Oxford Fiddle Group in Grenoble, France

I've just returned from a musical trip to Grenoble, France with the Oxford Fiddle Group. We were there as part of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the twinning of Grenoble and Oxford. Our hosts were the " Rigodons et Traditions" - Musique traditionnelles du Dauphine
They made sure we had a wonderful time full music, friendship, food, wine and other activities!

I apologise for so many photos but so much was packed into our stay.
On our arrival on Friday evening, we spent an excellent evening at the home of Christian and Joce Vignon from Rigodons. An unbelievable meal was followed by music and dance.

Friday evening

Saturday, warm and fine was spent playing to crowds at Place de Metz and Rue Poulet in Grenoble.

Place de Metz The Place de Metz performance appeared in the local Sunday paper

Rue Felix PouletRue Felix Poulet performing with Rigodons & Traditions

A big audience at Rue Felix Poulet

All ages getting involved!

Saturday evening was spent with a different group of Grenoble folk musicians. An excellent meal laid on by the rather quaint 'Stop Croc' was followed by a lengthy session. Oddly, George Woodcock, an English man living in Grenoble who organised the session, brought along his son's half size double bass which I used instead of my bass guitar.

The session at the Stop Croc

Some things never change even though the bass is a bit small!

Sunday was a glorious day. We performed in Rue Lafayette and then in Place St Claire

Rue Lafayette

Sunday evening saw us driving out of Grenoble to perform with Rigodons et Traditions at St Jean de Moirans Centre Socio-Culturel. It goes without saying that every performance, indoors or outdoors, daytime or evening had plenty of food and drink to accompany it.

St Jean de Moirans Centre Socio-Culturel

On Monday we were taken up into the Alps for a tour which finished in the Chartreuse cellars for extended tasting! It was at this point that my camera battery died so the only photo taken on Monday was the one below on the tour.

Our final performance was on Monday evening at the Maison des Clubs, Sassenage. The evening started with an Oxford Fiddle Group 45 minute concert and was followed by food, drink and then 'Soiree Folk' avec des amis du Folk de la region grenobloise. It meant lots of people (who had listened to the concert) dancing to music by Oxford Fiddle Group, Rigodons and other local musicians. This was an excellent end to an outstading 4 days.

Oxford Fiddle Group at Dinton Village Hall

The Oxford Fiddle Group are performing traditional songs and tunes from UK, Ireland and the USA at

Dinton Village Hall, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire

Fri 14 November 7.30 for 8pm

Tickets, £10 each, include supper and are available from
Adrian Broadway: adrianbroadway@googlemail.com

Adlington Morris visit Haddenham and Thame

Today, on a glorious sunny Saturday morning Haddenham Hoofers (Appalachian Step Dancers) met touring Adlington Morris Men from Cheshire (http://www.adlingtonmorrismen.ik.com/) for a morning of dance. We started at the village green, Haddenham, Bucks at 10am!

Adlington Morris with Haddenham village green in the background.

Adlington Morris with The Red Lion, Haddenham in the background. Saturday morning seemed to be rather difficult for some Hoofers to make. I was the only one providing the music and a number of dances featured the junior section of the Hoofers.

Haddenham Hoofers with Haddenham village green in the background.

We then all moved on to the busy Thame High Street - Adlington Morris outside Thame Town Hall.

Haddenham Hoofers outside Thame Town Hall. We all moved on to perform outside The Abingdon Arms in Thame before lunch.

Killingworth Castle Session

Last Monday, the first Monday in the month, was the traditional session at the Killingworth Castle Inn, Wootten near Woodstock, Oxfordshire. There's always plenty of music going on at 'The Killy' at Monday was exception.

There was a great variety of instruments and tunes from England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Shetlands, USA, France and Sweden.

The King Stone Rapper side from Chipping Norton called in for a couple of dances in the crowded bar.

The Killy has a great deal of live music going on - mostly folk and acoustic as can be seen from their board in the bar.

Traditional Music for Weddings

Yesterday afternoon, I played as the Mandola Minstrel for a wedding reception at the Oxford Belfry. I was booked to play for two hours after the ceremony while photos were being taken and the guests were drinking in the bar. I've recorded traditional accompaniment to play along to. These sounds come out of a wicker basket at my feet. It's great fun - just like playing 2 hours of traditional tunes at a pub session (well nearly!)

The tunes are early tunes like Kemp's Jig, La Morrisque, The Unquiet Grave, Bear Dance, Horses Bransle; quite a few Playford tunes such as Drive the Cold Winter Away, Grimstock, Newcastle, Argeers, Childgrove, Nonesuch, Parson's Farwell and a few Morris tunes like William and Mary, Constant Billy, Mrs Casey. I also include Oxford/Oxfordshire tunes like Old Tom of Oxford, Molly Oxford, Princess Royal and Old Mother Oxford.

It's a good feeling to play these tunes to an audience that wouldn't normally listen to this type of music.

I was even asked by the bride and groom to have my photograph taken with them!