The Bands & Callers we had and - thanks guys.

Steamchicken - The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge . Last time they were here they attracted the best attendance yet! Liam Robinson is a Lincolnshire man and was suggested by the band. He confirmed our choice was the right one at Sidmouth this year.

We really wanted to get Bedlam but one person globe-trotting has given the members a sabbatical. They are now back together in this country and Bryony has found gaps in her schedule playing for Damien Barber on his Demon Barber Roadshow.   Young Phil Bassindale has been calling for many years since he was a member of the youth troupe NYFTE- all the more remarkable since he has to ration his calling while he is still at Bristol University studing engineering, and dancing with Nonesuch Morris there and Hammersmith Morris too. He should have done a degree in Folk Dancing - shame there isn't one - he could teach it! And he is still young, damn it!

Old Swan Band Thoroughly delightful rollicking country dance tunes played with spirit and vigor by a legendary band. The resulting blend of strings and horns makes a glorious racket that's sort of like a New England country fiddle session joining forces with a New Orleans brass band on a hot Saturday night.
The choreographer of many fine dances, we give you Fi Frazer & Jo Freya.

The Climax Ceilidh Band pride themselves on their mix of highly original self-written tunes and traditional material, all designed to get feet tapping and dancers stepping. The driving rhythm of the accordion and guitar, the sweet sound of the dancing fiddles, the swift trill of the flute and the power of the pipes make the Climax Ceilidh Band experience truly uplifting!

Woodpeckers, Old favourites Mathew Green, fiddle, Jeff Dando melodeon, Ali Smith bass guitar, Dave Eynstone, guitar, Steve Finley, drums and percussion. The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge. Sadly for everyone this is their last gig, good for us, and good if you can come and give them a right royal send-off.

All Blacked Up - what can we say? Been around a long time, throbbing rhythm, pulsating beat melodeons galore and that added ingredient Bill Caddick. He's been there done that; shadow puppets, solo performer, singer/songwriter and no slouch on the guitar. If you want him to sing over the hills and far away - he will oblige, be sure to join in the chorus...........

Stömp are a high-energy Ceilidh band. Their instruments weave an intricate and imaginative mix over one of the most flexible & muscular electric rhythm sections in the land. The music creates an excitingly infectious sound and the dance floor is guaranteed to feel the effect with.

Panjandrum were born out of the ashes of the Committe Band. Smaller and with a new repertoire, but the band are fresh and exciting.

Captain Swing from the West Midlands. As their name implies - swing. Synchopated rhythms from oboes, recorders, saxophone, concertina, bass and guitar. And their speciality - Salty Dog Rag. They will demonstrate it for you and then the fun begins.

Toothless Mary, Still young and full of ideas. Having cut their teeth in the Nursery of NYFTE. the members of the band are Alex Nikel, David Larkin, Jack Everitt, Joe Sudell and Michael Smith. Average age 23!
Pete Rees is the old man of the night, at 26 he has been calling professionally since he was too young to drive!

Geckoes have been around for a long time. Regularly seen at all the big festivals. Based in Oxfordshire and often seen performing individually at clubs and sessions nationwide. Caller Will Hall keeps a ledger on all the dances he has done at venues to ensure that he mixes the repertoire - be prepared for a few unusual dances.

Coventry-based Aardvarks, Pete Laity - guitars, mandolin, Appalachian dulcimer, vocals: and (polymer science). Martin Trewinnard - bass, flute, whistles, vocals.
Pete Grassby - melodeons, hammered dulcimer, vocals, calling. And melodeon repairs to the nobility of the folkworld.

Woodpeckers, Old favourites Mathew Green, fiddle, Jeff Dando melodeon, Ali Smith bass guitar, Dave Eynstone, guitar, Steve Finley, drums and percussion. The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge. Sheena Masson is in several Ceilidh bands and a dancer. She ticks all the boxes on paper and it shows in fact. We could devize a game of spotting her mistakes but it would be too difficult - sorry folks.

Apr 09
The Committee Band The last chance to dance to them in Stroud. Are large band that make a fuller sound. If you thought waltzes had to be soft and sweet - you ain't heard nothin yet!
Nick Walden - clear concise and an Archer Fan.

Mar 09
Hekety have been playing cutting edge English dance music since their formation in 1997. The five-piece line up comprises melodeons, clarinet, fiddle, bass, cittern and guitar. Hekety draw their inspiration from a rich variety of sources including traditional English folk, rock/heavy metal, pop, jazz, and klezmer. Improvisation and rich harmonies are coupled with powerful driving rhythms: this band delight dancers and listeners alike.
The inimitable Gordon Potts is your caller for this night.

Jan 10
The Woodpecker Band The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge.
Will Hall - stalwart of festivals and ceilidh series throughout UK.

Feb 10
The Climax Ceilidh Band pride themselves on their mix of highly original self-written tunes and traditional material, all designed to get feet tapping and dancers stepping. The driving rhythm of the accordion and guitar, the sweet sound of the dancing fiddles, the swift trill of the flute and the power of the pipes make the Climax Ceilidh Band experience truly uplifting!
Fee Lock is patience personfied, the way she explains dances,you know you can't get it wrong

Oct 09
All Blacked Up - what can we say? Been around a long time, throbbing rhythm, pulsating beat melodeons galore and that added ingredient Bill Caddick. He's been there done that; shadow puppets, solo performer, singer/songwriter and no slouch on the guitar. If you want him to sing over the hills and far away - he will oblige, be sure to join in the chorus...........

Nov 09
Trinculo - stalwarts of the Sheffield ceilidh scene and many festivals around the UK over the last 10 years. The ever popular caller Phil Bassindale takes time out from his University studies to give us another flawless night.

Mar 10
Steamchicken - The Band has a large repertoire of traditional and modern dance music, mostly from the British Isles, but also including music from other countries. The band's unique sound is a product of traditional and modern elements of music and style fused with a solid electric rhythm section giving the band an easily identifiable contemporary edge . Best attendance yet!
Geoff Cubitt is the band's choice. He cut his teeth on ceilidhs as a young caller, now he is more often seen calling for more complex dances but for us - well - he knows his market.

Dec 09
422 - if a band could play in a Sidmouth carpark and keep people on the sloping tarmac during the rain - you would book them. So we did. Don't be fooled by their youth (still at uni most of them) or that they live oop north - they're a canny ceilidh band, mon! So be prepared to dance to a rebel-rousing version of "Stars & Stripes Forever" or archetypal English tunes from 1496 that Mr Playford would applaud. Dave Ball is doing the calling.

Jan 09
Old Swan Band Thoroughly delightful rollicking country dance tunes played with spirit and vigor by a legendary band. The resulting blend of strings and horns makes a glorious racket that's sort of like a New England country fiddle session joining forces with a New Orleans brass band on a hot Saturday night.
The choreographer of many fine dances, we give you Mr Dave Hunt caller

Nov 08
The six guys who are Random, bring their vast experience of all kinds of folk and dance music to produce gutsy, melodic, folk-rock interpretation of tunes with traditional roots, which creates scintillating but subtle ceilidh music that will make you want to dance.
With the knowledgeable clear instructions given by the caller Will Hall it will ensure great dances.

Dec 08
Stömp are a high-energy Ceilidh band. Their instruments weave an intricate and imaginative mix over one of the most flexible & muscular electric rhythm sections in the land. The music creates an excitingly infectious sound and the dance floor is guaranteed to feel the effect with. Phil Bassindale is an exciting, young and experienced caller from London. A fine product of NYFTE where more like him are waiting in the wings.

Jan 08
Woodpecker band play both traditional & modern music in their unique rhytmic style
Caller Pete Rees is skilled beyond his years, combining with the Woodpeckers to produce a great way to start the New Year. (and they did - best attendance so far but see Steamchicken).