Wycoller Country Park next weekend - Sunday 5th December - and will it snow?!
For the past fifteen years or so I have been lucky enough to play at Wycoller before Christmas. It usually starts in Pepper Hill Barn, all set up for wildlife enthusiasts and learning. Loads of little ones making cards and playing my little harps and cimbalas. Then we carry everything down to the main old barn for a bit of a sing-song and as many tunes as the biting cold will allow!
It's funny but I suffer from terrible chillblains and my fingers swell to double the size and turn purple for most of the winter months but it doesn't ever affect the playing. I swop the rings to my little fingers and the beaded rings I wear for the drumming are old curtain rings so can be bent to fit!
Two years ago it snowed heavily. I gingerly drove through cut out walls of snow, just wide enough for one car and over 6' high in places over the moor top. The road into Wycoller was a sheet of ice and somehow I managed to park between a brand new Range Rover and convertible Bentley without mishap. I did pray all day that the owners would move them - but alas, it was not to be so had to enlist the amused help of Rangers to get me out! They stood at each corner to make sure I didn't slide! The road, however, was just unpassable and a tractor was needed to tow 2 cars at a time up the hill!
The setting however was just perfect. Just before the concert started we were stood in silent awe watching the snow cover the trees and ruined house when a deer stepped into the scene for a few minutes.
Friday, 26 November 2010
Monday, 22 November 2010
10 green bottles
Wycoller Country Park - music workshops followed by short concert (3 pm'ish) on Sunday 5th December - more details from the Countryside Wardens/Tourist Information - free event
Well, I have just been asked to play at yet another Brewery! I played at the Barearts on Friday night and they have shelves of beer and wine stacked right up the walls. I played in the corner with all these bottles behind me. There is a wooden floor and every time I banged my feet on the ground with the bells there was an audible tingle of jangling glass all the way round the room! I was so afraid that the bottles would creep forwards in the middle of one of my 'flamenco' tunes or 'irish jigs' and the lot would come crashing down behind me! As if to confirm my worst nightmares there was a blackboard with a special offer on advertising one of their beers - 'Cascade' - arghhhhhhhhh!!!
The owners seemed to think this was hillarious and after a huge daft debate throughout the bar about whether my public liability insurance would cover the cost we carried on with no mishaps - phew!
Playing at a Faith Forum tonight in Huddersfield.
Well, I have just been asked to play at yet another Brewery! I played at the Barearts on Friday night and they have shelves of beer and wine stacked right up the walls. I played in the corner with all these bottles behind me. There is a wooden floor and every time I banged my feet on the ground with the bells there was an audible tingle of jangling glass all the way round the room! I was so afraid that the bottles would creep forwards in the middle of one of my 'flamenco' tunes or 'irish jigs' and the lot would come crashing down behind me! As if to confirm my worst nightmares there was a blackboard with a special offer on advertising one of their beers - 'Cascade' - arghhhhhhhhh!!!
The owners seemed to think this was hillarious and after a huge daft debate throughout the bar about whether my public liability insurance would cover the cost we carried on with no mishaps - phew!
Playing at a Faith Forum tonight in Huddersfield.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Border Collie Pups for Sale
Border Collie Puppies for sale £200 each
Ready 13th of December 2010
£100 deposit secures
We have both Males and females available ,
Both parents can be seen
Both parents are working sheep dogs
These dogs make excellent pets are highly intelligent and are loyal and obedient
If you would like to come and see the pups
Please give us a call on 01535 642581
The Barearts, Todmorden, Friday 19th November 7.30pm
Hello again
Just briefly to let you know kick-off is at 7.30 pm tomorrow night at The Barearts! Am going to use my new pick-ups, specially designed for the Quad harp so here's hoping for a great sound again!
Must dash, didn't get chance to do anything at all today ... spent the day in waiting rooms, first at the Doctors, then at the hospital ... ughh. Good outcome though so worth it!
Hoping to see you tomorrow night. Music from Ancient Mesopotamia, South America, Spain, Ireland ...
Just briefly to let you know kick-off is at 7.30 pm tomorrow night at The Barearts! Am going to use my new pick-ups, specially designed for the Quad harp so here's hoping for a great sound again!
Must dash, didn't get chance to do anything at all today ... spent the day in waiting rooms, first at the Doctors, then at the hospital ... ughh. Good outcome though so worth it!
Hoping to see you tomorrow night. Music from Ancient Mesopotamia, South America, Spain, Ireland ...
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
poltergeists
The BAREARTS this Friday 19th in Todmorden, opposite Morrisons. 'Proper' beer, served in jugs, good company and the harp, of course - see you there? (starts early-ish - not sure myself yet but they have a website!)
We have had over 2 weeks of peace and quiet in the house so I dare write about it now! For the past 23 years we have lived with several ghosts. The house is Edwardian and the site has a very interesting history. No-one knows exactly when the poltergiest activity started but the teenage lad who lived here before us refused to sleep inside the house and took up residence in a caravan parked in the field at the back. The more sceptical the visitor, the more this particular 'spirit' played up. One guest left ashen-faced at 3 in the morning after he woke up to hear heavy breathing and someone sat on his bed. He gave a 'jungle' roar, leapt out of bed and charged out of the room, only to find the corridor outside his door had been blocked with a huge tower of chairs, cuddlies, toys and slippers.
In the last month we have been pelted with the crabapples I had picked; whilst teaching one afternoon we heard thud, after thud, on the music room door. My pupil had to help pick up all the apples which were still rolling round the floor outside the room. The tricks were numerous and after a few weeks of moving a particular piece of furniture every day, or a particular prank it would move onto something else. Occasionally we would have a few months of peace. I tried to find a pattern by keeping a diary but there was none.
Last night another pupil reminded me that last year it had attacked the Christmas Tree on every possible occasion. I would say goodbye to one pupil and walk into the room with another pupil minutes later and there would be baubles rolling round the floor and the tree would be on top of furniture looking like it had just been through a tornedo!
Things got so bad last month we decided to call in help. We had been kept awake for 5 nights in a row with tappings and very loud bangs on the bedroom door and on the bedhead. At 5 am one morning my exhausted husband shouted ... 'at least *** tap in rhythm'! The house had been exorcised 5 times but to no avail. We needed to do research and find the cause.
As a child one of my Dad's friends had sold a ghost in the local newspaper so I had even wondered whether we should put it on Ebay but the solution proved far simpler. I will have to leave you guessing as to how, but if anyone out there is as desperate as we were - just get in touch!!!
We have had over 2 weeks of peace and quiet in the house so I dare write about it now! For the past 23 years we have lived with several ghosts. The house is Edwardian and the site has a very interesting history. No-one knows exactly when the poltergiest activity started but the teenage lad who lived here before us refused to sleep inside the house and took up residence in a caravan parked in the field at the back. The more sceptical the visitor, the more this particular 'spirit' played up. One guest left ashen-faced at 3 in the morning after he woke up to hear heavy breathing and someone sat on his bed. He gave a 'jungle' roar, leapt out of bed and charged out of the room, only to find the corridor outside his door had been blocked with a huge tower of chairs, cuddlies, toys and slippers.
In the last month we have been pelted with the crabapples I had picked; whilst teaching one afternoon we heard thud, after thud, on the music room door. My pupil had to help pick up all the apples which were still rolling round the floor outside the room. The tricks were numerous and after a few weeks of moving a particular piece of furniture every day, or a particular prank it would move onto something else. Occasionally we would have a few months of peace. I tried to find a pattern by keeping a diary but there was none.
Last night another pupil reminded me that last year it had attacked the Christmas Tree on every possible occasion. I would say goodbye to one pupil and walk into the room with another pupil minutes later and there would be baubles rolling round the floor and the tree would be on top of furniture looking like it had just been through a tornedo!
Things got so bad last month we decided to call in help. We had been kept awake for 5 nights in a row with tappings and very loud bangs on the bedroom door and on the bedhead. At 5 am one morning my exhausted husband shouted ... 'at least *** tap in rhythm'! The house had been exorcised 5 times but to no avail. We needed to do research and find the cause.
As a child one of my Dad's friends had sold a ghost in the local newspaper so I had even wondered whether we should put it on Ebay but the solution proved far simpler. I will have to leave you guessing as to how, but if anyone out there is as desperate as we were - just get in touch!!!
Friday, 12 November 2010
wow - someone reads this
Wow! - not only did a lot of you keep your fingers crossed for me but I can't believe the response to find alternative venues for the 11th. Big thank you. Alas we have tried right across the mid-band of England from Hull to Liverpool and everything is booked up to Christmas but we have re-booked Clayton for early February so will keep you posted.
I am not sitting here doing nothing (as if!) - no, I have loads of 'corporate' work, after-dinner speaking and school work to keep me practised!
We have been counting the cost of the storm. Half my new greenhouse roof has been smashed, and a couple of shed roofs flew away. When I was little there was a very bad storm in the night and when we went out we had gained a complete shed, door fastened shut and about 10 hens still sat inside! They belonged to Mr Morris who lived in the farm up a very steep hill just above us. It was just near enough for my Mum and Mr Morris's housekeeper, Mrs Spence, to shout conversations at eachother when they were hanging their washing out. It was uncanny how many times this happenned. My Mum didn't think it was lady-like to bawl as loud as she could up the hill but Mrs Spence was brought up to be very polite and it would be rude not to engage in pleasantries so she just shouted louder and louder till Mum gave in.
Re: all the harp gluing I did the other day:- I hardly dare say but will 'whisper' very quietly ... the gluing has worked so far ... the soundboard has not sprung away from the soundbox. Please keep crossing your fingers - I can scarcely believe my luck.
I am not sitting here doing nothing (as if!) - no, I have loads of 'corporate' work, after-dinner speaking and school work to keep me practised!
We have been counting the cost of the storm. Half my new greenhouse roof has been smashed, and a couple of shed roofs flew away. When I was little there was a very bad storm in the night and when we went out we had gained a complete shed, door fastened shut and about 10 hens still sat inside! They belonged to Mr Morris who lived in the farm up a very steep hill just above us. It was just near enough for my Mum and Mr Morris's housekeeper, Mrs Spence, to shout conversations at eachother when they were hanging their washing out. It was uncanny how many times this happenned. My Mum didn't think it was lady-like to bawl as loud as she could up the hill but Mrs Spence was brought up to be very polite and it would be rude not to engage in pleasantries so she just shouted louder and louder till Mum gave in.
Re: all the harp gluing I did the other day:- I hardly dare say but will 'whisper' very quietly ... the gluing has worked so far ... the soundboard has not sprung away from the soundbox. Please keep crossing your fingers - I can scarcely believe my luck.
Wednesday, 10 November 2010
double-booked
Clayton Village Hall phoned today all embarassed - they had double-booked the 11th December. We had sold over 30 tickets already so are looking for another venue. If we don't find one we are re-arranging for Clayton in the New Year so I will keep you posted.
I am busy - again!!! I have again managed to confine all the harps into the music room but there are a few laid down like coffins taking up all the floor space. The trouble is that yesterday I had a 'gluing day'. I had an old Barometer to mend, a coffee table and 3 harps. I found a strip of oak that just fitted onto the forepillar of Mystic-Al. It had come off an old piano I had stripped for pegs etc last year. The pegs are going to be used in my version of small 'Cimbalas' - like a small zither that can sit on your lap but with harp strings - not wire ones. I have 4 old drawers from an old wardrobe. They are labelled 'gloves' and 'socks'!
That is my next project. I am being asked to go into more and more Schools which I love. I am booked as a 'birthday' surprise for a local Special Needs School.
I have glued a pupil's harp - the soundboard had popped off after it was left by a window in full sunlight whilst they were on holiday ... whoops ... not a good idea. Fingers crossed for me that the glue is strong enough!
The other harp had to be 'paper mached'. The new quad design gives a slightly wider neck at the top of the soundboard so I am left with a few gaps to fill. The expanding glue was a near-disaster so a new method was needed. Fingers crossed again please!!!
I am busy - again!!! I have again managed to confine all the harps into the music room but there are a few laid down like coffins taking up all the floor space. The trouble is that yesterday I had a 'gluing day'. I had an old Barometer to mend, a coffee table and 3 harps. I found a strip of oak that just fitted onto the forepillar of Mystic-Al. It had come off an old piano I had stripped for pegs etc last year. The pegs are going to be used in my version of small 'Cimbalas' - like a small zither that can sit on your lap but with harp strings - not wire ones. I have 4 old drawers from an old wardrobe. They are labelled 'gloves' and 'socks'!
That is my next project. I am being asked to go into more and more Schools which I love. I am booked as a 'birthday' surprise for a local Special Needs School.
I have glued a pupil's harp - the soundboard had popped off after it was left by a window in full sunlight whilst they were on holiday ... whoops ... not a good idea. Fingers crossed for me that the glue is strong enough!
The other harp had to be 'paper mached'. The new quad design gives a slightly wider neck at the top of the soundboard so I am left with a few gaps to fill. The expanding glue was a near-disaster so a new method was needed. Fingers crossed again please!!!
Saturday, 6 November 2010
Concert in Clayton
Dave has booked Clayton Village Hall on Saturday 11th December - 8 pm. This is the first of many (we hope!) - I have always had a large amount of people asking where to see me so we are going to book venues and get on with ourselves! Clayton is on the outskirts of Bradford - more details later on how to get there but it has its own bar and I am joined by Eddie Lawler.
I have just realised I never got to describe the Cambridge visit! The party was set in Queens College. The Porter directed us to the 'first door' - we entered the Quad. On the left hand side is a cloistered walk leading underneath the 3 storey 'boat' building. Apparantly the College expanded in the 16th Century and needed accommodation for the new Dean and his family so acquired an old ship, turned it upside down and placed it on top of a warehouse. Worked brilliantly.
We puzzled over exactly which could be the first door in the dimly lit quad. On asking students they couldn't help either - all apologising for their inability to help us. Eventually we decided to enter the first door in the centre with a light over it. There was certainly a party going on but my Mum and me were the only females present! Whoops... Guests there knew exactly where we were meant to be, however.
We had stilton tart, duck, lemon desert and birthday cake. The table was Georgian mahogany and huge. It was also very wide and we couldn't reach across to pass the butter dish but discovered it slid fabulously well if you nudged it ...
Afterwards we went to the student bar. It was halloween party night. Mum did very well and we stayed for over an hour - no-one batting an eyelid at the two 'older' guests that night.
Today one of my students is collecting the upright piano. I really enjoyed having 2 pianos when Philiy came home for duets but I just don't have the space and am struggling with its upkeep. I am looking forward to getting all the harps into one room as well! I will also have room to start work on them again - can't wait! I have some new plans which should sound amazing - more soon!
I have just realised I never got to describe the Cambridge visit! The party was set in Queens College. The Porter directed us to the 'first door' - we entered the Quad. On the left hand side is a cloistered walk leading underneath the 3 storey 'boat' building. Apparantly the College expanded in the 16th Century and needed accommodation for the new Dean and his family so acquired an old ship, turned it upside down and placed it on top of a warehouse. Worked brilliantly.
We puzzled over exactly which could be the first door in the dimly lit quad. On asking students they couldn't help either - all apologising for their inability to help us. Eventually we decided to enter the first door in the centre with a light over it. There was certainly a party going on but my Mum and me were the only females present! Whoops... Guests there knew exactly where we were meant to be, however.
We had stilton tart, duck, lemon desert and birthday cake. The table was Georgian mahogany and huge. It was also very wide and we couldn't reach across to pass the butter dish but discovered it slid fabulously well if you nudged it ...
Afterwards we went to the student bar. It was halloween party night. Mum did very well and we stayed for over an hour - no-one batting an eyelid at the two 'older' guests that night.
Today one of my students is collecting the upright piano. I really enjoyed having 2 pianos when Philiy came home for duets but I just don't have the space and am struggling with its upkeep. I am looking forward to getting all the harps into one room as well! I will also have room to start work on them again - can't wait! I have some new plans which should sound amazing - more soon!
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Porters
The BBC have decided to sell dvds of The Yorkshire Symphony - £10 each I gather with £5 going to charity. This is the only information I have to date so will keep you posted in good time for Christmas!
My eldest, Philippa, was 25 at the weekend and had a huge 'posh' party. The dinner was held at Queen's College, Cambridge (where she is doing a phD) and we were to meet for pre-dinner drinks beforehand. To get into these Colleges you have to talk to the 'Porters'. They sit in little rooms just behind the big gates surrounded by 'pidgeon holes' - one for every student to receive letters and messages. They wear uniform, often with bowler hats. I have had reason to chat to various Porters over the years. They are the 'life-blood' of every college.
On her very first day (this was at Queen's College, Oxford) we were late... The car exhaust had fallen off on the outskirts of Oxford. Luckily I was in the AA. As it worked out, the easiest plan was for the AA man to take Philiy to college and for me to follow when the car was fixed with all her gear (including a harp, of course). I was left at a local garage and Philiy set off sat on the front seat of a huge yellow tow-truck. She was deposited at the porter's lodge, without her gown, with minutes to spare to attend her first 'formal dinner'. They have a system of 'family' support members. It amused me - she was asigned a 'college Mum', 'Dad', 'husband', 'sister' etc. This came into play straight away. The Porter rang for her 'Mum' who arrived with spare gown and swept Philiy into dinner, no fuss!
At 11 pm that night I drove down into Oxford centre to try and find the right college. There was no-one to ask, Philiy had taken the map and there are no signs. They open the huge oak, studded gates in the daytime and place a very tasteful wooden sign on the pavement so that the tourists can see who they are! Eventually I spotted an open gate. Inside the Porter gave me a map and directions to Queens. He also phoned so that they could unlock the gate! Sure enough a small door in the gate was opened and I was let in. I sat waiting on one of those old luggage carts next to a blackboard with wonderful messages on. 'hockey practice at 11 am tomorrow' 'Sarah's birthday drinks tomorrow night in the bar' 'we won the match' etc. On the walls at the side of the quad were beautiful shields depicting recent matches with College teams and scores, all drawn in chalk. Eventually Philiy appeared with a gang of her new 'family' to help carry harp and gear back to her lodgings. That was 6 years ago but I shall always remember.
My eldest, Philippa, was 25 at the weekend and had a huge 'posh' party. The dinner was held at Queen's College, Cambridge (where she is doing a phD) and we were to meet for pre-dinner drinks beforehand. To get into these Colleges you have to talk to the 'Porters'. They sit in little rooms just behind the big gates surrounded by 'pidgeon holes' - one for every student to receive letters and messages. They wear uniform, often with bowler hats. I have had reason to chat to various Porters over the years. They are the 'life-blood' of every college.
On her very first day (this was at Queen's College, Oxford) we were late... The car exhaust had fallen off on the outskirts of Oxford. Luckily I was in the AA. As it worked out, the easiest plan was for the AA man to take Philiy to college and for me to follow when the car was fixed with all her gear (including a harp, of course). I was left at a local garage and Philiy set off sat on the front seat of a huge yellow tow-truck. She was deposited at the porter's lodge, without her gown, with minutes to spare to attend her first 'formal dinner'. They have a system of 'family' support members. It amused me - she was asigned a 'college Mum', 'Dad', 'husband', 'sister' etc. This came into play straight away. The Porter rang for her 'Mum' who arrived with spare gown and swept Philiy into dinner, no fuss!
At 11 pm that night I drove down into Oxford centre to try and find the right college. There was no-one to ask, Philiy had taken the map and there are no signs. They open the huge oak, studded gates in the daytime and place a very tasteful wooden sign on the pavement so that the tourists can see who they are! Eventually I spotted an open gate. Inside the Porter gave me a map and directions to Queens. He also phoned so that they could unlock the gate! Sure enough a small door in the gate was opened and I was let in. I sat waiting on one of those old luggage carts next to a blackboard with wonderful messages on. 'hockey practice at 11 am tomorrow' 'Sarah's birthday drinks tomorrow night in the bar' 'we won the match' etc. On the walls at the side of the quad were beautiful shields depicting recent matches with College teams and scores, all drawn in chalk. Eventually Philiy appeared with a gang of her new 'family' to help carry harp and gear back to her lodgings. That was 6 years ago but I shall always remember.
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