FOLK CAMPS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Professional Live / Studio Musician and Sound Engineer
Andy Glass had a long career as a professional live /studio musician and sound engineer and latterly as a teacher. His wife, Jenny Newman, introduced him to folk music and Folk Camps in 1999 and they have co-staffed at camps ever since. Their approach to music sessions is very much all-inclusive and they are keen to involve all age groups and abilities in the fun. Expect a contemporary approach to traditional music.
Chris first went to Folk Camp as a teenager in the sixties. Since then he has been for many years with his own family and has been a musician at summer camps and short break camps. He has played in several bands, most recently Random Jig and Chesapeake as well as for Morris. Chris was company secretary for Folkcamps for several years and served on council.
Chris has been both a Folk Camp leader and musician, and staffed his first camp in 1979 at the age of 18 as a musician at Cartmel. He has played in and led many bands since then, and is equally at home calling or playing for a 'circuit' ceilidh, or for the local EFDSS group dancing Playford. He mainly plays melodeon at camp, but fiddle was his first instrument and he can often be found singing and playing guitar late into the night.
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- Member of the Council
Clare got introduced to Folk Camps (Loxwood late May weekend 2000 was it?) by her brother Charlie Mee and was hooked immediately.
I just love getting involved and long before I was staff I would run singing workshops at any camp I attended.
I love that mini-community thing that each camp forms - there are often fewer than 40 people at a weekend camp and you're self-catering but it somehow very quickly becomes a temporary community of like-minded lovely souls and often ends up with group meals all round the site.
Colin Hume has been a regular Folk Camper since 1972 and has led a number of weeks in the summer, but as an internationally known caller and dance writer he is particularly suited to leading the Dancers' Weekend - in fact he led the first one. Colin is at home with Playford, American Squares and Contras, Traditional English, and can get by teaching Scottish and Historical Dance. He is keen on the dancers dancing well rather than just scrambling through the dances, and often incorporates dance technique in his workshops at Folk Festivals. Expect some lively dances as well as some stately ones, and probably some of Colin's own compositions.
Jay is a singing teacher, performer and community choir director, so as well as the usual instrumental workshops and Folk Camp ceilidhs she will be running a variety of song workshops at the camps that she leads. See her website at www.verwoodvoices.com
Here is where Jay will be a member of staff this season. Follow the link to find out more.
Jenny is an accomplished fiddle player. She teaches fiddle and violin/viola in schools and workshops. She plays in the ceilidh band 3sticks and is MD of The Big Fiddle Band. Jenny has played at many festivals inc Towersey, Sidmouth and Cropedy. And (for something a bit different), she plays in the prog-rock band Solstice.
Jenny first heard about Folk Camps in 1971 at Datchet Folk Club. One of the other members had attended a camp and told us what a great time they had. Up till then we had spent our holidays at my parents on the south coast, but as we owned a tent we decided to give it a try. And BANG we were hooked for life and I have attended at least one camp a year ever since.
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to meet new people and make new friends. As a warden I find I quickly get to know all the campers by name (and remember them with the help of the attendance list). This helps to make the experience more personal.
My favourite bits of the weekend camps are the Bring and Share Supper and the informal Happy Hour. This is a great way of gathering everyone together on a self catering weekend.
Jon has been folk camping since he was seven years old and his fiddling fame is well-known. He's played in folk bands and groups since his teens and over the years for a wide variety of morris teams in the Bucks and Beds area. Currently he is a member of Pinkers Spinney, The Ozarks, The Concrete Cowboys and a jazz quartet The Longville Hotclub. Jonathan also sings bass in his local church choir. We can expect some spontaneous and exciting sounds when Jon joins his friend Chris to facilitate the music for this camp.
Mic Spenceley is a versatile caller for everything from Playford to ceilidh via American contras and squares. The emphasis of Mic's camps is to give plenty of opportunity for workshop leaders and other callers and musicians to contribute their knowledge and skills.
Moira Gutteridge has been playing for dances for over 30 years along with Peter as 'Dampier's Round'. They have played at all the major festivals, including Whitby, Eastbourne, Sidmouth and Broadstairs, as well as several Dancers' Weekends (including the first one), and other Folk Camps. They are in demand to play for club dances all over the country throughout the year. They run successful music workshops based on their experience both as players and trained music teachers. Moira plays fiddle, keyboard and harp. Their music inspires people to dance well due to the phrasing and rhythm they put into the tunes, as well as the lyrical harmonies written by Moira.
Job Titles:
- Vice Chair of the Council
Peter Gutteridge has been playing for dances for over 30 years along with Moira as 'Dampier's Round'. They have played at all the major festivals, including Whitby, Eastbourne, Sidmouth and Broadstairs, as well as several Dancers' Weekends (including the first one), and other Folk Camps. They are in demand to play for club dances all over the country throughout the year. They run successful music workshops based on their experience both as players and trained music teachers. Peter plays guitar, mandolin, bass pedals and flute. Their music inspires people to dance well due to the phrasing and rhythm they put into the tunes.
Richard was introduced to folk music through Folk Camps. Richard has played accordion in several folk bands including Climax Ceilidh Band, Moltenamba, Meridian and Angles. Before that he played bass guitar and piano in a number of rock bands including Climax Blues Band and Principal Edwards.
Richard also runs the South East London Folk Orchestra.
Back in 2005 I was a refugee from the Sidmouth and WOMAD Festivals. One was cancelled and the other left the town that I live in. I typed "Folk Camp" into Google and up it popped. I arrived with two kids in tow a day late from WOMAD festival and was greeted by the sound of lots of children playing the tune "Jimmy Allen" coming from a large white marquee and a warm welcome from the warden. I'm still coming and I still can't get that tune out of my head. I built up gradually from one marquee week to two and then a couple of bank holiday hall camps as well. I have even managed to persuade my wife to come along occasionally and she's more of a Phil Collins fan.
The kids are still coming too but they have grown up so being the Warden gives me something more to do. It's a great job chatting to folk campers all day and only becomes onerous when it rains or the plumbing fails and I fix it before the campers notice. I'm old enough now to have done my time on the Folk Camps' management committee but still young enough to climb onto the roof of the marquee to fix a leak. My career highlight was working as a grave digger in the hot summer of 1976: a skill that comes in surprisingly useful as a warden. I ride a bike which means I can get round the field in search of volunteers faster, so watch out! I'm also last to bed so know who snores louder than me on the campsite.
As a "Folkie" who can't play or dance, my favourite tradition is the hour dedicated to "song circle" most evenings after cocoa. I don't perform myself but enjoy what my younger daughter calls the "circle of talent". It's a break from the Ceilidh and the bit that's most like a folk club. It's a great opportunity for young people to perform to a friendly crowd. After that I even find I'm in demand on the dance floor once all the good partners have been bagged and someone doesn't mind dancing with my two left feet.
When I'm not helping out the Folk Camps Society I'm a part time cycling instructor working in Primary Schools having taken early retirement on the grounds of laziness. When I'm not on duty I'm out exploring the countryside on my bike or walking the dog. As for parenting, I'm past it.
My Parents took me to a camp at Corfe Castle in the mid 60's. Father lead and mother cooked (and believe me she could burn salad) and by the end of the week most of the tents had been crushed by gale force winds. It was great!
I have only ever catered so I guess I get the most out of seeing people enjoy the food.
I have many favourite parts of Folk Camps, mainly the people who go and the amazing talents they display.
I think the best memory of Folk Camp was when I took an item from everyone's tent and hung them on a very tall tree. And, Oh yes, I also instigated the late night pancake tossing.
I like to just bring my love of food and helping those who want to do the same as caterer. It is amazing sometimes how different people are at the start to when they finish at the end of day.