AngusFolk Diary/Blog
Angus Folk have performed on average, a gig a month for the last two years, ranging from one or two numbers to presenting a whole evening’s entertainment. No matter the size of the show, it’s always a fun time. Although the tunes are heavily laced with the taste of tradition, there are also contemporary flavours and a few gospel numbers too. There may even be songs for the audience to learn so they can sing along with the group!
June
Eileen Penman hosted our workshop this term, in St Margaret’s Hall in Forfar, bringing a number of new songs to the group. Many thanks go to Eileen for stepping in at short notice in order that we might fulfil our commitment to running a workshop this term. On Saturday 12th June, two cars, filled with AF members, headed off for Dunblane, to support one of our tutors, Amy Lord in a charity event sponsored by her singing group “Liltin’ Lassies”. The event was very well attended and though our numbers were small in comparison to the 40-50 members of Liltin’ Lassies, we held our own and did Amy and Angus Folk, proud. It was especially thrilling to sing on stage alongside the group. And, bye the way, we finally got to hear what “Hey Jude” should have sounded like!
May
As part of the Barry 2010 celebrations, on the 11th May we held an evening of traditional song in Kirrie Old Parish Church Hall. Sheena Wellington kindly supported the event and proved to be a very popular draw. Many of the audience kindly reported that Angus Folk had put on their best performance yet.
April
Our new term began with an enjoyable sing-around and open evening. Later in the month, our Annual General Meeting rounded up the session 2009-2010; it was pleasing for all members to reflect on a very successful year for Angus Folk.
March
In March we performed at East and Old Parish Guild in Forfar. Our programme this time had no special theme, so it was nice to choose songs simply for the pleasure of singing them. The term finished up with a class from Amy Lord to complete her visits to Kirrie for a few weeks. Well done to all those members who braved the weather, the roads coughs, colds, sniffles or worse to come singing this term. Wishing all a relaxing break - see you on Tuesday 13th April.
February
The main event this month was an evening with Brendan Taafe, an American folk singer. In a break from our usual routine, we opened the evening to singers from other groups, extended the session and laid on a supper for our visitors. The feedback from this was very positive – we won’t be afraid to try this again !
January 2010
Our last term of the current year began with an open evening sing-around which was enjoyed by all. Members also had the opportunity to view the film-shows which have been played at previous performances to accompany our songs. On Burns Night, we entertained at Strathmartine Guild with a programme of Rabbie’s material (and a few other Scottish things thrown in for good measure!). Ali Burns was the guest tutor at our workshop this month and she proved to be more popular than ever, with an inspiring range of harmonies for us to take away.
December
We finished up the term with our Christmas Party. Unfortunately, the weather and illness meant that some members had to call-off, but those that were there enjoyed an evening of songs and games which put us all in the Christmas mood. Good health and happiness to all our members and their families for the coming year.
November
The highlight of November was the St Andrew’s Night Concert we ran on the 24th, in the Kirrie Old Parish Church Hall. Some old friends of Angus Folk came along to entertain the packed hall, such as Maureen Jelks, Scott Gardener and Joe Aitken and we also were glad to have Gordon Ewan and Roy Henderson for the evening. Amy Lord kindly conducted us for the group’s first set and then performed a few numbers herself. Everyone helped to make this a very successful night, from decorating the hall to bringing along the buffet and raffle prizes. This was certainly one of our best evening to date – well done everyone!
October
We kicked off the new term with a visit to the Fest-n-Furious weekend in Dundee. Once again, members had a great time at the various workshops on offer and we had a very good reception to our songs on the Performance Platform on Sunday afternoon. This proved to be a very busy month for the group as, alongside our usual classes (including a great bothy night with Joe Aitken) we entertained at a WRI Harvest Home Festival at Inverkeilor. The catering proved to be first class, yet again. It just didn’t seem like a year since we were last there. An eagerly anticipated workshop run by Karine Polwart ended the month and the packed hall were not disappointed; what a great day’s singing we had!
September
This month has traditionally been a very busy time for Angus Folk and it proved to be so again. We sang at the opening concert of the Kirrie Festival, which this year was held in the Guide Hall. The change of venue lent a different atmosphere to the event, which is turning out to be a regular in AF’s calendar. On the 17th, we entertained the Forfar Disabled Club for the evening. We presented a mixed programme of choir, group, duet and solo numbers along with instrumental accompaniment. Our efforts were well received and we look forward to a return invitation!
August
After a well-earned summer break, we resumed classes in the Old Parish Church. A new venue for us this year was the very well organised Rowans and Honey festival in Montrose Town Hall. Our performance slot was early in the day when the public attendance was not at its peak, but it was good to be back singing in Montrose.
July
We met together on the 10th to celebrate Jean’s 80th birthday with a meal and birthday cake at the Strathmore Arms in Glamis. Kathleen had penned a tribute which she and Moira performed and Moira presented a lovely basket of flowers to Jean. Altogether an evening to remember!
June
Before breaking for the Summer, we had two Amy Lord classes. The term ought to have ended on the 14th with a slot at the Angus Council Multicultural Event in Forfar, but due to circumstances outwith our control, we didn’t perform .
May
Most classes in early May were geared to preparation for our upcoming fundraising concert. The group and committee worked enthusiastically to prepare and put on the concert in Kirriemuir on the 26th. Amy kindly agreed to feature as a guest singer, supporting Angus Folk and overall a great evening’s entertainment was appreciated by the capacity audience. On the following Saturday another popular fundraiser was held in the St. Margaret’s Hall in Forfar. Yvonne Burgess attracted a large support for her workshop on World Music, bringing in many singers who had not previously attended an Angus Folk workshop.
April
Once again, April proved to be a busy month for Angus Folk. Classes were tutored by Amy Lord and Ali Roberts this month. We returned to the Reid Hall in Forfar to perform as part of the ‘Tartan Week’ platform on the 5th of April. Balgay Guild in Dundee, held their annual Daffodil Tea on the 20th and we were delighted to provide the entertainment for the evening. The following night was the AGM, which rounded off a most successful year for the group.
March 2009
Ali Burns led our first workshop of the year. Ali always attracts singers from around the country and this year was no exception. All present agreed that the day produced some wonderful sounds. Later in the month, we gave our first Angus Folk performance of the new year, at the Dundee branch of the National Trust for Scotland. The entertainment included Scots poetry from Jean and Kathleen as well as singing.
February 2009
We booked up nice and early this year for the Singers Gathering and Muckle Sing in Bathgate. Valentine’s Day was spent enjoying the various workshops, Muckle sing and singer’s platform. In the evening, Craig, Morgan and Robson entertained with a selection of fine harmony songs. Some of the numbers have been brought back to the group for working up, to include in our repertoire.
January 2009
Due to our shortened term, we enjoyed a long break over the Christmas period. Our new term started on the 27th January, when we welcomed back a great supporter of Angus Folk, Maureen Jelks, as guest tutor.
December 2008
Maureen Jelks returned to Angus Folk this month and gave a class centred around the works of Robert Burns. We’ve already booked Maureen to return in January, where she will pick up the songs we started here. The Christmas Party was held on the 9th of December. What a treat! We were especially lucky to be entertained by a duet - all the way from America (via Dundee and Forfar). Thanks to Kathleen and Audrey for the laugh! This should have been our last meeting of the year, but we came to the rescue of Springfield Housing Association in Forfar, who were in need of entertainment for their Christmas party. It was a lovely evening with a wonderful supper and it rounded off a very busy, profitable year for Angus Folk.
A number of members have suffered health problems over the last year. We wish you all good health and happiness for 2009.
November 2008
Fire damage at our spiritual home (the Airlie Arms) resulted in holding our Tuesday classes at the Kirrie and Glens Old Parish Church. Additionally this month, we entertained at Kingsmuir WRI and the St Margaret’s Guild Joint Guild meeting.
October 2008
This month proved to be very busy for Angus Folk. On the 4th and 5th we participated in “Choired for Sound” in Dundee, where the gospel workshop proved to be particularly uplifting. We then enjoyed a visit to Montrose Folk Club, instead of our usual Tuesday night class. This venue gave us a number of contacts and certainly helped to “spread the word”. A good friend of Angus Folk - Gordeanna McCulloch, ran a workshop on our behalf, in Forfar at the end of the month. Finally in October, we entertained Inverkeillor Guild and friends at their Harvest Home Supper.
September 2008
This proved to be a very busy month. Once again we took part in the opening concert for the Kirrie Festival, at the beginning of the month. We tried a new type of fund raiser this term, in the form of a quiz, held at the Fort Bar in Broughty Ferry. Combined with Audrey’s quiz sheet, your endeavours raised nearly £600! The month and term, finished with a gig at Longforgan Guild – another new venue for Angus Folk.
August 2008
This month, we were asked to give a fund raising concert, on behalf of Christian Aid. The setting was the beautiful Brechin Cathedral. To top that, a great supper was provided in the Church Hall.
July 2008
In July our term opened with a special guest tutor. Isola McKenna brought us a selection of African songs.
June 2008
Our focus in June has been preparation for the second CD recording. Ali got us all into shape and on the 15th we spent the afternoon laying down some improved and some new songs. It seemed easier this time round – perhaps we’re getting used to being ‘recording artists’! We then broke for a deserved summer rest.
May 2008
On the 6th we entertained Letham WRI and used this as a warm –up for our Violet Jacob Fundraiser at the House of Dun on the 9th. What a great night that was! Alongside our guests, we played to a packed house and the setting made it almost magical. The National Trust for Scotland has asked us to do a return concert there – likely to be September 2009.
April 2008
April was a busy month for Angus Folk. Our AGM was held on the 22nd and a new Committee took over the reins. Many thanks to those who stood down, for their years of sterling service to Angus Folk. We also said “goodbye” to Lezley, who was moving on through a new appointment in the ministry. On the 26th we held a singing workshop in Forfar, tutored by Corrina Hewitt. This attracted quite a few new faces; hopefully we will see them again at future events. Corrina brought a good variety of songs to the group and we left the workshop with a sense of learning something valuable about our own singing from the day.
March 2008
In March we paid a return visit to Menzieshill Guild and entertained a lively audience. Also this month, we held our first fundraising concert of the year. This featured the music and singing of Pete Shepheard and Arthur Watson. Thanks to them for the evening’s entertainment.
February 2008
Unfortunately circumstances prevented us attending the Muckle Sing this year, but it is already pencilled in our diaries for 2009 with a reminder to book early! Guest tutors this month were Maureen Jelks and Amy Lord
January 2008
We Welcomed the New Year and a new term with our party on the 15th. We had games and song and a great evening. Thanks to all those who organised the games and as always, for the lovely supper. The month continued with our Ali Burns workshop. This is always a popular event as Ali has a deserved reputation for her harmony and creating a beautiful sound from the participants. Also in January we welcomed Pete Shepheard as a guest tutor for the first time.
December 2007
We finished up this term with a performance at the lovely setting of Guthrie church, at the invitation of Guthrie Guild. A mixture of seasonal songs and carols was presented to the appreciative audience, followed by a supper laid on by Guild members. Sitting in the church pews eating mince pies reminded me of the times as a child I sucked on a sweetie in church with a guilty conscience!
November 2007
Following our successful fund-raising concert in October, Sheena Wellington returned to Kirrie to tutor Angus Folk for two of our November meetings. Sheena focussed on some of the lesser- known Scottish ballads. We were also thrilled to have Amy Lord tutor the group this month. Amy brought a great mixture of songs with lots of harmonies to the group.
October 2007
We were honoured to have Sheena Wellington as our guest at our October fundraising concert in Kirrie Old Parish Church Hall. Sheena entertained the audience, which came from all over Angus, with a great selection of songs, stories and even a poem! A highlight of the evening was a duet sung by Sheena and Maureen Jelks. How lucky we were to be entertained by two of Scotland’s finest traditional singers. Maureen is one of our tutors and Sheena is booked to take two classes in November.
September 2007
For the second year running, Angus Folk had the privilege of singing at the opening concert of the Kirrie Folk Festival. This proved to be a busy time for the group as we also ran our annual Caputh singing weekend in September. Janice Clark ran the accompanying workshop.
Later in the month, Angus Folk were invited to take part in the “Choired for Sound” concert, which was the mass choir element of the “Fest n’ Furious” Dundee Festival. A good day was had by all who could make it, culminating in an afternoon concert in the Marryat Hall.
August 2007
In August, we participated in the Kirriemuir “Relay for Life” 24 hour relay in support of Cancer Research. That’s to say, Angus Folk were part of the entertainment platform, not that we haven’t a few athletes in our midst!
July 2007
This year, Angus Folk were invited to take part in The Hairst Sessions. We performed in Arbroath as part of the “Saturday Skirl”, alongside Nigel Jelks. In place of our usual classes, we gathered for a couple of song sessions in the Three Bellies Brae pub in July.
May 2007
Our second workshop of the year, featuring Sarah Harrop, was held in Forfar. Sarah brought great energy and a wide variety of new material to the day, which was enjoyed by all.
April: 2007
Our first fundraiser of the year took place in April. We were lucky to have as guests, the popular Joe Aitken and Scott Gardner. They entertained us with a night of bothy ballads. This proved to be our most profitable one yet, so many thanks to both Joe and Scott.
Following our Probus concert in December, we were invited to entertain members of the National Trust local area in April. We laid on a programme paying tribute to the works of Violet Jacob, in song, verse and prose. Angus Folk rose to the challenge and were very well received by the packed audience. Our success with this work has prompted suggestions that a later fundraiser could be devoted to an evening of Violet Jacob’s work.
To round off April, Angus Folk got together to begin the work of recording a CD. A tiring but rewarding day ensued, which saw us lay down 10 tracks with the helpful guidance of Robin . We’ll continue to work on this project so look out for an Angus Folk CD at some time in the future!
March 2007
In March, we entertained Lunanhead WRI with a programme of songs and music, featuring individual members of the group alongside our usual numbers. This was well received by the audience.
February 2007
February saw Angus Folk travel to Bathgate to attend the Singers’ Gathering. A great mixture of learning, singing and sharing took place. Especially enjoyed was the ‘Muckle Sing’ on Saturday afternoon, which was led by Annie Grace, Corrina Hewitt and Karine Polwart.
January 2007
The New Year began with a great start at the Ali Burns workshop, held in Forfar. Many participants commented on the raising of spirit felt at being part of the music created. Harmony was the focus of the day and new friends and tunes resulted. At the end of the month, we celebrated Burns Night in Dundee, where we entertained the Women’s Group in Menzieshill. Special mention here to the great haggis pies that were provided for supper!
December 2006
This month saw us entertain the Kirriemuir Probus Club at their annual Christmas Dinner and then we relaxed and enjoyed our own well-earned Christmas Party.
November 2006
In November we were invited to appear on stage at the Reid Hall, Forfar as part of the Hope Charity Concert. This was hosted by Michelle McManus and featured Kiki Dee alongside other local groups and talent. It was recorded by Radio Scotland and transmitted nationally in February as part of their “Let’s Do the Show Right Here” series.
Angus Folk were nominated as Angus Ambassadors for 2007 and reached the final three entries for Cultural Ambassador of the year. This is great recognition for the Angus Folk group, and we were delighted to reach the final. Our secretary, Lezley Kenedy, and tutor Maureen Jelks went along to the glittering awards ceremony in the Golf Hotel, Carnoustie. Unfortunately, we did not win the first prize but feel very proud that our nomination reached the final.
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