Folk Directory online, from Folklife West
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Performers:   West Country (South-West)

​music & song, dance, spoken word
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    ​​. . . . 
     your PERFORMER details. Those marked * required . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      MORE THAN 1 ENTRY ?     please send in separate forms 
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    Pf.1    FOLK MUSIC & SONG                                                                      Pf.2   FOLK DANCE                 Pf.3  SPOKEN WORD                          
    Pf.1a-c, general Music & Song           Pf.1d-f, specific Music & Song          Pf.2a  Folk Dance Callers          Pf.3a   Folk Shows,Theatre, Mummers
     Pf.1a  Music/Song - Bands/Groups   Pf.1d  Choirs & Quires                      Pf.2b  Folk Dance Bands           Pf.3b   Poetry & Monologuists
     Pf.1b  Music/Song - Duos                  Pf.1e  Community & Street Bands    Pf.2c  Ceremonial & Display (Clog, Morris, Sword)   Pf.3c Storytellers
     Pf.1c  Music/Song - Solo                   Pf.1f   Shanty Groups, Duos, & Solo                     You are welcome to email us to suggest new categories
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​Listings from   🄵  Folklife member.   Ø Folklife Associate member. --- Members' news is in area news webpages on www.folklife.uk   
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Pf.1    FOLK MUSIC & SONG                           

• Pf.1a-1c = general: Group, Duo, Solo    • Pf.1d-1f = specific: eg Community Bands; Shanties
Pf.1a    Folk Music & Song - Bands / Groups - sorted by first name within county

Devon      MOTHER’S RUIN      www.lemonrock.com/mothersruinbishopsteignton   Martyn Hillstead    01626 778071

   ⇒   11 First Avenue, Teignmouth, Devon TQ14 9DJ.       martyngh<at>aol.com
   ⊕    Mother’s Ruin are an electric/acoustic folk band based in South Devon. They play a range of original and folk rock covers.  [Existing Member, added this entry 2017 Sep]
​

Devon    WREN BAND    www.wrenmusic.co.uk   Wren Music      01837 53754
⇒  Ebenezer Hall, North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR  admin<at>wrenmusic.co.uk
⊕ Wren Band brings together vocal and instrumental dexterity from Devon’s finest professional artists at the heart of Wren Music for national and international concert performances.   [New address, same phone: July 2017]

N.Somerset    FOUGERE ROUGE     (no website)    Eric Brooker    01934 733207
⊕ Fun-loving ceilidh band featuring fiddles, flute, recorder, sax, guitars, keyboard bass and drums. Lovely arrangements of a wide range of English, Irish and Scottish tunes. From gentle harmonies to driving rhythms.  [Changed links: Jan 2018]

Wilts    FRIGGITT      www.friggitt.co.uk        Chris Turpin  07766492415
⇒ christurpin2016<at>gmail.com
⊕ Friggitt perform songs and tunes from the nautical tradition and beyond.

Glos        BLACKTHORN BUSKERS      (no website)    Bill Craswell     07740 248785
⇒    For more info please contact  Bill  –  liam<at>liamtho.com
⊕        A lively  4 Piece Trad/Modern Folk Band based in Gloucester    [2018 June, new member]


Glos    PATCHWORK        (no website)      Chris Carruthers    01242 602236
⇒     Contact Chris Carruthers 01242 602236.  Email:  4chriscrs<at>googlemail.com
⊕      "Patchwork entertain audiences around Gloucestershire with their close harmony singing. Prepare to be swept along by their infectious joie de vivre!' (Winchcombe Festival of Music and Arts programme).  (May 2019 new entry]

Glos    TRAVELLING MUSIC HALL    www.scarfproductions.co.uk    Andy Scarf     07772 053778
⇒ andyscarf<at>yahoo.co.uk, 01594 544456
⊕  “More fun than you can possibly hold!”  Over twenty years of entertaining in Gloucestershire have now come together in a traditional show with a very modern flavour.  We aim to capture the spirit of music hall – good old-fashioned joining-in fun!
Pf.1b    Folk Music & Song - Duo

🄵    Dorset ALONGSHORE   www.alongshore.weeblysite.com  Ledger de la Bald  07971 859098 
⇒  Contact alongshore.folk<at>gmail.com     https://sites.google.com/site/boathookbald/home, 
     https://alongshore.bandcamp.com/album/diamonds-rubies-emeralds
⊕  Traditional folk singer Vic Baines (Aka Pendlecheek) and poet Ledger De La Bald (Aka Boathouse Bald). Their shared love of storytelling through folk song and poetry is reflected in their debut album, "Diamonds, Rubies And Emeralds".  [New Member July 2022]


Devon    MARILYN TUCKER & PAUL WILSON     www.wrenmusic.co.uk    Wren Music    01837 53754
⇒  Ebenezer Hall, North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR  admin<at>wrenmusic.co.uk
    ⊕ Strong vocal harmonies and instrumental variety - wide repertoire of traditional songs and tunes (including many from Devon’s rich cultural  history) is complemented by a wealth of new songs and original compositions. “They make their songs live” says Peggy Seeger. [New address, same phone: July 2017]

Wilts   DAVE WEBBER & ANNI FENTIMAN         www.oldandnewtradition.com/daveandanni         Dave & Anni    01249 720866
   ⌂    The Old Hall, Upper Seagry, Chippenham, Wilts SN15 5HD.   daveandanni<at>oldandnewtradition.com   07976 521788 / 01249 720866 
   ⊕    Lovers of traditional music generally.  We sing together in harmony, songs of love and social comment.  [New Members, 2017 Oct]

Glos    DISCOVERY        www.facebook.com/discoveryfolk    Jeff & Elaine Gillett     01453 751256   
    ⇒ jeff.gillett<at>btinternet.com 
    ⊕ Traditional and contemporary folksong, including a good number of Gloucestershire songs, plus Jeff’s settings of William Blake’s poetry.  Vocal harmony, a capella and with tasteful and inventive accompaniment on guitar, mandola, Appalachian dulcimer, English concertina and whistle.   [new member, Mar 2018]
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Glos    HAT SCARF & GLOVES    www.myspace.com/hatscarfgloves    Andy Scarf     07772 053778 
⇒  hatscarfgloves<at>gmail.com  
      ⊕ Andy Scarf and Bill "Pass the Hat" Taylor.  Based in Gloucestershire, we perform a wide range from folk ballads through scrumpy and western to comic tales, but mostly we bring fun!  To hear what we sound like, log onto www.myspace.com/hatscarfgloves

Glos    MARTIN & SHAN GRAEBE    www.martinandshan.net   Martin & Shan    01285 651104
⇒   59 Roberts Close, Cirencester, Glos  GL7 2RP.
    ⊕ Singing traditional songs from the south of England, unaccompanied and in harmony. Many come from the Victorian collector, Sabine Baring-Gould, on whose work Martin is an authority. Martin has also written a number of songs popular with folk audiences worldwide.

Glos    THE POACHERS    (no website)        Alasdair     01684 892264
    ⇒ alasdair.mckeane(at)gmail.com
        ⊕ Experienced duo specialising in well-known traditional and more modern songs from around the UK and elsewhere, all delivered with a smile. Two singers, guitar, fiddle, concertina, tenor banjo, mandolin. Also suitable for care home and similar settings – daytime or evenings.     [new member, Mar 2018]

Glos   REBIL        www.facebook.com/rebilduo    Bill Taylor    07787 713758  
   ⌂    b111t<at>aol.com  
   ⊕    Rebecca Kay is joined by Bill Taylor, performing traditional and contemporary songs and ballads, rich vocals, warm harmonies with guitar accompaniment. [Existing member, with a new duo, 2017 Sep]
Pf.1c    Folk Music & Song - Solo  - sorted by first name
​
Cornwall    SARAH McQUAID  www.sarahmcquaid.com      Sarah McQuaid    01736 810807
⇒ Penzance, Cornwall.    Mobile: 07999 868758.    sarah<at>sarahmcquaid.com     You can contact Sarah via her website.    
    ⊕ “Brilliant musicianship, a warm and welcoming stage presence and a voice as rich, matured and knowing as the finest thrice-distilled Irish malt whiskey.” — fRoots             [Contact change: FQ Apr 2016]​

Bristol    KEVIN ADAMS    http://kevinmervynadams.weebly.com/  Kevin Adams    07855 092975
⇒ 90 St Francis Drive, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1QA    folksinger.kevin<at>gmail.com                         
    ⊕ Guitar and songs, mainly contemporary with noticeable nostalgia for 60/70s folk boom; some unaccompanied trad choruses still turn up at times,      [New website: FQ Apr 2016]


​Glos    JOHNNY COPPIN   www.johnnycoppin.co.uk      Johnny Coppin    01453 885088
⇒ Red Sky Records, PO Box 27, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 0YQ. Tel or Fax: 01453 885088. Email: johnny<at>johnnycoppin.co.uk
    ⊕ “One of our most underrated folk artists" The  Living Tradition. "One of the finest voices in its field” Q Magazine.


Glos    ANDY  SCARF     www.scarfproductions.co.uk  Andy Scarf   01594 544456
⇒    andyscarf<at>yahoo.co.uk, 01594 544456, Facebook: Andy Scarf Productions
⊕    Folk ballads, sea shanties, comic songs - you just have to join in!  [2018 Nov, new member]   

Glos     JEFF GILLETT    www.facebook.com/discoveryfolk    Jeff  Gillett     01453 751256  
    ⇒ jeff.gillett<at>btinternet.com 
    ⊕ Singer and multi-instrumentalist: guitar, mandola, mandolin, Appalachian dulcimer, English concertina. Traditional and contemporary. Also available for session-work, specialising in tasteful, sensitive and inventive accompaniments.   [new member, Mar 2018]


Cornwall  DAVID HARLEY https://dharley.wordpress.com   David Harley 07484 126675 
    ⇒ Contact david.a.harley(at)gmail.com
    ⊕ Singer, guitarist (mostly), own songs (mostly) and poetry settings: firmly rooted in UK and US traditions. [added July 2022]
Pf.1d    Choirs & Quires: Folk & Community Choirs & Bands, West Gallery  
→ indicates venue and times 

Devon    WREN MUSIC groups: see List 5, WORKSHOP PROVIDERS
​

​N. Somerset    BARLEY RYE CHOIR    www.nailseafolkclub.co.uk/barleyrye    Keith Burrows    01179 248817 
→ Practices at the Ring o’ Bells, Nailsea, North Somerset on Sunday evenings 
⊕ Performs at local festivals in 3- and 4-part harmony. 

Glos       SHEPHERD’S CROOK www.facebook.com/ShepCrook Carol Davies 01242 603094 
⊕ Winchcombe-based folk choir. New members are welcome. ​
Pf.1e    Shanty Groups, Duos, & Solo        
​

Wilts    FRIGGITT      www.friggitt.co.uk        Chris Turpin  07766492415
⇒ christurpin2016<at>gmail.com
⊕ Friggitt perform songs and tunes from the nautical tradition and beyond.

​Bristol    The BRISTOL SHANTYMEN    (no website)    Maggie Starkey    01454 321943
⇒ 4 Pitchcombe, Yate, Bristol, South Glos, BS17 4JX     
⊕ The group perform shanties and forebitters. Available for festivals, folk clubs functions, etc.

Bristol    The HARRY BROWNS    www.harrybrowns.co.uk    Chris Fry     01458 274407
⊕ Salty fun and songs of the sea from this longstanding band of vagabonds: jaw dropping harmonies, superb instrumentation and always a bundle of laughs. 

​Glos        BLACKTHORN BUSKERS      (no website)    Bill Craswell     07740 248785
⇒    For more info please contact  Bill  –  liam<at>liamtho.com
⊕        A lively 4 Piece Trad/Modern Folk Band based in Gloucester    [2018 June, new member]
Pf.2   FOLK DANCE  (Social / Country / Display / Ceremonial)
​

     Many callers & bands travel across the country; so we give the home area just for information
Pf.2a    Folk Dance Callers    • for Folk Dance Teachers: see W.2, Workshops pages, every issue  

Glos    ANDY  SCARF     www.scarfproductions.co.uk  Andy Scarf   01594 544456
⇒    andyscarf<at>yahoo.co.uk, 01594 544456, Facebook: Andy Scarf Productions
⊕   Ceilidh dancing, barn dancing, even a hoe-down if you insist! This is just great fun.  Keeps you fit too, and you don’t have to know the dances, cos I’ll call them out for you! [2018 Nov, new member]  
Pf.2b    Folk Dance Bands     
​

Devon    WREN BAND    www.wrenmusic.co.uk    Wren Music    01837 53754
⇒ Wren Music, Ebenezer Hall, North Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AR.         admin<at>wrenmusic.co.uk
    ⊕ Drawn from the array of professional musicians that make up the Wren Music team, the Wren Band features vocal and instrumental dexterity
    from internationally-recognised artists. Top class folk music (and calling) for ceilidhs, concerts, festivals, weddings and parties.   [New address, same phone: July 2017]

N.Somerset    FOUGERE ROUGE    (no website)    Eric Brooker    01934 733207
    ⊕ Fun-loving ceilidh band featuring fiddles, flute, recorder, sax, guitars, keyboard bass and drums. Lovely arrangements of a wide range of English, 
    Irish and Scottish tunes. From gentle harmonies to driving rhythms.

Glos    CARACTACUS    (no website)      Chris Beaumont    01242 571185
⇒ 32 Cudnall Street, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Glos GL53 8HQ.     
    ⊕ Dynamic dulcimer, bouncing banjo, furious fiddle, and percussive piano - English rhythym with attitude!
 
Glos    LIGHT FANTASTIC   (no website)       Chris Beaumont    01242 571185
⇒ Cudnall Street, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham, Glos GL53 8HQ.     
    ⊕ Judith van Dijkhuizen piano, dulcimer, & recorder; Dave Anderson fiddle & soprano sax; Mick Holditch guitar; & Chris Beaumont melodeon.
 

Glos    PLUMP HILL BAND    www.plumphill.co.uk  Andy Scarf   01594 544456
⇒     info<at>plumphill.co.uk, 01594 544456, Facebook: Andy Scarf Productions
⊕   The Plump Hill Barn Dance & Ceilidh Band offers you over twenty years’ experience of playing for social occasions  – weddings, anniversaries, Burns nights, parties, local celebrations, schools, conferences. [2018 Nov, new member]   

Glos    THAT SHALLOT   https://m.facebook.com/That-Shallot-381858858610893/       Gareth Heatley     07737526206 
⇒     Contact Gareth, 07737526206, email g.heatley<at>inbox.com
⇒     That Shallot - a lively dance band providing energetic English dance tunes suitable for birthdays, weddings, barn dances and ceilidhs. Based in and around Gloucestershire our musicians and callers will guide you through an evening of fun dancing. (July 2019)
Pf.2c    Ceremonial & Dance Display   (including Clog, Morris, Sword)     arranged by county
→ indicates venue and times  ​
​
Cornwall      TYWARDREATH MORRIS     www.tywardreathmorris.org.uk     John     01208 872124
    →     Dancing on Wednesday evenings at various pubs - see website for details 
    ⇒     Contact details:tywardreathmorris@yahoo.co.uk To join us or book us please phone John on 01208 872124
    ⊕     Mixed side, dances mainly from Cotswold tradition, a few border style dances. Formed in 2010, sponsored by the New Inn, to which we repair after practice. New members very welcome, come along and give it a try with no commitment. [Jan 2018, new member]

Glos    CAMPDEN MORRIS DANCERS    www.chippingcampdenmorrismen.org  David Cranke    07767 206499
⇒  To contact the Side: David Cranke, 07767 206499, cranke@btinternet.com; Patrick Sexton, 07708 952778, paddysexton@outlook.com; or Tim Sexton, 07821 427868, malindela89@btinternet.com. 
⊕  The Campden side dances a unique tradition and the dances and steps form part of a living tradition passed on from one generation to the next. No other sides dance Campden and this is respected thoughout the morris community. [Nov 2016, new member]

Glos    GLOUCESTERSHIRE MORRIS MEN     www.glosmorrismen.org    Mike Boag, bagman 01242 244701
    → Every Tuesday from 7.45 p.m. at Chosen Hill School, Churchdown, Glos.
    ⊕ Male Cotswold Morris.  Member of Morris Ring.  [Oct 2016, new contact name & phone]
​
​Glos    LASSINGTON OAK    www.lassingtonoak.co.uk    Martyn    07766 490735
⇒ bagman.lassingtonoakmm<at>gmail.com
    ⊕ Based in Highnam, we are Gloucester’s resident Morris Team, and perform a wide variety of traditional Cotswold Morris Dances.

​Glos    HAPPENSTANCE  http://happenstancemorris.org.uk    Carol Davies (Squire)   01242 603094 
   → Every Tuesday 7.30 p.m. in Winchcombe School, Greet Rd, WInchcombe.
     ⊕ Mixed Border Morris.  Member of Open Morris. [Nov 2018, new contact name & phone]
Pf.3    SPOKEN WORD PERFORMERS
Pf.3a    Folk Shows & Theatre, Mummers

Wilts      THE POTTERNE MUMMERS    www.potternemummers.co.uk     Bob Berry    07714 550990
⇒  info<at>potternemummers.co.uk
    ⊕   Guardians of the traditional Potterne Mummers Play, touring the pubs round Devizes in the week before Christmas, to present our version of the traditional folk play, and collect a few quid for local charities and the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
Pf.3b    Poets & Monologuists    

Bristol     TREVOR CARTER, The Bard of Windmill Hill      www.windmillbard.co.uk       Trevor Carter     0117 9665514
⇒    Trevor Carter, windmillbard<at>aol.co.uk,  0117 9665514 / 07957 147464
⊕     The Bard of Windmill Hill: award-winning poet, storyteller and satirist.   "Brilliant, captivating, cheering" - Chippenham Folk Festival.  [2019 Mar, amended]
   
Cornwall   ROB BARRATT           comic poet     www.robbarratt.co.uk     Rob Barratt     01566 880336
⇒ 37, Penpont View, Five Lanes, Launceston, Cornwall, PL15 7RY.      mobile 07795 461023    rbarratt<at>cooptel.net
    ⊕ No one reads poetry any more, They all give it a miss, No, nobody reads poetry, So … why are you reading this?  Something completely different for your festival or club!  Bodmin-based poet and singer - funny and satirical material.  

Glos    ANDY  SCARF     www.scarfproductions.co.uk  Andy Scarf   01594 544456
⇒    andyscarf<at>yahoo.co.uk, 01594 544456, Facebook: Andy Scarf Productions
⊕    Let’s have an evening with great stories from the last hundred years!  Monologues came into their own when Victorian music hall began to become respectable, around the end of the nineteenth century.      [2018 Nov, new member]  
Pf.3c   Storytellers
your entries welcome ​​
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