Get a Moo-ve on, FGW

Trains are really p*ssing me off at the moment. Yesterday I didn't get into work till 10am because a cow got hit by a train near Betchworth. Was funny hearing people phone their bosses and trying to explain though!
At first I was waiting at Farnborough North and was pleased that my normal train, the 7.26, was "only" about 10 minutes late. On Monday and Tuesday it has been 30 minutes and 15 minutes late respectively. Great, I thought, I'll be able to get the minibus and not have to fork out £6 in taxi fares!
Then the bad news when we got to Guildford. It was announced that a cow had been hit by a train near Betchworth and they had to check the track to see if it was safe (the early train had made it through no problem, unbeknown to us, just after the cow met it's demise). So they were terminating the train at Shalford, and anyone for stations beyand there had to get off at Guildford. Great.
The rather posh announcer at Guildford told us to expect a severe delay and that we'd better go via Clapham Junction for Gatwick, Redhill etc. Trouble is, only about 2 trains a day run fast to Clapham, the rest stop at every small station. I was reluctantly making my way towards a slow train when the announcement came that the Gatwick train was just about to arrive! I ran back to the platform I'd just come from, then because they hadn't announced the platform change, we all ran to yet another platform, boarding the rather crowded 3-carriage train.
So we were now running about 45 minutes late, but I was pleased that we were underway. The usual group of us that sit together kept an eye out for bits of dead cow etc by the railway side. We met with more friends at Betchworth station, who had been told the accident was at Shalford. Turned out they were the ones who were misinformed, as we slowed down and stopped next to the stricken train itself shortly afterwards. We were then told to move out of the front carriage to make room for the 200-odd people from the irreparably-damaged train who would shortly be joining us. Some people in orange jackets then propped an ordinary wooden ladder against a door and, very slowly, the grim-faced passengers from the cow train got on. Apparently they'd been there since 7.15, ie two and a half hours. One lady was noticeably pregnant so I gave up my seat for her, then Peter kindly offered his seat to me! At least us passengers had some sense of decency. It would have been nice to have been informed of the likely length of our rescue mission, maybe it would have been quicker to go via Clapham after all. As we trundled past the train we saw a very dead black cow in the bucket of a JCB, still by the side of the railway. The rest of the herd were well away from the fence, but still in the same field, poor things.
To cap it all we were kept waiting outside Redhill for a platform!!
Apparently this was on Radio 1 - I hope FGW and the farmer were suitably ashamed.

Rachel Unthank and the Winterset at the Anvil

Not in the main auditorium but in the Forge bit. I was surprised the gig didn't sell out, but I suppose that since Rachel Unthank is from the North-East she isn't as well known in Basingstoke. Still, that didn't stop her going down a storm with the audience. She sang lots of my favourite songs from her "Cruel Sister" album (Mojo Magazine folk album of the year 2005, no less!). She does a brilliant version of Cyril Tawney's "On a Monday Morning" with Becky, Jackie and Belinda's backing vocals. Bit worried about "Cruel Sister" - I hope Becky never tries to steal Adrian, otherwise she might end up as a harp! Seriously though, I had a chat to Rachel at the interval and she was really friendly and down-to-earth. I asked about one of the new songs the band sang, a round called "The Stuking Song" which would be great for Guildford Vox to sing. She promised faithfully to email me the lyrics which was really kind of her.
Jackie was nice to talk to as well. The poor woman had her 5-string violin-viola stolen recently. I hope they catch whoever did it, as I'm sure she must have been very attached to it. As a result, Jackie had to keep swapping between a violin and a viola in the middle of songs. I love the Winterset's version of "The Cruel Ship's Carpenter" as well, with Jackie as lead singer.
Belinda was on fine form - I love her dry sense of humour. She sang a rather bitter song about judgemental attitudes to lesbianism, which surprised me. It was very brave of her to sing it, in case there were such people in the room - but folkies are generally very accepting and plenty of people joined in the song. I realised why Becky sings "Today I am a Boy" cabaret-style, gazing at Belinda on the piano though!
They've got a new album out soon and I'm really looking forward to getting it. Don't know what it's called yet but I'll let you know.
Hoping the Winterset tour round our way again soon!

Alton Trips

Alton Farmer's Market saw my first public performance as a Morris Dancer - see Valerie's Gallery for the juicy pics!! Was very nervous but it was good fun. I only joined in two dances, of which the stave dance, Portobello, was probably my best effort. I don't think "Nutting Girl", the hankie dance, went quite as well, I seemed to be hitting myself in the face with the hankies quite a lot, also waving them uselessly when forgetting the figures! Oh well, it's a start! The others seemed pleased with my efforts anyway. We went for an Italian meal in Prezzos afterwards, I had some very nice pasta & meatballs whilst Bill Badger had a Quattro Stagioni pizza. It was good to do something to celebrate together as well. Also visited the Kings Head at half-time where Linda and myself got some very strange looks in our costumes! We ended up buying lots of "real food" at the market (not to mention Mr Whitehead's mulled cider) so had to make a trip home to put it in the fridge.
Later we were back in Alton for the Real Ale Train (RAT), a steam train with racked-bright casks of ale on it. We also met up beforehand in the Eight Bells to join Reading CAMRA, bumping into them later at the Railways Arms. The Winchester Trusty Friend Porter and Triple fff Moonshine were delicious, but the beer ran out half way! Disgusting, a complaint to the Watercress Line manager in the strongest terms is required, I think;-) A lot of the CAMRA contingent got off at Alton in search of real ale in the local pubs. Bill Badger, Julie and I stayed on the train, sipping our beer to make it last. This was very wise as I was rather rough the next day!!
Very good day, I enjoyed muchly. Thanks to Other Val for the RAT organisation!

Spiers and Boden at the Boileroom, Guildford

(Have just switched to the new Google-powered Blogger system, hope it works OK!)
The Boilerroom, Stoke Road, Guildford is nice little venue, it used to be a pub called the Elm Tree and is about 10 minutes walk from the High Street. Nice decor, but not that much seating - could hold maybe 15 people seated, 50 without seats there. Japanese noodles are available for the peckish. Beer a bit pricey though, even for Guildford!
Spiers and Boden were on excellent form, playing a lot of their songs from 'Songs' and a couple from 'Bellowhead' including some of our favourites "Bold Sir Rylas" to the tune of Enrico (which Fleur de Lys dance "Magic Circles" to) , "Child Morris" and "Derry Gaol". There was a mad lady (in the nicest sense of the word) in a big floppy hat and huge shawl who started off the dancing. A young guy with a punk haircut also joined in, so then I got up as well! Most of the dances were step-dances - John Spiers played a Bampton morris dance as Mr Boden watched - laughing at my solo Morris attempts!! They really seemed to be enjoying themselves although the place wasn't a typical folk venue. The younger people in the crowd really seemed to be getting into it as well, which was great.
I hope Spiers and Boden will be back soon!

Val's Folk Awards 2006

BBC FOLK AWARDS 2007

Nomination Form (or wish list!)

1. FOLK SINGER OF THE YEAR

The artist making the most impact during the past year either through
performance, albums or a special event.

Nominations

1. Martha Tilston

2. Eliza Carthy

3. Chris While



2. BEST DUO

The award is for the duo making the most impact during the past year
either through performance, albums or special event.


Nominations

1. Show of Hands

2. Mundy - Turner

3. Bob Fox and Billy Mitchell



3. BEST GROUP

The award is for the group (incorporating Dance Bands following the huge
success of last year's specific category) making the most impact during
the past year either through performance, albums or special event.


Nominations

1. Martha Tilston and the Woods

2. Seth Lakeman Band

3. Colvin Quarmby


4. BEST ALBUM

The most significant folk/roots album released in the last 12 months.


Nominations

1. Of Milkmaids and Architects - Martha Tilston

2. New Tricks - Hoover The Dog

3. A Short Walk to the Red Lion - ColvinQuarmby



5. BEST ORIGINAL SONG

The best non-traditional song of the past 12 months. This song can be a
new song, or if it is more than one year old, to qualify needs to have
had a significant performance or interpretation in 2006.


Nominations
1. Artificial - Martha Tilston

2. Roots - Show of Hands

3. All Souls Night - McDermotts 2 Hours



6. TRADITIONAL TRACK OF THE YEAR

The best performance of any traditional song or tune on CD released
during the past 12 months. This is a category designed to recognise the
work of people recording traditional material. It is to be a new
recording of a traditional song, from any tradition.


Nominations

1. Falmouth Packet/Haul Away Joe - Show of Hands

2. The Proud Tailor - Tim Van Eyken

3. Cruel William - Rachel Unthank and the Winterset

7. HORIZON AWARD

Best new artist or artists on the scene during 2006. Any relatively new
act who have made a significant increase in their popularity or made a
special impression during 2006.


Nominations

1. Seth Lakeman

2. Rachel Unthank and the Winterset

3. Tim Van Eyken


8. MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

This person can be part of a band, a solo artist or session musician who
can be considered to be the significant instrumentalist of 2006.


Nominations

1. Cormac Byrne

2. Dave Swarbrick

3. Nick Scott



9. BEST LIVE ACT

Any artist(s) or band making a significant impression during 2006
through live performances in folk clubs, festivals or concerts.


Nominations

1. Last Night's Fun

2. ColvinQuarmby

3. Bellowhead


10. FAVOURITE FOLK TRACK OF ALL TIME

Nominations

1. Vincent Black Lightning - Richard Thompson