Leyland Accordion Club, Leyland, Lancashire, England. If you came to this page via a search engine then you have just found one page of our archive of 160+ monthly newsletters which may contain the information you are looking for. You can also click HERE to go to the main site which contains a wealth of text files, audio streams, video, musical information, items for sale, notice board and contact information for the UK accordion scene For Accordion CD's DVD's Music Books and other items for sale visit our shop at |
|
|
| Leyland Accordion Club - 18th May 2005
|
Our May ConcertBefore our May concert, Julie Best was getting out of the car with her mother when a new member of the club John Fawcett (who was making his first appearance at the club since finding it on the Internet) recognised the accent of Julie's mother Olive. It then turned out that they both went to school together in Alston, Cumbria and had not seen each other since school, 40 years ago! I told John that I invited him to the club but I can't lay on surprises like that every month. The concert started with Basil Berry playing A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square, This Nearly Was Mine from South Pacific and So In Love. John Higham then played an Edith Piaf number before Ann Parker played Bluebell Polka. It was now time for our guest artist Julie Best to take to the stage. Julie started with Fantasy Polka, and the French waltz Ambience. Her next piece Spanish Gypsy Dance was a piece she played for her grade 7 accordion exam. After Charmaigne Julie continued with Worlds Fair March, The Maigret Theme and Under The Bridges Of Paris. Eternally was followed by the John Gart piece Vivo before Julie started to lead up to the end of her first half with Words, Blue By You, Return To Sorrento and to finish the first half, Cuckoo Waltz. During the break there was a rush to buy CD's from Julie because she had limited numbers available for sale. After the break we started with Alan Gelling playing These Are My Mountains and Northern Lights. Derek Corlett was next to take to the stage with Luci E Ombre, All The Things You Are and Retour Des Hirondelles. I then played my own piece before welcoming Julie back for her second session. The first piece from Julie was a Tarantella called Avolesa, after which she invited her friend Jean Corrighan to join her playing Jealousy. Julie then played a Danielle Pauly piece Fleur De Jura on her own and was then joined by Jean for the next piece Forgotten Dreams. Julie played another solo, Jacqueline Waltz then she and Jean played Londonderry Air. After Dantesque Jean left the stage while Julie continued to play such gems as Highland Cathedral, Simonetta, Carte Postale, Plaisance Fox, Wild Rose Of The Mountain and Pauline's Waltz. After a couple of Scottish Reels, The Morning Cloud and Jean's Reel, Julie was getting close to 11pm and the end of her second session. After 12th Street Rag and Blaze away, Julie finished with the title track of one of her CDs, Gin & It. While Julie was receiving a great applause, I asked if she could do one more to finish, and, after thanking Julie and Jean for playing at Leyland, I left the stage and left Julie to play Magic Fingers. We had enjoyed some great music from Julie and Jean and, just as importantly, we had been entertained with such a variety of pieces and styles. Julie and Jean had given us a concert to remember and one which will guarantee that I have to get them back in 12 to 18 months time. Julie sold out of CDs and both her and Jean received many compliments from the club members as they were leaving. They have promised they will return, and I'm sure those of you who attended this concert will look forward to seeing them in 2006. David Batty |
It's A Busy Month Ahead
|
This WednesdayOur concert this Wednesday is one featuring our own local players. I enjoy the guest artist concerts but I always look forward to the local players concerts as well because we get such a great variety of players and styles. I also think that it's because I hear pieces that I might be able to attempt to play without my fingers falling off. Remember to bring your accordion, and if you're one of the players who haven't played for a while (or at all) at Leyland then why not have a go on Wednesday night. As usual we will have two breaks for you to make new freiends and catch up on the news. The doors open at 7.30pm, I will see you there. David Batty
|
Our 7th Annual PicnicOur Annual Picnic Concert is to be held on Sunday the 3rd of July 2005 at the usual venue of Hollins Farm, Hollins Lane, Leyland. This is a concert held in a field with all the cars parked facing the stage like a drive in movie. You bring along yourself, park your car with a view of the stage and bring a chair or blanket to sit and enjoy the concert. Most people bring along a picnic, some drink, cameras, their accordions and, most importantly, something to shade themselves from the sun like a hat. We have had one case of heatstroke we don't want another one. The normal start time is from 12 noon with no formal finish time but we normally play until about 8pm, but some people leave after a few hours if they have other engagements. This is a very informal affair, there is no admission charge, simply turn up and enjoy the concert, or, if you are a player who doesn't feel confident enough to play at the club, then bring along your accordion to play at the picnic, most of the time people are only half listening to the player, they are chatting amongst themselves and it's a very easy booking. I have included some photographs taken in previous years to give you an idea of the day. Above right you can see a group of players playing singalong tunes, on the left you can see Alan Gelling getting ready to do his solo spot, in the middle Bill and Anne Agnew are demonstrating how to be an audience, while below right we had kids being sold from car boots! Apart from our first picnic in August 1999 we have had great weather, for every other picnic. That's one rainy day then five years of good weather so given that run we have to expect another great day for our 2005 picnic. Don't forget to put this in your diary, bring along family friends, etc. and if you get lost on the way then telephone 07803 665403 for directions. I have marked the map on the back page of this newsletter with a big cross showing Hollins Lane. From The Priory Club leave the car park, turn right, take the second right (West Paddock), at the end turn right at the mini roundabout. Turn Left at the next roundabout on to Leyland Lane, at the next roundabout take the first exit continuing on Leyland Lane and Hollins Lane is about 1 minutes drive away on your right. Please bring along family and friends who might enjoy the day and don't forget to bring your accordion and give us a tune. Remember Sunday 3rd July 12 Noon onwards.. |
Our WebsiteOur internet website has had 80932 vistors as at 11th of June 2005, that's 857 visitors to the main page of our website since last month. The Internet has been quieter than normal because people are starting to enjoy the warm weather instead of spending as much time on their computers. I have had a few emails this month from people writing to say they either enjoy the website or the radio station. The last one (received today) was from an 87 year old accordionist in the USA who is still playing. He said he remembers the great days of accordions in the 1950's and he is hoping that we are on the edge of a revival in the popularity of accordions. I hope he is correct and I hope he has many more years of playing the accordion.
|
Caister Accordion Festival
|
Coppull Folk Festival
|
Guest Artist BookedThis is being held on the weekend of the 17th to 19th of June at The Alison Arms, Coppull. All weekend there is entertainment in the beer garden, bar and function room. Guest Singers. Free camping with shower & toilets, Free entrance to all events, guest ales & food available. The address is The Alison Arms, Preston Rd, Coppull, nr Chorley Lancs. For details contact Karl on 01257-791262 or The Alison Arms on 01772 338718 |
Four Fools Folk FestivalThis is being held on Saturday June 25th at Lostock Hall High School, Todd Lane North, Preston, PR5 5UR. Lostock Hall is actually half way between Preston and Leyland so it's not far from the club at all. The day features concerts, workshops, ballad sessions, food, dance display, real ale bar etc. Further information can be obtained from www.four-fools.co.uk or by telephoning 01257 263678 |
Ken Astin and Harry Hussey CDKen Astin and Harry Hussey have released a CD together entitled Our Kind Of Music. The tracks on this new CD are It's Only A Paper Moon, Moonlight In Vermont, I Remember April, Tenderly, Our Day Will Come, But Beautiful, I'll Be Around, Oh Lady Be Good, My Foolish Heart / Flamingo, One Kiss, I Can't Get Started, All Of Me / Swunderful, London By Night, Early Autumn, Polka Dots And Moonbeams / Over The Rainbow, Girltalk, and One Clear Day / Goody Goody. For further details or to order a copy telephone Ken on 01253 751206 |
Radio Concert on Lyric FMOn Tuesday 5th July at 20:00 to 21:00 there is a one hour concert recorded at the end of May this year with three of Ireland's most sought after traditional musicians. Desi Wilkinson (flute, vocals), Máirtín O'Connor (accordion) and Brendan O'Regan (bouzouki) weave Irish and other folk traditions from around the world, as well as playing original compositions and hybrid genres such as Parisian musette and Jewish klezmer. This is on Lyric FM radio station, if you have a Sky Digital receiver you can get this on channel 915 or you might also get it if you have a freeview television box but I haven't checked that one out yet. |
Return to Leyland Accordion Club main page
Learn the skill of Touch Typing with Touch Typist.