Our website banner features a photograph taken in Somerton Village Hall, with Sean (wearing his stylish hat) in the centre. The week after he passed away, we returned to this beautiful venue to play for the Somerton Social Club and we remembered Sean in words and song and by wearing armbands thoughtfully provided for us by Sally and David Snell. As ever when we play at this venue, we were a large ensemble, joined last night by Elsa (Piano Accordion) Frances (flute, percussion) and John (Fiddle) – thank you for enriching the sound with your lovely playing and helping us all to make this a memorable evening.

Donald was playing the guitar and mandolin that Sean had bequeathed to him and so his memory and music continues. We all miss Sean and we are thinking and praying for Susie at this difficult time. Locals David Reed and Toni Ertl were in excellent form – David on harmonica and singing ‘Jesus on the Mainline’ with Donald and in his inimitable way, telling a story about Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Toni, master of the slide guitar played both acoustic and electric slide – the latter with sound shaping provided by his enormous guitar pedal board (though Toni says that this is his small pedal board!)

We so enjoyed the evening and so it seems did the locals! The organiser wrote to say: I cannot thank you enough – tonight was just fabulous. Please pass on our sincere thank you to all band members. It is so evident how much you all enjoy doing what you all do so well. It was a real privilege to be part of the audience. The feedback from members has been amazing and heartening to hear. The evening ended with some audience participation – including some incredible dance moves that even the Morris dancers among us couldn’t emulate!

Our thanks to Debs, the event organiser and all at the Somerton Village Social Club for making us feel so welcome, for your generous hospitality and for joining in with us!