite original songs to their much-loved comic numbers, the duo’s performances are a joyful mix of dazzling musicianship and wry humour.
Their easy, informal stage manner has delighted audiences everywhere, from major folk and Celtic festivals to classical and humour festivals as far afield as Canada and Singapore. Regular visitors to Halsway Manor, they also share their expertise as tutors, with a passionate commitment to music education for all ages.
Don’t miss this chance to enjoy an evening of world-class music and entertainment from two of the UK’s most engaging performers.
8pm
Full Price £12 Concession (full-time students) £6
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-simon-mayor-and-hilary-james
Recorders AT Plymouth are back for their annual visit to Halsway Manor, offering an opportunity to explore the huge diversity of recorder orchestra repertoire. The recorder orchestra will be led by a professional conductor to enable players to develop their playing to a better standard, in a supportive environment with convivial company!
Players must be confident ensemble players, able to play both C and F instruments and ideally including bass; in a recorder orchestra there are many more basses, greats and contras, than small instruments. This course is not suitable for beginners or for descant-only players.
Helen Hooker the conductor for the orchestral sessions studied recorder at Trinity and has many years of experience of teaching and conducting. The non orchestral sessions will be conducted by Steve Marshall who is a prolific composer and arranger of recorder music. Steve has conducted many groups of recorder players on a variety of courses.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/recorder-orchestra-weekend-2025-1
The Yarn Market Hotel has a 2 night / 3 day folk dance workshop break, with a programme of activities during the weekend including a trip out to Exmoor’s secret Snowdrop Valley and to take a walk through lovely woodland to view the flowers. The break is on a full board basis including Sunday lunch. The dance will take place on Saturday evening at Willand’s wonderful village hall, with MC Bridget Flett and live music from the Fresh Aire band. Transport to and from the dance venue is included.
£220.00
Contact Yarn Market Hotel: 01643 821425
hotel AT yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
www.yarnmarkethotel.co.uk
Few singers are as celebrated and revered as Cara Dillon. Known for her captivating live performances she seldom fails to leave audiences spellbound. Cara’s breadth of appeal stems from an acclaimed career that includes being signed to legendary indie record label Rough Trade, providing the title track and narration for a Disney film, appearing with Symphony Orchestras in England, Scotland, Ireland and beyond, with contemporary superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, and Sam Smith citing her as an influence. And yet her most successful record to date comprises traditional Irish folk songs released on her own label. As Mojo magazine says, Cara Dillon has “quite possibly the world’s most beautiful female voice”. In this special performance Cara is joined by the acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman.
This performance follows the official release of “Coming Home”, her first new material in almost six years, in which she effortlessly blurs the lines between spoken word and song to stunning effect. She brings to life profoundly personal memories of her native Co. Derry and the people, places, and customs she holds closest to her heart; revealing a freedom to express herself within the tiniest of details and life’s larger mysteries with resonance to the wider world. Skilfully interspersed with songs from her catalogue throughout the set, join Cara and her band as she shares this truly unique and inspiring collection accompanied by original music written by Sam Lakeman. This will be a very special opportunity to experience a revealing and emotive performance by this internationally acclaimed singer – and not one to miss!
7:30 P.M.
Advance £28.00
On the door £35.00
10% off for members
Unreserved Seating
https://www.marinetheatre.com/cara-dillon-5/
Ninebarrow are a multi-award-winning folk duo, who are impressing audiences across the country with their innovative and captivating take on the folk tradition. Described by Mark Radcliffe as sounding like ‘two halves of one voice’, by Seth Lakeman as ‘a fantastic duo’ and by Kate Rusby as ‘absolutely amazing’, Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere combine breath taking vocal harmonies and melodies, delivering songs that are inspired and rooted in the landscape and history of the British Isles. BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominees, their six studio albums have been released to wide-spread critical acclaim including coverage on BBC1’s Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s ‘Front Row’.
£18 (adv) + 65p booking fee, £22 door if available
7.30 pm
Contact Tony King: 07960 471170
admin AT upweymusic.org.uk
www.ninebarrow.co.uk/upwey
Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evening
Barn Dance evening. Usual easy and fun dances, friendly atmosphere, but no bar. BYO if you wish. No need to come with a partner.
£7.50
7.15 for 7.30 - 9.15
Contact Jenny and Ian Edlin: 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
This is a partnership event organised by Folk Camps who are offering a fully catered residential holiday at Halsway Manor, the UK’s National Centre for Folk Art. Expect taster workshops on many different crafts as well as daily music workshops and evening ceilidhs.
The leader for this weekend is Mic Spenceley, with music by Chris Jewell.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-camps-craft-break-2025-1
Dive into the fantastic world of folk harp playing! We're delighted to welcome back Steph West, Stacey Blythe and Fidelma Hanrahan, to lead a weekend of harp workshops and sessions in our annual weekend dedicated to harp playing in a folk context.
This year we have Irish tunes including ornamentation from Irish harper Fidelma Hanrahan, Welsh traditional music and composition with Stacey Blythe, and Steph West will be focusing on session skills, using a variety of tunes. All tutors will rotate through our three classes: beginners, improvers and intermediate/advanced.
Using a range of repertoire we'll explore the music, arrangements and techniques for playing the harp in traditional music, and there'll be classes for players of all levels.
There will be a tutors’ concert on Saturday evening and plenty of time for informal playing and socialising!
This weekend is for players of any level, or anyone who is interested in getting started. Our Folk Harp Weekend will require more advanced players to work by ear, with music provided at the end.
For complete beginners, and those who have taken a beginners course but want a refresher. Working on basic technique, making a great sound and learning how to play in comfort. We work slowly and carefully with more individual attention.
Steph West is providing harp hire again for anyone who does not have their own instrument yet. This will need to be booked in advance so let us know at the time of booking if you wish to reserve one of these.
Our improvers class is for players who can already perform a simple tune. If you can play a simple Christmas carol with a simple left hand then this is for you. We’ll work steadily and calmly on building your skills and include some technique work if needed.
Our intermediate/advanced class is for players who want to try faster tunes with more complicated music.
Harpist and singer Steph West works as a performer, teacher and workshop leader. She embraces both English and Irish trad styles, working with artists and organisations in both fields. Steph currently plays with the English Harp Project, celebrating English folk tunes on the harp through concerts and workshops. The only harpist with 9.5 fingers, Steph works within the integrated/disabled arts world as a performer with the British Paraorchestra and RNS Moves, and has mentored for Open Up Music who are pioneering the National Open Youth Orchestra.
www.stephwest.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4n4CVBW4dw
Stacey Blythe is a Composer, performer, and multi instrumentalist who has performed all over the UK and America. She is a regular composer for the Welsh National Opera's max department (new opera '9 stories high' is coming soon!). She also performs with Ffynnon and Elfen duo.She has toured and recorded as a composer and performer with many different artists (Maria Hayes), poets (including Patrick Jones), musicians (Dylan Fowler, Julie Murphy, Meredith Monk) and storytellers including Nick Hennessey. Stacey is currently touring with Adverse Camber, 'Hunting the giants daughter' with Michael Harvey and Lynne Denman.
https://youtu.be/hQe7PPCC3sY?si=Qe9Ls1gW6Socz8o1
Fidelma Hanrahan is a London-based harpist and Irish harp teacher from Co. Clare. She holds a BMus from University College Cork and an MA Ethnomusicology from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She has taught widely in Ireland and London, including a semester as Harp Tutor at University College Cork. Fidelma is interested in traditional music’s place in contemporary culture. She is a member of Shovel Dance Collective, a nine-piece experimental folk group, and also performs as part of the Irish Gamelan Orchestra.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/folk-harp-weekend-2026
Filkin’s Drift reimagine traditional melodies through pizzicato grooves, intricate guitar tunes, and boundless improvisation. Their 870 mile foot-powered-tour has recently propelled them into the spotlight. This radical approach to sustainable touring has earned the duo global attention from major news outlets including BBC News, Billboard, The i, Radio New Zealand, Canadian Broadcasting Company, and The Times.
The debut album from Filkin’s Drift captures the essence of their 870 mile walk. Their compositions are sophisticated, yet rooted in tradition. From delicate Welsh folk-songs to traditional English dance tunes, the pair blend fiddle and guitar with their close vocal harmonies.
Seth Bye and Chris Roberts have earned widespread acclaim with extensive national airtime on BBC Radio 2, 3, 4, 6 Music, and BBC World Service. Renowned for their live performances, the duo have enchanted audiences across the UK including FolkEast, Warwick Folk Festival, St George’s Bristol, and Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
Filkin’s Drift are dedicated to exploring innovative avenues in music creation. In tandem with their groundbreaking commitment to sustainable touring, the duo’s latest endeavor involves the formation of Filkin’s Ensemble, a 14-piece orchestral-folk band.
£15
Bar 6.00pm, Doors 7.15, Show start 7.30.
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/event/filkins-drift/
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
We’re really excited to be joining up once again with Chris Dyer, Tom Evans, and members of the Third Beat Dance Collective for a music and dance course exploring the folk cultures of the Nordic countries.
For dancers, the main focus will be Swedish polska, but there will also be chances to learn other popular dances such as vals, schottis and slängpolska.
Musicians will explore the rich repertoire of Swedish dance music and will venture into other repertoires including Danish, Norwegian and Finnish. As well as learning tunes and styles, you’ll be looking at elements of the Nordic style, like traditional second voicing and harmonies, and learning how to play for the dancing. During evening dances, musicians will be offered the chance to play solo/in groups/with tutors in short slots.
Although dancers will be concentrating on learning the dances in workshops, they will be most welcome to join in on an instrument in evening sessions. Instrumentalists will have the chance to learn to polska too (see information about shoes below).
You’ll receive sheet music for all the tunes that the tutors plan to teach.
Dancers: This course is open to all levels of dance experience, from beginners to advanced. Whatever your level, there will be something in the course for you. Ideally, you’ll be able to bring a pair of leather-soled shoes with a very low heel or any soled shoes with some slide.
Instrumentalists: The course is suitable for any instrument, including diatonic. You should have a reasonable level of proficiency to get the most out of the course (it’s not suitable for anyone who isn’t fairly competent on their instrument, but you don’t need to have any prior experience of Nordic music). Instrumentalists don’t need to be able to read music, but should ideally be able to pick tunes up by ear.
Fiddler and nyckelharpa player Chris Dyer is MC of the London Scandi Session. She’s a regular performer and workshop leader at UK festivals and bal folk dance clubs and is a guest player with Boda and Falun Spelmanslags in Sweden.
Known for his jazzy interpretation of a range of folk styles, multi-instrumentalist Tom Evans has been an engaging figure on the folk scene since his early days with Shooting Roots. Twice New Roots finalist on accordion (solo 2017, duo “Missing Richard” 2019), he shares his skills around a range of ensembles including Climax Ceilidh Band, Suntrap, The Twagger Band, Missing Richard, and others, with material ranging from England to Quebec, ceilidh to bal, dance to song.
Ella Sprung and Andrew Parr each completed the diploma in folk dance at the Eric Sahlström Institute in central Sweden. Since their return they have been teaching Swedish folk dance across the UK, as part of the Third Beat Dance Collective. They bring a contemporary look at the intricacies of partner dance, and shine a new light on what traditional dance can offer for connecting with our bodies, the music, and each other.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/nordic-music-and-dance-2026
Ahoy there—local group The Chantry Buoys sing traditional sea shanties and other well known songs. Join them for a fun sing-along with local drinks, old seafaring melodies, and maritime frolics.
Based in Colyton, they sing traditional sea shanties, and other well known songs. They have performed at many Sea Shanty festivals, including Falmouth, Teignmouth, and recently performed on Lyme’s Marine Parade, to close Lifeboat week.
Sea shanties were work songs, set to a rhythm for working, to reduce the monotony of undertaking repetitive tasks aboard ship. But they were also Foc’sle songs, which were storytelling verses to be listened to at leisure, to remind sailors of home and these helped to keep alive traditions and record local events and people.
7:30 P.M.
Free entry - no tickets
https://www.marinetheatre.com/the-shanty-sessions-50/
This is the 10th PIVA Real Roots! course at Halsway, where you will be exploring the world of late 16th-century popular music. The core of the programme will consist of playing in a mixture of large and small ensembles, as well as a range of other options each day, including a focus on ensemble techniques, ornamentation and will hopefully also include some vocal sessions. PIVA will be aiming to enhance your knowledge of this snapshot of English music history through exploration and practice, as well as offering you opportunities to improve your small ensemble skills, in an approachable and enjoyable way.
You'll be focusing on new repertoire, while building on and practising your pre-existing technique and skills. You'll spend the majority of the time being guided by the tutors in small groups, with some time guided as a whole group and self-led in small groups. We'll send you a timetable in advance and have sheet music ready for you when you arrive.
Please note: in order to get the most out of the long weekend, the first session for this course starts at 2pm, and sessions continue into Sunday evening. You'll be able to check in to your rooms in the first break on Friday afternoon.
The focus of the PIVA Real Roots course will be playing 4 or 5 part harmony but it doesn’t matter whether you are new to this music or an experienced renaissance specialist; sessions will be adapted to suit all levels. You will need to be competent on your instrument(s) and have a reasonable sight reading ability.
The course is suitable for you if you play woodwinds, reed instruments, historical brass and strings (ancient and modern), as well as other instruments such as bagpipes & nyckelharpa. Please let us know your instrument(s) when booking your place, and we can check with PIVA if you’re unsure whether it will be suitable!
Thanks to The Bagpipe Society, there will be an opportunity to have a beginner’s session on their loan pipes.
The members of PIVA – The Renaissance Collective have wide and diverse musical backgrounds and between them they have experience in playing renaissance, classical, and roots music. They bring all of these diverse musical influences together and fuse them with their knowledge of renaissance music and instruments. Below are some of the members of PIVA who will be attending the course.
David Jarratt-Knock - Cornetto, Recorders, Double Reeds, Bagpipes. David is constantly in demand in both the UK and abroad for historically informed performances of works such as Monteverdi's Vespers and he has played with some of Europe’s leading ensembles, including The Gabrieli Consort, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Ex Cathedra. He has worked with both the RSC and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and performs regularly at the Historic Royal Palaces. David will be running some 'loud wind workshops' as part of this year's course.
Eric Moulder – Renaissance woodwinds (curtal, shawm, rauschpfeife, crumhorn, recorder). Eric is PIVA’s founder and director of music. His passion for early music was inspired by the late David Munrow, amongst others. He has been an early woodwind player for many years and has performed with a number of ensembles. He is an internationally renowned maker and researcher in the field of historic woodwind instruments from the Renaissance period and his instruments are played by leading professional musicians and amateurs alike. He also provides many of the instruments played by PIVA as well as being responsible for creating many of the group’s musical arrangements.
Jane Moulder – Bagpipes and Renaissance woodwind. Jane Moulder is the resident bookworm of the group and, alongside Eric, she researches and develops PIVA’s repertoire and performance programmes. She is a freelance researcher and writer on music, dance and manners of the 14th to 18th Centuries. Jane runs Piper’s Publishing which has produced a number of successful historical music books. She also works for the National Trust as a historical interpreter specialising in the Tudor period. She balances all of these roles with working alongside Eric making historical woodwind instruments.
Jude Rees – Bagpipes and Renaissance woodwind, voice. Jude Rees is a professional oboist and woodwind specialist with extensive experience in classical, folk, contemporary and early music. As freelance multi-instrumentalist and sought-after session musician, Jude has worked with some luminaries of the folk world and has guested on numerous albums and live tours. She currently plays with BBC Radio2 Folk Award nominated Pilgrims’ Way and has played for theatre and television including the BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Jude also co-runs a lively early music group for children in Warwickshire.
Kate Moran - Strings/Recorders. Kate is a versatile musician with extensive experience teaching and performing classical, contemporary, early music and traditional music. She is particularly interested in the point where classical and folk music meet, and enjoys playing for dancers. Living in Hong Kong since summer 2023, Kate is a member of Baroque ensemble Concerto da Camera and Hong Kong chamber orchestra, plays fiddle in an Irish band, dances with Hong Kong morris, and has established a popular ceilidh series. She also continues to teach violin and direct string ensembles.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/piva-2026
Barn Dance
The hall is on the left when travelling north. The only street light along the main road is on the hall. Roadside parking.
All are welcome, no experience necessary. We enjoy an evening with live music and a caller who will guide you through all the dances. You don't need to bring a partner. No refreshments other than water provided, feel free to bring your own.
Do come along have some fun and laughter.
£7.50. Accompanied under 16 free
7.15 for 7.30 - ends 9.30
Contact Sally Condon: 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT icloud.com
Join us for an evening performance of historic folk music with PIVA the Renaissance Collective. Discover the Real Roots! of folk music from the late 16th century. PIVA play popular traditional music and instruments of the time as heard in both court and country.
PIVA musicians have wide and diverse musical backgrounds and between them they have experience in playing renaissance, classical, and roots music. They bring all of these diverse musical influences together and fuse them with their knowledge of renaissance music and instruments.
David Jarratt-Knock - Cornetto, Recorders, Double Reeds, Bagpipes. David is constantly in demand in both the UK and abroad for historically informed performances of works such as Monteverdi's Vespers and he has played with some of Europe’s leading ensembles, including The Gabrieli Consort, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Ex Cathedra. He has worked with both the RSC and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, and performs regularly at the Historic Royal Palaces. David will be running some 'loud wind workshops' as part of this year's course.
Eric Moulder – Renaissance woodwinds (curtal, shawm, rauschpfeife, crumhorn, recorder). Eric is PIVA’s founder and director of music. His passion for early music was inspired by the late David Munrow, amongst others. He has been an early woodwind player for many years and has performed with a number of ensembles. He is an internationally renowned maker and researcher in the field of historic woodwind instruments from the Renaissance period and his instruments are played by leading professional musicians and amateurs alike. He also provides many of the instruments played by PIVA as well as being responsible for creating many of the group’s musical arrangements.
Jane Moulder – Bagpipes and Renaissance woodwind. Jane Moulder is the resident bookworm of the group and, alongside Eric, she researches and develops PIVA’s repertoire and performance programmes. She is a freelance researcher and writer on music, dance and manners of the 14th to 18th Centuries. Jane runs Piper’s Publishing which has produced a number of successful historical music books. She also works for the National Trust as a historical interpreter specialising in the Tudor period. She balances all of these roles with working alongside Eric making historical woodwind instruments.
Jude Rees – Bagpipes and Renaissance woodwind, voice. Jude Rees is a professional oboist and woodwind specialist with extensive experience in classical, folk, contemporary and early music. As freelance multi-instrumentalist and sought-after session musician, Jude has worked with some luminaries of the folk world and has guested on numerous albums and live tours. She currently plays with BBC Radio2 Folk Award nominated Pilgrims’ Way and has played for theatre and television including the BBC and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Jude also co-runs a lively early music group for children in Warwickshire.
Kate Moran - Strings/Recorders. Kate is a versatile musician with extensive experience teaching and performing classical, contemporary, early music and traditional music. She is particularly interested in the point where classical and folk music meet, and enjoys playing for dancers. Living in Hong Kong since summer 2023, Kate is a member of Baroque ensemble Concerto da Camera and Hong Kong chamber orchestra, plays fiddle in an Irish band, dances with Hong Kong morris, and has established a popular ceilidh series. She also continues to teach violin and direct string ensembles.
£12 Concession (full-time students) £6
8.00 pm
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/gig-piva
SykesMartin is the exciting collaboration from two of British folk's finest voices. Miranda Sykes (Show of Hands) and Hannah Martin (Edgelarks, Gigspanner Big Band) join forces to present a set of songs that take them back to their shared roots.
A sociable Devon winter evening led to an exchange of songs, which became rehearsal sessions, and a strong new sound emerged. Centred around their deep knowledge of Roots music, and a love of harmony singing, SykesMartin brings together old songs with new ideas.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
https://www.mirandasykes.com/sykesmartin/
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Sunday 11th January - with guest tutor, Ben Moss
Sunday 22nd February - with guest tutor, Chas Blacker
Sunday 22nd March - with guest tutor, Thomas Gold
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 10th May - with guest tutor, Jon Dyer
1.30- 4.30pm
Tickets available via the website or on the door www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
Julia: 07527 508 277
Lady Maisery are back to Halsway in 2026 to lead another edition of their hugely popular Creative Song Week, an exploratory course for intermediate and advanced singers to develop their creative skills.
With traditional and contemporary folk song as our starting point, this mid-week course is a chance to delve deeply into the songs we sing, work on how to make our music more meaningful and discover what might move us forward in our personal musical journeys.
Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans of Lady Maisery will be your guides and mentors in the creation of new music, arranging and harmonising traditional songs, creating new tunes for old song texts and writing new songs. Workshops will be a variety of whole group activities and some small group self-directed tasks, so participants should be open to exploring ideas in this way.
The Lady Maisery Creative Song Week will include: learning some inspiring folk songs by ear, exploring our voices through vocal and breath work, creative musical and writing tasks, improvisation with others, working with archives/library texts, and chances to perform or share songs in a supportive environment.
Though the format remains unchanged from previous years, the trio will choose material carefully, to ensure enjoyable new challenges for returning participants!
Participants are invited to bring along instruments if they wish and there will be chances during the week to focus on playing an instrument if desired, but some parts of the week will focusing purely on singing so all participants have to be happy to sing.
Workshop places are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
This course is aimed at intermediate and advanced level singers. You’ll be interested in exploring your own creativity – making new arrangements, sourcing archive material, and even writing new songs. You’ll need to be open to working in small and larger groups and trying new ways of working.
In an English folk scene currently bursting with bold and innovative folk music, vocal trio Lady Maisery shine brightly. With their unique approach to harmony singing, intelligent and thoughtful arrangements of both traditional repertoire and original compositions, Hazel Askew, Hannah James and Rowan Rheingans harness and celebrate their united voice. Whether unearthing a feminist twist hidden in a traditional tale, delivering a poignant anti-war ballad, or showcasing their immense multi-instrumental talents in original compositions that draw on a myriad of musical influences, Lady Maisery are skilfull explorers of the power, beauty and vitality of song. Over the last five years, the trio have toured widely, performing sell-out shows across the UK and Europe.
Underpinning every performance are Lady Maisery’s distinctive harmonies: sometimes lush and rich, sometimes dark and invigorating, they intertwine with assured precision. The trio are also one of the foremost English proponents of mouth music, or “diddling” – once common in England, and still found across parts of southern and northern Europe, this form of singing without words is a perfect showcase for their sheer musicality. Each also an accomplished instrumentalist, many songs are expertly accompanied by a rich tapestry of Rowan’s fiddle, banjo and bansitar, Hazel’s harp, concertina and melodeon, and Hannah’s accordion and foot percussion.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/creative-song-week-with-lady-maisery-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
+ Special Guests - Concrete Prairie - Trio
Multi award winning & un-missable Irish Folk Rock.
Roving Crows are an Irish Folk Rock band who deliver the goods with unbounded amounts of riotous energy and banter. Paul O’Neill (guitar and lead vocals); Caitlin Barrett (fiddle & vocals); Laurence Aldridge (drums & vocals) and Jim Smith (bass & vocals).
Their passion and energy on stage is infectious, never failing to deliver a great time with their vibrant live show! Their music pushes the boundaries of the Irish Folk genre, the jumping jigs and reels will get you dancing whilst their enquiring and provocative lyrics will make you think.
https://www.rovingcrows.com/
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com
plus Special Guests - Concrete Prairie - Trio
Multi award winning & un-missable Irish Folk Rock.
Roving Crows are an Irish Folk Rock band who deliver the goods with unbounded amounts of riotous energy and banter. Paul O’Neill (guitar and lead vocals); Caitlin Barrett (fiddle & vocals); Laurence Aldridge (drums & vocals) and Jim Smith (bass & vocals).
Their passion and energy on stage is infectious, never failing to deliver a great time with their vibrant live show! Their music pushes the boundaries of the Irish Folk genre, the jumping jigs and reels will get you dancing whilst their enquiring and provocative lyrics will make you think.
https://www.rovingcrows.com/
Concrete Prairie - Trio
United by a love of all things Folk, Country & Americana, Concrete Prairie are a quintet delivering a veritable soundtrack for the glamour and grit of modern living. While their compositions tackle themes such as hardships, loss & well-being, the songs are shot through with silver linings, evidenced by a spirited and rousing sound orchestrated with twanging guitars, straining fiddle and yearning prose which has been dubbed "hope-Folk", "epic Indie-Americana" and "conscious-Country" all at once.
https://www.facebook.com/concreteprairie/
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Previous winners of BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for ‘Best Original Track’ and nominees for ‘Best Band’, with their uniquely blended sound of fiddles, voices, feet, banjos, electric guitar, synths, and the powerful bass drones of the medieval tambourin à cordes, The Rheingans Sisters remain one of the most visionary acts on the British folk scene today. With their latest album, Start Close In, being declared by The Guardian as Folk Album of the Month and hailed by MOJO magazine as one of the
Advance £21.00 | On the door £25.00
10% off for members
https://www.marinetheatre.com/the-rheingans-sisters/
Spiers & Boden have been at the forefront of the English traditional folk scene for 25 years both as a ground breaking duo and as founder members of folk phenomenon Bellowhead.
They bring their joyous folk sounds to our theatre, including hits from their acclaimed album Fallow Ground.
£26.40 (inc. £2.40 cmsn)
https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/spiers-boden/
The Northumbrian Smallpipes weekend offers a enjoyable opportunity to develop technique and repertoire with a variety of workshops, sessions, plus an informal performance from the tutors. You’ll work in groups according to ability level, with some optional sessions too, allowing you the opportunity to work with all tutors over the course of the weekend. Some music will be available in advance, for workshops that require it.
This popular workshop weekend is designed to give everyone from beginners and improvers to intermediate and advanced level players a thoroughly enjoyable opportunity to develop their abilities, technique and repertoire.
Andy May was introduced to the smallpipes by his father Stan, later learning from Roland Lofthouse and Adrian Schofield, and from studying the recordings of Billy Pigg and Tom Clough. Through the 90s Andy entered many piping competitions and studied music at the University of York with the pipes as his chosen instrument. Andy has been a full-time musician since 2002, with the Andy May Trio, UK/Finnish/Danish ensemble Baltic Crossing, and with North-East band Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies. Andy is a notable pipemaker, learning much from his father, and also Colin Ross, and teaches on the folk music degree course at Newcastle University.
Pauline Cato is one of the leading exponents of the Northumbrian Pipes. She took up the pipes at the age of thirteen and over the next few years won all the major competitions for the instrument. She has been a professional musician since 1993 and has performed all over the world – both solo and in a duo with fiddler Tom McConville. Pauline’s style is traditional, but she is also well known for expanding the repertoire of the pipes and is often in demand for new projects.
Chris Ormston was given his first set of pipes on his 15th birthday and nine months later won the Northumbrian Pipers’ Society Junior Class. Within three years he had won every Open competition in the county. Early in his piping career he acquired a taste for the classic repertoire of the pipes, with a particular interest in the music of the Clough family. Chris has collaborated with the NPS Society in the publication of two collections: ‘The Clough Family of Newsham’ (2000) and ‘The Clough Family Tunebook’ (2012). In 2011 Chris was honoured to take possession of ‘Young’ Tom Clough’s pipes, a Reid set gifted to Tom by his grandfather.
Iain Gelston took up his father’s smallpipes at the age of 21 in 1988 and, under the guidance of Adrian Schofield, won his first piping competition the following year. In 2011, Iain took up the border pipes and went on, entirely self taught, to win every Open competition in Northumberland and Scotland over the next few years. He now plays smallpipes and border pipes regularly, both solo and in the trio The Grand Assembly alongside flautist Trish Winter and fiddler Rachael Hales, concentrating primarily on the 18th and early 19th century piping repertoire of northern England and Scotland. Iain has published two volumes of his own compositions and features playing pipes and bouzouki on the LP “Drive Away Dull Care” by Tyneside folk band Lowp.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/northumbrian-smallpipes-2026
Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evening
Barn Dance evening. Usual easy and fun dances, friendly atmosphere, but no bar. BYO if you wish. No need to come with a partner.
£7.50
7.15 for 7.30 - 9.15
Contact Jenny and Ian Edlin: 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
Sound of the Sirens are a singer-song writing duo based in Exeter, Devon comprising of Abbe Martin & Hannah Wood.
Honing their craft over the past decade, Martin & Wood have cemented themselves as firm favourites as “one of the UK’s finest folk acts” not only on the Westcountry scene, but nationally, and internationally too. Their status, and fast-growing fan-base is not only testament to the pair’s prowess as songwriters and musicians, but as people too.
Martin & Wood are two of the hardest working musicians on the scene and wear their hearts very much on their sleeves in terms of their song writing. The pair glide gracefully through laments of past relationships, and life experiences, as well as highlighting the important topics of the day, namely mental health awareness, and homelessness.
Without being pigeonholed into any stereotypical genre, the instrumentation of the band is vast, and varied. Martin plays acoustic and high-strung (Nashville tuning) guitar, mandolin, and bass drum, while partner in crime Wood plays acoustic and electric guitar, tambourine, snare drum, and the piano. The pairs’ musical and vocal dexterity dovetail beautifully on the co-written songs, which range from beautiful, emotive ballads, to up-beat, foot stomping, hands in the air, sing-along anthems.
The dynamic duo and their musical creations translate very well onto recorded media, but it is in the live arena where the pair truly excel. There is a certain majesty about their live performances that simply cannot be put into words. It is this “je ne sais quoi” that keeps their loyal fans returning from far and wide to see these two perform.
8pm
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/event/sound-of-the-sirens/
Christina Alden & Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from Norwich. Their music is rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving. Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
8pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
https://christinaaldenandalexpatterson.com
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Discover French and Breton dance or develop your dance horizons! Both experienced and novice French dancers are invited to a week of expert tuition led by Peter Clifton, and supported by Karen Prager, and Yannick Minvielle-Debat returns to teach traditional singing-for-dancing. The course will be taught to exemplary live music from Richard Heacock (violin) and Paul Hutchinson (accordion), with guest musicians joining us for the Thursday night finale Bal.
Dancers will be introduced to French couple dances: Scottish, Bourrée, Waltz and Mazurka, and to Breton circle and chain dances. (You don’t need to bring a partner for the couple dances). Lesser-known dances will also be taught, including some from the Vendée and Poitou regions. The focus will be on dance variation and developing communication and dynamics through both couple and circle dances.
Yannick will add some easy-to-learn French songs to the mix, which can be applied to well-known dances, and practised within the week at workshops and evening bals.
Dancers who also play are encouraged bring to bring instruments if they wish; there will be opportunities to play for some of the dances in the bal each evening.
You’ll have some experience in traditional dance – Playford, English Country Dance, Contra, Scottish etc – but you can be completely new to French dance. For those with experience of French dance, the course offers the opportunity to discover lesser known dance repertoire.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/french-breton-dance-2026
As our French and Breton Dance Week draws to a close, you're invited to join our ace tutor team and the course participants for a French Bal.
The teaching team of Peter Clifton, Yannick Minvielle-Debat, Richard Heacock and Paul Hutchinson will be joined tonight by guest musicians Helen Gentile (clarinet) and Lewis Wood (fiddle).
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/bal-french-and-breton-dances
Ahoy there—local group The Chantry Buoys sing traditional sea shanties and other well known songs. Join them for a fun sing-along with local drinks, old seafaring melodies, and maritime frolics.
Based in Colyton, they sing traditional sea shanties, and other well known songs. They have performed at many Sea Shanty festivals, including Falmouth, Teignmouth, and recently performed on Lyme’s Marine Parade, to close Lifeboat week.
Sea shanties were work songs, set to a rhythm for working, to reduce the monotony of undertaking repetitive tasks aboard ship. But they were also Foc’sle songs, which were storytelling verses to be listened to at leisure, to remind sailors of home and these helped to keep alive traditions and record local events and people.
7:30 P.M.
Free entry - no tickets
https://www.marinetheatre.com/the-shanty-sessions-51/
Bill and Rosie’s successful Halsway song weekends returns in 2026. Bill Crawford and Rosie Upton, assisted by Penny Rigby, will lead a weekend of traditional song for experienced singers (non-singing partners welcome).
Join them, and friends old and new, for a weekend of singing and presentations. Bring your voices, instruments and walking boots for an optional circuit of the ‘Halsway Loop’ to blow away the cobwebs!
The weekend is aimed at experienced singers of both traditional songs, and songs written ‘in the tradition’, who do not need to read the words.
This is a partnership event so to register an interest you will need to contact the team directly. Please email quantocktradsing AT gmail.com/call 07875 174401 (Penny). It is anticipated that Expressions of Interest forms will be sent out in mid-September.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/bill-and-rosies-2026
Christian Garrick & the Budapest Café Orchestra
Refreshingly unconventional and snappily attired boutique orchestra BCO play gypsy and Folk-flavoured music in their unique and surprising way. From Balkan and Russian traditional music to their artful distillations of Romantic masterworks to soaring Gaelic folk anthems, BCO is an infectious musical experience and like none other.
A show by the BCO is enough to make you want to book that holiday down the Danube!
8.00 pm
Tickets: £22.50 Full. £21.50 Concessions
www.budapestcafeorchestra.co.uk
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1889213
For 50 years Bob Fox has been regarded as one of “the iconic voices” of British Folk song.
Masterful interpretation of Traditional and Contemporary song combined with an outstanding guitar technique has earned him countless nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Bob was “Songman” in The National Theatre’s production of WarHorse and can also be heard singing extensively on the new BBC Radio Ballads.
Don’t miss the chance to see and hear one of our finest exponents of storytelling through song, expect to hear of love, joy, work and humour all accompanied by a wonderful guitar style that can both drive or embellish his supreme singing.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £19. No concessions
www.bobfoxmusic.com
https://www.thedavidhall.com
There are only shared rooms remaining on this course
We’re always delighted to host West Country Concertina Players at Halsway Manor for their packed concertina workshop weekend for intermediate and advanced level players of all systems. You do not need to be a member of WCCP to come (though you might consider joining them – it’s only £10 annually); the weekend is open to all, though this is a popular weekend and priority will be given to WCCP members through an opportunity to book early.
There will be time to relax in the comfort of Halsway Manor, with evening playing sessions in the bar, plus an informal tutors’ concert on the Saturday evening. There’s also the option to stay an extra night and book for Sunday supper and B&B – the perfect time to relax and unwind after a busy weekend of music and socialising.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/wccp-weekend-2026
Duos come and go, but few nurture and refine their craft with such dedication and originality as Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman.
Roberts and Lakeman have forged a creative bond that is as enduring as it is inspiring. Their 30 year journey together — from young trailblazers in the 1990s folk supergroup Equation to one of Britain’s most admired and decorated folk duos — stands as a testament to their artistry, authenticity, and masterful musicianship.
Their contribution to the British folk landscape has not gone unnoticed. Kathryn and Sean have twice been named ‘Best Duo’ at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, in addition to accolades from Spiral Earth and Fatea Magazine. Their live shows — brimming with charm, wit, and musical mastery — have earned them a devoted following and a reputation as a cornerstone act of the British folk and acoustic scene.
In 2025, the duo celebrated an extraordinary 30 years of music-making with the release of their first live concert album, “Another Day at the Circus” which captures the warmth, humour, and emotional depth that have made their live performances so cherished — an invitation into the magic of an evening spent in the company of two artists completely at ease with their craft.
7.30pm
Ticket price: £21
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/event/sean-lakeman-and-kathryn-roberts/
Commissioned and produced by Pete Townshend and created by Reg Meuross, Fire & Dust - The Woody Guthrie Story is a journey into the heart and soul of one of America’s finest folk musicians. At this show Reg Meuross is joined by two members of his band, The Strike. With songs and stories that highlight Guthrie’s fight against racism, inequality, and injustice, Fire & Dust draws poignant parallels between Guthrie’s time and our present day. Townshend saw this project as drawing a direct line from Woody Guthrie through Bob Dylan to Reg Meuross, and described it as “folk music at its best".
Joining Reg will be Welsh pianist and accordionist Geraint Watkins (Nick Lowe, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Paul McCartney) and renowned string player Marion Fleetwood (TRADarrr, The Sandy Denny Project).
Narration of the story (written by Reg) between the songs is shared between Reg and Marion.
The breadth and depth of Reg Meuross’s material is unparalleled in contemporary folk: songs about forgotten heroes, famous names, folk legends, the climate emergency, tales from the kitchen sink and news from the world stage. If something needs to be sung about then Reg Meuross has a song for it and with Fire & Dust another important chapter of impeccably researched story-telling has begun.
Bar opens 7:00 P.M.
Starts 8:00 P.M.
Advance £21.00
On the door £25.00
10% off for members
Unreserved Seating
https://www.marinetheatre.com/fire-dust-a-woody-guthrie-story/
The hall is on the left when travelling north. Roadside parking.
All are welcome, no experience necessary. We enjoy an evening with live music and a caller who will guide you through all the dances. You don't need to bring a partner. No refreshments other than water provided, feel free to bring your own.
Do come along have some fun and laughter.
£7.50. Accompanied under 16 free
7.15 for 7.30, ends 9.30 pm
Contact Sally Condon: 01300 348250
riverpiddle2 AT icloud.com
Rupert Hughes (guitar) Evan Davies (mandolin) Niles Krieger (fiddle) Sam Quintana (jazz bass)
The Often Herd transcend the Traditional boundaries of Bluegrass music. Although they might resemble an American string band, complete with driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their vibrant, transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their surroundings; the striking natural and industrial landscapes of Northern England.
Together, their sound is both boldly Contemporary and soothingly familiar, taking time-honoured traditions to new places with a fresh perspective.
Flock to the herd, you won’t be disappointed.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
https://www.theoftenherd.com/
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Singing workshop, followed by concert
Lester Simpson of "Coope Boyes and Simpson" will be coming to Crewkerne in March 2026
Lester will be running a Song Workshop in the afternoon. Songs to be learned by ear.
He will then be appearing in a concert in the evening.
£12 for each individual event or £20 for both
Workshop 2.00-5.00 pm
Concert starts 7.30.
Contact Meg Rose: 07877 206124
meg.rose AT btinternet.com
Sunday 11th January - with guest tutor, Ben Moss
Sunday 22nd February - with guest tutor, Chas Blacker
Sunday 22nd March - with guest tutor, Thomas Gold
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 10th May - with guest tutor, Jon Dyer
1.30- 4.30pm
Tickets available via the website or on the door www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
Julia: 07527 508 277
A full-on, fun packed workshop weekend for Nyckelharpa players - beginners as well as more experienced players of this unusual Swedish folk stringed instrument. Vicki Swan will be leading the weekend, with support from a guest tutor who will be announced soon.
The weekend includes the opportunity for complete beginners to meet and play the instrument. Eight spaces are up for grabs for the complete beginner course with a loan instrument provided. Spaces fill up fast so don’t delay!
Plenty will also be on offer for the improver / intermediate level player. Workshops will cover all aspects of playing the nyckelharpa: posture, technique, bowing, Swedish tunes, British tunes, chord playing, ensemble playing (by ear), exercises and Nyckelrythmics!
Sunday B&B is available for anyone wishing to extend their weekend. Request this extra night when booking.
This course is aimed at both total beginners, and those with some experience, up to about intermediate level. More advanced players should check out our 'Harpas at Halsway: Nyckelharpa Festival'.
Vicki Swan graduated from the Royal College of Music on double bass, specialising in performance. Well known on the British folk scene she is a full time folk musician performing on nyckelharpa, bagpipes and singing. Being half Swedish the nyckelharpa was a natural choice to add to her armory of instruments and is now leading the development of the nyckelharpa in Great Britain with the UK Nyckelharpa Project and spearheaded the newly formed UK Nyckelharpa Society. In addition to various duo recordings Vicki has recently published the ‘British Session Tunes for Nyckelharpa’, a book of Duets in the Swedish Style and Scandinavian Fiddle Tunes published by Schott. Vicki is a qualified teacher, specialising in instrumental teaching and has a masters in Education (specialising in distance tuition on the Scottish smallpipes) and composes and arranges music for the nyckelharpa and other ensembles. She was a member of the ENCORE (European Nyckelharpa Co-operation – Orchestral Experience, 2013) and a tutor on the International Nyckelharpa Days in Germany in 2014, 2015 and 2020.
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/spring-harpas-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
Stompin' Dave performs a broad spectrum of vintage style music including blues, bluegrass, classical, country, folk, jazz, rock n roll, and old time. He is equally capable of providing a whole evening of entertainment in one genre, or mixing it up. Stompin' Dave was nominated for a UK Blues Award 2024.
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 over fifteen 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.
Dave has stomped his way onto the line up of many top folk festivals including Cork, Warwick, Towersey, Priddy, and many other folk and music clubs. Dave's vast repertoire ranges from traditional songs and tunes to vintage covers and his own originals.
free
4.30 - 6.30 pm
Finish time: 6.30pm
Phone: 01202 673517
www.stompinstore.com
venue link: https://www.facebook.com/PortsmouthHoyPooleQuay/
Love dancing AND the great outdoors? This is the holiday week for you! Enjoy a light-hearted springtime week of dancing, with opportunities to walk in the beautiful Quantock Hills each afternoon. Discover and learn about our beautiful local landscapes, while also brushing-up on your folk dance steps!
We’re delighted to welcome back caller and keen walker – Rhodri Davies. He will be joined by musicians and dedicated hikers - Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer. The team is completed by our regular walk leaders Nan Ward & Roger Phipps, who might be persuaded to dance.
You can enjoy a mixed programme of country dance workshops each morning with Rhodri and the band. Then head off into the hills – quite literally – to enjoy the spectacular landscapes of this distinctive and nationally important protected area. Guided walks will be led by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic local guides - Nan and Roger, giving you a chance to learn more about the history and wildlife of the hills, or simply to enjoy an amble with in beautiful countryside in amiable company!
After your walk in the Quantock Hills, it’s back to the Manor, for dinner, and dances every evening.
Feel free to bring along instruments for the odd informal session in the bar!
This course aims to be suitable for everyone with a reasonable level of fitness.
The morning dance workshops will be friendly and encouraging. Novice dancers will have the opportunity to gain confidence and more expert dancers can refine their skills and try new dances.
There will be a choice of two walks each afternoon, tailored to meet the requirements and abilities of the group. A shorter ‘stroll’ option, and a longer and more challenging route. The opportunities for walking on the Quantocks are endless!
Please note that we are not offering full-day walking options. This is primarily a dance week, with opportunities to enjoy afternoon walking in a friendly and social group.
A reasonable fitness level is required – even short walks may include steep climbs – and appropriate clothing and footwear suitable for a variety of weather conditions is essential. Car sharing will be necessary for some of the walks.
Rhodri Davies is well known as a regular caller on the UK Folk Festival scene. While he particularly specialises in contras, he covers a wide variety of styles and these will be in evidence over the week. Based in Stockport, he started dancing at Manchester University through both the folk dance society and the hiking club ceilidhs. It used to be joked that 10% losses were acceptable on any one club hike; Rhodri will be aiming for a much better success rate when teaching the dances!
Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer have developed a strong reputation for a delivering great performances time and time again. Well known for their varied instrumental skills – Scottish smallpipes, accordion, guitar, Swedish nyckelharpa, cowhorn and more – they have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh. The duo have a great affinity for playing for dancing, and in addition to many festival and dance club appearances, have cornered the market as a ‘zoom band’ during the corona pandemic!
Nan Ward and Roger Phipps are regular walk leader for Halsway Manor. They are keen walkers and have lived for many years in a small hamlet on the Quantocks; they invite you to join them and share their love of the Quantocks.
The Quantocks
The Quantock Hills National Landscape (previously AONB), received its protected status in 1956; its distinctive character, natural beauty and cultural heritage are so outstanding that it is in the nation’s interest to safeguard them. Explore and you will find rocky Jurassic coastline, exposed heathland summits, deep wooded combes, undulating farmland and attractive villages. A haven for wildlife, the Quantocks offer many rare habitats for flora and fauna, and are home to an important population of red deer. Evidence abounds of early settlements; Bronze Age barrows, ancient stones and ridgeways, Iron age hill forts and earthworks. Inspired by this wild hilly ridge, the young rebel poets Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth roamed, writing as they walked, forming the Lyrical Ballads and their notion of English Romanticism.
www.quantockhills.org.uk
https://www.halswaymanor.org.uk/event/dancing-and-walking-2026
Shillingstone English Barn Dance Evening
Barn Dance evening. Usual easy and fun dances, friendly atmosphere, but no bar. BYO if you wish. No need to come with a partner.
£7.50
7.15 for 7.30 - 9.15
Contact Jenny and Ian Edlin: 01258 861184
jenny_harrison_1123 AT yahoo.co.uk
Welcome back to The Budapest Café Orchestra – a music-driven phenomenon and specialist performance-entertainment outfit, who enthrall audiences everywhere with their infectious energy. The band will sweep you off your feet and stay in your heart forever! Journey from one emotional pole to another – from a desperately tragic evocative heart-rending ancient Jewish melody to a dance from Romania or Russia and all the fiery exuberance that goes along.
7.30pm, doors 7pm
£20/£18 Members & Concessions
https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk/2025/11/27/fri-17-april-budapest-cafe-orchestra/
Suntou Susso is a multi-instrumentalist: kora player, percussionist, singer, and composer from The Gambia. Born a Griot in a 700-year-old tradition, the kora – a harp-lute with 22 strings – is unique to the Griots of the Mandinka people. Griots have a unique societal role as oral historians, transmitting and preserving a people’s culture through the generations in song, music, and poetry. His musical abilities are outstanding, perhaps unique for his generation. An in-demand and charismatic performer, he attracted attention as soon as he arrived on the UK music scene.
www.suntoususso.com
8.00 pm
Tickets: £22.50 Full. £21.50 Concessions
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1899089
Sunday 11th January - with guest tutor, Ben Moss
Sunday 22nd February - with guest tutor, Chas Blacker
Sunday 22nd March - with guest tutor, Thomas Gold
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 10th May - with guest tutor, Jon Dyer
1.30- 4.30pm
Tickets available via the website or on the door www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
Julia: 07527 508 277
Dance workshop from 6 - 7pm
Main dance from 7 - 9.30pm
All welcome, no experience needed
Tea and coffee available
Free town centre parking
£4
Contact Chris Edmunds 07530 103228
chrismartinedmunds AT gmail.com)
https://balcrew.wixsite.com/balcrewkerne
With the fiddle leading the charge, Noble Jacks are out to take no prisoners with their high-energy foot-stompin’ rhythms, which have taken crowds by storm across the UK and beyond. Nominated Live Act of the Year 2023 by the Americana Music Association UK, Noble Jacks are considered by many to be the finest purveyors of Folk-influenced Americana.
Noble Jacks have been touring relentlessly, with sold out shows across the UK on their headline tours, as well as shows at major festivals including Glastonbury and Bestival. Hailed as the finest purveyors of Folk-influenced Americana, look out as Noble Jacks take the liveliest show around.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £23.50 Full. No concessions
www.noblejacks.com
https://www.thedavidhall.com
John Jones is best known as the powerful and charismatic singer with Oysterband, veterans of the folk and roots scene since the 1980s. They started as The Whitstable Oyster Company Ceilidh Band, one of the best ceilidh bands in the business, which then evolved into the folk/punk/rock group Oysterband, releasing over 20 albums and playing every major festival in the UK, Europe and Canada. They recorded and toured with some of the UK’s most revered folk artists, including acclaimed tours and two award-winning albums with singer June Tabor.
John’s solo work developed alongside his Oysterband duties. In 2009, he released his first solo album, Rising Road, and began walking between gigs with musicians and fans in a group he called The Reluctant Ramblers. In ten years, the Reluctant Ramblers walked over 1000 miles between shows and John released his second album, Never Stop Moving, in 2015.
Now, with Oysterband saying farewell to their armies of faithful fans across the UK and Europe with their hugely successful The Long Goodbye tour, John is about to embark on his next chapter, enlisting the help of his two long-standing friends and fellow musicians: Ray Cooper a.k.a. Chopper and Al Scott. Ray joined Oysterband in 1990 and brought in the cello sound alongside his bass and backing vocals before leaving in 2013 to go solo. Al has been associated with Oysterband for over 30 years as producer and stand-in guitarist. Al joined the band in 2013.
Between them, the trio play a variety of instruments and will be performing a range of songs and tunes from over the years, from each of their back catalogues, alongside new songs and traditional numbers.
The Song Goes On Tour launches across the UK in Spring 2026, with further dates planned at summer festivals and in winter 2026, and with European shows in the pipeline as well. So whilst one chapter may be coming to an end, another is just beginning: The Song Goes On!
8.00 pm
www.oysterband.co.uk
Tickets: £24.50 Full. £23.50 Concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com
West country-based Gaz Brookfield is predominantly a solo musician. Although, on occasion you will find him on stage with his band, The Company of Thieves.
He was the first independent musician to sell out Bristol's, The Fleece, (450 cap), and The Bierkeller, (750 cap), and SWX, (1000 cap).
Gaz has an impressive back catalogue of nine studio albums. The latest of which, Morning Walking Club, went straight in at #1 in the Official UK Folk Album Charts, #3 in the Official UK Indie Breaker Charts, #6 in the Official UK Download Charts, #10 in the Official UK Indie Album Charts, and even #37 in the Official UK Album Sales Charts.
Not a bad result for this fiercely independent musician, with no record label, no manager, and no agent - just a guitar, a van, and a steadfastly belligerent refusal to give in.
Tickets: £15. No concessions
Please note that The David Hall is not selling tickets for this event.
To book tickets visit https://wegottickets.com/event/673321
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Sunday 11th January - with guest tutor, Ben Moss
Sunday 22nd February - with guest tutor, Chas Blacker
Sunday 22nd March - with guest tutor, Thomas Gold
Sunday 19th April
Sunday 10th May - with guest tutor, Jon Dyer
1.30- 4.30pm
Tickets available via the website or on the door www.sherbornefolkband.org
info AT sherbornefolkband.org
Sheet music and audio supplied in advance – please email.
Julia: 07527 508 277
Plumhall (Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall) are an acclaimed UK song-writing duo known for their beautiful vocal harmonies and powerful blend of acoustic guitars and occasional electric instrumentation. Their original songs have earned them widespread acclaim.
In 2024, the duo completed a successful 30-date tour as special guests of Fairport Convention on their Winter Tour, with Fairport joining Plumhall on stage each night to perform “One Star Awake,” the title track of Plumhall's latest album, which also features Fairport's Ric Sanders. They were thrilled to be invited to perform at Costa Festival in Ibiza in May. They then reunited with Fairport at the Cropredy Convention in August, where they performed as part of an extended Fairport lineup including Ralph McTell. They will be performing a full band set at Cropredy in August 2025, and plans are are in the pipeline for a future collaborative project with Fairport's one time member Iain Matthews, and Andy Roberts.
From the Alt-Country feel of their debut album to the more experimental sound of the follow-up, Plumhall have shown their ability to blend strong song-writing with diverse musical influences. Their much-anticipated third album, One Star Awake, was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim.
8.00 pm
www.plumhallmusic.co.uk
Tickets: £17.50 Full. £16.50 Concessions
https://www.thedavidhall.com
With Celtic and Eastern influences, the 3 Daft Monkeys’ dynamic style of World Folk music reflects the global village in which we now live. Their infectious dancing rhythms lead you through a musical journey of the senses and emotions and will leave you breathless, enthralled, and exhilarated.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
www.3daftmonkeys.co.uk
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Phil Beer is the multi-instrumental half of the west country’s award-winning acoustic duo, Show of Hands. With a professional career of over 36 years, Phil has a great deal of material to draw on for his solo appearances, which are an eclectic mix of traditional tunes, covers of Springsteen or The Hollies, together with his own compositions and songs from his contemporaries.
All are songs and music of memory and significance sung in the subtle and melodic Phil Beer style and interjected with musings and amusings to an almost personal audience. It is a treat of past and current favourites from one of the most popular musicians on the acoustic circuit.
7.30pm
£23
https://www.bridgwaterartscentre.co.uk/event/phil-beer/
Being ‘happily stranded’ in New Zealand in 2020 launched Good Habits’ full-time musical adventure, and their joyous genre-fusion has received international critical acclaim.
Originally a duo composed of Bonnie Schwarz (cello + vocals) and Pete Shaw (accordion + synths + perc), Good Habits mix revved-up virtuosity, harmony, and vivid storytelling into an action-packed narrative of genre-bending goodness. In 2025, Good Habits evolve into a trio, welcoming drummer Jenny Walinetski (Miles Kane) into the band. This addition brings a high-energy, full-band sound, pushing their Indie-Folk fusion into dynamic new territory.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
www.goodhabitsband.com
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Cara Dillon, an extraordinary, multiple award-winning Irish folk singer, and acclaimed musician and producer Sam Lakeman, will captivate listeners once again with their exquisite and enthralling live performance. Every note and word sung with a passion and confidence earned through a life of experience
singing traditional songs. Throughout an enviable career which has seen them explore opportunities to tread many different paths, Cara has continuously chosen to firmly plant herself within the landscape of her Irish cultural heritage and that’s something to celebrate.
www.caradillon.co.uk
8.00 pm
Tickets: £29. No concessions
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1899205
John McCusker, one of Folk music's most celebrated musicians and producers, marks over 30 years at the heart of the tradition. From his award-winning solo records to worldwide tours with Mark Knopfler and the legendary Transatlantic Sessions, his influence is woven through the scene. In this new trio, he's joined by two of the most exciting voices of the next generation: BBC Folk Award winner Sam Kelly and acclaimed multi-instrumentalist Toby Shaer. Together they balance experience and fresh energy, creating a live show rich in masterful playing, powerful songs, and the thrill of established tradition meeting new possibilities.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £23.50 Full. £22.50 Concessions
www.johnmccusker.co.uk
https://www.thedavidhall.com
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through her assured guitar style and songwriting.
Her writing, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, Judee Sill, Julie Byrne and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, weave into her sound. Katie absorbs these influences into her song-writing and with her distinctive deep vibrato and crystal-clear guitar style, she makes the music inimitably her own.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £18.50 Full. £17.50 Concessions
www.katiespencer.net
https://www.thedavidhall.com
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
Aidan Moodie (Guitar/Vocals) Graham Rorie (Fiddle/Mandolin/Electric Tenor Guitar) Connor Sinclair (Flute/Whistles/Vocals) Craig Baxter (Bodhran/Percussion)
Gnoss’ signature sound is a rich tapestry of acoustic layers; outstanding musicianship, deep traditional roots and contemporary compositional flair combine to create songs and tunes brimming with character. Triple Scots Trad Music Awards nominees, the band have built an invested following through their forward-thinking take on Traditional music and the unique warmth of their live shows.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £20.50 Full. £19.50 Concessions
www.gnossmusic.com
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1900025
Sheelanagig have been whipping up a storm of foot-stomping, roof-raising, high-energy live Folk for nigh on twenty years. With an arsenal of strings, soaring flute, pounding drums and a sprinkle of fairy dust they spin melodies that have set feet flying all across the globe. Their shows are a heady mix of raucous dance medleys and thoughtfully crafted original pieces feverishly brimming with fire, flair and finesse. Floors tremble and windows rattle in their presence; these rapturous minstrels are not to be missed under any circumstance.
Tickets: £20.50 Full. £19.50 Concessions
www.sheelanagig.co.uk
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1900034
One of the UK's high rising songwriters Sarah Yeo, performs material in her own "beautiful voice" (BBC) from Joan's early career from the first recording, 'Harvard Square' and onward through her lengthy journey to date, telling pivotal stories and singing key songs from the Newport Festival days, her Years in Nashville, activism around the world, her relationship both on and off the stage with Bob Dylan, and her love of recording just great songs.
The set list takes note of the political climate in 2025 and includes self penned songs 'Diamonds and Rust', 'The Winds of the Old Days', Dylan greats such as 'Love Is Just A Four Letter Word', 'There But For Fortune', 'Farewell Angelina' and the wonderful catalogue from songwriters Stevie Wonder, Phil Ochs, Janis Ian and not forgetting the early Folk covers, 'The Banks of the Ohio', 'House of the Rising Sun' and many more hits. Sarah also delves into the Spanish language repertoire Joan loved so much.
Sarah's 'warm rich voice' with sweet higher notes, lends itself perfectly for this special evening of songs and stories, on this the hometown date of the tour.
As Sarah learns more about Miss Baez's life and career, she feels she really can relate to her in many ways, making the project a very personal and inspiring experience.
8.00 pm
Tickets: £16.50 Full. £15.50 Concessions
https://www.sarahyeomusic.co.uk
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thepethertonartstrust/1919245
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
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
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
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
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
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