Redbourn Folk Club, 11th October

Our final current booking of this short 'season' was to support Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher, at the Redbourn Folk Club.

Redbourn is a very friendly club run by Jan Strapp who plays hammer dulcimer beautifully. We had been along to the club in our early, more nervous days, and had been very encouraged and pleased to be invited back to do this support role. Thankfully, having had a couple of good outings recently, and concentrating on a relatively fixed set for a while, we felt much more confident and strong this time around, and I think, did a very good set. The evidence for this is that Jan has intimated getting us back for a full spot at the club in 2008, which is really gratifying and indicates to us the progress we are making - so, thanks to Jan for that.

We also had the chance to meet Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher. I confess I didn't know their music before but will listen out for them from now on. Excellent songs, modern and traditional, voice (and what a voice Dave has!) and squeeze boxes of various sorts - including an electric concertina that can do anything and a harmonium. Bill exhibits a very dry humour and gruff exterior when on stage but is, as is obvious to all really, a very friendly bloke indeed, as is Dave.

We were accompanied by our friend Robert who was able to give us a bit of a critical review, which is what we like to have. And, of course, the benefit of Redbourn for us is that it is 10 minutes and home.