FASH CHAT

This month, a treat, in dialect, from our own Hampshire Lad, Rob Mills Editor

A Tribute to Bob Copper 1915 - 2004

Truth is I never knew Bob Copper (or did I?). "Av a look at is book Songs & Southern Breezes" I was advised "and then twil come easy". So I did, and a kaleidoscope of memries come floodin back: the Aitches (HH Inn) at Cheriton where Bob was once the landlord and where I member me Dad singin; photos of 'Turp' Brown who would sing and dance and tell stories in his bar, complete with buttonhole (always worn at weekends); Sam North n a young Jim 'Shaver' Crockford under whom some six years later I served my apprenticeship; Cheriton Hand n Church Bell Ringers; the bar game of Rings; rabbutin; a balance of three farthings on the lease of HH; binder-twine (me beauty); un visits of Winchester Morris Men over the yurs.

Bob may best be remembered as a singer, patriarch of a singing family from Rottingdean, over Sussex way, but he was also a collector, prize winning author and keeper of The Tradition, and he'd just collected his MBE from the Palace.

Memories like Bob on 'Down Your Way' on the BBC Home Service and in the book some of the songs Bob (and my Dad) used to sing: Joan's Ale, Banks of the Sweet Dandee, Jim the Carter Lad, Streams of Lovely Nancy.

So herein lies the secret of Bob Copper, for his presence opened doors for ordinary people, ordinary country characters to perform, showin the art of amusin ourselv of an evenin. His ability to take a handful of words n weave um into a picture yu can see an be in. The dialect glowin from his books. They're in't library snoo so tak it with hee to yurn 'Desert Island' to help yu member 'Old England'!

Here's an arrangement of a poem penned by Norman Goodland and spoken by Dave Williams at my Dad's funeral which I believe would suit Bob 'rigt hansom' too.

We thank ee Lord,
that ee wer bourne a counry chap
so's ee could see
the counrie as it used to be.

Oak n ash n beech tree tall
where ee could hear the blackbird call,
and in the village down the vale
the singin of the nightingale.
We thank ee Lord
that folks like ee
remember the grit, the pony trap,
counree wayes and farmin talk,
a smell of baccy in the ground
and miggies dancing up n down.

We thank ee Lord
that ee wer bourne.

Well done, Bob Copper!

Rob Mills

HAROLD RANSOM

A memorial Ceilidh will take place on 24^th July at Hedge End Village Hall, St John's Road at 8pm with John Turner and music by Pete & Sue Hall. Hopefully lots of former friends from Harold's busy life will come and celebrate his memory.  Please bring your own refreshments.

Will anyone who would like to take part e.g. sing, recite a poem, play a tune or whatever please contact Ian Norris 023 9258 8828 ignorris@aol.com.

May Day on the Isle of Wight

The Men of Wight, complete with barrel of beer and 50 followers climbed Mottistone Down through the mist to dance and sing in the dawn. Unfortunately the sun failed to break through the mist to shine its rays of light onto the stones from between Brighstone and Limerstone Downs because when it does you can feel the magic.

All had a good time and repaired home to rest before gathering at the Dairyman's Daughter at lunchtime, joined by Island Cloggies, Wight Bells and a children's team. The fun continued with some ceilidh dances with the public joining in and a session of music and song.

HAMBLEDON FOLK CLUB

A relative newcomer in the world of folk, Hambledon Folk Club is now in its eighth year, having started life in the Coach House at the New Inn, and then moved on to the current venue of the Youth Club building by the Village Hall when the New Inn closed. Some hard work by the members and the kind co-operation of the Youth Club committee got the room ready in record time for our short notice move. Looking back now, we were very lucky to have somewhere so suitable to go to. We've got good parking and a great pub, The Vine, next door for our beer, and a room that can accommodate the numbers, even on our big name guest nights - just! The building is currently undergoing an update with new facilities planned, we're already warmer with the new windows.

The Club meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 8.30pm, with the usual folk club format of singaround and floorspots before the guest performer, and every few months there's an Anything Goes night. There's normally time for visitors to do their thing, and we're always pleased to meet new faces, whether they are performers or not.

There's a wide range of guest performers from local favourites to Big Names. Events are listed in Solent Waves, and there's more detail on our website www.hambledonfolk.co.uk. If anyone would like to know more, please ring me on 02392 632812, Steve Harrison.

FASH AGM

Thanks to all who attended and especially Lin Rayner who joins the committee. Ken Coates writes "I'd like to thank the FASH committee on behalf of everyone who enjoys the Folk events organised and supported by them throughout the year. Their work in promoting Folk activities for enjoyment of others is very much appreciated."

WINCHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL

Good News. Some folk have been found willing to help run the festival and so it is now confirmed that there will be a Festival next year, based around Saturday May 14^th, possibly with a name change but I'm sure it will be a great event as before. Anyone who would like to assist, please contact Geraldine Buchanan 01962 856787.

SIDMOUTH FOLK FESTIVAL

If you don't know Sidmouth, then I need to tell you that it is a massive week long event which fills the town with hundreds of music, dance and song events. This year is the 50^th and it will take place from 30^th July to 6^th August. Full details can be found at www.sidmouthfestival.com or call 01629 827011. Some of the spots include Kate Rusby & John McCusker, Steeleye Span, Ralph McTell, The Waterson Family, Danú, John Tams & Barry Coope, Tony Benn & Roy Bailey, Banditaliana, Oyster Ceilidh Band, The Old Swan Band, Ensemble Kasava (Czech Republic), The Wild Goose Chase Cloggers (USA), Black Umfolosi 5, La Jouvenço de Mount Favet (France).

But, it may be your last chance to go as there has also been a press release that says that this might be the last Festival because the local Council is cutting costs and the whole event is a massive financial undertaking. They are looking to raise some money as a security fund and hopefully it will work out somehow.

FOLK PICTURES

Do you have any pictures of Folk events from our area? Dance clubs, special events, festivals, folk clubs or whatever. We would like to print an advertising leaflet, seeking to encourage more participation and helping people know what is going on around our area. So the FASH committee are looking for pictures of the kind of things that happen at our events to use in the leaflet.

If you'd like your picture included in the publicity, then please send softcopy to editor@fash.org.uk or send any normal photographs to Dennis Wheeler at the address shown on the back page. I'll scan them in and return the pictures as quickly as possible.

WIMBORNE FOLK FESTIVAL

English and Celtic music and dance in and around Wimborne on 11-13^th June. Including Show of Hands, Four Men and a Dog, At First Light, Fianna, Steve Tilston, Brolum and masses of Morris dancers. 01202 623740 or www.wimbornefolkfestival.co.uk

WISLANKA POLISH DANCERS

Accompaied by musicians from Poland, Wislanka present an evening of Polish dance and song at The Polish Club, Southampton on 4^th June 8.30 07786 807735. £5, children under 12 free.

SOLENT WAVES COPY

Please note that the next edition of Solent waves will be for the two months of July and August. So copy and diary updates for both months please by June 10th

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Submitted by Trevor Gilson (to whom technical queries and requests for additional links only) and Edited by Dennis Wheeler, Penshurst, Vicarage Lane, Swanmore, Hants SO32 2PW 01489 892911 editor@fash.org.uk).