Anderida Gorsedd Conference at Southwick

This was the Pentacle Drummers first appearance at a Druid Conference, and we had a wonderful time. The Community Centre where it was held was incredibly easy to find, we followed the A259 all the way from Eastbourne to Southwick, turned right under the railway bridge, and it was a few hundred yards up the road. If only all venues were that simple to locate.

The doors opened at 10.30, and we were due to perform on the lawn at 1o.45. As we gathered together, a few drops of rain fell. We edged closer to the building for a bit of shelter, and prepared to play in a downpour. It happens all the time. So we were pleasantly surprised when we were told we could play in the theatre instead.(It was a very up market community centre.) Not only in the dry, but also on a stage. Damh the Bard introduced us, and off we went. We only played a couple of tunes, but the audience definitely liked us.

Then we went off for a cup of tea, and a good look round. During the next few hours, there were interesting talks, by Philip Carr Gomm, Levanah Morgan, and Rae Beth, in the theatre. Mythago Morris danced their hearts out on the lawn, and then gave people the chance to try it themselves. While indoors there were lots of stalls, selling everything from jewellery and books, to pictures, and musical instruments. Everybody was friendly and having a good time, the Community Centre was beautiful, and there was plenty to do and see all day.


About 5.15 we went onto the lawn again, but this time it was warm and sunny. There was a large crowd who applauded loudly at the end of every tune, and then someone called out jokingly, "You call that drumming? I've heard grannies play louder than that!" That was all the encouragement we needed to let rip. We formed a tighter circle and called the audience to come closer. As they surrounded us we threw ourselves into the last number. People were dancing, and clapping, and bouncing around to our music, the energy poured out of everyone. It was fantastic, and by the time we finished, we were dripping with sweat and grinning from ear to ear. It was the best gig we have had so far this year. We are hoping to be invited back next year.

PF Conference in Brighton

On the way to Brighton this morning the rain was pouring down, and it looked like it would stay that way. However as soon as we got to our meeting place at the Unitarian Church, the sun came out and it turned into a beautiful day.

We had our photo taken on the steps of the church, and then began our first set at the foot of them. A small crowd soon gathered around us, and all enjoyed it, except for a lady from a nearby massage clinic who wanted us to stop. We played for about twenty minutes, then went into the building to look at the stalls. Some of our members had fun taking part in a poi workshop, while others went for a stroll in the warm sunshine.

Just before noon we met up by the steps again, crossed the road, then starting playing as we made our way to the King and Queen Pub to open the second part of the conference. The pavement wasn't very wide, but somehow we all fitted on and did about twenty minutes out the front of the pub. Cars honked their horns in support as they drove past, and the audience applauded at the end of every tune. Then we took off our drums, and went up to the room above the pub where the stalls were.

It was cramped in there, but there was lots of interesting stuff to look at, and the organisers had even allocated a table for us to leave our drums on. While we were mooching around and parting with our money, we were told that we could play on the green across the road for as long as we liked. Big smiles all around and five minutes later we were ready to go.

The grass area was huge, but we stayed opposite the pub and told people what was going on over there, while we were getting ready. The sun was shining, the drumming was great, and all was right with the world. It felt more like summer than spring. When we finished, Mythago Wood Morris took over entertaining the crowd. They were wonderful, and danced for ages.

It was a great start to the summer season, and now we are looking forward to Jack In The Green.

Jack In The Green

Well here it is.
Our first bit of Blog.

Lets Talk about Jack in the Green, well...
Wasn't that windy?
But we did it, tired, cold, wet, but still drumming all the way round.
The event ended with a fantastic impromptu drum up with just a few drummers from the various sides and soon there were about 10 drummers giving it their all for about an hour!
It was nice to see the crowd really getting into it too.

I'll add a little more as I go.
Till then.
Peace.