Not Bad for the First Ten Years

Jenny Coxon - Chairman

The first Nonsuch Dulcimer Club was launched at Glebe House in Cornwall in Spring 1990, but unfortunately the club remained in mothballs. A chance meeting between Janette Hughes from Nottingham, and myself from Oldham in July 1992, resulted, after a lot of hard work on Janette's part, in a weekend gathering at Cromford in Derbyshire in November 1992. At Cromford the original club was dissolved by the existing archive membership and the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club as we know it, was set up. We managed to fit everyone into Cromford for one more weekend in 1993, but then had to move. From 1994 - 1996 the annual weekends were held at Hope, also in Derbyshire, which we again outgrew. This Autumn is our sixth year at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire and it looks as if next year we may need a bigger venue. At theses weekends we have hosted workshops by tutors from all over the world, and featured music from many cultures where hammered dulcimers are important instruments. The success of the weekends has been particularly due to Janette Hughes, Sally Whytehead, Jenny Smith, Dave Clifford, Roger Frood, John Shaw, Roger Nicholson, Alyn Iorwerth and Jill Nicholas.

In some years there have been additional weekend events during the Summer. These have included a weekend in Stockwell hosted by Matt Fox (1993), A day at the Museum of East Anglian Life in Stowmarket organised by George Monger (1994), a Welsh and Early Music weekend at Atlantic College in South Wales arranged by Irene Stewart (1995), three camping weekends at Roger Frood's Dove Workshops near Glastonbury (1996, 1997. 2000), and a week in Ireland at the Boghill Centre in Co. Clare (1998). We have also hosted dulcimer meets at several folk festivals, including Sidmouth, Holmfirth, Redditch, Accrington and Fylde. In the midlands, Sally Whytehead has organised concerts featuring major English and international artists such as Geoff Smith and Viktoria Herencsar.

Noting that the Dulcimer Players News in the USA catered for dulcimers of both types, by 1995 the club included mountain dulcimers. John Shaw and Roger Nicholson have organised events for mountain dulcimer players, offering club members the opportunity to meet and listen to performers including the legendary Jean Ritchie.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of committee members past and present, and others who have given generously of their time, to date we have produced 37 issues of Nonsuch News, (27 issues edited by Kath & Neil Corbett - they need a rest!), 8 Members Directories (produced by Sally Whytehead), and 1 Dulcimer Makers Directory. Thanks also to Chris Fitt and Denise Rudd, our current administrator; they along with Janette Hughes, Sally Whytehead, Jenny Smith, Dave Clifford, have kept membership records, accounts and minutes of meetings. We welcome Julie Beavan to the committee as our new Membership Secretary who will replace Chris Fitt.

We have informal and formal links with like-minded individuals and groups of people all over the world, and through our website (designed and maintained originally by Peter Collinson, and now by Dave Clifford), we are continually making new contacts and helping with enquiries (thanks to Sally Whytehead). Overseas visitors have appeared at festivals, gatherings, workshops and concerts, usually centred around regional groups of the club; some of our members have attended dulcimer evnts overseas and developed individual friendships through dulcimers worldwide.

All this activity has encouraged dulcimer makers to continue developing their skills, and we have been fortunate to have access to the expert advice and practical help unstintingly given by Roger Frood, Fred Woodley and John Crocker. Makers Roger Frood (Dove), and Martyn Bans (Oakwood), ahve given a years club membership to buyers of their instruments.

Jim Couza was one of the driving forces behind the founding of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club, and his playing has inspired many people to own dulcimers and have a go: we wish him every happiness in his marriage to Karen which took place this Summer.

The club continues to attract new members, but we also lose some each year, and although the eastern members group will no longer be meeting for the time being, the south western group is just starting to get going again.

As the 10th year is completed, we can look back with real satisfaction at all our achievements, BUT we look ahead and know that we need new people with energy to carry it all on.

Regional Groups

Eastern: Alec Anness reports that due to lack of members the eastern meets are to finish. Will there now be a surge of interest to start things up again?

Midlands: The midlands region has centred on the Make and Play dulcimers group to which all are welcome. We had a workshop/concert by Dulcemeleos on the Mexican salterio this July. Also last September we had an informal visit from Gufam Sabri, an Indian Santoor player who will be visiting us again this September. We performed at 'Mad March Capers' in Long Marston, and at Alcester town jubilee celebrations. We continue meeting twice a month to learn new tunes and swap ideas.

Northern: It's been a bit quiet at our meets this year, but we've had some great soups! Our dulcimer 'drop-in day' at Fylde folk festival was very successful. We had support from Oakwood instruments and lots of participation from interested festival goers. Thanks to northern member Dick Siddall for liaising with the Fylde committee and making it possible.

Southern: Not a lot happening recently, although it's enjoyable when we do get together. We would welcome input from localish members as to how they would like meets to continue.

South Western: This is arguably the oldest group, since Probus days. Now filled with fresh enthusiasm, we held our first meet in Ian Hay's summerhouse - in winter!

Membership Review

Total Membership (currently paid-up) is 173; HD - 136, MD - 44, non-players - 3

New members since October 2001 - 37, HD - 26, MD - 9

Life members - 6

Standing Orders - 40. This method of paying membership subs is becoming more popular.

Euros - 4 members able to pay 2002 subs in Euros (E10).

Chris Fitt - Membership Secretary

Events

Launde 2001: See article taken from Nonsuch News 4/01

Halsway Manor: See article in Nonsuch News 2/02

Couza Wedding: Jim and Karen were married in June at a beautiful service in a little Methodist chapel. It was lovely to see the joy on the faces of the couple as they said their vows. Jim's long time friend from Germany, Jessica Burri, sang and played dulcimer during the service. The reception afterwards was superb. Later on, the Goose Gridiron Band, with Janet Strapp on dulcimer, played to an enthusiastic gathering.

We took the opportunity to meet up with Jessica the next day at Julia Harris' house in Haddenham where Julia and her family made us really welcome. We enjoyed meeting informally, looking at each others dulcimers, and listening Jessica play and sing for us.

Cork Dulcimer Festival: Out of Obscurity: Discovering the Dulcimer in Ireland. About a dozen Nonsuch Members and their partners mad the trip to Cork. Roger Frood led a workshop about dulcimer construction and maintenance; assorted club members led a 'Meet the Nonsuch Club' dulcimer 'drop-in'; and Jenny Coxon (dulcimer) and Adrian Scofield (Northumberland small pipes) performed at the main concert on Saturday evening. We all enjoyed the event, the venues, the surroundings, and the company. Christie Burns, the instigator and organiser of it all, had persuaded friends and family alike to support her venture. She did a grand job, and we very much hope she will arrange another one next year. NB. This year's event featured HDs only, but that might change in the future.

Sally Whytehead and Jenny Coxon

Financial Review

Our assets in the bank account to date stand at £6616.79. After the balance has been paid for the Launde weekend we would expect to have about £2320.00. A more comprehensive statement will be available later in the year.

Chris Fitt and Jenny Coxon

Future Developments

Application for Charitable Status - some concerns have been expressed on the committee about the viability of becoming a charity at present. The composition of the committee is likely to change in the near future as several people are stepping down. New members need to be established on the committee before taking on extra responsibilities. For the time being we will assess the situation before proceeding any further

 Sally Whytehead

Services to Members

Newsletter

Members Directory

Dulcimer Makers Directory

Instrument Loans

Small Library

Website

I have tried to present as complete a picture as possible in our first annual review. I hope I have not overlooked anyone or anything. I'm sure someone will let me know if I have!

J.M Coxon NDC Annual Review. 01/03/02

 

Last updated 13 December 2002