...a gig with Jackie Oates in the Bedford! Hasn't it come around quickly this year? No it hasn't, that's a stupid phrase and we all know it! It comes around about as quickly as Christmas; ie never soon enough. So what's been happening? Well i took part in a residency earlier this month in Cecil Sharp House with the Askew Sisters and some classical musicians working on and putting together a collection of mediaeval music and song from various parts of Europe which we performed at the end of the week. We all had a great week (especially when we figured out that you could get 50% off at the nearby Pizza Express if you did something clever with an iPhone!) and were so enthused by the music we created that we are discussing taking it elsewhere or perhaps even forming a band! Watch the space. Back in January i officially joined my local mixed North West clog morris side; Raddon Hill. My dad and i have been following them about for a few years as several of our friends from the local folk scene dance and/or play for them and they always have a great session in the pub wherever they are after a dance-out. So this year my good friend Jackie Oates and i said "this is silly just following them around, lets just join them instead, what the heck!" and so we did. We've been dancing-out since May and i've been having such a great time i wish i'd joined sooner. My dancing is slowing improving and there's always someone more than happy to shout at me when i go the wrong way! This coming Sunday we're dancing on the Esplanade at Sidmouth and while that is very exciting it is also a tad scary too, it's all very well getting dances wrong outside country pubs in the middle of Dartmoor where nobody knows you but Sidmouth feels like a whole different kettle of fish! Ah well hopefully no one will recognise me in my kit, shame we're not a border side, that would have been a much more effective disguise!

Anyhow have a great summer everyone and i hope to bump into you at a festival near you very soon!

Jim x