At our last meeting we started at the usual 8pm. Our first player of the night was Michael playing Waters of Kylesku, My Faithful Fair One, Doctor DG Hunter of Aultbea, Margarets Waltz, Kate Martin’s Waltz and Blue Bell Polka. Bernard Bamber then took his place on the stage and played Morning Town Ride, Blackpool Belle, Island Of Dreams, Leaving Of Liverpool, Take Me Home Country Roads, He’ll Have To Go, Whiskey In The Jar, Pub With No Beer and On Mother Kelly’s Doorstep. The next player Ann Parker played Fancy Fingers Polka, Jack Allen Jive, Bluebell Polka, Beer Barrel Polka and Memories Are Made Of This. Angelica was our next player, she played Twinkle Twinkle and Ally Bally Bee. I (David) then took my turn playing Triste Sourire, Magic Roundabout Medley, Whispering Hope, Can’t Help Falling In Love and Now Is The Hour. Our final stage player of the evening was Bernard Belshaw who played Ain’t She Sweet, Wooden Heart, True Love, This is My Song, Spanish Gypsy Dance, Blaze Away and Nessun Dorma.
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 – Jacobs Join
We will be holding our Christmas meeting this Tuesday 17th December. As is normal for our December Christmas meeting we will be having a ‘Jacobs Join’, this is where we all try and bring some sandwiches, pork pies, cake, sausage rolls or some other form of food to put in to a communal feast.
This will also be a night where we ask people to not only play the accordion but also to show any of their other talents if they do something besides play the accordion. Maybe you play the trumpet, banjo, sing, play the keyboard, recite amusing ditties or have some other talent you would like to share with us, if so we look forward to your performance. We also look for anyone teaming up with another player or two on the December night if you want to have a go at playing together. If you are a nervous player, or have not played in front of anyone before then this is a good night to make your debut. After the food has been laid out and others are choosing what to eat, you could take your turn on the stage and get some playing in while others are concentrating on their food.
As usual there will be Tea and Coffee on the go.
See you at 8pm this Tuesday 17th December. Please try and make it if you can, it will be nice to see a good turnout on our final day of 2024.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 other nights up to the end of the year:
17th December 2024
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
Castelfidardo Tour
Peter Le’Geyt is arranging another (final) trip to visit the accordion factories around Castlefidardo. Here, from Peter is the information on that trip:
I arranged a trip in October to Castelfidardo which was the last of the big groups I will organise. I am planning an additional small group from 8-12 April as I have a number of people on a list who missed out last time for various reasons. If it goes ahead the size of the group will be around 18 (max 20). I am not planning any further trips beyond next year.
If anyone would like to participate in this additional visit please let me know asap as numbers are limited. At this stage we are just gathering names of those interested with no obligation.
Below is a summary of the trip…..
• Fly to Bologna from your nearest airport or to London and join the UK group departure to Bologna on British Airways (book own flights) / Travel by coach from Bologna to Castelfidardo / Coach and driver available with the group throughout the stay / Accommodation for 4 nights at a good hotel with breakfast daily / Visits to factories to see wonderful instruments being built by hand / Play high quality accordions loaned to the group by some of the manufacturers / See also how reeds are produced and how bellows are made / Visit to the Carini accordion accessory shop / Visit to the Castelfidardo Accordion Museum / Try out the largest working piano accordion in the world / Optional lunchtime visits to some of the attractive nearby towns such as the religious pilgrimage town of Loreto and to see the Basilica and Holy House / Optional visit to Osimo underground caves / Visit seaside resorts in the evening for dinner and accordion entertainment / Group members are able to entertain at the restaurants on the loaned accordions / On the return journey to Bologna airport there is a stop for around 4 hours in either the independent state of San Marino OR Bologna City for sightseeing, lunch and shopping.
For anyone flying to Bologna for a pre or post stay I have hotel connections. People to arrange their own flights and there are designated British flights we use from London to Bologna.
For those flying to Bologna beforehand we have a taxi service to take people from their hotel to meet up with the London group and on to the coach.
2025 cost for the package including the above visits, coach transport throughout, 4 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast daily and accompanied throughout will start around £755.
If any questions please get in touch.
It is just names of those definitely interested we need at the moment. Further details will follow.
It is a great opportunity to visit Accordion Mecca!
Thank you
Peter Le Geyt
PLG Marketing
*UK REPRESENTATIVE FOR PETOSA & GIULIETTI ACCORDIONS
*ACCORDION RELATED SERVICES
Tel: + 44 (0)20 8977 6680
Email: plg@plgmarketing.com
The Fureys Last Tour
The Fureys have announced that they will stop touring from May 2026 after touring for over 60 years. They have made the announcement now because they only play in each theatre every second year with the exception of about six venues where they play every year. So if you’ve never seen them in concert and have always wanted to or want to see them perform for the last time now is the time to book your tickets. The Nearest places they are performing round Leyland are:-
13th March 2025 – Runcorn, The Brindley
14th March 2025 – Buxton, Buxton Opera House
15th March 2025 – Manchester, Waterside Arts
18th March 2025 – Colne, The Muni
10th May 2025 – Chipping Village Hall (Preston)
To book tickets for Chipping contact Gareth 07980 080883
To See Booking details and for other Tour Locations visit https://thefureys.com/concerts
Love Folk Festival at The Atkinson
Taking Place on the 14th and 15th February at The Atkinson in Southport the Headliners are Alex Hart and Blue Rose Code are joined by Greenman Rising, Suthering, Good Habits, Naomi Bedford & Paul Simmonds and Eleanor Dunsdon & Gregor Black.
Tickets cost £52 for more information and to book visit
https://www.theatkinson.co.uk/events/love-folk-festival-2025/