ellajo

Ashwell Day Out, Summer 2008

This story is an account, pure and simple, but it is also a sinking into history, a comment on erosion and survival. I savor this day and reflect upon it. We did what we always do, we turned our day into a mission of discovery.

On a spur of the moment decision, we headed for a place we barley knew – despite a smattering of rain. We drove past a village church with a bumpy field to its sides, and found cherry trees in blossom at Stotfold Church, a little jewel on a council estate. We clicked our cameras through the transparent windows and lounged around in the daisies, amongst our neighbours who were pushing them up.




Onward past a field of miniature ponies, Spon visited the shop. I sat waiting in the car and listened to his music on the stereo.

We stopped at Stofold Mill and I felt its ghosts and heard the mill stream’s music, dreaming away across the fields. And we saw the fair, setting up for the next week end, it’s orange barriers sat lonely in the distant field.


Passing Stotfold cemetery, we were then thwarted by the main road and had to drive towards Langford, taking the roundabout beside the huge water tower. My grandfather told me that he was born in Langford and I remembered his laughing dark brown eyes and quiet smile. We drove past the wealthy homes of rural retreat and up an unmarked track.



From there we walked an ancient way to the site of a fort, surviving now as an earth platform surrounded by a wire fence. Finding our bearings, we looked towards Ashwell church, past little white caravans at the bottom of the field. The skylarks were euphoric, Spon sampled their singing, and we met a man walking his four adorable Labradors, still puppies.



When we explored the banks of the earth work we saw bunnies everywhere. They had burrowed a great network of warrens into the ancient monument – which seemed about to collapse. I sung ‘Run Rabbit Run’ as we walked around the site fence.




In prehistory a family group had built the settlement and we pieced together the geography of the huts among the chalky ruins of their foundations. We tried to circumnavigate but were stopped by fences to old, old fields.

Before we left I found an abandoned house. I explored the overgrown garden and peeked into the neglected kitchen. I wished it was mine.

We went home to dinner; Spon forgot to turn on the oven so it was an hour late. On TV Melvin Bragg interviewed Liza Minnelli, and we listened to the first electric guitar by Les Paul on You Tube and the Andrew Sisters sung about a Bugle Boy of Company B (which I love). And the whole evening ended with Jimi Hendrix on the Lulu show…..

That night I dreamt a story which came from somewhere in that day but now I cannot reach it. And so I think the day itself must be the story because it ended with a feeling of fulfillment and happiness.

As I drifted off to sleep, I became aware that I was surrounded by Labrador puppies. The day had been fixed in time. I had seen two places where my ancestors had lived. Sitting empty, now bare ground where the round houses of the fort used to be, and the church at Stotfold, locked and vacant. Once there was once a wedding at Stotfold Church whose families had passed down generations to make me.

So these places contribute to my identity. Today we live unaware that we are the descendents from the old tribes who lived in these forgotten places and once worshipped the Earth Goddess Sennuna. I am aware of my roots, which makes me feel like the luckiest person alive.

Even though awareness of ones ancestral history does not bring material security, I have gained a sense of purpose, of confidence from this day.

Stage Performance Part 2

I booked in to do Luton Head Jam on 5/11/2008. I practiced the same songs as for Bedford and didn't have a problem with them, so I thought I would try again. I reached the venue at half nine, thinking I had 10 minutes before going on. However, Phil's guitar batteries had run out and he hadn't brought it. I decided to fetch my guitar, but on the way back remembered that my pick up was on Spon's acoustic. So I went straight to him and explained the situation. He lent me his guitar so we did not need to fiddle about removing the pick up and fifteen minutes later I was on my way again!

I reached the venue five minutes before my turn, but on opening the case found no strap on the guitar. Undeterred, I got on the stage, and decided to chat to the audience, explaining that I would be sitting down! Phil set everything up for me and I played Dancing in the Shade without a hitch. I warned the audience before going into Cut Me Down, I didn't take it so seriously which took the pressure off. I told how Terry had written this song and I would try to do it justice. I played it, and there wasn't a mistake in it - so different from the week before! I think it may be down to the angle I hold the guitar ' sitting down for that song is definitely easier!!! The third song was Fearless and Wild, which is an old band song. I explained to the audience that, as with so many of our songs, Terry had half written the song and I had finished it.

The audience really seemed to appreciate knowing a little about the songs ' I didn't think they would be listening that much, but it seems this added to the performance. It was unplanned, but it made me feel more comfortable and in turn warmed up the audience.

Later,I joined Acoustic Stage on My Space and booked a space at open mike night in Cambridge. I was a little worried as my voice had all but disappeared earlier on in the week. My boss had brought in a bunch of lilies, and although they were beautiful flowers I suffered a pretty severe reaction as they opened up and their pollen filled the office. My throat was painful and closing up. But that had been Tuesday and the music was on Sunday. I rested my voice up until Saturday, and then tried it out. It was strange; I could get the low notes and the high ones, but mid range was out! On Saturday night I spent an hour playing every song, talking through the lyrics in the Lou Reed way that I use when I have a cold.

Sunday 16th November was a rainy day. I spent the day listening to Transylvanian Folk Music. I knew my throat was still not really up to scratch, but we set off anyway to the Corner House Pub in Cambridge and arrived to a very pleasant welcome. The crew from the pub and Acoustic Stage were very friendly and told us that they had hosted open mike night for only the last three weeks, so everyone was new to it.

Corner House Nov16 08

It was perfect for practicing at playing live, and I had already talked with most of the audience. I tried explaining about my throat and my allergic reaction to pollen. Spon told me later that this had been mis-understood as apparently 'pollen' is another word for hash, so someone asked Spon if I smoked a lot. That's the funniest thing ever!!!!

I thought I would try out a song to test the levels, but the audience was really listening, so I had to do a proper performance. I had actually begun my set without realizing, and did my second song first! Cupboardful of Friends is an old busking song that people keep reminding me about. I wouldn't record it, but its fun to do live.

I had to carry on, so I sung 'Anytime' and completely surprised myself, because when the moment came I sung it when I had intended to do a more talky version to save my throat! (still a bum note or two!) I finished my three songs with Can't Happen ' explaining to the audience that Terry had written this about Chenobyl. I had worried about the end as I leap up the guitar neck at the end and Spon had put a chalk mark on the side of the guitar so that I could gauge my way. That bit went fine and I was so surprised I lost concentration and lost the chord sequence. All I could do was laugh. I am learning not to take it so seriously! The audience seemed to enjoy my spot and as there were only a couple of other acts I said I would go on again as it was great experience.

Droome

The guys on after me were called 'Droome' which is kind of Dutch for 'Dream'. We really liked their stuff. The bass player was excellent and the singer had written the songs and performed them enigmatically. They entertained us with lyrically rich Gothic style songs. It is so good to hear songs that tell stories. They were delivered in a very original style; the singer put his quirky personality into the material, while the bass kept the tunes interesting. These guys had a lot of fun and were tight. They passed on the open mike phone number for Hitchin to me while another guy sung with a drummer on bongos, didn't catch their names, but enjoyed their material as well.

swinging beats

When it was my turn again I scanned through my songs. I chose Diamonds Don't Go and by some sort of miracle got to the end without a hitch. Then I played Crossing over and realized my voice was going! I decided not to worry about it; I was already on the ride! I was doing this second set sitting down as the previous guitarist had, and finished up with She's Gone, deciding to really open my throat and see how far I could get. I survived and realized not be afraid about my throat. My singing lessons with Char are teaching me that breath control is what makes the voice flow, not stressing the throat.

Droome gave another performance after this, and seemed even better. They used poetry from Edward Lear's Owl and the Pussycat and gave a unique performance of their only cover, Born Free. Spon filmed it on his camera, covertly of course, so as not to put them off. I hadn't heard the song since I last saw the film on a British Airways flight from Bangladesh. It was somewhat of an epiphany for me as I had been stuck in Dakkar airport for two days after becoming stranded on the way back from India. I was too tired at the time to see the irony of the situation.

We watched Droome do Born Free on Spon's phone afterwards, but Spon hadn't pressed the stop button so he was unsure if it would be ok for U Tube which is a damn shame as these guys have a strong theatrical presence.

I really enjoyed meeting all the people that night and hope to return to the Corner House again soon. I found performing easier, probably because experience is building up and I was using my own guitar. I also made it clear from the start that I was there to practice. Most of all I got over my shyness about playing in front of Spon.

'Li'll ole me!

Ancestral Sunday

Biggleswade is one of many places that attract me in Bedfordshire. The reason is that this place is associated with my ancestors. Those I knew when they were alive, walked its streets with me and talked to me about the people they remembered from their family, which has become my family history...

Emma with Nelson Street

Emma Bilcock, married name Street

Ada Constance from Biggleswade

Emma Bilcock , born in Biggleswade, the eldest daughter to Sam Bilcock and Mary Ann (Maiden name Boness) married Levi James William Street in the 1870s. They lived and had their first children in Clifton, just outside the town, then moved to Langford when my grandfather, Nelson was a child, then later to Biggleswade. The family home was in Benson Terrace on Shortmead Street, Biggleswade. (No longer there). Sam and Mary Ann Bilcock were known well to my grandfather and great uncle, as they were their grandparents.

Look out for their slippers

Halloween 2008 had just passed and Obama had just been voted in. It seemed to me that this was the time to visit the grave of Sam and Mary Ann Bilcock, my Great, Great Grandparents. My Great Uncle Bill had shown me the grave years ago at the cemetery on Drove Road, Biggleswade. Spon agreed to go with me, we had already visited Streatley, as this is where I believe my surname 'Street' originates from.

The Bilcocks of Biggleswade are another strand. Their surname may have an interesting origin being a coarse name for 'Isabella's Cock' ' which crudely relates to a liaison between a man and a queen called Isabella. Apparently such a queen did visit Bedfordshire to watch the jousting at Dunstable and this area appears to be where the name Bilcock actually originates from. I believe there were Bilcocks around Silsoe, but have no evidence that they are linked to my ancestors at Biggleswade.

I didn't mention this to Spon, but told him about my ancestors, buried in the grave we were about to visit.

Sam Bilcock was well known in Biggleswade, he was one of the earliest members of the Transport and General Workers Union. There was a family story (which may have been a joke) that he preached his politics to the folk of Biggleswade on market day, standing on a stall in the market square.

He had many children with Mary Ann, although he does not seem to have had any brothers and sisters himself. Great Uncle Bill told me that Sam Bilcock's father was called Fred Wade. But when I consulted the records, I found Elizabeth Bilcock, Sam's mother, married James Milton, and this was after Sam was born. The records show that Mary Ann Boness, Sam's wife, was documented as having 'Henry Wade' as her father on their marriage certificate! It is possible that this could have been recorded incorectly, or that Sam Bilcock had decided to tell his grandchildren that Fred Wade was his father rather than his wife's! Uncle Bill looked puzzled when I mentioned this to him, but ironically, when Uncle Bill died it turned out that his real name was Arthur!

My grandfather always told us that Fred Wade was Sam's father but Sam took his mother's surname. Probably born out of wedlock, this could have been why Sam was open to new ideas of social change and was willing to put himself at the forefront of protest and awkward politics. In those times the working classes were supposed to be subservient, uneducated and unquestioning of their lot and being the child of an unmarried woman would have had some social stigma. Sam was a brave man of principles. When the Jarrow Marchers passed through Bedfordshire, he joined them.

I was anxious to get to Biggleswade as the sky was threatening rain and it always rains when I go to Biggleswade. Passing through the cemetery gates and into the area on the left hand side of the entrance, it took me seconds to find the grave. As I leant down to photograph the headstone as the first huge drops of rain plopped around me.

Sam and Mary Ann Bilcock's Grave

I recognize the significance of this grave and feel glad that my Great Uncle had shown me where to find it. Great Uncle Bill did not have children of his own, and at one time played the violin. He was an engineer and would set up a little steam engine to amuse my sister and myself when we were children. My grandfather, Nelson, Bill's younger brother, could fix clocks and watches and spent a whole Sunday once when I was a child explaining to me how a steam threshing machine worked - with diagrams!

Even though my grandfather was not religious, he passed books on to me that were awarded to him from the Sunday school at St Andrews Church. My grandfather attended St Andrews School, the original building was destroyed, although I think the school itself is still in Biggleswade.

We retreated as the downpour turned heavier. At The Red Lion Pub we met the publican and his customers. One had been looking for Sloes around the allotments to make gin in time for Christmas. The evening staff turned up late having overslept and the landlord gave us a coffee on the house as his machine had broken.

We drove back to Luton on dark roads through the flat landscape of sodden muddy fields. We passed through Langford, seeing very little in the rain. I was perplexed because I had written a letter to my Great, Great Grandparents and felt silly leaving it on the grave where it would go soggy. There was no where to leave it, so I decided to blog this day and include excerpts of the letter.

To my Great, Great, Grandparents, Sam and Mary Ann Bilcock,

I visit you here today on November 9th 2008 to respect your memory and commune with your spirits, I pray you are at peace in your final resting place.
The years have flown and your children have begotten children, but I am the last of a twig on your tree. All my life I have carried the words of my grandfather, Nelson Samuel Street, who was your grandson. He spoke of you with the greatest respect as did his brother, Great Uncle Bill. They are dead now, but our link is not broken.

Mary Ann, I was told your maiden name was Boness. I know nothing else about you, only that you were a strong and loving partner. Sam, my family was proud that you were a Union man. Your sense of fairness and politics broadened horizons, not only for yourself, but ultimately for me ' in future times. I want to tell you that the beliefs and wisdom that you planted in your children have endured through the generations.

I guess it would be beyond your wildest imagination that your future family could splinter and disperse the way it has. Now a fourth generation away from you I can see how it happened. It was and still is normal to move to find work. So it made sense for my grandparents to move to Luton with its car factory. My grandparents, Nelson and Lillian Street were the last of my family line to you who knew how to plant seeds and live from the soil. This knowledge is lost to me.

Sam and Mary Ann, even if I do not carry the Bilcock name, you are an important part of my history and I wish you blessings where ever you are.

When I had finished my letter I googled Sam Bilcock ' he appears in Kelly's Trade Directory for Biggleswade in 1898, listed in the commercial list as a Market Gardener located on Potton Road.

There is a mention in the Bedfordshire Quarter Sessions some time between 1825 and 1826 of another Sam Bilcock. The note was about John Medlock, a carrier from Biggleswade, who had grown a 'very peculiar potato, brought by me from Broadwater three years ago'.

The year of his complaint he had grown about 40 bushels. He had not put these potatoes on the market, selling only 2 bushels to Sam Bilcock of Biggleswade the spring before. John Medlock added, 'the produce he told me he still had, not having sold to anybody'. Well, John Medlock buried his potatoes in a pit in a field that he rented in Biggleswade, only to be told by his boy that some were stolen by Jason Dilly and William Arnold. The unusual shaped potatoes were later found at Jason Dilly's father's house.

This Sam may have been my Samuel Bilcock's great uncle. The archive gives a view of the issues that affected rural life and business, even providing insight into diet and how even a potato could become exclusive!

It is possible that Sam may have been named after this uncle and records show the Bilcock family, from whom I am descended, was very much in evidence in Biggleswade during the early 1800's. Also, the Boness surname appears in Biggleswade during this time.

Learning About Stage Performance Part 1

I performed in public only a handful of times before 2008.

When I was 18 I did about 5 gigs with Stranger Station, from Luton, before the drummer and I split from that band. Simon Driscoll the founder member of Stranger Station took me on as the singer, even though I had no experience, and had me gigging after 6 weeks.

It was a crash course in how to work in a band. Our first gig was at the Wheatsheaf pub in Dunstable and I was made to go on even though I was throwing up with nerves in the loo! I remember when the time came to sing, I opened my mouth and hoped the vocals would work! I was disturbed to learn that I was not automatically in tune and had an audience while I was trying to work it all out.!!!!

Our second gig was probably just as awful - we played the Horn of Plenty in St Albans. I had terrible nerves, especially after my previous horrific experience. I remember just going for it even though I was aware that I was out of tune and the band was not really working together. It was a musical version of a rugby scrum. These first two gigs brought home to me the concept of audience appreciation. I realized that there is an expectation from the audience to be entertained and a personal expectation to give ones best, a very difficult thing to grasp and get right, coming from nowhere. Richard Eames was the drummer and jammed with Terry and I some years later in Radlett, and Stranger Station
survives today in a different form, still gigging! I am indebted to Simon Driscoll for starting me off and throwing me in as he did!

Although we were songwriting for many years, Terry and I only did two gigs, near the end of our musical association, around 1992. We had a good band being joined by Richard Squires on the drums and Andy Foulds on guitar, Andy Jolly played the bass. The first gig was at the Hop Pole in Aylesbury and I learned from that not to drink any alcohol before performing. The last gig we did was at Bumbles in Luton. I felt it was time to move on after that, and left Luton.

With no band I decided to learn the guitar and have struggled with it ever since. I learned enough to go busking and played around Exeter and Nottingham, building the repertoire I have today and feeling confident playing on the street or in the subway where few people actually stopped to listen.

In 2000, I performed a few songs on the Band Stand in the park at Belper, Derbyshire, with songwriter Dan Lowe as part of National Music Day.
I enjoyed playing outdoors, but again had nerves as I had never got used to singing to an audience.

So when I met Spon in 2005 I had many songs and was delighted to start a recording project, which has produced two albums a few years later.
However, gaining experience at playing live has been neglected and I realized at this point I would have to have another try at it, if only to promote the albums, which have taken a lot of work from both of us.

So I have headed back to the stage again in 2008 to try to learn again how to make it all work. My first attempt was at the Head Jam night at the Hat Factory in Luton on 16th July. I was petrified, but was reassured that I would receive support from Nemo, the guys running the night. Also the audience was full of people just like me, there to get up and have a go. Participants are allowed to perform three songs.

Headstart project

I have always been aware that my guitar playing is rough to say the least, but I suppose that is my style ' pretty much self taught.
My first song was 'Himalaya', and I thought I did ok, it's got a great vocal line and this is really my area. I knew I stumbled on guitar
a little, but this didn't matter while the vocal was working. I think
it was a good start. The second song was 'She's Gone', its fast and lively, and a new way of performing it actually came from that night.
It seemed to go down well and I couldn't believe it!

I galloped into my third song, 'Amarylis', and that
was the one that let me down! I hadn't had time to practice and it seemed that every time I hit a certain chord, my little finger would not obey! It really put me off and I shortened it, limping to the end like a wounded animal. I was so eager to get off the stage that I forgot to unplug the guitar and was stopped dead by Char from Nemo, who jumped in front of me and said 'Stop' before I damaged anything. So I learned my lesson, to practice like mad 'and maybe that could have been avoided. However, I thought I would go back and try again.

The 24th September was a cold night, I arrived at the Head Jam dressed against the chill, straight from work. I knew Spon was engineering the sound that night and had his camera phone on him. The crowd was more lairy that night too, but that didn't bother me as I practice with the radio talking in the background to get used to distractions.

I was up on the stage almost straight away; I had been standing around trying to gauge how hot it was in the club, I got on the stage wearing my jumper. As I went into the first song, 'Sub Plane High Way',
I knew the jumper was a mistake ' it was HOT. I was feeling uncomfortable, but got through the song ok. I went straight into 'Lately' and during this song I felt my right leg quiver, this had happened before ' (years before in Belper and during gigs with Stranger Station in London), so I shifted my weight to the other leg, but to my dismay, this leg began to shake too. I was trying to keep it all together, absolutely boiling, watching Spon out of the corner of my eye gliding into view with his camera.

With hardly a pause I plunged into the last song, 'The
Awakening' and belted it out to its conclusion wondering if I was going
to collapse. I was really conscious of how big those thigh muscles are as they shivered and shook and I shifted from one foot to the other! I left the stage as quickly as possible, everything had been note and chord perfect, but I was extremely unhappy, my confidence had really taken a knock.

Later we discussed the causes for the shaking and Spon gave me the following advice-

Never get on stage in a jumper (unless it's obviously freezing)

Eat a light meal about an hour or so before (I hadn't eaten for the last 8 hours)

And sit down for fifteen minutes before going on (I ran over to the venue and dashed on to the stage).

I took his advice and practiced hard, to return to the Head Jam for my third attempt on 8th October. I had taken a singing lesson with Char a couple of days before and my throat felt stretched, but not sore. I didn't know how it was going to go. Spon had advised me to talk to the audience more, so I introduced the songs and started with 'Plans that slip' attributing the song to Terry Bartlett who had written it. It went fine, after a false start to get the levels right, there was no shaking and I began to relax into it.
I followed this with 'Crossing over' a very personal passionate
song! Finally I warned the audience that I rarely get to the end of 'Diamonds Don't Go' without a mistake, and sure enough there was a bum note (where there had never been one before!) but it was quickly remedied. I reached the end of the set really pleased that this experience had been so much better than the last!

I was surprised when afterwards a fella stepped from the shadows and I was re-acquainted with Richard Squires, the drummer from the band Terry had put together nearly 20 years before. Now living in Bedford, he was there with his band 'The Nimble Wits' to perform that night. We had lost touch 16 years before. I watched his band play and was really impressed with them. Craig is the singer songwriter and Genevieve is the bass player, and plays violin also.

Over the next couple of weeks Richard invited me to play at the Bedford pub, The Paddington at their open mike night. I took the train on 29th October, a night after it had snowed, and arrived at the station after 9pm. I swallowed back the emotion as I stepped from the train, as a painful memory caught up with me associated with that place. I made a silent prayer for a departed soul and walked down to the pub.

The Nimble Wits were practicing in a back room, so I sat up at the bar to watch the night's entertainment unfold. I was struck by the friendliness of the people, the energy of musicians who are full of joy and life. I began to enjoy myself, losing my nervousness, as everyone was there to have fun.

The open mike night at Bedford's Paddington Pub is more
informal that the Hat Factory in Luton. Because it is looser, there is more opportunity for individuals to get up and jam, should the mood take them. I particularly enjoyed the Jo Jackson cover, 'Is she really going out with him?' played by Ray and Craig on bass - they whipped the song into a place I have never heard it before. It was a spontaneous, dynamic explosion and I realized that I really missed these fantastic outbursts from competent musicians who are clearly enjoying themselves. There was room for everyone that night, the Jimi Hendrix boy, the band called Inspiration, people doing covers, or home penned pieces (even covers of others home penned pieces!) ' They even had room for me.

Craig and Ray

Mr Martinni and Matt Roberts

Craig From Nimblewits

Nimblewits at Myspace

By then I was in the spirit and wanted to give my best. It was time to start and Craig leant me a guitar and put it through the desk. I was introduced, and stepped up to the mike to start, just as I was hit by shyness again! I broke into the first song and wondered at how quiet the vocals sounded.
I thought it strange, but carried on, right up on the mike. I performed 'Dancing in the Shade' ' and thought it went ok, although I could hear the guitar more than the vocals. I paused then went into 'Cut me down'.
A little into the song I realized that the bar chords were sliding out of place and I was concentrating too hard on everything else to get them to sound right.
' I apologized to the audience then went on to hit a bum note, right in
the middle of the song ' it threw me so much, so I sat on it for another bar and picked it up from there. After the song I did say to the audience that they had probably worked out that I was not a guitarist, but a singer. So I finished the set off with 'Fearless and Wild', which went well.

As I left the performance area, Matt Roberts, who puts these nights on, asked me if I had written the songs. This question was really unexpected and I didn't know how to answer in brief! I think I gave a really vague reply! It would have been really long winded to explain that I had written the first one, Terry the second one and we had co-written the third one as he had started it and I had finished it! Spon later said I needed to be prepared for questions such as this!!!!!

I was personally very disappointed with the performance, although it was just the middle song, it spoilt the whole thing for me. I was really upset because Richard had not heard 'Cut me Down' for so many years
' and I had spoilt it.

It also turned out that the mike was turned down so the vocals really had been quiet, and the guitar was up, so it had been the worse possible combination for me as usually the vocals take the audience's attention off of my horrific guitar playing. When I was told about the sound balance I realized that I must have sounded pretty terrible.

I reflected upon what I could learn from all this.

Firstly, for 'Cut me Down', I had not learned the
bar chords properly ' I had missed the problem on my acoustic. So now
I had a challenge to get this song into shape.

Secondly, I realized that Nemo, who run the Head Jam in Luton, are actually the 'Guardians of the Sound Check'. They will not hesitate to turn a knob up or down on an amp, or summon a sound technician if the levels are wrong. At the Paddington it is the law of the jungle! I don't know what the levels are or how the desk works. I realized that when I go there again
I will have to ask the audience for feedback on the levels and hope that someone will adjust the desk for me! I really think the best way round it is to ask ' it wouldn't have saved me from making the bum note, but I may have got off lighter with the crappy bar chords!

Nemo at Myspace

So I felt that the bum guitar chords made my set a disaster, and not asking for a sound check was a mistake ' This was my worst try yet, but oh boy, did I learn a lot!

Putting the disappointment aside, I really enjoyed the hospitality of my new found friends. Everyone who played there or was around the bar seemed like great people and it gladdens my heart to see a thriving community of musicians.
I feel I can return to the Paddington and practice at playing to an audience again. I have a taste for it now, even when I feel humiliated at my weaknesses, I want to go back. I think it is because I love singing, that's the bottom line and I will plod away on the guitar to keep my love alive, and I am learning all the time.

ELLA JO October 2008

Ella Jo's first album Limits of Milkweed is available now purchase here

Taking a Break 2008

Me on the Moors

The summer had been really wet but finally we chose to go to Devon and explore the mighty moors. Our little band was made of myself, Spon and Hughie. We decided to try the 'Camping Barn' experience, due to the magnitude of moisture underfoot.

Our first night was spent in Oxfordshire, near Wantage. The barn had an airy dining hall, with exposed beams and little cosy niches. We were surprised the next morning when we were expected to leave by 10am and they were waiting for us to go! We hoped we would meet nicer people in the days ahead.

We climbed White Horse Hill and theorized about the ancient monument. Picturing a world from long ago, I thought that the outline figure would look amazing up on the hill from below in the moonlight. I felt that the landscape at the hills foot would have been perfect for racing horses, which would have represented a king's wealth and power in those days. But then again, is the figure on the hill really a horse? Close up it could be a dragon! We know that Celtic art included many mythological figures….

From there it was a long ride down to Dartmoor, but we reached Postbridge and found the farm. This place had friendly sheep dogs and feisty sheep!

A couple of miles away we found a stone circle which seemed untouched and serene in the morning dew. This day we explored Dartmoor's ancient history and decided to go to Merrivale. We got soaked, but the walk was very rewarding.

Merrivale Stone Row

Firstly we found the long stone rows, which seemed connected to long forgotten rituals. We passed other stone circles, jumped a swollen stream, as the ford was impassable, then climbed up to Kings Tor, a pile of huge boulders. We sheltered from the rain under the rocks, and then went for a walk over the moor, following a poorly written, outdated guide book.

The boys on the rock

We reached a bridge, a remnant of a long gone railway line, and realized we were lost. The water distorts the landscape, making paths into streams. We realized later that this is how we lost our way, but also that the book would have taken us so far out it would have taken hours to get back.

An aerial mast on the hill enabled us to orientate ourselves. This involved walking across a field, although fields are not what they appear to be on Dartmoor. Foliage fools you into thinking there is solid ground and our boots sank through mud and surface water. Verily it was a bog.

Back at the car we noticed that a mist had descended and inhibited any view of the mast, the key to our safe return. I think they should put up sign posts!

We stopped at Okehampton for fish and chips, then carried on into the night, over the winding roads to Exmoor. Finding the camping barn was a challenge but worth the effort. It became our base to visit Exmoor.

Spon and Chicken

We were curious to visit the Tarr Stepps. This turned out to be a bridge that had been constructed in prehistory and survives today. It was an impressive structure, sitting low over the water, but cleverly built to handle the flow of the river. It gave a clue to the ingenuity of past peoples, evidence of the world as it once was.

Tarr Steps Exmoor

A man asked if one of us could take a photo – we volunteered Hughie who then shot of a group waving their hands in the air along the prehistoric bridge.

On our last day we drove to the coast to explore the coastal paths around Lynmouth. I struggled to deal with the height, but kept up with my friends. The wild goats there seemed not to notice the danger at all!

Spon and Hughie summoning Neptune

We learned that water shapes this landscape, not only on the moors, but in the towns. Dulverton and Lynmouth had experienced drastic flooding in recent history and memories survive today of the suffering this caused. Even the Tarr steps had been washed away during a flood and had to be rebuilt afterwards.

We returned home after exploring this beautiful countryside, wiser for our journey. I promised myself that I would put Lorna Doon on my Christmas reading list.

Spon and Hughie rap on torr

EJ 2008