Over halfway...

Not so many sessions this week so time to catch our breath. Just as well because the North Pennines are pretty challenging! As one local told us "You go up, up, up, up, up, down a bit, up, up, up, up, up, up, up and then you're there." Breathtaking scenery and winds so strong you have to walk quickly because standing on one leg for too long is very dodgy.



Looking back over the past seven weeks the first thought that jumps out is the kindness, keenness and generosity of session hosts and people participating. For example, we have been fed, our washing tackled, sandwiches provided, flapjacks donated (they were delicious, Bacup!), pizza brought to the tent at midnight (thank you Nik at Uttoxeter!) and numerous other considerate acts of kindness.



Next, the diversity if the club nights and sessions. No two places have been alike, all have provided us with terrific music, song, dance and storytelling for the archive.

We started with open minds, unsure of what we would find, but one thing is certain - folk music is alive and well from Land's End to Dufton and we have no reason to believe it's going to change as we walk on.

Clare

Tribute to John Hesdon

Some of you may already know of the sad death of John, who died peacefully in his sleep from a heart attack on the night of the 22nd April.

We have naturally been in touch with his family during the weeks that have followed. They felt at the time that they needed space to grieve in private. As a result we did not report the sad event on the website. These decisions are always difficult and both John's family and we feel the time has come to let you know about it.

John had done all the right things in advance of the Folk Trail. He was a regular long distance walker, and he received a clean bill of health from his doctor before embarking on the walk. There were no prior symptoms or indications of ill health and John told us how well & happy he felt to be carrying out his ambition to walk to John O'Groats.
John's family were adamant that he would have wanted the Folk Trail to continue and from our brief knowledge of him we felt the same.

We didn't know John before he joined us on the trail but we soon became friends. His constant good humour, willingness to participate in all the chores and decisions endeared him to all of us and we are all carrying fond memories of him - like the time he caramelised some bananas as a treat and caramelised the cooker as well! He told us he was having the time of his life and it showed. He talked a lot about his family with fondness and pride.
Most of all John, we remember you for your broad smile.

We are carrying his bodhran with us along the route and the walkers plan a private tribute to John when we reach John O'Groats. This will surely include one of his favourite songs - 'Walk On'.

The Folk Trail Team

Jeffs 4th day (and last)

Again the smooth well oiled operation of packing bags, tent, van, preparing breakfast and packed lunch and still off for 9.00  ( how do they do it every day?)

The long slog up Laddow Rocks on our way to Blackhill summit and the Folktrail enters Yorshire.

 Cara takes a break on bruised legs. (sorry I cant seem to get the photo the right way round, lean your right ear on your key board for a moment)



Good weather see us decending down the Wessendon Valley before cutting across to the carriage House near Standedge (Marsden) summit.Tent up, Victor driven back to Crowden to pick up his car,recording gear prepared and the session starts very early. Three dancing teams outside, with a fire juggler and a large loud session band inside. Also some delightful local anthems by some great singers. I go home to my own bed tonight as I live half a mile away and this is the end of the road for me. I return in the morning to bring back some clean washing and bid my new friends farewell.

It has been a privilege to be in the company of such inspiring people, if only for a short time four very different sessions, all recorded and raw data waiting to be collated. It is clear that this is not only a wonderful experience but the recording and archiving of sessions the length of the country is being done in a professional way. This archive will be unique, invaluable for years to come and some of those recorded will be renowned for generations. The folktrail core members achievement will also be remembered.
Jeff Button

Jeffs 3rd day

 A good night’s sleep and a fine morning was the start we needed for the day ahead 20 miles over the Dark Peak. It becomes apparent to me that the team work I have seen in the last couple of days has become a way of life. Tent down, van packed sandwiches off on time. A steady climb via Jacobs Ladder brings us up to Kinder. There are 12 in the walking party and after some discussion and safety checks we split into 2 groups.

Bright and breezy weather over to Kinder downfall but the recent dry weather has left the river completely dry.

Onwards to Mill Hill before the glowering prospect of Bleaklow appears. Appropriately the sky darkens and as we draw nearer we are hit by wind, rain, hail and thunder. This continues as we trudge up Devils Dyke until we reach Bleaklows forbidding plateau. We are delighted by Curlew and Skylark song as we descend into Crowden. Cara continues to be extraordinarily well behaved despite obvious provocation by the local grouse. We begin to recognise a young Pennine Way walker as our paths cross a number of times. Tent put up and a fine meal in the Crowden Camp site and we are all made welcome by the delightful site manager. The party is now 12 people (Cara is not allowed to the session tonight) and so there are serious logistics to get us the 5 miles plus to the Globe in Glossop; a magnificent brew pub which has drawn a big crowd. North West Clog team outside and a lively session inside. The landlady not only drawing pints but also operating the hobbie hoss (dragon) for the dancers. Another late night and a drive back to the camp site.

Sunday 8th May Jeff's second day

Sunday 8^th May. Jeff’s 2^nd day Up early the next morning, the schedule is no respecter of blisters, aching limbs, injured feet (or hangovers). Complete integration of the team gets the tent packed up, all the gear stowed, packed lunch made, breakfast eaten and on their way on time. Route takes us through undulating country side, in good weather towards the White Peak via the Limestone Way, and the 500 mile point is reached and chalked on a tree.

Leisurely stop in Castleton for ice cream and socks before the steep climb over Hollins Cross to Edale.  Chris’s unwavering navigation becomes apparent he will get the team to John O’Groats. Delightful spot for a camp site made better by the Rambler Pub being 100 yards down the road. The large bar meant we all got a seat this time for the gentle, intimate session. Highlights of the night for me was the delightfully lyrical 'I play the spoons' sung by the spoon player! And my first introduction to Victor Byrnes astonishing singing. Journeyed over from Dublin he is a strong supporter and good friend of the Folktrail, and is driving the support van at present. Only across the road back to the camp site, and so to bed.

Proxi Blog 7th to 11th May (Jeff Button)

Folktrail blog update. All is well and the doughty five continue on schedule. Internet issues have led to a lack of recent updates and so I have been given the privilege to update the blog by proxy. I joined the team at Ilam on Saturday 7^th May after their first rest day!!! Precision van packing skills were clearly evident and as a consequence my camping sack and trombone were squeezed in. Set off in the first real rain the team had seen on the journey. A wonderful trek through Dovedale and my audio début in Dove Holes (see twitter link to audio boo).

 We  moved on to the Tissington trail, an old railway route which made for a speedy middle section despite dodging speeding cyclists. Then via scenic routes to the camp site at Blackwell. Well oiled team has tent up in no time. They have been sharing the bell tent for some time as proving to be more efficient and communal than individual tents. No time for a meal before we are off in the van, 5 miles to The Three Stags’ Heads, Wardlow, Tideswell for my first session with the folktrail. What a night!!!Team fed by the redoubtable landlord Geoff, recording gear set up and into a closely packed wild night. (It is worth travelling a long way for this pub, it is special). Left very late in torrential rain back to the camp site.

A stolen evening with the Folk Trail...

'tis a long walk from Lands End to Uttoxeter. 500 miles covered already, I am told.
I was working along way from home in Devon, so met up again with the group that I had last walked with in Alternun and met again in Pennymoor.
They are faring well, in the circumstances - by the inspection of their feet when I arrived in the Racecourse campsite !
Ok, Moira was mentioning ankle damage, and "morris dancer toe" and Naomi was tending blisters. Chris has walked through his, but Clare - well, no blisters with the same trusty boots. Hardy stock !
They are all such lovely people, and have an easy and welcoming style. A range of conversation topics as they tidied the camp and relaxed. "How the tent now feels like home ! How dry and dusty the countryside is becoming !" How the adventure is excluding them from media "news". In a world of their own, they are ! But a very happy and friendly world.
And still 10 days before they get half way !!

The session in the Star was packed. There is a real pleasure in seeing posters displayed, and in the response of local "folkies". The room had connections with the bar, so there were other locals who wanted to know more and to experience the variety of live music on display.

Uttoxeter has some local singer songwriters, but also upholds some traditional songs. It also has a young woman with a lovely voice, snazzy shoes, a pink guitar case and that wonderful confidence to lose words of a song, and then pick em up again.
We met a couple of who had called barn dances, and for this had been invited to call in a number of Far Eastern countries.

How to describe this particular session experience ?
Well, the walkers were recording all the songs and music again so there will be a chance to sample the richness of this session and some of the other folk music which veins through the country ( sorry, 2 Nations and 3 if Cornwall insists !!)

Back in the bell tent with the group, we were joined by Nick - one of the local stars. He knew that such exercise required the best pizzas in town. We talked until 1am, slept surprisingly peacefully - and I left at "crack of sparrows fart" to go back to work and on to Devon.
What a lovely experience !
Do take the chance to join in.

Derek Moore