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May 2020 May 2020

THE BERE REGIS FOLK GROUP

It has been a difficult time for everybody whilst we have
been in lockdown. We have had to cancel our regular
folk night in April and are not sure at the time of writing
when we will be able to start up again. These nights are
held once a month normally on the third Thursday.
The folk nights are run to give talented musicians an
opportunity to play in front of an appreciative audience
often for no fee. Once or twice a year we may charge an
entrance fee to be able to pay an artist. In addition we
provide Bere Regis with an interesting mix of different music genres. We have had
banjos, fiddlers, mandolins, hurdy gurdy, bagpipes, dulcimers, guitars (12, 6 and 4
strings) ukuleles, piano accordions, flutes, things that look like flying sauces (you
had to be there to see
it), Mummers Play and

many more. Most of the
players are local but
occasionally we will
spread our net further a
field. We have been
lucky to find high quality
US acts that have
played for us.

I was in particularly
looking forward to The
Honey Dewdrops from Baltimore entertaining us in May but they had to cancel
their trip from the US to UK. Aaron Lewis from US is suppose to be demonstrating
his skilful playing of fiddle and banjo in June. We have another American singer
and multi-instrumentalist planned for September plus many local artist are booked
as well each month. However who knows if these events will proceed.
To give you some background to the folk nights they were started in April 2015 by
local folk players and enthusiasts Paul Openshaw, Lesley and Richard Quayle. In
2019 myself, Steve Syrett and Nick Robson took the reins and carried on running
the monthly events. Since the start we have had over 90 different acts play for us
and held 48 folk nights. Each night we invite 3 or 4 artist to entertain us. Whilst we
advertise as a folk night we appreciate all sorts of styles music. The audience is
asked to sit quietly and listen during the performances.

I hope to see some of you on 19th May unless we have to cancel again. Latest
information is available on www.draxfolk.org.uk
Pip

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