It's Bampton, Devon 2008 and suddenly all seems right with the world, despite the cold weather over Southern England and the seemingly even colder economic climate.Yesterday's Bampton Horse Fair swung into action with huge crowds keeping the traders in their stalls busy in the town centre and jigs, reels and all sorts of folk music tunes once more echoing around the beams of the White Horse Inn.
Stripey, the street musician who seems to get absolutely everywhere (including I hear Poland) was playing in the street on his guitar and the air was full of the sound of old friends renewing acquaintances.Sadly, the Swan pub was out of action with a For Sale sign outside and was very much missed by many folkies I spoke to yesterday.
Today on BBC radio there was an item about loneliness and people of retirement age. It was sad to hear about people who don't speak to others for weeks on end. Apparently 50% of women over 65 are living alone these days.All of which makes me very grateful that I discovered the folk music community so many years ago.
We may all be getting a bit long in the tooth. We may fluff the odd note on our accordions and tin whistles. Our voices may quaver a little as we try to sing in a key we used to easily find. We may shiver a little more as we snuggle down at the end of a long day singing and playing tunes parked up by the side of a dusty road in our old and often rusty camper vans.
But - and it is a big but - the strength of the folk music community is absolutely enormous. The joy in people's faces as they meet again after travelling to Bampton from Ireland, Brittany or wherever they live is a pleasure to see and be part of.So I say to all those lonely people out there wherever you are, check out your local folk music community. The best place by far to start is at a session in a local pub where ordinary people turn up to play a tune, sing a song or just listen.
Almost all pub sessions have a main organiser or somebody hosting the group. Naturally, some are more friendly than others but experiment a bit with different places and formats and you will find a place that is welcoming and is right for you. Soon you will be absorbed into the community too and be wondering why you left it so long. All for the price of a single fizzy or alcoholic drink - whatever you prefer - or even a few!
And, if you are reading this while Bampton Free Folk Festival After the Fair is still in action this weekend, why not pop along, join in and give it a try.
I look forward to seeing you there :-)
Bye for now
Rob
Rob Hopcott - online author and folk musician