The Silver Bough Ceilidh Band led by Donald and Jackie provided the poetry, music and dancing for Burns Night at historic Talton House on Friday evening, 26 January 2018. Talton House is a Queen Anne period building with history and charm. The bedrooms are named after family members, including ‘Dr Watson’ who was Queen Victoria’s doctor. For all its atmospheric high ceilings it has a fun, relaxing vibe and it sleeps up to 23 and hosts events for around 60 people.

Historic Talton House, Warwickshire

A full house enjoyed a memorable evening, with bagpipes, haggis, old Scottish poetry and Ceilidh dancing in the large hall from early until late! It was a joyful evening with enthusiastic dancing and music led and performed by the impeccably dressed Silver Bough. In the photo below, we are relaxing in the ‘green room’ prior to all the revelry. Our thanks to Olivia and Barney for hosting the event and for looking after us so well.

The Silver Bough Ceilidh Band relax in the Talton House green room

BIRMINGHAM UNISON PRESENTS

Events for National Storytelling Week 2018

To celebrate 25 years of Creativity & Education in Public Services

With Donald McCombie, poet, storyteller, singer, musician, song writer.

Dates, venues and times:

Saturday 27^th January 11.30am Library of Birmingham

Saturday 27^th January 2.30pm Sparkhill Library

Tuesday 30^th January 10.15am Tower Hill Library

Wednesday 31^st January Springhill Library

Thursday 1^st February Birchfield Library

Friday 2^nd February Kingstanding Library

Enjoy family friendly poems, stories & songs for National Storytelling Week

Admission Free

If there isn’t – as yet – a genre of music called ‘Gospel Disco’, Gospel Bell may have just invented it! We were delighted to facilitate the singing and tremendous all-age dancing at a fund-raising event held at St Leonard’s, Banbury on Saturday evening 20 January. It’s the first time that we have played at an event in aid of the construction of a new toilet and we’re delighted that more than £200 was raised during the course of the evening. For the band, it was a really encouraging night as a ‘party’ atmosphere prevailed. After an opening set of 30 minutes and a pause for a delicious buffet meal, the event moved-up a gear as almost everyone took a turn on the dance floor  – including a few older people with walking sticks and other mobility aids. All the photos we took of the dancing are blurred because there was so much movement!

Gospel Bell – music and dance band!

It was encouraging to receive the following feedback comment: ‘Everyone at St Leonard’s was buzzing on Sunday morning, with those who went, telling those who didn’t what a great time they’d missed and saying “Can Gospel Bell come again please?”‘ Our thanks to Sue Ayliff, event organizer, Sue Burchell, vicar of St Leonard’s and to all who helped to make the event so enjoyable. We’re already looking forward to next time!

We closed by singing ‘Amen’ together – a welcome break from all the dancing …