At our last meeting it was our Christmas let your hair down night. We always have a Jacobs Join in December (this is where we all bring a few cakes, some sandwiches, sausage rolls or something else to add to the communal feast). We had a good selection of food generously bought (and communally consumed) by everyone.  We started the night with Bernard Belshaw on his custom built keyboard playing Evergreen, The More I See You, You Are The sunshine of My Life, Wave, Love Letters, White Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Christmas, I Don’t Know Why and Make It With You.  While Bernard was playing we were laying out the food, plates, forks, serviettes etc. and started to tuck in to the food while players took to the stage and entertained us. The next player was Ann Parker playing Memories Are Made Of This, Harry Lime Theme, Frog Chorus, Bluebell Polka, Beer Barrel Polka, Snow Waltz and Over The Waves. In December we leave the players to decide themselves when to get up when the stage is free. After Ann had finished Harvey Seager took his place on the stage and gave us Make Me An Island, Slood John B , Ten Guitars, Do You Know Ken Peel, I Love To A Wondering, When the Saints, We Shall Not Be Moved, Dancin In Kyle, I Belong To Glasgow and Delilah.  We then heard from Colin Ensor playing Please Don’t Talk, Footsteps Of A Fool, At The Balalaika, Avbury Waltz, Marta, Godfather, Pigalle, Charmaine and The Way Old Friends Do. Sara Daly then noticed the empty stage so she took her turn, playing Fairytale Of New York, Call The Cavelry, They Say There’ll Be snow This Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas and It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas. Our next player was Kosta who was making his debut at the club (it was also his first visit to us), he played La Comparsita, Miserlou and Meneksees Kai Zoympoolia.

After the stage performances were over we then moved on to the informal part of the night, with people playing in various locations and groups around the room, chatting, drinking tea and coffee, swapping stories and tips, and generally having a good time.

The night ended at the usual 11pm.

David Batty

Our Next Meeting

We look forward to seeing you all this Tuesday the 21st January. As usual we will give players chance to play on the stage before opening the floor up to playing anywhere around the room, chatting, catching up with each other, learning new tunes etc. 

Don’t forget to bring your accordion. As usual there will be Tea and Coffee on the go.

See you at 8pm this Tuesday 21st January. Please try and make it if you can. Doors open at 8pm, see you there.      

David.

Our Forthcoming Dates

Our dates till the end of the year are:  3rd Tuesdays of the month  8pm – 11pm

Our nights up to the end of the year:
21st January 2025
18th February 2025
18th March 2025
15th April 2025
20th May 2025
17th June 2025
15th July 2025
19th August 2025
16th September 2025
21st October 2025
18th November 2025
16th December 2025


Sad News  

The start of 2025  was a sad weeks with firstly Peter Hangar passing away on the 4th January 2025. You will have met Peter if you have been to an Accordion Festival where Jean (his wife) was teaching or leading an orchestra. We enjoyed chatting to Peter who was a great coin collector.   His funeral is taking place on the 24th January in Harlow where he lived with his wife Jean. Our condolences go out to Jean and her family.

Barry Graham from Wales passed away on the 6th January after a battle with cancer. Barry was a retired doctor, was very active in promoting the accordion and running Chester Accordion Club. Barry was also a guest artist for us at Leyland one year. Barry’s Funeral is taking place on the 24th January

Then one day later, on the 7th of January, Rob Beecroft, the owner of Birmingham Accordion Centre died after a Short Battle with Cancer.   Rob’s Funeral is taking place on the 6th February in Bimingham.  We used to organise car shares to go and visit Rob at Birmingham and stay there in his concert room for a few hours while he worked on our accordions.

St Audries Accordion Week

St Audries Accordion Week is the 4th – 11th July, where there will be workshops, orchestra and concerts for the week as well as socialising with like minded people.   For More information email sabaccordionweek@gmail.com.  



Halways Manor Accordion Workshops

Halsway Manor is a large Charity Run house supporting folk arts in Crowcombe, Taunton, Somerset, TA4 4BD. They are holding workshops of interest to musicians:

21st March  – 23rd March 2025
Concertina Workshop Weekend with West Country Concertina Players.
Intermediate and advanced level players of all systems. You do not need to be a member of WCCP to come (though you might consider joining them – it’s only £10 annually); the weekend is open to all, though this is a popular weekend and priority will be given to WCCP members through an opportunity to book early.

There will be time to relax in the comfort of Halsway Manor, with evening playing sessions in the bar, plus an informal tutors’ concert on the Saturday evening. There’s also the option to stay an extra night and book for Sunday supper and B&B – the perfect time to relax and unwind after a busy weekend of music and socialising.
Prices for the weekend vary so if you are interested in attending visit the website: https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/wccp-concertinas-at-halsway-2025/

4th July – 6th July 2025
Piano Accordion Workshop (Level 1 – 3)
Our accordion workshop weekend is a chance for Level 1 to Level 3 accordionists to grab a whole bag of pick’n’mix techniques and tips from three brilliant players and tutors.

Course leader Paul Hutchinson will be joined once again by Tamsin Elliot, multi-instrumentalist, composer and film-maker, as well as leading UK folk accordionist and composer Amy Thatcher.

The weekend offers workshops honing technique, repertoire and interpretation of folk tunes and accompaniment, as well as a chance to look at creating your own tunes and playing together. There will also be time for informal evening sessions and tune sharings.
Prices Vary so visit the website if you are interested in attending to get a price relevant to you: https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/accordion-weekend-levels-1-3/

12th September – 14th September 2025
Advanced Piano Accordion Weekend (Level 4)
We’re pleased to be able to repeat our accordion workshop weekend for advanced players working at Level 4. This weekend will offer those players the chance to work at a faster pace or cover trickier repertoire in a more intense way, alongside other players of a similar level.

Halsway favourite Murray Grainger will be leading this course again, bringing with him in-depth sessions on technique, repertoire and interpretation, including a chance to workshop your choice of repertoire in front of the rest of the group. Numbers will be limited to give you maximum contact time, with opportunities for 1:1 support if requested.
Again prices vary so visit the website to get a price relevant to you: https://halswaymanor.org.uk/event/advanced-piano-accordion-weekend-2025/


North West Folk Festivals

Chester February Folk Day Saturday 22nd February 2025
The day features afternoon and evening concerts, a lively ceilidh, dance displays, and sessions catering to a range of abilities.

A real ale bar and home-cooked food will be available throughout the event and the venue is dog friendly.​
Afternoon & Evening Concerts with Steve Tilston with Hugh Bradley, Juniper, Vocella, Eskrigg, Fiddlestone, Chris & Debbie Lee, Ceilidh with The Time Bandits & caller Baz Parkes.
Tickets are All Day £30, Afternoon £18, Evening £18, Ceildh Only £10. There are Child and Student prices on the website as well as a full timetable https://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/february-folk-day

Manchester Folk Festival 20th – 22nd March 2025
Manchester Folk Festival is an urban multi-venue festival based in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The festival brings together a diverse range of artists who represent the broad definition of contemporary folk music.
Our 2025 venues include: Band on the Wall, New Century Hall, Hallé St Peters, Night and Day and Hallé at St Michaels.

The festival is a rolling programme where festival wristband holders will be able to dip in and out of Manchester Northern Quarter’s legendary music venues through the 3 days of the very best in English Folk, Roots and Acoustic music. All of the venues are within a short walk of each other, making it easy to move between concerts, catch up with friends, and just hang around taking in the atmosphere.

Tickets Cost £121 and can be purchased here https://manchesterfolk.com/event/manchester-folk-festival-2025-wristband/