Battle Bonfire

The dark clad figures of the Pentacle Drummers stood outlined before the magnificent form of Battle Abbey, which was bathed in the golden glow of spotlights. It looked like the opening scene of a film, but was in fact the closing of our first set of the evening.


Thousands of onlookers watched from behind the safety barriers, or upstairs windows across the road. While we were playing, various people had come inside our drumming circle to take photos and videos, but we didn't let ourselves get distracted and played as well as ever.


When the photographer had finished, we marched down the main road and formed another circle, in the road. We were under the impression that the roads had all been closed for the event, but soon realised our mistake, and had to retreat to the kerbside several times to avoid being run over. But we did it without missing a beat, despite frequent looks over our shoulders to see if any more cars were coming along.

Then we made our way to the gathering point for the start of the procession. The event was going smoothly and happily, until Cliffe Bonfire Society who were directly behind us, started throwing fireworks at us. A brief arguement ensued, but it did no good and they carried on doing it all evening.

When the procession began to move things picked up again. There were hundreds of flaming torches in front of us, and thousands of onlookers on both sides of the road all the way through town. The atmosphere was great, and because the fireworks had made us all a bit deaf, it didn't seem too noisy. We walked through the main road and past the Abbey, down to a roundabout, and back to town. Then back past the Abbey again, and down to the roundabout once more, but this time we turned into a field on the right.

There was a narrow muddy path through the fields, and it was a bit of a trek, but the fireworks were worth it. As we had finished drumming for the night, we all relaxed and watched the fabulous display. As well as the usual ones that go bang and explode, this time there were also ones that spiralled and whistled, some that hung in the air like red jellies, and a load of new ones that beeped and buzzed at the same time as filling the sky with colours. An excellent display, followed up by a large bonfire, and a bit of effigy burning. Who could ask for more?

Hastings Bonfire Parade 2007

It was a warm autumn evening when we started to drum near the far end of Hastings seafront. Thick crowds had gathered along the pavements on both sides of the road, and the town was out in force. Children played with glowsticks, adults ate take aways, and all around us performers in various costumes lined up as the procession was forming.

Suddenly a load of runners came pounding down the road, all proudly carrying flaming torches above their heads. They shot past the crowds, and all heads turned to watch as they ran up the cliffs to set the beacon at the top of it alight. All we could see from below were tiny dark figures, and a rapidly growing fire waving it's flames into the night.

The procession began after the runners returned, and it took a long time for all the groups to get onto the road. There were many bonfire societies, all bearing flaming torches which looked good up close, but spectacular when seen en mass from a distance. There were also a fire eater, a couple of other bands, some dancers, and other acts we couldn't see on account of being in it ourselves.

The first road we went up was the one that leads to Ore, and once again the pavements were overflowing with happy onlookers, cheering and waving glowsticks. We stopped for a minute at the top, while the traffic was held up for us, then crossed and came down the high street. One of the groups in front of us had lit a red flare which turned the air and marchers all around it red too, and as we marched down the hill towards it, it looked like the route into hell.

After taking in the rest of the seafront and the town, we wound up on the beach near the bonfire. It was huge, and giving out masses of heat. All the performers were allowed inside the fire area, but the public were only allowed to the edge of the beach. The firework display was fantastic. Things banged and fizzed, spun and whizzed, or shot across the sky and exploded in gigantic patters, and all the time a steady fallout of cardboard pieces was landing on our drums.

There was a lull for a while after the last one exploded, but then the effigy of Guy Fawkes head released more fireworks, for another stunning display, before the head itself exploded. After that the evening was over, but we are looking forward to coming back next year.

Out of the Ordinary Festival

We gathered outside the entrance to the festival just before 10, when we were due to perform. A van blocked the road, and there was a queue for the ticket office, then we had to drive round the back of the field before gaining access to the car park. By the time we were all parked it was 10.30.



As we had been told to play anywhere on the site, at any time we liked, we gathered in the centre of the field and began to drum. As soon as the first tune ended a lady came over and asked to go away and be quiet, as a grief session was about to start. So we shut up and went away.



Ten minutes later when nobody had arrived for the session, we started again. As the atmosphere in the field was a bit odd, we only played for 20 minutes. However we got lots of applause, and decided to come back in a couple of hours for our next performance.



After wandering around the site, meeting lots of nice people and having a free lunch, (which was a pleasant surprise) we started again. We decided to go in the large tent this time, but were told to go away as a man was telling a story.

We moved to the other side of the field so as not to upset the story teller, and formed a circle. But just as soon as we picked up our sticks some bloke came over and asked us to stop. After some discussion with Greg, it was agreed that he would speak to the organiser and see if we were allowed to perform, though he was convinced we weren't.



We began again, and waited to see what would happen when he came back. Luckily he didn't so we carried on. Afterwards, several people came over to say how much they enjoyed our music and one man asked me when we going to really let rip, and turn the volume up. I told him we would love to, but as we'd had complaints we were finished for the day.



Most of the festival goers were lovely, and happy to hear us play, but as for the others.............

If they didn't want us to drum why did they book us????????????????

Herstomonceux Medieval Festival

At 10.30 on the 25th August, we all met up under the shade of an oak tree opposite the tea-rooms for our first gig of the festival. It was already hot and we had no idea how much hotter it was going to get.



We drummed until the procession halted some way up the road from us and we were given the signal to stop, then stayed quiet until all the horses passed by. When they were about 100 yards up the road, we started again and stepped into the road in front of the soldiers. They looked wonderful with the sunlight shining on their polished armour, and we led the knights through the smelly horse droppings, through thousands of spectators, past the castle and the Buxom Wench, and then turned left into a field. After doing a circle through all the stalls selling medieval wares and clothing, we returned to the castle and drummed until the battle began. So far so good.



At 12.30 when the battle was over, we played outside the castle and although the crowd had thinned out we still had a large appreciative audience. When we finished, we all went our separate ways to get some lunch.



By 2.30 we were back at the tree again for the afternoon procession, and the heat was almost unbearable. It would have been hot enough in normal clothes, but as we were all covered from heat to foot and wearing several layers we were sweating before we even started drumming. We navigated our way through the horse droppings, past the Buxom Wench, and into the field again, but this time we went right across the field to the entrance to the next one. We lined up on both sides of the path and carried on drumming as the knights approached. Suddenly there was a thud as Greg hit the ground. We stopped at once and waited anxiously to see if he was alright. Luckily he was, and came around a few minutes later after having some water. Then Nicky took him to Heather and Gary's stall to have a rest and recover.



Half an hour later we were on again, but the heat was taking its toll on all of us and we weren't at our best. When we finished it was a relief to get some shade, and another drink.



On Sunday it was the same routine, but this time Anya fainted.



Nobody fainted on Monday, which was a bonus.



When the public left at 6 each day, the place took on an entirely different life. The stalls closed up, the horses went to the fields, and everybody let their hair down. Most of the evening's activities centred around the Buxom Wench. On Friday night it was Angels and Devils fancy dress and a live band, Saturday was Cowboys and Indians, then on Sunday there was cricket outside, followed by fire dancers in the evening. There was also a spot of impromptu drumming near the castle from Greg, Anya, Claw and friends, which lasted until somebody asked them to stop so the band in the pub could play. With everybody on site meeting there at some point each night for food and drink, making new friends and greeting old ones, it was a very friendly place to spend some time.



The prettiest sight had to be the castle which looked fabulous in the light of the full moon, with mist hovering over the moat. And the funniest sight was when a group of knights who had been marching into battle, suddenly started dancing as they went past us on their way into the field.



Despite the heat it was a fantastic weekend with good drumming, good crowds, and good friends. Roll on next year.

Southlands Summer Fayre, Bexhill

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.

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.

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.