Newsletter

SHEFFIELD - EDALE RAMBLER

FOLK TRAIN

NEWSLETTER

January 2012

The Folk Train is sponsored by The Rambler Country Hotel, Edale, Hope Valley and High Peak Community Rail Partnership (HVHPCRP), and Northern Rail. Performers are organised by Gerry Bates of The South Riding Folk Arts Network.

The Folk Train runs on the fourth Tuesday of each month (not necessarily the last Tuesday!), departing from Sheffield (platform 7 - please do check!) at 1914 (7:14pm) and returning on the 2128 (9:28pm) from Edale.

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Deliberate mistake!

Did anyone spot the fact that I seemed to be over-eager for this year to start? Apparently we'll have two December issues of the Newsletter this year, the first having already appeared - at the end of 2011!

Last month - The Sheffield Folk Chorale

What a difference from the previous month! Admittedly the number of performers was a factor but this was probably the most chaotic Folk Train we've ever had, both on the train and in the pub. It wasn't helped by the train not turning up in Sheffield until we were due to depart - more of that below.

Nevertheless, the magnificent harmonies of the Sheffield Folk Chorale shone through - if that's the right metaphor! With only a proportion of the full choir, of course, we were still treated to an impressive presentation of unusual carols and other Christmas songs, once choirmaster Graham had organised his troops into the available spaces.

The return journey - with mainly the more well-known carols - gave the audience the chance to join in and this they did with great gusto!

View the slideshow.

The next outing is on 24 January with Toein' in the Dark.

It's a long time since Toein' in the Dark last appeared so I was pleased to run into Andy Hoult at the Crucible last year, when he offered the group's services and reminded me of their existence.

A combination of excellent singers and musicians (guitar, harmonica, fiddle, mandolin, djembe, whistle, recorder and accordion) who frequently found themselves on the same bill in the 80s and eventually got together, with a particular emphasis on playing for worthy causes. Their motto is "If we like it, we'll play it".

See them on MySpace.

Chaos ahead!

As anticipated in the last Newsletter, with our train now consisting of four coaches instead of two, we left from platform 7 instead of 2C. There was something of a first - of great assistance to Folk Train followers - when we appeared on the electronic departure boards, thus:-

However, despite the fact that it said "On time", the inbound train arrived within a minute or two of its departure time and, in fact, departed a few minutes late. This made things very difficult for me and such a large group of performers because all our audience was trying to get on board at the same time.

I have previously arrived at platform 2C at around 18:40, soon after the train had come in from Manchester, giving me plenty of time to decide on a location for the performers, put my flyers out on the seats and get the band settled. Unfortunately, from the start of the new timetable in mid-December, it's been timed to arrive at 19:06, only 8 minutes before departure, which will mean that, even if it's on time we will probably face most of the sort of chaos we get at Edale station on our return journey!

From my point of view, not a very satisfactory situation, unless I can persuade people to hold back until the band is in place. What do you think are the chances?

Folk Train guidelines:-

Revenue Protection
As it is now a regular exercise on the part of Northern Rail to make a platform ticket check, bear in mind these simple guidelines:

Don't come at the last minute
Buy your ticket at the ticket office - or in advance at thetrainline.com.

Folk Train Etiquette
During performances – on the train or in the pub

please refrain from talking loudly – it spoils the enjoyment of others
try to limit your trips to the bar, etc, to the intervals between items.

Unsubscribing To have yourself removed from the circulation list, just send an email to newsletter@folktrain.org.uk with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.	Folk Train information and lots of pictures of past outings are available at www.folktrain.org.uk
	If you have any suggestions for inclusion in this Newsletter or for the Folk Train programme, please send them to gerry@folktrain.org.uk Please don't 'Reply' to this Newsletter

See you on the Folk Train

Gerry Bates
12 November 2011

Revenue Protection As it is now a regular exercise on the part of Northern Rail to make a platform ticket check, bear in mind these simple guidelines:

Folk Train Etiquette During performances – on the train or in the pub

Revenue Protection
As it is now a regular exercise on the part of Northern Rail to make a platform ticket check, bear in mind these simple guidelines:

Folk Train Etiquette
During performances – on the train or in the pub