Archive

Wellington, Somerset new folk and roots night ‘Acoustic Roots’ at Mama Stone’s music venue

Published
by
Rob Hopcott
on December 18, 2008
in News from Rob Hopcott, Somerset gig guides, Somerset things to do, Wellington gig guides, Wellington things to do, Wellington what's on, folk, folk music, folk roots, gig guides, somerset what's on, things to do and whats on
. 0 Comments
I just heard from Jamie of Under One Sun that a new folk and roots night 'Acoustic Roots' is starting at the dedicated music venue Mama Stone's at 14-18 North Street Wellington TA21 8LT.

Details of dates in early 2009 will be out soon but on Thursday 18 December 2008 there's a chance to drop in and see the venue. Doors open at 8pm for an 8.30pm start with local artists The Iron Dukes, JW3, Kim McGavin and others.

Admission is free! Phone the venue on 01823 66 66 26 if you need directions or to confirm if you are travelling or incurring expense (there's a public car park in North Street about 50 yards away). Any artists interested in playing are welcome to give a call on 01984 656526.

Jamie also mentions that Folk, Roots & Branches goes out on 10Radio 105.3fm on www.10radio.org on Sundays 10am to Noon, repeated on Thursdays 6 to 8pm, and as far as he is aware that will include Christmas Day!

It's short notice but, if you are looking at gig guides, what's on or things to do this Thursday 18th December 2008, this new folk and roots night at Mama Stone's could be an interesting one to check out - and folk on Christmas Day sounds great!

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online writer and folk musician

Camper-van visit to Bossington on the edge of Exmoor in West Somerset

Published
by
Rob
on December 16, 2008
in Bossington, Exmoor, Kitnor Tea Gardens, News from Rob Hopcott, Porlock, Porlock Bay, West Somerset, camper van, cup of tea, old village, piece of cake, sea, secluded tea gardens, shingle ridge, tea gardens, thatch and thatched cottages
. 0 Comments
Olde Worlde Bossington village car park, Exmoor, West Somerset

Olde worlde Bossington village car park, Exmoor, West Somerset

When I want to visit the shingle ridge that borders Porlock Bay, I often park my camper-van in the old village of Bossington. It has a nice car park, some beautiful old thatched cottages and some splendid secluded tea gardens to get a cup of tea and a piece of cake.

Kitnor tea rooms garden in Olde Worlde Bossington near Porlock, West Somerset

Kitnors Tea Gardens in olde worlde Bossington near Porlock, West Somerset

A short level walk takes me to Porlock shingle ridge and the Bristol Channel.

In the Summer, this is a wonderful spot where I love to amble slowly listening to the sounds of the birds and the sea in the distance.

Inside at the olde worlde Kitnors Tea Gardens, Bossington

Inside at the olde worlde Kitnors Tea Gardens, Bossington

If you are looking for a pleasant place to visit an old thatched village close to the Bristol Channel in your camper-van, Bossington old village could be for you but you might find the roads very narrow and challenging.

However, if you can find your way through the tiny roads, it is a charming place to visit.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online writer

Campervan visit to Selworthy village, Exmoor near Minehead, West Somerset

Published
by
Rob
on December 15, 2008
in Bury Castle, Exmoor, Ford Transit Campervan, Minehead, News from Rob Hopcott, Selworthy Beacon, Selworthy Combe, Selworthy Green, Selworthy Village, West Somerset, camper van, camper van conversion, campervan and campervans
. 0 Comments
Selworthy overflow car park and a lovely suntrap in the Summer

Selworthy overflow car park and a lovely suntrap in the Summer

One of my favourite places to park up my campervan and take a stroll is amongst the thatched cottages of Selworthy Village on the Northern fringes of Exmoor near Minehead, West Somerset.

The overflow car park is an absolute sun trap in the Summer.

View towards Dunkery Beacon and Exmoor from above Selworthy Green near Minehead

View towards Dunkery Beacon and Exmoor from above Selworthy Green near Minehead

There are great views from the tiny lane that runs up the side of the hill over to Dunkery Beacon and Exmoor.

It’s a fantastic place from which to explore the wooded walks up the side of Selworthy Combe and onwards to Selworthy Beacon or to the Iron Age defended settlement Bury Castle.

Selworthy Green in Selworthy Village near Minehead, West Somerset

Selworthy Green in Selworthy Village near Minehead, West Somerset

Selworthy Green is a tranquil place to sit and contemplate the beautiful countryside or chat with a few friends and I have often enjoyed tea and cake at the Periwinkle Cottage tea rooms on the side of Selworthy Green.

The road up through the village to the parking places is quite tiny and might be quite challenging in some campervans. My Ford Transit camper van conversion made it reasonably easily, although it might be more difficult in the Summer with more people using the road.

Bye for now

Rob Hopcott - online writer

Christmas shopping, a brass band, carols and festive music at the Royal Oak pub, Porlock

Published
by
Rob
on December 15, 2008
in Bristol Channel, Christmas, Christmas carols, Christmas shopping, Doverhay Garage, Exmoor, Exmoor Classic Cars, News from Rob Hopcott, Porlock, Royal Oak pub, West Somerset Morris men, brass band, carols and festive music
. 0 Comments
Carol singers at Porlock Christmas late night shopping

Carol singers at Porlock Christmas late night shopping

Christmas shopping buzzed while festive music and Christmas carols wafted through the streets of Porlock under the high hills of Exmoor and by the side of the Bristol Channel last Saturday (13th December) as visitors and residents enjoyed an evening’s Christmas 2008 late night shopping.

The carol singers sounded great in Porlock High Street and a fine brass band was playing amongst the Exmoor Classic Cars at Doverhay Garage.

Watchet Town Brass Band at Porlock late night Christmas Shopping

Watchet Town Brass Band at Porlock late night Christmas Shopping

Unfortunately, we missed the West Somerset Morris Dancers but were able to catch up with them later and join in with their carol singing at the Royal Oak pub.

All the Morris Sides I know have a welcoming ethos and the West Somerset Morris Men certainly carry on this tradition.

Chatting to Bagman Malcolm Appleton, it seems that West Somerset Morris men are looking for people to join them as they dance around the villages of West Somerset and Exmoor.

So, if you fancy getting some exercise with a welcoming and friendly group of people or playing in their band, with excesses of income over expenditure going to charity, check out their West Somerset Morris  Men website.

West Somerset Morris Men at the Royal Oak pub, Porlock singing carols at Christmas late night shopping

West Somerset Morris Men at the Royal Oak pub, Porlock singing carols at Christmas late night shopping

My brother used to dance with the West Somerset Morris Men and, forty years later, when occasionally he comes back to West Somerset, they still invite him in to join them.

People who have started Morris dancing tell me it’s amazingly addictive and that people shouldn’t be fooled by the bells, the light hearted spirit and the antics of the pigs bladder, it really is very good exercise.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online writer

Christmas Eve folk song, music or whatever session relocated to “Knights in the Bottom” (Victoria Inn) 24th December from 8pm. just outside Weymouth

Published
by
Wessex Folk Festival
on December 15, 2008
in Christmas, Christmas Eve, December whats on, News from Rob Hopcott, Wessex Folk Festival, Weymouth whats on, folk, folk music, folk song, gig guide, sing-a-long, sing-around, songs, what's on Weymouth and whats on December
. 0 Comments
When Roger and Jo Quigley suggested running their Wednesday folk music, sing-a-long session (at the Sailors Return, Weymouth) on Christmas Eve, it seemed to be a popular idea for all, including the landlord. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the landlord had a change of heart and so it cannot happen at that venue, however ...

There will be a folk music, sing-around session on Christmas Eve at “Knights in the Bottom” (Victoria Inn) on (surprise, surprise) 24th December from 8pm. This pub is just outside Weymouth, on the road out to Portesham. This has its advantages because it is a bigger venue with a massive car park!

So, if you are checking out the gig guide for what's on around Weymouth and Dorset, you can be assured of a warm welcome being extended to anyone who would like to join in. Bring a song, a tune or a recitation of some sort or simply come and listen. Break the mould and drag yourself out!

All the best,

Paul

Paul Openshaw - Wessex Folk Festival Committee

Online writing tips statistics suggested an interest in how to write a Christmas story and stories with a twist in the tale (twist in the tail)

Published
by
Rob
on December 13, 2008
in Christmas, Christmas stories, Christmas story, News from Rob Hopcott, Xmas, Xmas Stories, Xmas Story, keywords, online writing, online writing statistics, online writing tips, online writings, twist in the tail, twist in the tale and writing
. 0 Comments
Keywords for today suggest an interest in Christmas story writing and twists in the tale

Keywords for today suggest an interest in Christmas story writing and twists in the tale

In my article yesterday about online writing tips, I discussed the importance of keeping an eye on the keywords people are using to find your online writings.

Recently, I’ve noticed that a number of people have come to this site looking for Christmas story related information so I thought I would mention the short Christmas story that I wrote recently. It demonstrates both a twist in the tale (twist in the tail) and the idea that it is good for an author to write about matters of current interest to the reader.

All of us have common interests. The most powerful, constantly exploited by the advertising industry, is the relationship between men and women. However, there are many other themes that, at any particular time, will generally attract our interest.

Obviously a major theme currently is the economy, the Credit Crunch and the recession that seems to be growing worse daily.

Another theme high on many of our agendas is the environment, worry about climate change, recycling and green issues in general which is the theme of my latest Xmas story.

My Christmas story for Christmas 2008 is a flash fiction called Green Car for Christmas. It is a modest effort but seeks to attract interest by focusing on an actual event which happened when I was walking through town and saw a car draw away soundlessly - an example of using real life events to stimulate fiction. It then rounds off with a change of direction or a twist in the tale which has a Christmas flavour.

This Xmas short story has links to other Xmas stories I have written in previous years which you might find of interest.

My previous article Writing tips - how to write stories with a twist in the tale might also be helpful :-)

More online writing tips soon.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online writer

Like folk music, folk singing and folk dancing? You could love Folk Camps!

Published
by
Rob
on December 12, 2008
in Folk Camps, Folk Camps Society, News from Rob Hopcott, folk, folk camping, folk club, folk club sing-a-rounds, folk dance, folk dancing, folk music, folk music sessions, folk musicians, folk singing, folk songs and sing-a-rounds
. 0 Comments
Folk Camps are all about people who like getting together to dance, sing and play folk music in a family friendly, community and camping environment.

Folk Camps are for people who like getting together to dance, sing and play folk music in a family friendly, community and camping environment.

If you like folk music, folk dance and folk songs, you might just love Folk Camps which is a registered charity and exists to bring people who like making their own entertainment playing folk music, folk singing or folk dancing together in beautiful and relaxed community camping locations.

I first heard about Folk Camps from Nicole and Pete Mac when I was visiting a folk festival on Exmoor. Subsequently I attended a musicians camp at Beckford and was very impressed by the ethos of this essentially voluntary organisation.

One of the really great things about Folk Camps is that it enables people who enjoy folk music activities to do them in a family friendly environment. This contrasts with the usual pub folk music sessions and pub folk club sing-a-rounds which parents might feel are places that are inappropriate to take their children.

The Folk Camps Society has been quietly organising folk activity holidays now for over 40 years. The staff all give their time for free and campers help to organise workshops, daytime events and entertainment each evening.

I enjoyed my weekend folk camping and reckon, especially for families, it could be a great way to help the up and coming generations develop an interest in playing folk music, singing folk songs and dancing folk dances which could provide them with pleasure for the rest of their lives.

For more information about this excellent organisation, visit their Folk Camps website.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online writer and folk musician

Friendly Christmas Eve folk music session of English traditional tunes at South Petherton

Published
by
Rob Hopcott
on December 12, 2008
in Christmas Eve, English session, English traditional tunes, Folk Music Session, Loose Knit Band, Martin Hughes, News from Rob Hopcott, Sidmouth, South Petherton, folk music, folk session, friendly session and traditional tunes
. 0 Comments
Martin Hughes has kindly emailed me to say that there will be a folk music session at the Wheatsheaf Inn at South Petherton on Wednesday 24th December 2008 starting about 8.30 pm which, of course, is Christmas Eve.

The Wheatsheaf folk music session run by Martin Hughes and is one of my favourite sessions where all are made very welcome and the focus is mainly on playing English traditional music tunes.

Sadly, I have got out of the habit of the Wheatsheaf session because the cost of fuel has rocketed in recent months. However, now it has gone down again, perhaps I will again make the effort. It's over an hour's drive for me but the welcome that Martin's friendly English session has offered me in the past has always made the journey worth while.

Martin Hughes is a lead player in the Loose Knit Band which gives everybody such a friendly welcome at the Sidmouth Sailing and Sea Angling Club during the Sidmouth folk festival week. Next year's Sidmouth Festival dates, I see from the festival site, are 31 July - 7 August 2009 and I'm looking forward to it already.

Perhaps I'll see you there but, if you are going to travel or incur expense, always check with the venue to ensure there are no last minute changes of plans :-)

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author

Online writing visitors, their total numbers and the keywords they use for your online book or blog are vital information

Published
by
Rob
on December 12, 2008
in News from Rob Hopcott, blog, free hit counters, keywords, online book, online writer, online writing, statistics package, total visitor numbers, visitor statistics, visitors keywords, volume of readers, website traffic, writing, writing help and writing tips
. 0 Comments
Statcounter provides excellent and free visitor statistics for my online writing sites that I find very adequate

Statcounter.com provides excellent and free visitor statistics for my online writing sites that I find very adequate

Yesterday I discussed the importance of using online writing tools like Google’s Webmaster tools to help work with the search engines to improve the quality of your online writing site or blog for Web indexing purposes.

Today, I would like to talk more about monitoring your online writing site so you get a better understanding of your total visitor numbers and also what your online readers are looking for when they come to your site.

Online writers might live in a creative dream world all of their own as far as their friends are concerned but the one thing an online writer can’t be uncertain about is the number of visitors that are coming to read his or her online writing sites or blogs or the visitors keywords used.

Your webspace might come with a statistics package that is adequate or you might prefer to use one of the many free hit counters that are available on the Web. Personally, although I already have access to visitor statistics for most of my sites, I usually prefer in addition the free services of Statcounter.com. It enables me to see the website traffic to all my web sites and blogs on one page and provides very useful information about keywords people are currently typing in to find my sites. Signing up is free and it is usually easy to add the code to each page by including it as part of your blog template.

Of course, once you have started tracking the volume of readers that are visiting your online writing, you will be concerned with the trend which hopefully will be rising as the weeks pass and you put more writing online. Statcounter.com enables you to monitor this closely.

More online writing tips and help for the online writer tomorrow :-)

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online  writer

Christmas book reading is a great way to escape ghastly Christmas television programmes

Published
by
Rob
on December 11, 2008
in Books, Christmas, Christmas Day, Christmas book, Christmas book reader, Christmas books, Christmas television programmes, Christmas time, Happy Christmas, News from Rob Hopcott, book, read a good book, reading and writing
. 0 Comments
A Christmas book is wonderful to escape into while everybody else is goggling in front of ghastly Christmas television programmes

A Christmas book is wonderful to escape into while everybody else is goggling in front of ghastly Christmas television programmes

A good Christmas book or preferably several good Christmas books sets me off for a Happy Christmas. Reading a Christmas book has just the right mixture of things I like to do. It allows me to escape into a story. It gives me a bit of a break from writing and it enables me to do a bit of research on what other authors, admittedly more successful than myself, are getting up to.

So, on Christmas Day, I am pretty sure that, after everybody has opened their Christmas presents, I will be settling down to read a Christmas book for the rest of the day.

I have to confess that I would prefer to go out for a walk but my family are not into walking. They think it’s boring so I would be walking alone - not a great way to spend Christmas time. Instead, my family prefer to sit goggling in front of ghastly television programmes which is definitely not my idea of fun.

So, it will just be me and my books settling down for Christmas together.

How about you? Do you like to read a good book at Christmas? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Bye for now

Rob Hopcott - online writer and avid Christmas book reader.