With a strong desire to revisit old haunts, I spent yesterday evening at the folk music session in the Bell Inn at Ash near Martock, Somerset which replaced the Wheatsheaf in South Petherton and now hosts a fortnightly traditional English folk music session on Wednesday evenings starting around 8.30pm led by Martin Hughes. It was one of the most enjoyable evenings I have spent for months.
I have to confess that Martin is one of my favourite folk music session organisers. He is very welcoming to newcomers and is an outstanding folk musician himself, always willing to leap in and start a tune when others are flagging. He also has a particular skill (and perhaps tenacity) for collecting around him an extremely wide range of talented musicians who also enjoy his sessions.
Highlights of the evening included sonorous cello playing by Matt, a virtuoso display of Appalachian dancing and humorous songs by Tony.
Would I recommend this traditional English folk music session at the Bell Inn, Ash, Martock? You bet I would and I am looking forward to checking out their other local session which takes place on alternate weeks.
Bye for now
Rob
Rob Hopcott – folk music festivals and sessions
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