The Oysterband at Forest Folk

Hosting the Oysterband at Forest Folk was a very brave decision by Charles Gale. Forest Folk is located in a little scout-hut type building in the hamlet of Boarhunt near Bishops Waltham, with a tiny bar and pool table at the back. Charles had planned to leave some room for dancing but everyone expected chairs (nice, comfy new chairs, by the way, courtesy of the National Lottery).
Oysterband kicked off with a brand new track, 'The Generals are Born Again' which left the audience in no doubt as to their views on war and organised religion. THen they played 'Native Son' an anthemic and supremely dancey number which is a firm favourite with their fans. The cheeky drinking song 'Our Lady of the Bottles' and crazily fast '20th of April' came next. Temptation became too much for some, and a small group of people started to dance at the front, which blocked the view for the seated folkies. Poor Charles had to tell them to sit down, I felt sorry for him, caught in a no-win situation.
The Oysterband slackened off the pace a little with slower songs until half-time. However they were surprised to be interrupted mid-song with Charles thrusting a bit of paper at them with a car registration on. Apparently one of the floor-spot artists, a night-shift worker, had been wedged in by a Vauxhall and couldn't get home to bed! I think it must have been a bit of a culture shock for the band as well, JJ admitting that it had been a long time since they'd played a folk club.
The second half started off with solos by Alan Prosser and Chopper, giving them the chance to showcase their talents. Then the band returned somewhat ironically with 'Another Quiet Night in England' which it certainly wasn't! The band played more of their political songs, then to finish played the irresitibly dancey 'Blood Wedding' to which more fans leapt up to pogo to at the front. Charles was had no chance of stopping them (us!) this time, and sat disconsolately on the edge of the stage till the Oysterband played an encore and finished. They weren't given the chance of a second encore but there seemed to be no hard feelings, and the band came out afterwards to meet the fans and chat.
So many people shook hands with Charles on the way out and thanked him for a fantastic evening that perhaps he thought the Oysterband weren't so bad after all!