It was quite a while ago (March) that Simon Winterman of Nuneaton’s Sudden Impulse Theatre Company had kindly asked me if I would be able to rustle up an afternoon of acoustic music one Saturday in June. This would be for an Astley Castle Open Day. Simon’s Cast of Young Thespians would be there as part of a Mini Tour, staging an alfresco Production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. A mystical play performed in idyllic surroundings. All this courtesy of The Landmark Trust. They do a fabulous line in restoring old ruined buildings and then putting them back to use as luxury self-catering accommodation.
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| Our banner.... |
And I’m so glad that he did that. In various bands, I’ve played some remarkable venues.Marquees,Theatres, Breweries,Schools and Minstrel Galleries. Foyers,Auditoriums, cafes and bars. But this was one of the most esoteric I’ve ever played in. More a fortified house than a castle, it was home in the past for three Queens of England. Elizabeth Woodville, who became Edward IV's Queen. Her daughter was Henry VII's wife. And Henry VIII’s ill fated wife Lady Jane Grey lasted nine days on the throne.
Astley Castle also hosted a Parliamentary Garrison during the Civil War and was well known to George Eliot. Even with the moat now partly overgrown and some of the windows still gaunt skeletons, the place just oozes History. The grounds are magnificently landscaped and lovingly maintained.
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| Astley....oozing history |
Elsewhere, the fragrant ladies of the village were serving teas, scones and sarnies in the bunting-arrayed Reading Room.Over in the shade of a tree, Kasia was plaiting Fairy Garlands. (We never got round to wearing one). Upstairs in the mighty Lounge, where we set up,there were wonderful views from all sides. With floor to ceiling glass and sumptuous furnishings, it was like playing in Simon Cowell’s kitchen.
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| Where we set up. Gorgeous. |
For a laugh we put a hat on floor in front of us, in the style of street Busking. To our surprise, visitors began to fill it. When we emptied it, whilst packing up afterwards, we found £69 in it. Which we have added to John Neal’s proceeds from a genuine busking marathon in the sultry heat of Nuneaton Town centre last week. All will be going towards the Red Cross Fund for victims of the Grenfell Tower Disaster.
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| The hat begins to fill... |
Our Company comprised myself, John Kearney, Flossy McDougall, John Neal,Paul Moore,Sue Sanders and Bob Brooker. All regulars at NFC and four of whom were Nuneaton residents. After a very civilised cup of tea together,( in bone china no less), John Neal kicked us off with a seamless, reflective set featuring much Ralph McTell and a lot of well-loved Beatles Tunes. There was much interplay, with musicians joining in and supporting each others' solo spots by weaving subtle backing instrumentation,or beefing up the choruses. So doughty are these old warhorses, that Paul was going on to play in a Ceilidh band in Foxton later that night, and Bob would be appearing twice with Sly Old Dogs on Sunday-at Monks Kirby and Brandon. (How lovely to be wanted and needed!)
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| Bob and Paul collaborating |
Paul Moore followed John Neal. He was suffering a little from the heavy pollen count, but worked his way expertly through an entertaining set of Blues, Folk and contemporary material. Including a personal favourite of mine, his adaptation of "Sitting On Top Of The World."
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| Paul Sitting On Top of The World.Or a Cajon,maybe? |
Sue Sanders then employed her fiddle to great effect and played some very atmospheric mood music including some appropriately historically weighted instrumentals. She took us on a journey around the country and overseas, using her fiddle as a musical Tardis.
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| Sue and her musical Tardis. |
Bob Brooker and his Bazouki stepped forward next and Bob led us through a sequence of fascinating songs including "The Wild Geese," and "Fiddlers Green."
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| Bob getting into The Wild Geese. |
Nunc finished off the afternoon's proceedings with an extended set and then with a bit of a jam session at the end. Everyone joined in with "Knocking On Heaven's Door," and John Kearney's extraordinary homage to Petula Clark "DownTown."
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| Nunc are Going to The Border |
This togetherness seemed to somehow encapsulate the co-operative atmosphere of the afternoon. And it was lovely to see that some familiar faces from Nuneaton Folk had turned up-and they stayed pretty well throughout. (Thanks, Folks!). By 4pm we had finished, and left for our various destinations. Leaving the site to Sudden Impulse and A Midsummer Night's Dream....
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| Coo! This one's a bit arty. There was an audience..honest! |
