The English celebrate Burns' Night

On the weekend when Australians have an extra day holiday to celebrate Australia Day, many English celebrate the birth of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, who was born on 25 January 1759. The increasing popularity of celebrating this Scottish tradition in England is matched by the St Patrick's day celebrations in England. Against this, it seems a shame that many traditional English celebrations have all but died out and we don't seem to do much for St George's day or Shakespeare's birthday either.
However, The Mizen Ramblers, never slow to see an opportunity, dusted of their Scottish repertoire and played at two Burns' Nights events. One was for a village association and one for a school Parents Association.
Both events were very well organised and well attended with all really entering into everything, including some lively dancing to the Mizen Ramblers. We started off the evenings with Scottish music as the guests arrived. The band was then well fed while the traditional Burns' Night ceremonies took place. This was followed by dancing to The Mizen Ramblers and the evening was finished off with the singing of Rabbie Burns' Auld Lang Syne.

Piping in the haggis.

'Address to a haggis'

The Mizen Ramblers in action

Dancing to the Mizen Ramblers

The Boodlum Band at The Players Theatre, Thame

The Ian English Boodlum Band are appearing at

The Players’ Theatre, Nelson Street, Thame

Sat 7th February 7.45pm

The Ian English Boodlum Band (Ian English, Adrian Broadway, Dave Reece and Trevor Toms) return with their fast-moving show of offbeat comedy and zany songs. In their opening set they use a backline of ukulele, keyboard, phono fiddle, double-bass and washboard to accompany their songs and humour that will lift your spirits and dispel any January blues that have rolled-over into February!
In the second set they return as rock legends BAM! with their own brand of pulsating, thrusting, hunky, gutsy, ironic R&B - somewhere between rock and a hard bass. Fans travel a long way when BAM! are gigging, although not always in the direction of the gig.
With a show crammed full of comedy, music, magic and wit, you can be sure you won’t leave wanting more!

Tickets £8 (£7) available from: 'Tickets Anywhere' 5 Greyhound Walk, Thame.

01844 217228

Straw Bear Festival at Whittlesey

A very cold Saturday morning saw the Haddenham Hoofers travelling over 80 miles to Whittlesey near Peterborough to take part in the annual Straw Bear feastival.

This festival, following Plough Monday (the 1st Monday after Twelfth Night) dates from when no one quite knows and died out at the end of the 19th century but was revived in 1980. The Straw Bear - a man dressed in a straw costume and his attendant keeper lead a procession of over 250 dancers, musicians and performers from various parts of the British Isles performing traditional 'Molly', 'Morris', 'Clog' and 'Sword'. There is also American style 'Appalachian' dancing, street performances and Mummers plays. A decorated plough pulled by a local Morris side is now a established part of the procession.

Following the procession, street dancing and entertainments take place. Some of the dancers, musicians and entertainers perform in the local halls and pubs.

At the end of the day, the Straw Bear is ceremoniously burned (minus the man inside of course.)

For more information visit http://www.strawbear.org.uk/

https://sites.google.com/site/haddenhamhoofers/

The Straw Bear Procession

The Hoofers danced in the street in the morning with other Appalachian groups. The temperature was -3!

Junior Hoofers braving the weather

How to play the banjo in -3 temperatures, accompanied on guitar by Matt Morton.

After visiting the soup kitchen laid on by the parish church for lunch, The Hoofers spent the afternoon performing in the 'Childers Hall' - slightly warmer!

It was an enjoyable day, particularly when we joined forces with other Appalachian side musicians to play for the dancers.

New Year's Day at the Killy

New Year's Day was busy as usual at The Killingworth Castle Inn at Wootten near Woodstock, Oxfordshire for traditional music and dance. It all started at midday and went on until late afternoon.

Outside were a number of dance sides performing

In the warm bar, a session carried on throughout the afternoon with many musicians taking part.

The session took a brief pause in the early afternoon for the traditional Mummers Play.

The Inn was packed with musicians and others enjoying the traditional new year entertainment.