Hopcott news archive – articles, stories, discussion from Rob

When Captain Banjo’s Street Band discovered that maestro guitar player and esteemed band member David Orton, who is also proprietor of The Hunters’ Inn, Heddon Valley, Parracombe, North Devon, had been awarded North Devon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2009, band members couldn’t resist celebrating the award with an out of fancy dress flying visit to Dave’s monthly Sunday folk music session run by popular local folk musician, singer and watercolour artist (photo left below) Ian Hudson.

When it was also rumoured that Martin Hughes, ace piano accordion folk musician from neighbouring Somerset was also attending this session, set in the heart of North Devon’s beautiful Heddon Valley and close to its spectacular and scenic coastline, the evening was already promising to be a profoundly awesome experience (photo of Martin right below).

Needless to say, the folk music session didn’t disappoint with a wonderful mixture of meditative acoustic guitar numbers from Ian Hudson, toe tapping English folk dance tunes from Martin Hughes and energetic African drum assisted folk rocking from Captain Banjo’s Street Band (various photos below with many thanks to the kind member of the public who assisted with the photography).

As the members of Captain Banjo’s Street band happily drifted off into the night at the end of a wonderful evening and wended their way through the twisting and tiny country roads of North Devon to their homes, nobody had any doubt that they would be back soon to sample again David Orton’s wonderful blend of Hunters’ Inn hospitality, wholesome, freshly cooked locally sourced food and, of course, his fantastic beer.