Winter Warmer Weekend at Ascot Lodge, Acomb, YORK, 25-27 February 2005

Sally Whytehead

Dulcimer Traditions were the theme at this year's Winter Warmer Weekend in York. In its third sucessive year, the York Winter Warmer weekend, ably organised by Jenny Coxon, has started some of its own traditions. This year, after much arranging and rehearsing on the Friday night, we returned to York Minster to perform music such as "The Bells of St. Mary's" and "Ain't Misbehavin'" on the Saturday morning, which went off without a hitch.

Then in the afternoon we were treated to hearing from the players whose traditions were the main focus of the weekend. Representing the East Anglian tradition were Reg Reader and his grandson Tom and from Birmingham we had Fred Woodley and his grand-daughter Laura. They spoke about the history of dulcimers in their areas and how their family heritage was being passed on to Tom and Laura. It was heartening to see these talented young people whose style and technique were already like a mirror of their respective grandfathers. Tom played some traditional East Anglian tunes with an easy assurance and Laura played a composition she had written called Sunrise which was very well received. When Fred and Reg had a go at some common repertoire it turned out they knew slightly differing versions - the folk process in action! This session was videoed by Ron Parker and we plan to make it available to members, we will let you know when it's available.

Further York traditions followed throughout the weekend from the Saturday night 'Easy Peasy' session to the Sunday morning smattering of snow.

On Sunday morning we were treated to learning some East Anglian tunes with Reg and Tom. We were all very interested in the East Anglian tuning as we had not seen it 'in action' before. Reg and Tom had the same layout but Reg was in C and Tom in G. This meant they could sometimes play in different octaves, and the hammering patterns for them playing together were quite different due to the different keys! By the end of the session we were managing to join in the tunes - Jenny has promised to include 'the dots' in the newsletter as they will need some re-inforcing. These tunes will also be on Ron's video so you all can have a go.

In the afternoon we all got our plectrums out - those without plectrums were able to borrow from an assortment including David Thacker's recycled credit card and yogurt pot ones. Laura and Fred illustrated their basic techniques of accompanying a tune with arpeggios which we adapted to cope with the fact that our bass bridge is only a fifth below the treble instead of the Birmingham style of an octave.

Despite the cold wintry weather we returned home later with the warm glow of new friendships forged and old ones renewed, glad in the knowledge that two important English Dulcimer traditions are being carried forward by such able hands.

Thanks, Jenny, for all your hard work!

Note: You'll get another chance to talk to and hear Fred, Laura, Reg and Tom along with Chris Coe and others at the 'Playback Dulcimer Day' on 16th July in Norfolk - see page 8                            

Sally Whytehead

York 2005

Just a few comments to add to Sally's comprehensive report on York (see last issue). Apart from the bitterly cold weather, it was a lovely warm week-end in terms of hospitality and company, and music-sharing. I thought "The bells of St Mary's" sounded just right in the Minster, as the peals echoed round.

Fred and Reg really did entertain us well with their personal dulcimer histories, recounting anecdotes which had us in fits of laughter, and delighting us with their rendering of well-known tunes. It was even more delightful to hear Laura following in Fred's Birmingham style, and Tom in Reg's East Anglian one, both very talented players, and keeping up the traditions. What very different sounds they achieve from such similar instruments - the lovely plucking of Fred and Laura - much like a harp, and the hammering of Reg and Tom, very reminiscent of an old piano, making it easy to hear how the history of the piano and dulcimer are linked.

A hearty thank you to them for sharing their stories and music with us, and enabling us to play along with them. And also to Jenny for organising the week-end again, and Sandra and Ken for their hospitality and keeping us going with those frequent cuppas!"

Christine Smith 

 

Weekend Report - Last updated 7 December 2005