Just to let you all know. Yesterday morning, I presented the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital a cheque for £733.00 on behalf of Addingham Acoustic. They asked me to pass on their gratitude to you all for your contributions. When the cheque has been processed, they will send me a formal receipt. (This could take a couple of weeks). When I receive this , I will post it on the website. Once again, a big thank you to all of you. TJM

Yes it`s great to be back home in the Swan. Things are not quite back to normal at the moment, as following the re decoration, we are waiting to get our curtain hooks and our spotlights back up. (Hence no videos this week - no lights!). Hopefully by next week all will be as was. One thing that has changed is the toilets. I wondered why all the men were coming out of the gents with a smile on their faces, until I went myself and saw the changes! And you were obviously keen to get back too, as there were a lot of you, including four (yes four!) new performers. The first person to take the stage was in fact a "first timer" at Addingham Acoustic, Mike Lydiat (see gallery two) and what a fine performer he is. Mike played two instrumentals in the first set and two in the second, including Si Bheag Si Mhor (now Brian Wylie wrote that down for me, so if it`s wrong blame him! - yes it was wrong, so I`ve amended it!), Princess Royal and Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow. Next up two more new performers, Jeannie Hay and Tony Brown, (See gallery two). I`m sorry for calling you Tom later Tony, rest assured, you`re not the first!. Jeannie, what a great voice you have and Tony (nearly wrote Tom then!) that haunting harmonica. Their playlist included Jeannies own material including, It`s Not Me and Sea Song. Excellent, we hope to see you again soon. Third up was our very own Steve Hulme (we were a bit worried you`d go to the Social Club Steve, so we were relieved to see you!). Now I`m puzzled as to why Steve kept looking at me while he was singing his first song - it was about bald men apparantly. Any ideas? Part way through his second song, his capo fell off, on to the floor (and being a wooden floor, it was a bit noisy), at which point he stopped, replaced it and carried on. Now I suggested to Steve, that I thought he was just being clever and knocking his capo off to change key. This was a bit spooky for reasons that will become clear later. Thanks Steve, you are a great performer and good fun too. Now where was I? ah yes, one of our younger singers (and we had a few tonight) Tom Clegg. Tom performed a great version of Paul Simons Gracelands for us and showed his versatility (bit risky for me, words like that, but after three attempts, I think I`ve got it right - no doubt you`ll tell me if I haven`t) playing his mandolin during his first set. Next up two more of our favourites, (You`re all our favourites really!) Mike and Andee Craig. Now this is where it gets spooky! During their first piece, The Musical Priest/The Gravel Walks, they changed key, with Andee dropping levers on her harp and Mike (are you ready for this?) knocking his capo off!!!!! How spooky is that??? They then played a couple of jigs and in the second set played individually. Mike performed songs including, Maid In Her Fathers Garden and Andee`s set included a tune by Cornelius Ryan (close?) called Miss Hamilton. Lovely, lovely music. Thank you both. Mr. Brian Wylie was up next and started with a lovely song called Easter Snow, about an Irish Piper. (This was after explaining to Steve Hulme that he wasn`t bald - he was just too tall for his hair) He then sang that lovely song Wild Horses. In the second set, (when he was joined by Mike Craig) he performed on another instrument we haven`t seen him play before (goodness knows how many it is now) the banjo. How long does it take to tune a banjo? - nobody knows! - Brians joke, not mine (unless you think it`s funny in which case it`s mine!). Thanks Brian. And then another new performer to Addingham Acoustic, Graham Parker. Graham explained that, his Grandad had told him he used to go to the pub to listen to acoustic music and his Dad told him , that he also used to go to the pub to listen to acoustic music, so he thought he should keep up the tradition. Well we are very pleased that you did Graham, because your version of Big Yellow Taxi had us all singing along and the song you wrote yourself, Searching For Superman, was a really great song and very well performed. I think we are going to need to hold another song writing competition soon! Don`t leave it too long before you come back to play for us. Luke Thomas, was next under the spotlight. Now Luke told us that, he had first heard the song he was going to perform, earlier that day. It was Radio Head`s Gagging Order and he performed it brilliantly. How did you learn that in a day Luke? Well done! He sang another Radio Head song in the second set. James Porter was next tp perform, so of course we knew we would be singing along. We weren`t disappointed! He had us all singing along to My Girl. His set also included songs from, Cat Stevens, Damien Rice and Donovan. Versatile or what! Our final performer ended the first set for us in some style. She didn`t come prepared to sing, but we managed to persuade her. Deborah Masterson sang for us, that lovely Irish song, She Moves Through The Fair. Truly, truly lovely Deborah - thank you. What an amazing group of musicians you are. I am always astounded at the quality of performances that take place, every Tuesday, at Addingham Acoustic and tonight was no exception. It was great to see, yet again, so many wonderful performers and especially so many young (and very talented) performers. We hope we will see all of you again soon. Sorry there was no raffle. It was all a bit of a rush on arriving back from Germany and I forgot to bring the tickets and prizes. (Apart from that, I had everything I needed). I would like to thank Ian and Nikki (the new landlord/landlady) for allowing us to continue playing in the Swan. It is our spiritual home after all. Finally, just a quick note to thank you all, for your lovely emails, comments and phone calls this week following the concert, offering your support. I cannot express how much I appreciate this and I will, thanks to all your support, carry on organising these events, to raise money to help those less fortunate. You are a great bunch of people and it is a true pleasure, to run Addingham Acoustic on your behalf. See you all again next week. TJM p.s. I will let you know when I have presented the cheque to the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital later this week.

Yes that`s how much you kind people donated, by way of entry tickets, raffle and auction bids, £732.86 to be precise. Once again I am amazed at the generosity of those who support our events. Our target for the evening was £500 and so, as has happened before, you helped us surpass  this figure. Yet again we had a full audience and what a great audience you were. It was great to have Helmuth with us from Aachen, in Germany, an avid supporter of Addingham Acoustic and also our friends from Cambridge, Dominique and Joanne, (Domiques French, so it was an international audience really! And before you say it, yes I know you are from America Carolyn, so truly international!). It`s always nice for the performers to perform to a room that is full and appreciative. And what a great bunch of performers they are! As I stated last night all the artistes donate their services free of charge. Not only that, they also all donate additional raffle prizes and money towards the fund. A bit of a special bunch eh? We have a lot of requests from musicians to play in our concerts, but the only ones who are invited, are those who wish to play in order to raise funds for the charity. Gloria got the evening under way and what a fantastic start it was. Gloria you are a very talented and very entertaining performer. And what a fantastic set, with music from Motown to The Rolling Stones. Absolutely brilliant! It was a hard act to follow, but we had the people to do it. Mr. Dave Speight and Mr. Johnny Hardcastle. I just don`t know how to describe how good they are. They just blend together and make it look effortless. Blues, Dylan and all genres in between. And to finish with Romeo and Juliet Dave - you know it`s my favourite, so thank you. Richard and Lesley Quayle were next to perform and we were, of course, all waiting for the spoons! We weren`t disappointed, Lesley gave us what we wanted. It was a superb set of varied musical styles and much appreciated by all of us. Thanks Richard and Lesley. We then had something a bit special. Those of you who regularly attend Addingham Acoustic (on Tuesday nights, in the Swan, Main St. Addingham) will know that we recently held a songwriting competition. Part of the prize was to perform the winning song at this event. The song which won, did so by a country mile (and believe me we had some superb entries, because we have a talented bunch of people). It is called Coat Of Love and was written by Sue Strange. Sue gave us a stunning performance of the song tonight and it really is a beautiful song. Now what I didn`t tell you until after her performance, was that Sue had only ever performed in public, three times before. And those three times were just a few weeks ago in the Swan! Sue I have to tell you that, several people asked if they could buy copies of you singing your song! I think you are going to have to record it and put it up for sale! A liitle bit of magic eh! We then had an interval during which we had a mini auction. Unfortunately our celebrity auctioneer (from Flog It and Bargain Hunt) couldn`t be with us tonight, due to unforseen circumstances. (His wife booked him a weekend away, lucky chap). Ian Pucknell offered to jump in to the deep end and help us out and did a very good job, in helping us to raise an additional £100. Well done Ian. (I don`t think he`ll be doing it again though - it`s not as easy as it looks!). After the interval things really livened up. Last Orders took to the stage and we really started to Rock and Roll. They really are a superb band, playing for us for an hour and a half. Everything form the Rolling Stones and The Beatles to Van Morrison and everything in between. The dance floor was full and everyone was having a great time. If I remember correctly, they played three encores! (and would still be playing now if the audience had it`s way). It was a great way to finish off what had been a really special evening. I can tell all the performers, that the compliments I received on your behalves, were profuse. You are a special bunch of people with your hearts in the right places. Of course we have some people to thank. Naturally, all the performers who give their time, talent and energy, freely without constraint. Also Last Orders, for providing the P.A. system and managing it for us. The sound was superb. Our hosts, Brackyn Ghyll Golf Club, who looked after us all in fine style. What an excellent bar staff they have. Thank you to all those who gave raffle and auction prizes. You are all listed on the concert page. A lot of you will know that, Addingham Acoustic would not function without David and Anne Brimacombe. As per usual, they were giving their all last night. Thank you to you both. (And no I haven`t taken my pink jacket back to Oxfam yet David!). And lastly (unless I have forgotten someone on the way!) all of you wonderful people who came to watch and to donate money. There were one or two poignant moments during the evening, which made me fully realise, that what we are doing is worthwhile. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Pictures of the evening are on gallery two now. Videos may be on later today, if not they will be on later in the week, as I have to fly off to Germany early in the morning, for a couple of days. Picture quality is not great due to the limitations of my small camera, but they will give a flavour of the event. For those Addingham Acoustic fans who come to play, we will be back at the Swan on Tuesday. We are having to re install curtains and lights etc. so it won`t quite be back to normal, but we`ll get there. TJM

It seems that I am not going to get any peace, until I tell you all about what happened on Tuesday! (When am I supposed to get a rest?). As expected the Social Club made us all welcome again (and there were a lot of us) and yet again, free drinks were on tap to all performers and partners. And yet again raffle prizes were donated from behind the bar. What more could we ask for! (That`s a rhetorical question - I do not want any suggestions! - and I`ve checked the spelling of "rhetorical" in the dictionary). We had two new performers this week in the guise of The Guitar Billies (Al Bampton & Sarah Ward) and they got the evening under way in fine fashion with an instrumental called Jessica (familiar to all of us) and then Bob Marley`s Stir It Up. In the second set they played an Irish/Scottish instrumental. Now I have to say that after their first tune, they said there peices were quite long and was it O.K. to do two. Isn`t that a really nice gesture. Of course it was O.K., as they were so good we wanted to hear more! In fact they were so good no one wanted to follow them! But of course we have lots of talent and Brian Wylie stepped once more unto the breech. (He did however decide to play his blarge instead of his guitar!). Now when Brian sat down, he suggested that we had given him a commode to sit on (I don`t know what one of those is Brian - is it an old persons type of thing?). There was some suggestion from the audience that it would interfere with his catheter! I can tell you, however, that  like me, Brian is in fact a "Toy Boy". (Come on leave us something to cling to!). Brian was joined by Mike Craig, playing his archtop guitar. Now Mike is hoping to sell this guitar, but I have to say that, the amount of time it took to tune it, was not a great selling point Mike! They played a couple of instrumentals including The Maisons` Apron (once requested in Ireland as "My Son`s A Prawn"). In the second set, Brian sang a song which he had written in the first set! (definitely an Addingham Acoustic first) dedicated to Ian Pucknell, entitled "Twelve Points On My License" (can anyone guess why - answers on a post card). Next up someone who had battled for a week to get to Addingham Acoustic through all weathers (from the Swan last week, which of course was closed!). Steve Hulme sang us a song which he had written as a wedding present (as he thought this was cheap - I am assuming you are a Yorkshireman Steve?) followed by a love song and in the second set, Eggles Song. Pleased you made it the extra eight hundred yards this week Steve! Next up someone who I was able to introduce as a wandering minstrel, (`cos he certainly can`t drive anywhere at the moment!). Ian Pucknell started with Creole Belle and followed this with a new song (soon to be one of our favourites - no Ian, I`m not suggeating that, like me, you sing the same songs week after week - you suggested that yourself!). In the second set he sang another new song. You could almost think he had time on his hands! Great stuff Ian, and you are most certainly one of our favourites. Deborah Masterson was next on stage and sang us a Jimmy McCarthy song called No Frontiers. Like Andee with her harp last week, Deborah managed to silence the room singing ACappella. She followed this with a Billy Holliday song and in the second set, a Jools Holland song. Marvellous, Deborah! (Found a new superlative there - you`ll soon get tired of it ). Mike Craig was next up singing that wonderful Johnny Cash song, I`ll Still Miss Someone. Now do I get him in to trouble, by suggesting he couldn`t remember the colour of his wife`s eyes at this point, or not? No I couldn`t do that to you Mike. He followed this with, A Maid In Her Father`s Garden and in the second set was joined by Brian Wylie to sing Moonshiner. Next under the lights, what a treat to have Helmuth with us, all the way from Aachen, Germany (and wearing, like Brian Wylie, an Addingham Acoustic tee shirt - still available at the silly price of £6.00). Helmuth (whose surname I can spell, believe it or not, but obviously can`t pronounce) was joined by Dave Speight, to sing that great Jagger and Richards song, As Tears Go By and followed this with a traditional Irish song. Now don`t worry Dave, as promised I am not going to tell anyone, that you were actually playing along to a traditional Irish song. Your secret is safe with me. In the second set, we had another first, as Helmuth (as requested by the audience) sang us a song in German. (Sadly not the song Brian wanted - Wooden Heart!). It was a song by a group from Cologne called BAP (in Yorkshire, of course they would be called "Tea Cake" - someone will explain that to you Helmuth). The song was called (if I have read your writing correctly Helmuth) "An `Ner Leitplank" which I believe translates as crashbarrier (it`s about an accident). Thanks Helmuth, wonderful stuff.  The one and only Mr Dave Speight, was next on, singing, as we have come to expect, some great blues including, I Got Rocks In My Bed (I think that`s what it was called?) In the second set, he sang a great blues version of Waltzing Matilda. Fantastic stuff Dave. How lucky we are to have such great musicians. Dot Jarvis and Ged Keenan were up next. Now at this point, Dot suggested that she didn`t drink. Ian Pucknell (rather cruelly I thought) claimed he didn`t know Dot drank, until he saw her sober! (brave, brave man - no wonder he drives so fast! oops, sorry Ian). Now, once the argument had finished, they sang a lovely song called The Ground You Walk On (someone suggested Ged`s back - are you all in the SAS or what, `cos you`re all a lot braver than I am! ) followed by, (once I had told Dot the title - I have to do everything!) I`ll Be Your Baby Tonight. In the second set, they sang two great numbers, Ride On and Wish I Was Your Mother. Excellent performance. Rounding off a truly great list of performers, Gloria started her set with Tracks Of My Tears (one of my favouties) followed by that great Stones number Jumping Jack Flash (we really do get a wide variety of music here don`t we!). In the second set, she sang a Shakespeare Sonnet set to music, (see, we`re a sophisticated lot here - innit!). What a way to finish a truly great evening, with lots of great music, fantastic company, welcoming hosts and a lot of laughs too. Thank you all, for continuing to support a great event, even when we have to move venue for a while. As I keep saying, the night would be nothing, without the support of the people who turn up. You`re a great bunch. Now do I need to remind you? (of what, I hear you saying!). It is of course. the Charity Concert in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital, on Saturday night. We are expecting to see a lot of you there and it will, of course, be a great night. Let`s hope we can raise a decent amount of money for a worthwhile cause. If you can`t come, but want to donate, let me know. As for next week, at this point I don`t know where we will be. I am going to speak to the new landlord of the Swan tonight, to find out what the situation is. But don`t worry, we will be somewhere. Check the blog for details. Well, this is a long blog, but then you asked for it (literally!). See you all on Saturday (or Tuesday). TJM P.s. Due to the lack of spotlights, the videos are not good enough to put on site.TJM

Due to my busy schedule there will be no blog this week. Suffice to say it was a good night. TJM

Yes we had a warm welcome from Addingham Social Club, for our sortie in to new territory. Free drinks for the performers (no I`m not kidding!) and a donation to the raffle prizes (to raise funds for our charity concert). And I have to say we had a really nice (and attentive) audience too! We didn`t put up our cutain or switch on spotlights, as we are only on a short secondment and it would have taken some time, but we had a really good night. Unfortunately we should have had another performer and another audience member, but one of our regulars didn`t get my email and went to the Swan! (Don`t worry Steve, I`m not going to embarass you by saying who it was - oh dear !we`ll try and get you two free drinks next week!). It wasn`t our longest list of performers but the customers of the Social Club were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the music. Richard Quayle started the evening off, but unfortunately Lesley wasn`t feeling too well, so she remained in the audience. It meant, however, that we were treated to Richard singing as well as playing, a rare pleasure indeed! He also played a couple of instrumentals including Blue Moon and Just An Old fashioned Love Song. Next up Mike and Andee Craig performed wonderfully (as we have come to expect) with a couple of instrumentals including Banks Of Clonmell and Gallagher`s Frollicks (did I get these right Mike?!). In the second set they both played solo, Mike performing two Richard Thopmson songs and Andee playing a couple of instrumentals including a tune she had not played in public before, which apparantly is difficult to play (but you made it look so easy Andee - what a Star!). Now I have to say that the audience (who were not expecting live music on a Tuesday) were really gracious to all the performers, but when Andee was playing the harp, you could have heard a pin drop, something we have not witnessed in the Social Club before. A bit special eh Andee! Now as we weren`t big in numbers I had to have a go next and sang a couple of Bob Dylan songs plus a Rod Stewart and  a Tim Hardin. Now at the end of the second one I got a touch of domino syndrome (you had to be there) and got the giggles, so apologies to all. Andee had mentioned the patterned carpet and I got a bit fixated on that too - it looked just like rows of turtles! It`s amazing what nerves will do to you! Our final performer was Ian Pucknell who always entertains (to a home crowd this time Ian). He started with Goodbye (actually you would normaly finish with Goodbye wouldn`t you?) and sang some of our favourites, including Lady Take Your Time, which we were singing along to and his love song relating to putting the toilet seat down, (why were all the ladies nodding their heads when he sang that one?). We had a raffle at the interval and raised some more cash for the baby unit (the Social Club donated an extra bottle of wine, so we had three prizes - see, you should have been there!). We are at the Social Club again next week (I`ll bet you will all be queuing to get in) as the Swan will still be closed. It will be an international event, as we have at least one performer flying in from Germany (sounds cool doesn`t it). We will expect to sell a good few tickets to the concert, as it is the last Tuesday before the event. If you can`t make it, please consider a donation, it`s a worthwhile cause. Also if you would like to donate a raffle prize please bring it with you. Photos from last night will be on gallery two shortly. Videos will be on tomorrow morning (I`ve had a long day and I need a rest). So get practicing for your chance to play to a differnet audience. It is definitely going to be busy next week, so get there early! Thanks to all who performed and watched last night, see you all next week TJM

Yes folks, I have just been told that the Swan will now be closed, for the next TWO Tuesday`s. We have therefore decided to move Addingham Acoustic to Addingham Social Club for two weeks. (The 15th and the 22nd). Addingham Social Club is opposite the Fleece and you can park on the street (or there is usually room in the memorial hall car park). We have been assured of a warm welcome, so it would be nice if we can get a good turn out, (and the drinks are very cheep!). So get those instruments tuned up and get down to the Social Club this Tuesday. You know what they say a change is as good as a rest! TJM

Do you remember Tim saying last week he didn’t think there would ever be a quiet night again? This didn’t mean he wanted one!  (Particularly as he had driven up especially from Leicester for the supposed party night to say a farewell from Addingham Acoustic to Dick and Julia.)  He had received one or two apologies but it turned out to be a surprisingly quiet night in the pub as a whole, perhaps because there was football was on TV. In the first half there were just four performers and only a few more in the audience.  As first to arrive, Sue Strange started off the evening with You Belong to Me and then as a request played Coat of Love.  Sue had just had her guitar set up by Peter Barton, which she described as “key hole surgery” as he had had to get inside the guitar.  She had already told me how much easier it was to play – how lucky we are to have him in the village.  This was followed by Dot Jarvis with Me and Bobby McGee and You Know That Was The Last Thing On My Mind.  James Porter then gave us Careless Love and a Billy Bragg song, New England.  You amaze me James with your varied repertoire.  Earl was next up clutching a record sleeve from the 70s with the words to Reynardine (about a wily fox).  I did say at the start of the evening that I was not going to include many song titles but then realised I might need to “pad out” the blog a bit.  As a novice I then didn’t know whether to guess the title was the most repeated line or ask, so apologies if I have got any incorrect. It certainly wasn’t a loaves and fishes night and even Elwood couldn’t help us get through all sandwiches and pork pie I had provided (and it could take Tim and me some time to consume 36 picnic eggs!)  It is only by the grace of God that we didn’t also have a large batch of sausage rolls. In the second half Ged Keenan and Don O’Connor arrived to increase the performers to six.  We started again with Sue performing a Neil Young song, Birds.  Earl continued his eclectic mix with a lullaby and a mining song.  Dot and Ged then performed a new song which I think was entitled Standing on the Rock, with Ged playing on a “Strange” guitar (i.e. Sue’s – David’s quip not mine), and were then joined by Don for Ride On.  James followed on with Gallagher and Lyle’s Mr SS Man and then Nights in White Satin.  Don then sang a song which he thinks is called What’s That You Say Little Girl, followed by North and South of the River.  The evening was rounded off by Ged with two excellent songs, accompanied by Dot on harmony and guitar.  We then dashed home so that Tim could get a few hours kip before heading off again back down the M1. Don’t forget the Swan is closed for refurbishment on 15^th.  Should work take any longer a message will be posted on this site but otherwise we hope to see a good turnout to welcome our new hosts Ian and Nikki. It is not long now until the concert so do please try to encourage people to attend so that we can have a really good night and raise plenty of money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital. Videos will be updated shortly together with a new addition to the juke box - Sue Strange`s winning competition entry. BM

Sorry this is a bit late, but the website wouldn`t let me in. I tried shouting at the computer and swearing at it and thumping it, but it just didn`t make any difference! Well, a very quiet night last night with only thirteen performers (Tee Hee)! When am I going to get a rest? (Just kidding - don`t really want one). I don`t think we`re ever going to see a quiet night again! Yet again, a great atmosphere and lots and lots of wonderful music. And of course, a couple of new solo performers. Now I`ve given the logbook to David, as he`s M.C. next week (as I may not make it) and of course it has the list of performers. But hopefully my notes will be sufficient. However, if I miss you out you`ll know why! It was great to have Gerry Cooper back with us again after several months absence (during which he was visiting exotic places! Lucky for some eh?). He started the evening for us with some blues and then in the second set he sang us a song he had written himself, (a first I think Gerry?) called Pacific Coast Highway. Excellent song Gerry. Brian and Kath Wylie were next up. with a couple of instrumentals on guitar and mandolin. In the second set Brian sang a song which he dedicated to his late mother, called Save Me A Place In Your Heart. Brian, I`m sure she was watching and she would have been as moved as we all were. Next up Deborah Masterson, who dedicated her first song, Amazing Grace, to her long time friend (who was watching in the audience) and followed this with, The Man I Love. Check out the video of Deborah later. Richard and Lesley Quayle were next under the lights with a great version of House Of The Rising Sun. However, one of the highlights of the evening, was their version of, Don`t Think Twice It`s Alright, with Lesley playing the spoons! Check out the video later! I had a go next and did Dylan`s, Tomorrow Is A Long Time, followed by A Ray LaMontagne song. In the second set I was joined by Dot Jarvis on harmonies to sing, I Don`t Wanna Talk About It. (Get a bit of glamour in you see - keeps the attention off me!). I think one or two of the audience were joining in with that one too! Mike and Andee Craig were next up and played a couple of lovely instrumentals, Atholl Highlander and (I hope I`ve got this right!) Gallaghers Frollicks. In the second set, Mike was joined by Brian Wylie and Gerry Cooper, (a first at AA, see gallery two) to perform Moonshiner and Andee played a couple of solos (one a request from Brian) including Soft Mild Morning. What a treat for us all to hear such beautiful harp playing. Next on the stage, Dot Jarvis singing  a Norah Jones song, Don`t Know Why, followed by (in the second set) Mine Rescue Man (which was a request). Now when Dot asked someone to get her capo out of her cardigan pocket, there was some suggestion that she had very deep pockets and that this was something to do with her being Scottish! My, My, we have some brave men in our audience! Next up, another first for Addingham Acoustic, Jon Palmer playing solo. Jon writes a lot of his own material and sang some of his own songs tonight including, In Dreams and Another Friday Night In A Northern Town. Jon then sang Werewolves Of London and we all joined in the "waaaoooooo`s". Great stuff! Next up another first at Addingham Acoustic, Nigel Jamieson playing solo. (See gallery two). Nigel sang a John Macefield peom, put to music and followed this with, Tall Cotton. Last, but by no means least, Rob Watkins rounded off the evening for us with, How Will I Ever Be Simple Again (by Richard Thompson) and that lovely Steve Earle song, Goodbye. What a great way to finish another great night of entertainment. (I`m not going to mention some of the false starts, that some of our performers suffered from tonight, (seemed to be catching) but I may put some "out take" videos on the site sometime!). Thanks to all of you, once again. Just a reminder that the concert is only three weeks away, so get your tickets now. We could do with more raffle/auction prizes if any of you are feeling generous. (Thanks Gerry and Brian, for your contributions last night). Also next week is party night, as it is Dick and Julia`s last Tuesday at The Swan, so lets give them a great Addingham Acoustic send off, as a thank you, for providing us with a venue to perform our music. Get there early and we`ll start early! There will be food of course and a raffle. The following Tuesday, The Swan will be closed, as Ian and Nikki want to do a bit of work inside. However we are working on a contingency plan! Addingham Acoustic may move, for one week only, and then we`ll be back at The Swan on the 22nd April. Watch this space! Videos may not be updated until tomorrow, due to the problems I`ve had accessing the site today. (But check back later, just in case!). Also, check out the juke box, as some great new tracks have been added and more will be added in the next few days.TJM   

I have finaly got around to updating the juke box, with tracks from Jo-Ann Lawton (Sirens), Deborah Masterson, Don O`Connor, John Jenner, Chris Dinsdale and Steve Hulme (his songwriting competition entry!). In a day or two I will have added tracks by Waterland also. Check it out as there is some great music on there from some of our performers. TJM  

As you will all know by now, the Tuesday after a bank holiday is always quiet. So we only had twenty performers turn up tonight, (including some new people of course) together with at least as many who wanted to watch! We are going to have to extend The Swan! David was getting a complex, that it wasn`t as busy on the nights he was M.C. I think we can safely say, that we`ve put that one to bed David! What a fantastic night and what a room full of talented people. I wont list all the songs etc. as there were too many, so I`ll try and pick out the highlights. The night kicked off with a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Chris Patrick, (see gallery two) singing his own material including, So Far In Front and If Sexy Isn`t. Now I should say at this point that as I wrote most things down last night, without my glasses on, I may get some titles wrong, as I can`t read my writing! (For example that first one looks like Sofa In Front - see how bad this could be?). Mike and Andee Craig were next up and played two lovely instrumentals. In the second set Mike played and sang, Pancho and Lefty and Andee played a beautiful hornpipe. Aren`t we so lucky to turn up in a pub midweek and listen to such wonderful music. The talented Brian Wylie followed on with a lovely song about World War One, called John Condon (now just to let you know how bad this could be, I couldn`t understand why Brian would sing a song about a "Job In London"  - next week I`ll wear my glasses). He followed this with Early Morning Rain. Two of our local regulars were up next. Chris Thompson and Ian Taylor haven`t played for a while, (see gallery two) but came back tonight with some rousing stuff including, May You Never. Big River and a lively version of Sweet Home Alabama, with audience participation of course! Next up a couple of our younger performers (see we`re not all old fogies!) Dan Grant and Tom Clegg singing a number by Beirut followed by an Adam Green song. They were followed by more youth in the guise of Tom, Emma Starling, Maria Corless and Luke Thomas (see gallery two) on a variety of instruments including saxaphone and clarinet and performing some great numbers by Beirut including Cherbourg and later a Fionn Reagon song. Great stuff guys. Then some one who, I am pleased to say, is becoming a regular, John Paul with  his great version of Emily, followed by a U2 song which John Paul sang as a tribute to a sadly lost friend. It was very moving and beautifully performed. You could have heard a pin drop. Another of our regulars was under the spotlight next. Steve Hulme with yet more material we haven`t heard before including, Big Boys Jobs and Eggles song. (And if I could read what came after "Molly Visits", I`d list another one!). You never disappoint Steve! Next on the playlist, our very own Mr. John Jenner, back after recovering from the trauma of losing his Capo and Tuner and sporting new shiny versions of both (although if I were you John  I`d check my guitar case this morning, as I have in my possession a very nice new looking tuner, that someone left behind last night!). John sang one of his his own songs, Running Wild and later sang a Cyril Tawney (he had to spell that for me!) song, Sally Free And Easy and then another lovely song You And Me. Great to have you back with us JJ. Now, how are we doing? Yes still more to go! The wonderful voice of Deborah Masterson next singing Angel which she has sung for us before, but which we don`t tire of hearing. Well done Deborah. Next under the lights, the one and only Dot and Ged (actually that doesn`t make sense does it! should it be the two and only?). Work has kept them away from us for a while, but it was great to have them back singing a Christy Moore song followed by, I Can`t Change It by Frankie Miller. Carmen was next on the stage. Now Carmen is new to singing in public and gets a little nervous, but you don`t need to Carmen, you were great. She sang That Old Devil Called Love (from Alison Moyet) and Baby Can I hold You Tonight. Well done Carmen! Hang on in, we`re nearly there! Dan Grant was joined by Tristan to sing Who`s Got The Craik. Now I didn`t know you were going to sing Tristan, so I`d put the camera away. We`ll have to snap you next time! Finaly (seems to have taken a long time to get here!) Gloria stepped under the spotlight and (as requested) performed her own song Canal Street to rousing applause. She followed this with another of her own songs Ballad Of A Blogger. Great Great Stuff. What a fantastic night! New talent, new instruments, new songs. You never fail to surprise me, week after week. You move me from tears of helpless laughter to tears of utter sadness with your music it really is a bit special. Just on a personal note from David and myself, it`s sometimes quite difficult when it`s busy, to juggle everything around and make sure everyone gets a fair share of the spotlight. But we never get any grief from any of you. You all wait patiently for your turn and no one complains if they don`t get as much time as everyone else (or when we make a mistake and miss you out!). You  also all show respect for other performers. I have to tell you that we really appreciate it and thank you for it. It makes our lives a lot easier! Thanks to you all for your contributions to the raffle. The charity fund is building. (I`m getting a bit worried about you winning all those chocolates though Brian - don`t want you suing me if you put on weight!).  And finally just a quick note to all our friends around the world, who can`t always be with us, but who follow proceedings on this blog. So Chris Anderson in America, Jo-Ann  Nigel and Sarah Lawton in Canada, Helmuth in Germany and Gaetano and Margherita in Italy we miss you all! Video clips will be on later and changed again at the weekend. See you all again next week! TJM 

Do you remember when the first men landed on the moon? Well tonight was another of those events that you just shouldn`t miss! Oh how I wish I could bottle up the atmosphere on Tuesday nights and sell it. I`d be able to retire in no time at all! If St Patrick was looking down, he would definately have been smiling! Yet again a room full of happy people and great music. We also had the results of our songwriting competition and another new face at Addingham Acoustic. And yes we had lots of Irish music and song, check out the videos when I`ve put them on later. Brian Wylie and Rob Watkins got the ball rolling with Carrickfergus and that lovely song Nancy Spain. (The atmosphere was already building). In the second set Brian gave us a tune on his tin whistle (no jokes please!), what a versatile man he is. Mike Craig and Andee Anko were up next and played two reels (Temperence and Morningstar) followed by a couple of jigs. In the second set they played another jig followed by a solo from Mike, Crooked Jack. You can see already that this was a proper Irish night, with harp and tin whistle already! Lovely, lovely, lovely stuff. Thanks Mike and Andee. Deborah was next singing a lovely song called Song For Ireland, followed by She Walks Through The Fair. In the second set she sang, Adams At The Window and then a Jimmy McCarthy song, No Frontiers. I`ve just got to say at this point what a wonderful audience you are. We had a pub full to the brim with people, but whenever someone was performing, you could hear a pin drop! A bit special eh? John Paul was back with us again, (he didn1t know he was performing till I called his name out!). He gave us a great rendition of Emily and in the second set sang a great Radiohead song. (See we get everything here!). Next up Steve Hulme. Shock! Horror! Steve sang a song that wasn`t his own! Yes he had us all singing along to Whiskey In The Jar! Then he sang one of his own, I`ve Forgotten Your Name. Now I am going to tell you at this point, that Steve was a runner up in our songwriting competition. We had so many good entries, that we decided to have two runners up. So we made him sing his entry Somefinks Bit Me, which we all sang the chorus to! Brian Wylie was back under the spotlight next with Don O`Connor (you can`t get more Irish than that!). They started with Proud Irishman and then had us all singing along to the next one. (Now I`m not going to tell you the title, because at one point Brian was playing a completely different tune and so I don`t know which one to mention!). In the second set Don sang Steel My Heart and finished with that beautiful, beautiful song, The Contender. I swear Don you nearly had us all in tears. It was yet again a truly lovely performance. Next up another of our regulars, James Porter. We were singing along as usual to I Can`t Stop Loving You and in the second set he sang a Damien Rice song. Now I have to mention our songwriting competition again, as James was our second runner up. So yes, we made him sing his entry, Without You, (which he wrote for his daughter). Well done James it was brill. Now surely the highlight of the evening! Myself, Brian Wylie and Steve Hulme, with what must be the difinitive version of Danny Boy! (It was our St. Patricks Day party, we had to have Danny Boy!). Now you have to admire the courage of Brian and Steve! All I can say is, any resemblence to the video that Mike Craig sent me earlier in the day, to three of The Muppetts singing Danny Boy, was purely coincidental! (Only one Muppett in our version!). Now it`s probably time to mention, that at the break, we announced the winner of our song writing competition. As you have already heard we decided to have two additional prizes, Steve and James. The winner was Sue Strange with her song Coat Of Love. (We did it properly, we had an envelope with the winners name in and everything!). Of course we made Sue sing for us and as you can imagine she got a tremendous round of applause. Well done Sue. Sue will of course, now be singing her song at our concert in April. (Did I mention that?). Now I have to say that, I was so enthralled that I forgot to video it Sue. But no worries, I will video you again at the concert! Rob and Caroline were next under the lights and sang us The Fields Of Athenrye. Now I don`t need to tell you, that we were all singing along to that one! They finished their set with Love Hurts. Really excellent. And then the evening was rounded off in riproaring fashion, with a newcomer to our Tuesday evenings, John Nixon, accompanied by Brian Wylie, singing Brown Eyed Girl, followed by Handbags And Gladrags. What a way to finsh - everybody singing along and having a good time. (And did you notice Brian was playing the mandolin upside down!) What can I say, but thank you all, yet again. Another really great night. Thanks for buying raffle tickets, profits from which have gone in to our charity pot. Thanks to Barbara for supplying the half time sandwiches and pies, very nice they were. And thanks to Dick and Julia for providing the venue. As I`m sure you now know, Ian and Nikki Frost will be taking over the Swan in April and our Tuesday nights will continue. Hooray!!!!! Photos from the night will be on Gallery Two shortly and the videos will be on later today. (We`ll change them part way through the week as we have a lot). See you all next week. TJM   

It was a bit quieter tonight than in recent weeks. (Yes eight performers is now a quiet night!). But what a good night it was, with two more songs entered in to our competition. Sadly the competition is now closed, which is just as well, as the decision is going to be difficult for the judges! The winner will be announced next Tuesday evening. (So all who have entered need to be there!). I assume that all of you who didn`t make it tonight, were at home practicing your Irish songs for next week? Steve Hulme started the evening off (poor Steve, we must put him on later next week!). He started, of course, with one of his own songs, Frocked Off and then gave us another rendition of his competition entry, Somefinks Bit Me and yes we did all sing the chorus! In the second set he did another of his own songs, written to be more miserable than all the miserable songs we`ve all been singing lately! (Yes slashing your wrists with a rusty razor is pretty miserable). We were all singing the chorus to that one too. Next up, our good friends Len and Carolyn Harvey were back with us. They sang a lovely country song called Satan`s Jewelled Crown (I`ve got a version by Emmylou Harris) and Len followed this with another country song, in classis country style, called If My Nose Was Running Money, I`d Blow It Over You! As this progresses you will start to wonder about the inspiration of some of our performers tonight. In the second set, Len sang a couple of Tom Paxton songs, finishing with, Last Thing On My Mind, which of course we all joined in to. (In fact we were singing harmonies - how good is that? - Len, please don`t answer that one!). And then another great entry in to our song writing competition, from Sue Strange. Now Sue has only performed in public once before (at Addingham Acoustic of course) and here she is a few weeks later, performing her own song! And what a great song it was, called Coat Of Love (check out the video clip later). It really is a tough competition. Later Sue sang a Blues song called, Good Girl Memphis Mini. Really excellent. Next under the spotlights, Gloria, starting with a Randy Newman song followed by Shakespeare`s sonnett number twenty nine, put to music. You see, we really are a cultured lot here - honest. In the second set, she sang a Billy Bragg song, followed by one of her own compositions, The Strange Disappearance Of Arthur Craven. Later she sang Cher`s, Do You Believe In Life After Love, requested by our very own Dave (favourite Barman!). It was a great performance. Ian Pucknell ventured under the spotlight next, singing his love song about putting the toilet seat down. You see what I mean, about our performers inspiration tonight? He then sang us a couple of our favourites, including a song from John Prine. Well done Ian, you`ll be on the video`s later. Earl (The Twirl) was with us again and persuaded us to let him sing! He started with a Tahition song, (our Tahition speakers in the audience disputed his version of the words) and later a Croation love song. He then sang a Geordie song about the Tyne, but none of us could understand the words to that one! Next up another competition entry. James Porter started with Stand By Me, (James you always sing tunes that get us all singing along). He then sang his own composition, Without You. It was another really great song. What an amazing standard you have all set, with your songwriting. We really should be awarding prizes to all of you. Later James sang a Donovan song followed by a ballad. What a really good night yet again, with lots of talent and lots of good fun. Thanks again to all of you. Now next week (our St. Patrick`s Day Party - as if you didn`t know!) is going to be busy, so please get here early so that we can start on time (or earlier). We will announce the Songwriting Competition winner and award them their prizes and we will be having a raffle, to raise funds for our Charity Concert Appeal. Once again, if anyone would like to donate a raffle prize, or if they can put up a poster (or sell some tickets) please let me know. Also if you are planning to be there, please let me know a.s.a.p. in order that we can keep track of numbers. (We have a limit). Now a bit of news you have all been waiting for. The Swan will have a new Landlord and Landlady on the 14th April. They are a local couple (who are regulars at The Swan!) and we understand that things will remain pretty much as they are. So all being well, we will continue our Tuesday nights in to the long and distant future! When they take over, lets fill the pub (on Tuesday the 15th April) to give them a warm Addingham Acoustic welcome. Thanks again to all who participated, see you all next week (Bejabers!). TJM

How very odd, the weather was really nice and you still turned up in droves! The audience are soon going to have to start bringing their own fold up chairs! We even had two more new performers. Where do they all come from? (Actually, please don`t send your answers in - we already know!). We also had two more entries in our songwriting competition and we already have an entry booked for next week. First off, just a reminder that our next charity concert, takes place at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club, Addingham, on Saturday 26th April (we are raising money for the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital). See the page relating to this event for full details. I am pleased to tell you that we have already sold tickets and have had raffle and auction items donated. What a generous bunch you are! Well on to proceedings. I`m not going to list all the songs sung, because I have to be back at work tomorrow, so I`ll pick out a few! Steve Hulme got the evening under way with a couple of his own songs (Actually they`re all his own songs!) and in the second half performed his entry in to our competition called Somefinks Bit Me - no I haven`t made another spelling mistake, that`s the title! Now you must watch the video when I put it on later today. Steve was assisted by his lovely partner Ann (who held up the words so we could all sing the chorus). At this point someone (male!) in the audience suggested that Ann was Addingham`s answer to Debbie McGee. I can report that he is still alive (but only just!). Steve had us all singing along (and laughing!). What a start.Next up a newcomer Rob Heath (see Gallery Two). Rob had put The Owl And The Pussycat to music and later sang about a crocodile (obviously an animal lover!). He also sang an entry into our songwriting competition (did I mention that?) called The Value Of Talk. It is a great song. It`s going to be really tough for the judges. Deborah Masterson was with us again singing A Cappella. Lovely songs like She Moves Through The Fair and Randy Crawfords Almas. Deborah is really growing in confidence since her debut. I can see a concert spot looming! We then persuaded Carmen Wedderburn to sing Killing Me Softly With His Song (and nobody could tell me who it was about! - Don McLean of course!). Thanks Carmen - lovely. And then one of our most versatile performers Mr. Brian Wylie singing a song dedicated to Dot (and his wife Kath was in the room - no shame!). He followed this with a Stanley Holloway monologue (the one about the Battle of Hastings - isn`t it amazing that it happened in a place called Battle?!). Later, playing his guitar, he was joined by Rob Watkins. Next another newcomer John Paul (see Gallery Two). He sang us a couple of lovely moving ballads accompanied by some great guitar. Thanks for Coming JP I hope we`ll see you again soon. And next another of our favourites Ian Pucknell (well we don`t have favourites, but you know what I mean). Ian always entertains us and tonight was no exception! Ian sang a couple of great songs and then there was a shout from the back for, A Dallas Whore. Well we couldn`t find one (from Dallas) so Ian sang Let Him Roll! (A song about a Dallas whore!). Now, when Ian got to the last verse, which is about a funeral, he realised he had missed out the verse in which the death occured! Now fortunately our audience are not the kind of people who would rib a performer about such an error and I`m not going to mention it here. (Your secrets safe with us Ian). Now the reason I can take the michael, is because Ian (like all our performers) is a lovely man and very good fun. (And a great entertainer). Thanks Ian, I was struggling for a title! Now where was I? Ah yes, our very own Dot and Ged. Now there was some discrepancy about what song they were playing first, but they came to a mutual agreement (Ged did what he was told) and sang a Frankie Miller song! In the second set they sang one of their own - Missing You. Great stuff (I must stop saying that!). Last but by no means least, Rob Watkins rounded off the eveing for us accompanied in the first set by Brian Wylie. They sang some Country music including a Chris Hillman song and also Hickory Wind (lovely that one). Rob finished with an Australian Country Music song (really that`s what he said!) called I Might Be Lonesome But I`m Free, (sounds Australian). What a fantastic night yet again. Great music great atmosphere, but most of all great people. Thanks to all of you for continuing to make this such a great event. Now did I mention our St. Patrick`s night party in two weeks time (the 18th)? DO NOT MISS IT !! I feel sure I mentioned our concert on the 26th April and then next week is the last chance you have to enter our songwriting competition! Check out our tee shirt gallery, as Mr. Gerry Cooper is wearing his Addingham Acoustic tee shirt (only £6.00) in a very exotic location. So you really need to be getting your photos to me! Don`t forget to check out the videos later when I`ve put them. There`s some great footage this week! TJM 

Yes at last we can name the day! Our next charity concert will take place on Saturday 26th April at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club Addingham. It will be in aid of the Special Care Baby Unit at Airedale Hospital (I`m sure you will agree thast this is a worthy cause). We have a great line up of performers who will provide a great evenings entertainment as usual, finishing (as we always do) with some Rock & Roll, this time from Last Orders www.lastordersmusic.co.uk There will be a raffle and a celebrity auction. As usual, thanks to generous sponsors and donations, all monies from ticket sales, raffle and auction will be donated to the Baby Unit. If you would like to donate a raffle prize or goods of sufficient value to auction, please let us know. If you cannot attend the concert but would like to make a donation please let us know. Tickets are £5.00 pre-booked or £6.00 on the door (subject to availability). Book early if you can, as we have limited capacity and our concerts are well attended! I can tell you that, we already have a good number of tickets sold and raffle prizes donated! (Addingham Acoustic supporters are a generous bunch!) We have set ourselves a hefty target, so please be generous. Check out the page on this website (Baby Unit Charity Concert) for full details . We will update this page regularly with information on the concert and with details of donors etc. TJM

Yes Addingham really rocked last night (literally)! The weather was awful, there was a howling gale, so of course you turned out in numbers! What a great night this was, with a crowd of nice people, good music and as usual, a fantastic and happy atmosphere. Richard and Lesley Quayle got the evening underway with a sad song by Chet Atkins and then an instrumental by Richard called Old Town. In the second set they sang Buddy Holly`s, It Don`t Matter Any More, (Isn`t life strange, having never heard anyone sing this song on a Tuesday, I have just spent three weeks learning it, only to be pipped at the post! Same thing happened recently with "I`ll Be Your Baby Tonight"!). Richard followed this with another instrumental. I then did a Bob Dylan followed by a Don McClean. What a gracious audience you are, as you only ever give encouragement to us novices even when things aren`t as good as they should be. I`m sure that is what makes our Tuesdays such a success. In the second set, after the intake of some relaxing fluid, I did a bit better! Dave Speight was next up and performed a Hank Williams number and in the second set entered our songwriting competition (after I had explained to everyone, yet again, what it entails - does anyone read this website?) with, If You Don`t Love Me Baby Walk Out That Door and Someday Sally. Details of this competition are listed on the page entitled "Songwriting Competition"! (Took me a while to think up the title). It was great to have Gloria back with us again, performing a Don Henley number followed by her own song, Separation, followed by her entry in our songwriting competition (have I mentioned that already?) Canal Street. It`s going to be tough picking a winner with so much talent. Ian Pucknell was on form, starting with Let Him Roll followed by Lullaby. In the second set he sang again, the love song about putting the toilet seat down! (Well, whatever rocks your boat!). I have a feeling, Ian may be doing a bit of songwriting in the next couple of weeks - we shall see! While we are on the subject (we were weren`t we?) Dot Jarvis stepped forward to sing her own entry entitled, How I Feel Today (I`m tempted to answer that, but as it wasn`t a good day I may depress you all! - Mind you, of course, it improved dramatically by the evening!). Dot followed this with Don`t Know Why. In the second set, Dot was joined by Ged Keenan and Tim Shakleton (a.k.a. Fischer`s Ghost) to enter their own song, Backroads, into the competition. (You see it`s already hotting up!), follwed by Tuesday`s Gone. Dot and Ged were then joined by Don O`Connor to sing a Christy Moore song. Great stuff. In his own set, Don O`Connor performed a couple of new numbers, Golden Touch by Razorlight and then Angel by Jack Johnson. In the second set he performed Ordinary Man follwed by The Pieces Don`t Fit Here Anymore. (Now I just can`t wait to hear Don sing, at our St Patrick`s Day Party on the 18th March - just in case I forget to mention it later). Finally, to round off the evening, Richard Quayle and Gloria got together (see Gallery Two) to perform Freda Payne`s Band Of Gold, with all of us singing along! What a great way to finish yet another fantastic evening! Now I don`t think it`s a secret that, sadly, Dick and Julia will be leaving The Swan very soon. We don`t know what will happen when they are gone, or whether we will be able to carry on playing at The Swan. However, we do have a contingency plan and whatever happens at The Swan, Addingham Acoustic will carry on, either there, or at another venue in the village. So don`t panic Mr. Mainwaring! Keep checking the website for details. If you are on our mailing list we will let you know. (If you are not on our mailing list - why not?!). Did I mention our songwriting competition? Details are on the page headed  "S o n g w r i t i n g  C o m p e t i t i o n"  (That`s supposed to be me saying it "s l o w l y" so you don`t miss it!). And of course our St. Patrick`s Day Party on the 18th March. That really is going to be too good to miss. By next week I should have the date for our next concert. Finally, I gather that one of our much loved performers, Len Harvey, has not been too well lately. We all you hope you feel better soon Len and that you`ll be back performing with us again. Thank you all for another great night. Thanks especially to David, the unsung hero, who helps me to run Addingham Acoustic and who always keeps things well under control when he is M.C.. It wouldn`t happen without David! See you all next week - assuming the weather`s bad! Mind you if there`s another earthquake like the one that had us leeping out of bed last night, you probably wont be able to get in the door. Maybe someone should be practising "Shake, Rattle and Roll"! Videos will be updated later today.TJM.

I just love it when the weather is really, really bad! If it`s lashing with rain, blowing a gale, snowing, or freezing fog, like it was last night, musicians turn up in droves to play at Addingham Acoustic! What a fantastic and talented bunch we had entertaining us tonight, with some old friends returning and six (it could have been seven!) new performers! Not only that, but we had a full audience too. (We actually had to use all the chairs that we normally try and hide somewhere!). Brian Wylie got the night under way, playing his guitar (which he has only done in public once before - here of course) and singing I Had To Say I Love You In A Song, followed by Lovers Cross. In the second set he sang Galway Shawl (I thought he said something else to start with - nearly dropped a clanger!) and was then joined by Mike Craig to perform a great instrumental (See gallery two - with Brian on Blarge).Steve Hulme was next up and as we are now used to, Steve had a theme for the night, this time Leeds. All the music Steve performs is his own and tonight Steve performed his twentieth song! He sang songs about traffic warnings, (yes warnings, not wardens - that was one of the few mistakes I didn`t make tonight!) Big Issue sellers, dumping boyfriends and unrequited love. Steve, I say it every time, you are a very talented and entertaining man! Mike Craig and Andee Anko were next under the spotlights (which I have moved, so that we can see you all on video). They played some lovely instrumentals including Temperence Wheel and Morning Star and Musical Priest. In the second set, they each performed solo, Mike performing 1952 Vincent Black Lightening (which somebody beat him to last week!) and Pancho & Lefty, which he did do last week, but I got it wrong in the blog (I missed out the and!). Now I`ll apologise now for all the mistakes I make in the blog and on the night. When you get to my age and your going deaf and blind, it`s not always easy to keep up! If it`s any consolation, every time I publish the blog, my wife Barbara provides me with a list of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors (thats probably one there!) and I get emails from around the world offering spelling corrections! It`s not easy being in charge you know! (There`s a really good one coming later!). Now where was I? Ah yes Andee Anko. What a treat it is for us all, to listen to such wonderful harp playing. Andee started her set with The Arran Boat Song and it was just gorgeous. You know, every week I just cannot get over the amount of talented, and in particular, nice people that we are fortunate enough to have come and play for us. It makes all of our nights, whether busy or quiet, a bit special. Next up, a young man who hasn`t played with us for a while, Matt Nelson. Matt started his set with a Yorkshire country song called Crocton Murder (yes I bet I`ve got that wrong!) and followed this with one of his own songs, about people who move around a lot and never settle. In the second set, he did a couple of American songs for us. Yes, it was a busy night, are you keeping up with this? Yet another old friend now, under the lights. Alan Higgins played with us last year, when he was on holiday in the area and we obviously didn`t frighten him off! Alan got us all singing along to Every Time We Say Goodbye and followed this with Black Is The Colour. In the second set he sang a lovely song, (which he did last year also) about youngsters who have their dreams trampled on. Lovely, lovely stuff Alan. Thanks for coming back. Now a bit of a mistake coming up (yes I know another one). It`s always a treat to have new people come and play, especially if they are a group and as good as our next act. (Sam Barrat, Rhys Jones, Paul Johnson and John Palmer). Now you know what a beautiful picture the weather made today, with all the frost on the trees and the crisp cold air? So when I introduced the next performers, I looked down at my list (without my glasses on) and promptly introduced "Wonderland" (winter wonderland see?). Well I could see it started with W and ended in land. I just couldn`t see that the bit in between was "ater" not "onder". Yes they are actually called Waterland! (See gallery two). Sorry fellas! (Mind you, don`t you think Wonderland is a good name? - o.k. never mind!). Whatever my mistake they were worth waiting for and got the room buzzing, with some really lively stuff including a couple of Dylan numbers, It Aint Me Babe and You Aint Going Nowhere, one of their own songs called Another Friday Night In A Northern Town and Pay Me My Money Down. They also played a song called Butterfly In Reverse from their new album. Really terrific guys, but you have got to come back so that I can introduce you properly. (I bet Dorothy is really laughing at that one - in joke!). Next up one of our regulars, James Porter. James always gets us singing along and tonight was no exception, with Bob Marley`s No Woman No Cry and then Woodstock. (I`m not saying who by, as last time I was corrected - it`s tough this job you know!). Finally two more newcomers to Addingham Acoustic (It was going to be three but Dougie decided to wait for another day!) Neil and Liz. (See gallery two) finished the evening off for us with some lovely traditional songs, including Temperance Song. Thank you for being so patient and for finishing the evening off in such style. (Actually we did have another performer - Blues Boy, Nigel Smith, decided to wait until you`d all gone before he sang!). What a wonderful night of great music and entertainment. Thank you all for coming to play and to watch. This was definitely one of those special evenings. Just a couple of anouncements. Our songwriting competition will take place over the next three weeks. Details will be on the website later today (on a separate web page). So get your entries in to me. I`m hoping to announce a date for our next concert shortly. We are planning to raise money for the baby unit at Airedale Hospital. I trust you will all agree that this is a worthy cause. Check out our new "Tee Shirt Gallery" page and send me pictures of you wearing your tee shirt, so that we can include them (The more exotic or unusual the location the better). I still have a few tee shirts left (only £6.00!). Video clips will be updated later after I`ve edited them. Finally, please send details of all spelling mistakes, incorrect song titles, wrong performers names and any other errors to.................. well anyone other than me! TJM 

Well this wasn`t one of our busier nights, but no matter, we all enjoyed it. Half term week is always a bit quiet. But we did have two more new performers and as usual some excellent music. However the majority of those who turned up, were suffering from coughs and colds (or poorly wrists like Ged!) so it was an interesting night! Mike Craig got the evening under way with Pancho Lefty (that`s the name of the song, not his new singing partner!) and followed this up with an Irish song called Courting A Wee Girl. In the second set he performed Bee`s Wing, but had to alter his playlist for the second song, for reasons that will become clear later, and sang The Lake Of Pontrachain. Great stuff Mike. Next up, Deborah Masterson was back with us after a little break. Deborah sings A Capella (no easy task!) and did it beautifully, singing first a lovely song  called Angel and followed this with another classic, Billy Holliday`s Loverman. Sadly Deborah couldn`t stay for the second half, as she has an early morning start. We then had a new duo (to Addingham Acoustic) with us, Stuart Douglas and Pat Sherry (see Gallery Two). In the first set they played a great version of 1952 Vincent Black Lightening, (which was why Mike had to alter his playlist!)and in the second set sang a song called The Local Lad, followed by a lovely lament. Because it wasn`t a busy night we actuall got Stuart and Pat to play again later and they finished with a David Wilcox song called, Last Golden Day, to the tune of Lakes Of Pontrachain, wonderful stuff. What is even more impressive, is that Stuart and Pat were both using guitars built by Stuart! Is that talent or what! Dave Speight was next under the lights, singing a song he doesn`t usually perform for us,  Down Where The Drunkards Roll (I bet I`ll be told that it`s not really called that!) followed by a song by Odetta. In the second set, he was joined by Dot Jarvis (see Gallery Two) which was another Addingham Acoustic first - check out the video clips later. Dot was still suffering from a bad throat, hence only the one song. Dave finished his sets with that lovely Buffy St. Marie song, Until It`s Time For You To Go. Really, really, nice. David (our M.C. for the night) put me on last - so he`s now sacked! (not really). I managed to get the audience singing along to Positively 4th  Street - you know the verse that goes "Na na na, na na na, na na, na na , na". But I did at least remember, all the words to Desolation Row (At least everybody thinks I did - I could have been singing any old rubbish!). Not one of our busiest nights, but still very pleasant and those who turned up, were much appreciated. Don`t forget our St. Patrick`s Day event on the 18th March. Hopefully, by next week ,I will have sorted out the details for our songwriting competition, so get those pens to paper! We will also have a date shortly, for our next concert. (Which I am hoping will be in April). Thanks to all who came along, see you all again next week. TJM 

We may not have had too many people tonight, but we had a lot of great music and some good fun. Brian and Cath Wylie and Paul Copley started the evening off, with some lively music including Gypsy Dance (which Cath has been playing since she was twelve - so not long). Later in the evening they continued with some fine Blarge, mandolin and guitar playing and some great Irish tunes. (Brian`s going to learn some Irish songs for our St. Patrick`s Party - Ha! Ha!). Now when he arrived, Brian said that he wished he had brought his Tin Whistle with him. No problem, I rang Barbara and asked her to bring my Tin Whistle, which Brian then played brilliantly. However, Cath told me later, that he usually plays it by sticking it up his nose instead of in his mouth! I might not offer so quickly next time! (Mind you I suppose it could have been even worse?). Paul Copley then gave a solo performance, (playing for the first time under our Addingham Acoustic badge) Including a song called The Island and that wonderful song that Don O`Connor sings, called The Contender (about the Irish heavyweight boxer who turns to drink). Great stuff. Next up James Porter gave a great performance of Wake Up Little Sparrow, followed by Summertime and in the second set sang us a Tom Paxton song, followed by Spider To The Fly. I`m always amazed that James comes up with new songs every time he performs! It was great to have Dot Jarvis back with us again. Recent events have cost Ged and Dot an arm and a leg. (Ged`s got his arm in a splint and Dot`s had her leg in plaster!). After multiple requests, Dot sang Mine Rescue Man (a song about her father). Ged then asked her to do the one she`s good at - now he`s got both arms in splints! (only kidding). In the second set Dot had us all singing along, to Tom Paxton`s Last Thing On My Mind. Ian Pucknell was persuaded to get up and perform and started his set with Creole Belle and in the second set sang a love song (presumably for his wife Barbara) entitled "If I want To Say I love You, I`ll Put That Toilet Seat Down" - draw your own conclusions! (Don`t worry Ian, I`m not going to mention the two you couldn`t remember in between - oooops!). At the start of the second half Earl got up to sing, (no he didn`t need persuading). He started with Waters Of Tyne, (Ellwood liked that one and joined in for a couple of bars - high praise Earl!). He finished his set with Love Letters. The final name on the playlist was our very own Nigel "Blues Boy" Smith. Nigel performed just one song, which was Ray LaMontagne`s Jolene and he did it brilliantly. Well done Nigel, well worth waiting for. We decided to have a raffle this evening (for an Addingham Acoustic tee shirt, wow!) to raise funds to replace John Jenner`s Capo and Tuner (which someone inadvertantly unclipped from his guitar a couple of weeks ago and took home!). Despite requests on this site, the items have not been returned. With their usual generosity, our players and audience gave unstintingly (bearing in mind it wasn`t a busy night) and we have enought to replace your capo John. Next week we`ll get the tuner! Thank you all so much. It`s this kind of spirit, that makes the evening such a success. (Actually, copious amounts of the other kind of spirit, also helps!). Talking of tee shirts (it was in there somewhere) we are going to have a "Tee Shirt Gallery" page on the website. I would like all of you who have AA tee shirts, to send me photos of you wearing them, in the most exotic (or unusual) locations you can find. I think we may be able to post some pictures as early as next week! Come on, use your imagination! (I expect to get photos from America and Germany too). If you haven`t got a tee shirt yet, you need to get one (only £6.00 each!). I should also mention, it was our favourite barman`s birthday yesterday (no Dave not Dick!). He has reached the grand old age of twenty three - lucky boy! Once again thank you all for coming. Videos will be updated later. See you all next week TJM.  

Well this was what might be termed one of our quiter nights, as we only had ten performers, but I counted twenty three people in the room, so I reckon "quiet" is becoming a relative term at Addingham Acoustic on a Tuesday. We had a really nice atmosphere and as usual some excellent music and yet again two new performers! Mike Craig and Andee Anko got the evening under way for us, with a couple of lovely instrumentals and in the second set Andee played solo for us and it really was a bit special. Mike also did a solo set with a great song called Moonshiner followed by 1952 Vincent Black Lightening. (Awesome!). Next up Steve Hulme (definately a regular now) yet again set a theme for his songs during the evening, based around whats happening in the American elections and all the rubbish thats going on in the world. Bearing in mind Steve writes his own material, this was really great stuff. (He did diversify at the end though, when I asked him to do The French Bread Song!). You really do write some great material Steve.It was good to see Gloria back with us and as usual she didn`t let us down. She had us all singing along to The Beach Boys, God Only Knows What I`d Be Without You, in the first set and later sang one of Robert Burns songs, finishing with a truly amazing Van Morrison number - absolutely fantastic Gloria, superb musicianship! And then a couple of newcomers. Lynn and Paul Harrison had come all the way over from Wakefield to entertain us (see gallery two). Lynn and Paul write a lot of their own material and they performed some of it for us tonight including, Cracked Pepper, Daisy Chain and a lovely song called Pearls (about love lost) which had the whole pub singing along (pretty impressive considering we`d never heard it before!). They also did a great song called Dewdrops and a couple of covers. (Don`t they pick nice titles for their songs!). We hope to see you both again soon, (after all it`s not that far from Wakefield!). Now I wasn`t planning to play this evening as I haven`t had any practice for ages and the new jobs stressful, (I should have stuck to the plan!) but I did. I managed to get through the first song (by Don McLean - the singer not the comedien - mind you?) but then changed my mind about the second number and decided to sing one I know really, really, really well! (You know what`s coming don`t you!). Yes it happened. At the end of the last verse I took a wrong turn. I turned left instead of right and then instead of turning left and left again, to get back on track, I turned right, then left, then right again and ended up completely lost! Never mind, it`s the taking part that counts (and what a priviledge it is to be able to play in the company of such wonderful musicians). James Porter then took his turn (after just finishing a long shift at work) and sang us The Beatles, Hey You`ve Got To Hide Your Love Away, and then, You Win Again. James always gets us singing along and he learns new stuff for us, every time he comes. Well done James. Then Earl sang us a Croation sea faring song, about an anchor! (Yes Earl, I know it was a Croation love song about a girl called Anka, but you could be telling us any old rubbish, as we don`t speak Croation!). He followed this with Summertime. Thanks Earl. Last on the playlist was Ian Taylor, who sang us a great number called, appropriately enough, Winter Song and followed this with a request from David. The request was for "Deep River" but we all you knew you meant " Big River" David! Ian really does this well and yes of course we all sang along. A really good night with a nice gentle atmosphere and of course lots and lots of great music. Don`t forget our St. Patrick`s party on the 18th of March. (Yes it`s a day late, but it`s the nearest we can do!). Don`t anybody do "Danny Boy" as it`s mine! Sadly John Jenner`s capo and tuner haven`t been returned yet, so please keep looking.  Thank you to all of you who participated and to those who came to watch, (videos will be updated later). Who knows what next week will bring! TJM. P.s. if the videos are a bit dark, it`s because you didn`t stand under the lights!

Yes, yet another night of firsts at Addingham Acoustic, we like to keep things moving here! The evening started off  with a first with a new  M.C. for the night, Mr. Ian Pucknell (he claims I railroaded him when he was drunk last Friday, but he was pleading with me to let him do it!). And a very good job he did too of keeping the twelve musicians in check. First up was our very own John Jenner singing Sally Free And Easy, followed by Running Wild (apparently I got it wrong last week, he didn`t sing his own song - beware Ian this is what it`s like - slings and arrows!). In the second set he sang us a traditional song. Next up (fast becoming regulars) Tom Clegg and Luke Thomas, singing a lovely song by Yens Lekman (I`ve probably spelt that incorrectly, but then he`s not likely to read this is he?) called A Postcard To Nina. The M.C. (Ian) was next up (didn`t put himself on first you notice - Oh how power corrupts!) singing Lullaby and in the second set Lady Take Your Time (The whole pub was singing along to that one). And Then, and then, and then, a newcomer to AA! Sue Strange (see gallery two- it`s not easy thinking up the titles to these blogs you know) made her way under the spotlight. Sue has been sitting in the audience for a few months, working up the courage to perform and it was well worth waiting for! Sue performed Blueblazes Blues (I`ve probably spelt that incorrectly too) in the first set and Louisiana in the second. (Louisiana is a song about flooding, how topical is that!?). Have you stopped shaking yet Sue? Next up Kim Chuah and James Cubie. Now this was quite poignant, as Kim and James dedicated their songs (by Cheryl Crow, The Dixie Chicks and their own material) to their friend Gavin, who you will have seen on the news, as he is the young man who disappeared in Leeds recently after leaving a night club. That was a lovely gesture guys. We all hope for a happy outcome. Nick Hall was next under the lights, performing his own song, Mortal and in the second set he was joined by his brother Duncan to perform a song by the Finn Brothers. Great Stuff. Richard and Lesley Quayle (no they didn`t bring Dorothy!) were next up singing two lovely songs by someone whose name I do not know how to spell - sorry Leo (no it`s his surname I can`t spell!) Learning The Game and Julie`s House. In the second set Richard performed one of his fantastic instrumentals called Mississipi Lowdown. (This is a plan isn`t it, to see how many spelling mistakes I make!). Last but by no means least Don O`Connor got himself onto the stage (yes I know there isn`t one, but it sounds good to anyone who hasn`t been) and sang James Morrison`s The Pieces Don`t Fit Anymore and at the finale, despite much teasing and noise to start with, he yet again silenced the pub with his haunting song about the Heavyweight Boxer form Cork. Nice one Don. Well yet another great night with lots of new stuff going on and of course lots of great music. Now we need you all to check your music bags as someone inadvertently took John Jenner`s Electronic tuner and capo (yes they all look the same). It must have been someone who left at half time, as we frisked everybody before the start of the second set! (You all should be so lucky). So if the person who accidentally picked them up could let me know (via the contacts on the home page) I will put John out of his misery. (And ours `cos he just kept moaning - only kidding). Thank you all for coming, special thanks to Ian for giving me another rest (I`ll be able to retire soon). The videos will be on later (when I`ve edited them). See you all next week (By the way did I mention our St. Patrick`s Day Party?)TJM

What a lovely evening this was, with some great music and a nice lighthearted atmosphere. And of course another new performer and some new groupings. (Groupings not groupies! - although?). Now I have to confess to arriving a little late, for reasons that will become obvious later, so I can only go on hearsay for the first fifteen minutes. The night started with one of our seasoned performers Brian Wylie and a newcomer under the spotlight Cath. (See gallery two and the videos when I`ve put them on.). They played us some fantastic music on mandolins, (so you`ve got no excuse now Cath, we`ll expect to see you playing all the time!). Next up, Anne Jackson and Ricky Silvers played us some great stuff, on guitar, acoustic bass and Appalacian Dulcimer and in the second set they were joined by Brian on Blarge. (Sorry the camera battery had run out by then - yes I know I`m slipping, but don`t worry, I`ll sharpen up my act by next week.). Next up John Jenner, sore throat an` all performed wonderfully well (singing his own material) and in the second set was joined by Dave Speight for a very entertaining duet (see videos when done). A first for AA. Scope here for further collaborations methinks! Back with us after a bit of a break, Kim Chua and James Cubie entertained us with, once again, some of their own material and very good it was too. Gloria then took to the spotlight and as well as her great version of Tracks Of My Tears, she sang a truly great version of  Hallelujah to much applause. Thanks Gloria. Next up Ian Pucknell (don`t worry I`m not going to put the video on!) performed wonderfully well and sang one on my favourites, Let Him Roll. And finally Mr Dave Speight entertained us in his inimitable style playing all sorts of stuff including among others Every Time We Say Goodbye. (At one point Dave was joined by Ricky Silvers on acoustic bass - another first for us). Now check out gallery two to see a picture of Ellwood (The pub dog). I realised that although we often mention him joining in, he hasn`t got his picture on our rogues gallery. So there you are Ellwood, you`re now an international star! Now watch this space to check out our upcoming events. We have a number of things planned for this year, including a couple of concerts and a song writing competition. (So get you songwriting hats on and get rehearsing). Sorry what was that? Oh yes, (are you ready for this?) Hippo birdy two ewes, hippo birdy two ewes, hippo birdy dear Tim, hippo birdie two ewes! Yes it was my birthday yesterday (hence being late etc.) and yes I did get a chorus of "Happy Birthday" (but no cards or presents - don`t tell me - they`re in the post!). What a great way to spend a Birthday, surrounded by good music and a great bunch of nice people. I wouldn`t have wanted to be anywhere else. Check out the photos, when I`ve got them on and the videos when I`ve edited them. TJM

Now when I set off to walk to The Swan, after two hundred yards I had to turn around and go back home to put on some dry clothes and take the car. When I set off in the car, the rain had turned to snow! Who in there right minds would go out on a night like this? Well quite a lot of you as it happens, because when I got to the pub there were already musicians (including a couple of newcomers) and audience waiting! In fact when we got going, there wasn`t room for any more audience! The multi talented Brian Wylie got the evening  under way with a poem (As you will have seen, Brian has played all sorts of instruments on Tuesdays, but still hasn`t got around to his main instrument yet, which is the saxaphone - which he played with Thin Lizzy (the band, not the barmaid!)). In the second set he sang (A Cappella) a song about a twelve stone woman and then played us a tune on the blarge. Great stuff! Next up Steve Hulme also started his set with a poem which he`d written about youngsters leaving home for the first time. In fact Steve kept up this theme, with some really wonderful songs he`d written himself. I`m always amazed by the amount of original material our performers come up with. You are a very talented lot! Next up a newcomer to Addingham Acoustic, Luke, performing with Tom (who has played here before). A very interesting set with Guitar, ukulele and percussion. Tom then accompanied another newcomer, Dan and we got a great version of All Along The Watchtower and later a song called First Day Of My Life. It`s great to see younger talent coming to perform for us and we hope we`ll see you all again. Rob Watkins was last to perform, (accompanied by Brian for the first number) playing some great country music including songs by Lyall Lovett and Buddy Miller. It was a great start to the New Year and great to see so many of you, considering the weather. The good news is we`ll be back next week, the bad news is, so will the Christmas cake! (Well you should have eaten it all!). Mind you I`m sure we`ll also get the chips. The videos will be updated later, when I`ve edited them (including the last one from the Christmas Party) so check them out. We`ve still got tee shirts, so if anyone wants one let me know and I`ll bring them along. Thanks to everyone for a great night, see you all next week. TJM

Quite literally! For those who don`t know, Dot Jarvis has hurt her ankle and is in plaster. She cannot, therefore, get to Addingham Acoustic for the next two weeks, as she can`t drive and Ged is on late shifts. Is there anybody out there in the Bingley, Shipley area, who is thinking of coming next week and/or the following week, who could give Dot a lift. She lives off Otley Road, Baildon. If anyone can assist in this mercy mission, please let me know. (I`m sure there will be a drink in there somewhere!).TJM 

Now I did warn you that it was going to be busy didn`t I! Just before I was leaving to go to the Swan, I got a couple of calls from people, to say they couldn`t make it after all and I thought maybe nobody was going to turn up. Well, twenty two people turned up to perform and goodness knows how many of you came just to watch, so I needn`t have worried! Thank you to all of you, for your patience and my apologies to all those who couldn`t stay long enough to play a second set. We did our best to get you all seats, but unfortunately the pub just isn`t big enough. (We`ll have to hire a hall next year.) Thank you also, for turning up early so that we could start at 8.30 promptly, goodness knows what would have happened if we had started late. But what a fantastic atmosphere and what a talented bunch you are, (mind you we knew that already). We had some great Christmas music and yet again, another new performer to Addingham Acoustic! And great to see all those Addingham Acoustic tee shirts and well done to Norman for winning the tee shirt draw (see I told you all to wear them). Now there were so many songs last night (sixty in all) that I`m not going to mention them all, or I`ll be here all day (and so will you reading it) so I`ll pick out mainly the Christmas ones. Mike Craig and Andee started the evening off and oh what a start! Wonderful guitar and harp playing with some new material and a lovely Irish aire. Tony Sakkos then entertained us on his accordian, getting us all singing along in the second half, to Jingle Bells. Next up the multi talented Brian Wylie. In recent weeks he`s played Blarge, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, Bodhran, Guitar and tonight  You Are My Sunshine on Ukulele! Later, Brian performed with both Rob and Gerry. What a star! Then our good friend Len Harvey was back with us performing some great comic stuff, including in the second half  Email To Santa which had us all in stitches (where do you all find these great songs?). (See I`m only on the fourth performer and I`m already haf way down the page!). Ian Pucknell was under the spotlight next and kept the Christmas theme going with, Mary`s Boy Child and later Slient Night and he even did a Christmas poem, culture or what! I then engineered my latest ploy. I got the lovely Dot Jarvis up to sing harmonies with me. Of course no one was paying any attention to me, so I could make all the mistakes I wanted (and did!). Thank you Dot. Then Steve Hulme (who played with us for the first time a couple of weeks ago) stepped forward and performed some great material (which he writes himself) including a seasonal song called Darkest Time Of The Year and then later The French Bread Song which literaly had us all crying with laughter. Wonderful, wonderful stuff Steve. Now where I am I up to, ah yes Mr. Don O`Connor. Now who else but Don, would you want to sing The Fairytale Of New York? Can`t wait to see the video of that one (which will be on site later ). Better than the Pogues I think!. Then another of our good friends, Mr. Chris Dinsdale and that wonderful slide guitar and then later some audience participation with Whiskey In The Jar. Thanks Chris. Right, we`re nearly half way now , so hang in there. Up to the stage Gerry Cooper, starting with a song about nuts! (Well nuts are Christmassy aren`t they?) and finishing with a Steve Earl song. And then two more of our regulars, Richard and Lesley Quayle (and yes Lesley, I nearly made the same old mistake again!) with a lovely opening song and the a seasonal instrumental from Richard called Christmas Memories. Now at this point the lights came on, which was a subtle way of telling us that supper was ready, so despite starting promptly, we didn`t quite get everyone on in the first half. Yvonne and Gwynn broke all records for raffle ticket sales (sorry Sarah in Canada - you`re going to have to come back and do it all again!) while we all tucked in to shepherds pie (or the vegetarian option - how posh is that?) and tried to catch our breath. (We did also have Christmas cake, but it didn`t see the light of day - do you think it will keep till next Christmas?). Now I`ve found another good ploy. Because I was a bit busy, I kept asking people if they would go to the bar for me and offering them the money for my drink and every time they said "No it`s o.k. I`ll get you one". Wonder how long I can get away with that one? Anyway no time to chat, back to business! Starting off the second half we were treated to a wonderful set by Anna Quayle, including a great song written by one of her friends. What a great talent, sorry you had to wait so long Anna, to play your set. (We`ll get you on early next time, promise). Then another great talent, Gloria, who performed  Tracks Of My Tears, with yet again some exceptional guitar playing, great stuff Gloria. And then our very own Dot Jarvis with a song about her Dad followed by I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus. Oh yes we were in full sing along mode now. Next up was Rob Watkins. Now I have to apologise to Rob and say what a kind and patient man he is, because I actually missed Rob`s name off the list in the first set and he was one of the first arrivals! Rob you are a gentleman. Rob was joined by Brian to sing Hickory wind and was later joined