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Giff's News |
Email - derek@derekgifford.co.uk
July 2009
A
couple of weeks ago I was checking the web site to make sure the gig list was up
to date when I discovered that I hadn't done any 'News' since last October!
Apologies to any of you that look at this page regularly in the hope of reading
something new.
One
of the reasons I've been so forgetful of is because I've been very busy this
year with gigs, festivals, and work
in schools. I've also been continuing my work with Folkus of course, where we
had another very successful residential musical weekend at Waddow Hall,
Clitheroe in February. As always, if you'd like to contact Folkus with a view to
learning any folk instrument then do ring the Folkus office on 01253 872317 or
email them at alanbell@fylde-folk-fest.demon.co.uk.
My
first 'mini-tour' this year was up in the north-east where I had a great time at
Stockton and Darlington clubs. It's been a while since I visited this part of
the world so it was good to meet up with old friends again.
The
spring continued apace with probably the most unusual booking of the year at the
Solihull Real Ale and Shanty Festival. I know - what? - shanties in land-locked
West Midlands!! This was with Keith Kendrick and we went out as 'One Sheet
Short' because Geoff couldn't make it. With Monkey's Orphan, Bitter End and
Monkey's Fist as companions on the bill it was almost a mini-Lancaster Maritime
Festival. We had a great time!
With
no Glasson or Lancaster Maritime Festivals for the first time in over 20 years I
had a blank Easter. So we went to Hampshire - birding. It was the Easter Monday
when I missed the festival most because I thought about Paul Sirman and me
running the 'Last Night Do' for all those years.
The
birding is always frantic in April and May and I've been leading dawn choruses
and evening walks at Fir Tree Farm where our friends Alan and Edwina Abbott are
developing the wildlife interest on their organic farm. See their web site www.firtreefarmshop.org.uk
for more details. We recently ran a very successful Lancashire Folk Night there
too with special guests Scold's Bridle and Mark
Dowding. Alan and Edwina really are diversifying!
Over
the last few weeks I've been busy working on the Folk North West magazine
because I offered to fill the vacancy of Advertising Manager for the next issue
only. The post will be vacant again immediately after the next issue and it's
not too onerous a job really. If you are interested and have a little time to
spare (unlike me!) then contact the Federation chairman, Dave Jones, on 0151 639
4285 and have a chat or email him at anneanddavejones@hotmail.co.uk
This
August is free of gigs because I won't be at Broadstairs this year so I'll take
the opportunity to finally do some more work on the 'Birds in Folk Song' book.
After
appearing at the fantastic Fylde Folk Festival in the autumn I'll be travelling
again and looking forward to several trips to Kent and the Midlands.
Unfortunately
I'm ending my piece with bad news. My dear old friend Johnny Collins died on
July 6th while on tour in Poland. He was a giant among the maritime singing
fraternity and is going to be sadly missed by us all. I've written an obituary
for Folk North West and details of the funeral can be found on Mudcat. R.I.P.
old buddy.
Hope
to see some of you on my travels. Cheers for now,
Giff'
Email - derek@derekgifford.co.uk