Folk on Wight: The Island's Folk Scene Through the Latter Part of the 20th Century. An Individual Reflection

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Now that live outdoor practising is possible again, several new musical collaborations are rumoured in the pipeline…..

Each year, Ruth Wyman organises a concert to collect funds for the Salvation Army appeal for the homeless. This year’s ‘Christmas Reflections’ concert is on Friday 2nd December at The Salvation Army hall in Pyle Street, Newport, at 7pm. Among the performers are The Watch, see above, Sheshells, Maureen Shaw and Ruth herself Last year’s Irish and Traditional music weekend was so successful that they plan to do it all again this year! Quay Arts is continuing to bring a selection of superb performers over the Solent. Saturday 11th sees a visit from Will Pound and Jenn Butterworth, two of the most inspiring instrumentalists in traditional music, bringing you an unforgettable evening of tunes and songs. https://www.quayarts.org/event/will-pound-jenn-butterworth May is shaping up to be equally busy. The Longstones saw a sizeable crowd gather to welcome the rising sun. Men of Wight dancing the sun up. The amazing Second Time Around (2ndTA) are to launch their new CD ‘House of Cards’ at Quay Folk Club on February 19th. Expect an evening of superb musicianship and vocals to die for! The band will be playing the songs featured on the new album plus a selection of their old favourites. Hot-off-the-press copies of the CD will be available to buy together with some attractive merchandise. The designs (see photo) are by Tina Goode of Inkstone Arts.The Centre opened in 2011. Run entirely by an ever increasing body ofvolunteers, the Centre won awards from the Isle of Wight Community Action group in 2012 and 2013. The Quirky Teapot is holding a Vintage Charity Day on Saturday 12th August. Sea Gels Shanty Band are performing. The Teapot is promising music all day, so other folk performers may be present, too, but no details are available at the time of writing. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Folk Tales’ by Michael O’Leary, has fourteen Stories and Legends for the Island. In print. NEW Recording of Isle of Wight Dialect made in 1962. Stanley Cotton, a native of Whitwell, reads tales from WH Long’s Dictionary of the Isle of Wight Dialect and a rhyme from Percy Stone’s ‘Songs of the Soil’. The recording was made by Daphne Griggs, a student at Edinburgh University, as part of her master’s degree project. 1962 Dialect recording Old sources David Ballard Singer, songwriter and poet, with guitar. mail [email protected] www.daveballard.co.uk

We also have a snooker and billiards team who play and practice on Monday and Wednesday evenings during the season. The snooker and pool table is open for use to everyone at other opening times.

WATCH: a short film about Holystoning

Many more were not fully recorded at the time. From a mouldy pile of words, music and recordings we will try and make the songs No festival would be complete without distinctive merchandise. Stylish t-shirts, sweatshirts and bags are available, all in organic cotton printed here using renewable energy. A snappy number can be yours via www.quay-arts.teemill.com/collection/isolation-row/ Recollections of childrens’ Singing Games and other games played on the Isle of Wight Games Remembered Folk song, jingling bells and flapping handkerchiefs will once again fill Arreton Barns on Sunday 5th. Here is the programme. Proceeds go to the Isle of Wight Independent Inshore Rescue. Festival founder Chris Waddington was presented with a High Sherriff’s Award A registered charity who support the teaching, learning and enjoyment of history at all levels and bring together people who share an interest in and love for the past.

Article on Morris Dancing, local records from 1595 to 2015, by Brian Reeves, originally published in ‘The Bridge’. Bridge Morris item The morris sides are brushing up their dances ready for the long summer season. Clubs and Folk Nights are filling up as Covid recedes, it appears. More one-off events are being planned, like 2nd Time Around entertaining at the Lord Louis Library this month and a concert by Slainte Va at the Mountbatten Centre early in April. Slainte Va

Gurnard Village Hall

Not surprisingly, recent uncertainty means fewer gatherings at the start of 2022, but there are plans under discussion for possible new clubs and folk nights later in the year…… If you should notice a folk singer sporting a knitted poppy, chances are it was knitted by Kate Seward, who raises money for the Royal British Legion every year by selling knitted poppies at folk clubs on the Island. If you see someone knitting at a folk night, chances are, it’s Kate. Kate and her husband Barry wrote a very funny song entitled ‘ Just let me finish me row’! No prizes for guessing what the song is about. Even at its quietest, there were crowds of 150 plus enjoying the Yarmouth Sea Songs and Shanties Festival, and it wasn’t often quiet! The swish new marquee kept resounding with cries of ‘more’. One heart-warming moment came when a High Sherriff’s Award was presented to Chris Waddington, the originator of the festival. The award clearly came as a total surprise to Chris. Another highlight was to see The Crew welcoming a little girl from Yarmouth School onto the stage and including her in their act. Next year, the festival will run for four days, from Friday 26th to Monday 29th May 2023.