Old English Music
In recent years there has been an increase in the profile of English Folk Music. The 1970’s saw great success for Folk Rock bands like Steeleye Span and Fairport Convention, but after those heady days’ folk music slowly retreated to the clubs and pubs.
A new generation of artists has re-energized folk music and along with artists from the past they have generated a new interest in English Traditional music. They have taken traditional songs and reinterpreted them as well as writing new songs that follow the storytelling traditions of the past.
This list is mainly made up of those contemporary artists that have had such an impact, but there is still a nod to those who had an impact decades ago (many of whom are still going today).
Seth Lakeman
Kitty Jay
http://www.sethlakeman.co.uk/
Kate Rusby
Ten
http://www.katerusby.com/
The Unthanks
Here’s the tender coming
http://www.rachelunthank.com/
Eliza Carthy
Red
http://www.eliza-carthy.com/eliza/index.cfm
Bellowhead
EP Onymous
http://www.bellowhead.co.uk/
Lau
Lightweights and Gentlemen
http://www.lau-music.co.uk/
Show of Hands
Country life
http://www.showofhands.co.uk/
John Tams
The Reckoning
http://www.johntams.co.uk/
Bella Hardy
In the shadow of mountains
http://www.bellahardy.com/
Jackie Oates
The Violet Hour
http://www.jackieoates.co.uk/
Chris Wood
Lark Descending
http://www.chriswoodmusic.co.uk/
Jim Moray
Sweet England
http://www.jimmoray.co.uk/
Sandy Denny
No more sad refrains
http://www.sandydenny.co.uk/
Martin Simpson
The Bramble Briar
http://www.martinsimpson.com/
Kathryn Tickell
Debatable Lands
http://www.kathryntickell.com/
Steeleye Span
The Best of Steeleye Span
http://steeleye.freeservers.com/
Fairport Convention
Liege and Lief
http://www.fairportconvention.com/
The Imagined Village
Empire and Love
http://imaginedvillage.com/
Mawkin:Cawsley
The Awkward Recruit
http://www.myspace.com/mawkincausley
Steve Baker
15.2.10
Thursday 25 February 2010
Sunday 21 February 2010
Nottinghamshire Libraries Big Learning Weekend
Background
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
A partnership made up of Nottinghamshire Libraries, Adult Community Learning Services, local colleges et al with "transformational fund" support started planning "Nottinghamshire Loves Learning" weekend in October 2009.
The objective of the weekend was to provide a quality informal learning opportunity in all communities with a population of over 1000. The events would take place over the valentine weekend 13th -15th February 2010.
Libraries
A small project group was set up made up of members of both development and operational teams.
Our objectives were to:
- Host a minimum of 30 events
- At least 3 of the events would be on the Sunday
- The events would either be aimed at just adults or would be aimed at intergenerational groups. No events would be for just children
- The programme would be made up of 3 themes:
- A Sense of Place
- Music and Performance
- Arts and crafts
- Events should aim to attract at least 10 participants even in very small communities
The final programme actually included 35 events. Many of which were one offs but there were a series of Local History Events that we replicated at a few venues. There was also a mixture of events we created and delivered ourselves and events that we paid others to deliver.
The programmed included:
- Antique Antics with Eric Knowles
- Sculpture workshops
- Dance workshops
- Fancy a crafty weekend
- Community singing
- Learn to play chess
- Guitar lessons
- Local history workshops
- Relaxation techniques
- Play music with a skiffle band
- Song writing
Results
We attracted 750 people to our events. The events were of high quality and evaluations were very positive. They attracted new library users. Our profile was significantly improved with items appearing on all local radio stations and in local papers. Unfortunately there was little interest from the television companies.
Lessons learned
Having a well known name to headline your programme is expensive but does pay off. Not only do people attend that event in significant numbers but:
- More people will pick up the brochure because of that person's face on it
- It increases the profile of the whole event
- It generates more interest in the media i.e. gives them somebody to interview, photograph etc
- It generates excitement amongst the staff and that excitement is conveyed to the public
- Non-library users are more likely to cross the threshold
Working with partners is valuable but have back up plans if they don't deliver or if they don't deliver on deadline
It is difficult to identify which sort of event worked best because similar events got different responses i.e. Swing Dance was well supported but tap dance wasn't. With variables like venue, community etc. it's not always easy to draw conclusions. However craft events where people could just "drop-in" on were universally successful. I think these events worked well because not only did they attract people to the event itself but they also appealed to people who had come to the library on other business but then felt free to join in. This didn't happen with the more structured events.
It goes without saying but the enthusiasm of local staff both in the run up to and during the event makes a huge difference. Make sure staff understand what the event is about, why we are doing it and what you need from them.
People are willing to travel so publicize all the events in one brochure, don't assume that they will only be interested in their local events.
Delivering quality requires imagination, enthusiasm, commitment and money. Don't try to do things on the cheap. If money is tight then concentrate it on an headline act and good marketing.
Our programme was too big i.e. it took a lot of managing especially when we were working to a tight series of deadlines.
Share the work as equally as possible amongst all members of the project team. As project manager this is something I could have managed better.
People will attend events on a Sunday even in a town where shops aren't open. We were told that people didn't come into town on the Sunday and it wouldn't be worth putting on an event. We proved that wasn't the case, we got good numbers on the Sunday
Don't underestimate people's ability to make even the most ambitious idea work. The biggest risks often have the most successful outcome. Don't play safe.
Conclusions
An excellent event that succeeded in raising the profile of Libraries
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