Today's venue for a day of melodeon and other instrument workshops. Back in the day, the East Anglian Traditional Music Trust ran an annual very popular Melodeons and More workshop day and after a hiatus caused by staff changes and not least COVID, it's sort of back albeit in a much reduced form. Not too well attended, but people just aren't coming back in droves, certainly not in this older age bracket.
Packed first thing and drove 2 hours to the venue, lovely converted barns in the middle of Suffolk/Norfolk border nowhere. Melodeon tutor had changed last minute due to illness from Jack Hogsden to Nick Hart - good on him to step in while mid-tour. Two very good workshops looking at how to ornament and harmonise a couple of tunes.
Joining me for lunch, Dave mainly chilled at our Airbnb, a lovely one room lodge above a garage space, beautifully laid out with a balcony. After the workshops, joined the small session and ate pizzas in the evening sunshine. Evening tutor concert was surprisingly excellent being just local acts, tutors and Dave Shepherd who'd been teaching fiddle and ensemble.
Walked back the 10 minutes to the Airbnb, light still in the sky at 10pm, for tea and chocolate.
Sounds lovely & this barn is very special. Such a good social life with your folk workshops….I’m surprised you haven’t got Dave playing something after all these years…triangle perhaps! 😀
