Being Friday the 22nd of August, 2014 ...

Back to normal ... well, almost.

Berry took the chair of benign authority ...

Can you believe this?
Berry is in his 8th decade of mortal toil.
What is the secret of those youthful good looks?

There were nineteen pairs of buttocks on seats, and money to match!
Dogsbody found a cushion ...

To whom does this belong?

The refurbishment of the hall continues apace, albeit we had to improvise on the plumbing facilities ...

If the lamp is within, don't go in!

Something is going on outside ...

Ken and Mave did not go to Whitby because Mave has suffered a very serious, penetrating injury from a sewing needle ...

Such fashionable footwear!

Somehow, then,  mysteriously Mave grew a tail ...

Blame Ken for that image.
He encouraged me!

Then we got on with our usual business of singing and performing songs about lost love, poverty, death and whaling.
Oh, it was so jolly!

Barry demonstrated the use of two capos ...

Debbie played two recorders simultaneously ...

Cider seems to help!

And we had a super-group ...

It can be reliably reported that there were no severed limbs, only a few tears were shed and such maidenheads as exist remain unmolested.

And, YES, we will be here next week, Friday, 29th of August.

Burn & Glow, Amy Goddard, a CD review ...

During the club's enforced sabbatical some of us attended Chichester Folk Song Club on Tuesday evenings.
Indeed, several of us often do, and we always enjoy a warm welcome.

Last Tuesday Barry was MC ...

"I hate you all!"
That is code for, "WELCOME!"

A young lady, Amy, carrying a guitar walked in accompanied by her husband, Matt.
"Oh, good," exclaimed Barry, "Here's TALENT!"

There are those who can skilfully craft meaningful lyrics.
Others compose delightful melodies.
There are those who can engagingly perform.
Amy Goddard singularly combines all those talents … a rare gift.

Amy performed two of her own self-penned songs:
I Will See and Friends We’ll Always Be.
Her audience indulged in those precious moments when we close our eyes, slow our heart-rates and breathing
... we hope for more.
Anticipatory silence is followed by rapturous applause … deservedly so.

I bought her CD ...

There are 14 immaculately produced tracks: words and music all Amy's own work except for track 5, Jasmine, written by John Stewart.
Amy generously transcribes her lyrics in the album-cover.

Amy has the ability to pluck poetic phrases, (from who knows where?) that speak to the collective imagination ...
The futility of worry will dissolve as my eyes open ... and I see.
(There is wisdom for us all in those words.)

Her melodic guitar accompaniments, never over-stated, are competent and sensitive, beautifully complementing her charming and sometimes near-whispery voice.
(I like whispery!)
When Amy presents a song she almost hides behind it.
The song says it all.

If you want to know Amy, buy the album from her website, close your eyes, relax, concentrate and imbibe her songs through the pores of your very soul.

Then hit ‘replay’!

By the way, Amy writes that she might honour The City Folk Club with her gracious presence some time in the future. I look forward to that.

...  and Dogsbody won a Mars Bar in the raffle!

Back to normal, almost ...

Yes, the City Folk Club will reconvene at the Guide Hall on Friday 22nd August, and every Friday thereafter.

I wandered past the hall yesterday evening and found it occupied by the WI.
“Well,” thought I, “If it’s fit for Jam and Jerusalem then we should be able to cope.”
Later, after the ladies had departed, I gained entry.
The main hall is as usual, as is the kitchen.
There is one useable toilet that has no door, but is screened by a canvas sheet, so, if you are sensitive about such matters, go before you come!
Philosophers’ balcony is out-of-bounds for the time-being.

Clearly, there is still work to be done, but rest assured that you won’t need fluorescent clothing or hard hats.
(But ... you might need a torch if you want to use the loo!)

So, see you all on Friday.

Addendum:
For those who admit to having recurring dreams about loo-privacy, worry not.
We have a new rule:
Those using the plumbing facility must sing loudly.
If singing is within, don't go in.
A torch will be available.

Progress Report. 12th August, 2014 ...

Will the Guide Hall be ready for occupation on Friday?

Here is Philosophers' Balcony:

... and here are the facilities:

Perhaps we'll wait another week or two.
Further reports will follow.

Here is the latest very important news ...

Yesterday (Tuesday) evening Dogsbody surreptitiously crept into the Guide Hall.
It is clear that building work is in progress.
It is equally clear that the venue will not be ready for occupation for at least one more week.

Here is a random image of bricks ...

Hence, our meetings on Fridays, 8th & 15th August will not take place.

Following that we will have to consider our plans on a week-by-week basis.

Now, do not forget that Lucy will be broadcasting as Ken's special guest on Folk for All on Chichester Hospital Radio tomorrow, (Thursday 7th,) between 6 and 7.00pm.