Wharf Picking Weekend

Silent Blog

Well, it been quite a while since my last post and its about time I made contact with all you "Grassheads" (Bluegrass enthusiasts) again. I stopped activity on this blog for a while to write a short story called "Peter the Pigeon". It sounds like its a children's book but the story is designed to have appeal to people of all ages. This link will lead you to the story. Nothing to do with Bluegrass but you might enjoy this little yarn. After Peter the Pigeon was published my wife Frankie and I went to Plymouth, where I was born, to celebrate my 70th Birthday.

Memories of Plymouth - circa 1963

Plymouth 2015 - me and Frankie

On the drive to Plymouth the words of a classic Bluegrass song came into my mind:

"I knew one day that I'd come back, I knew it from the start, Eight more miles to Louisville the hometown of my heart"

Plymouth is obviously not Louisville but the sentiment expressed in the song is the same as I feel for my hometown. The tune was written by Grandpa Jones and first recorded by him in 1946.  Here is a great rendition by Sam Bush and Carl Jackson.

We met our eldest daughter and her partner in Plymouth and then drove to The Lizard, Cornwall where we had rented a holiday home. Our other daughter, her husband and our grandchildren then joined us and the immediate family was complete for a weeks holiday in this beautiful part of the world.

Cadgewith Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall

The Festival Season

There are numerous Bluegrass Festivals in the United Kingdom spanning a season from May until September. It all starts with the Orwell Festival in Suffolk and culminates with the Moniaive Bluegrass Festival in Dumfries, Scotland.

Cartoon "borrowed" from Paul Brewer

To find an event to suit your calender I recommend looking at the British Bluegrass Music Association timetable. My first event of this year was the Wharf Picking Weekend. This year it was held at the Lenchford Inn on the banks of the river Seven in Worcestershire.

Setting up camp by the river

The event starts on a Friday and finishes on the Sunday. Once caravans are parked and tents erected small groups form and the picking starts. A great time to meet old friends, acquaintances and new faces.

Dave Norton, the Master of Ceremonies and  also a useful musician

The Amigos practising for the evening show

Tom, always willing to help banjo beginners

Martyn Peters and Chris Moreton playing Beaumont Rag

The format of these weekends is picking in small groups, workshops, a slow jam, and mixing and socialising.  In the evenings there are concerts. You can perform on stage yourself if you feel your ready for that experience or just sit back with a pint or three and enjoy listening to the "professionals" perform.  All the artists at the Wharf did a great job but I must single out a couple of groups: The Amigos and Western Edge. Both did outstanding sets in my opinion. Last but certainly not least, we were treated to a master class in flat picking guitar wizardry from Chris Moreton. Follow the link to hear him play the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, a number he performed at the Wharf in concert.

All in  all a wonderful weekend which will live on in the memory. Thanks to Francis and his crew for the organisation and Dave Norton for fist class comparing.

Band Members

The Amigos

 Barry Scott         Guitar and Vocals
 Lenny                 Guitar and supporting vocals

Western Edge

John Campbell    Guitar and Vocals
Kevin Lewis        Banjo
Roy Nichols        Fiddle
Linda Harris         Bass