And so it was that Pentacle Drummers were invited to attend a fundraising Summer Fayre at Southlands Residential Home in Bexhill. Penny our delightful hostess had asked us to replace other entertainers who were sadly unable to attend. Not needing an excuse to get the drums and the dressing up clothes out we were only too happy to oblige and ten of us were free to make the event.
Dodging the rainclouds which have become a bit of a habit this year we decended on Southlands at about 11.30 - far too early but then we are keen and like to be punctual! Amongst the lemon curd, homemade cakes and tombola we met some lovely people and the 10 of us gave them what we hope was a good show. Residents and visitors alike enjoyed the spectacle and Penny was so kind in ensuring we were well looked after with tea, coffee and cream teas!
Who could resist the lure of the great Uncle Bumble and his dance-along routines? Not us that's for sure and so it came to be that several strangely dressed drummers from Eastbourne joined the children in a routine of leg kicking, hip gyrating and general silliness which had even Penny joining in! Big fish, little fish, cardboard box!! Much fun was had by all and we would like to think that we helped to bring a little bit of energy to the Summer Fayre (and sunshine for the duration of our visit).
Thank you Southlands. We hope you raised lots of money for your
chosen local charities.
Wednesday, 22 August 2007
Saturday, 11 August 2007
Eastbourne Lammas Fest
Well, last weekend was the annual Eastbourne Lammas Festival.
How hot was that Saturday?
There is nothing worse than green or red makeup streaming into your eyes!
We pretty much had the full compliment of drummers there which is always awesome.
The Drummers all turned up outside the Winter Gardens and we started to beat our tunes.
We got to play a new tune for the first time in public. Currently entitled 'Claw's Rumble' it's a truly awesome tune, something quite different to the tunes that we usually play. So we ended up playing that around the town quite a bit.
We led a small procession of 3 Morris Sides from the Winter Gardens to Bankers Corner. As we beat the path heads were popping out of shops and windows to see what the heck was going on.
After about 10 minutes we were outside Natwest Bank drumming. We performed a tune then there was a couple of Morris dances, followed by more drumming.
We found out that someone from the bank came outside and complained that the customers could not hear anything inside the bank to which the answer was 'That's because there are 22 drummers outside'.
How I laughed when I heard this!
We then led a procession back to the Winter Gardens, we also picked up a few followers from the town.
After half an hour break we were walking again, this time from the Winter Gardens, along the seafront to the main procession point, just outside Harry Ramsdens Fish N Chip shop.
Again when we arrived we played a few tunes, again (we will drum anywhere if there are people to listen, in fact even if there are not people to hear it we will play for ourselves). Then we met up with the main procession. We had the honour of leading this procession. There is a video on the Eastbourne Live Website, here.
More Morris dancing ensued, then it was back to the Winter Gardens for the meat of the day.
One more tune in the Winter gardens, then there were some very cool bands on stage taking the day over. Culmination with the Dolmen who unfortunately did not have a good PA system, but the feeling was there.
After that was done and dusted we lead those that wished to go to the Lammas Ritual to the Beach.
A gorgeous evening to close the days activity and the drummers were successful once again.
We even managed to sell a whole load of albums that day.
Till the next event, see ya.
How hot was that Saturday?
There is nothing worse than green or red makeup streaming into your eyes!
We pretty much had the full compliment of drummers there which is always awesome.
The Drummers all turned up outside the Winter Gardens and we started to beat our tunes.
We got to play a new tune for the first time in public. Currently entitled 'Claw's Rumble' it's a truly awesome tune, something quite different to the tunes that we usually play. So we ended up playing that around the town quite a bit.
We led a small procession of 3 Morris Sides from the Winter Gardens to Bankers Corner. As we beat the path heads were popping out of shops and windows to see what the heck was going on.
After about 10 minutes we were outside Natwest Bank drumming. We performed a tune then there was a couple of Morris dances, followed by more drumming.
We found out that someone from the bank came outside and complained that the customers could not hear anything inside the bank to which the answer was 'That's because there are 22 drummers outside'.
How I laughed when I heard this!
We then led a procession back to the Winter Gardens, we also picked up a few followers from the town.
After half an hour break we were walking again, this time from the Winter Gardens, along the seafront to the main procession point, just outside Harry Ramsdens Fish N Chip shop.
Again when we arrived we played a few tunes, again (we will drum anywhere if there are people to listen, in fact even if there are not people to hear it we will play for ourselves). Then we met up with the main procession. We had the honour of leading this procession. There is a video on the Eastbourne Live Website, here.
More Morris dancing ensued, then it was back to the Winter Gardens for the meat of the day.
One more tune in the Winter gardens, then there were some very cool bands on stage taking the day over. Culmination with the Dolmen who unfortunately did not have a good PA system, but the feeling was there.
After that was done and dusted we lead those that wished to go to the Lammas Ritual to the Beach.
A gorgeous evening to close the days activity and the drummers were successful once again.
We even managed to sell a whole load of albums that day.
Till the next event, see ya.
Monday, 6 August 2007
Lammas Festival at Eastbourne
What a wonderful time we had at the Lammas do.
Everyone turned out to perform, we drummed our socks off, and the crowds loved us. It was so hot and sunny we even got suntans, instead of the usual coughs and sneezes. It was perfect.
When we started drumming at the opening of the event at the Winter Gardens, the only people around us seemed to consist entirely of morris dancers. However, by the end of the first tune quite a crowd had gathered.
As we drummed our way to town people came out of the shops to watch, while others watched from the flats upstairs, or from their cars. We formed a large circle outside Nat West, including a man that nobody knew, and carried on drumming. A huge crowd of shoppers seemed to arrive out of nowhere, and soon we were completely surrounded. The sun beat down as we drummed ourselves into a state of sweaty excitment, and we played for about half an hour, to lots of applause. When we finished, Greg announced who we were, and invited the public to follow us back to the Winter Gardens.
We carried on drumming all the way back, then set our drums down for a minute to get our breath back. Very soon we were off again, this time to the fish and chip shop at the top of Terminus Rd. When we were all assembled we played a couple of our tunes, then accompanied some morris dancers as they danced.
After that, it was over the road to the sea front. Although the programme said everyone would be meeting up at the pier, none of us got there somehow. We played near the zebra crossing, and all the participants for the procession joined us there.
There were 3 giants this year, our own Herne and Andred were joined by Lily from Herne Bay.
As well as Hunters Moon Morris, there were Wolfs Head and Vixen, Nuts of May, the Gong Scourers, and several other sides too.
We paraded along the seafront, and round the band stand. When i looked back at that point, there were hundreds of people coming down the prom behind us. As well as the performers, a lot of others were joining in the fun. The lady carrying the Lammas Festival banner in front of us, asked us to stop for a while so that the dancers could do their stuff. We drummed until they were ready to move on, then led the 'festival army' down to the Winter Gardens.
By now we needed a rest. Some of us went home for a couple of hours, others stayed to look at the stalls and have a drink, and watch the bands on stage. Despite having to pay to get in, the hall was busy with shoppers, drinkers, and dancers. The Dolmen had everyone up on their feet, and the atmosphere was lively and happy.
About 5.45, we donned our drums for the last trip of the day, as we led the way down the beach for the ritual. Hunters Moon and Lynda Lindfield performed the legend of John Barleycorn outside the Lifeboat Museum, then it was onto the pebbles. Lynda set up the altar as a huge circle of people formed around her, and explained what Lammas is all about, then the ritual began. It was watched by over 100 people, some familiar faces, and some newcomers. It was a fitting end to the proceedings, and provided a brief sense of community between strangers.
In my opinion, this is the best gig we have done so far.
Everyone turned out to perform, we drummed our socks off, and the crowds loved us. It was so hot and sunny we even got suntans, instead of the usual coughs and sneezes. It was perfect.
When we started drumming at the opening of the event at the Winter Gardens, the only people around us seemed to consist entirely of morris dancers. However, by the end of the first tune quite a crowd had gathered.
As we drummed our way to town people came out of the shops to watch, while others watched from the flats upstairs, or from their cars. We formed a large circle outside Nat West, including a man that nobody knew, and carried on drumming. A huge crowd of shoppers seemed to arrive out of nowhere, and soon we were completely surrounded. The sun beat down as we drummed ourselves into a state of sweaty excitment, and we played for about half an hour, to lots of applause. When we finished, Greg announced who we were, and invited the public to follow us back to the Winter Gardens.
We carried on drumming all the way back, then set our drums down for a minute to get our breath back. Very soon we were off again, this time to the fish and chip shop at the top of Terminus Rd. When we were all assembled we played a couple of our tunes, then accompanied some morris dancers as they danced.
After that, it was over the road to the sea front. Although the programme said everyone would be meeting up at the pier, none of us got there somehow. We played near the zebra crossing, and all the participants for the procession joined us there.
There were 3 giants this year, our own Herne and Andred were joined by Lily from Herne Bay.
As well as Hunters Moon Morris, there were Wolfs Head and Vixen, Nuts of May, the Gong Scourers, and several other sides too.
We paraded along the seafront, and round the band stand. When i looked back at that point, there were hundreds of people coming down the prom behind us. As well as the performers, a lot of others were joining in the fun. The lady carrying the Lammas Festival banner in front of us, asked us to stop for a while so that the dancers could do their stuff. We drummed until they were ready to move on, then led the 'festival army' down to the Winter Gardens.
By now we needed a rest. Some of us went home for a couple of hours, others stayed to look at the stalls and have a drink, and watch the bands on stage. Despite having to pay to get in, the hall was busy with shoppers, drinkers, and dancers. The Dolmen had everyone up on their feet, and the atmosphere was lively and happy.
About 5.45, we donned our drums for the last trip of the day, as we led the way down the beach for the ritual. Hunters Moon and Lynda Lindfield performed the legend of John Barleycorn outside the Lifeboat Museum, then it was onto the pebbles. Lynda set up the altar as a huge circle of people formed around her, and explained what Lammas is all about, then the ritual began. It was watched by over 100 people, some familiar faces, and some newcomers. It was a fitting end to the proceedings, and provided a brief sense of community between strangers.
In my opinion, this is the best gig we have done so far.
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