The Mersea Session

Scottish Night Tonight!

2012-01-26T09:12:00.001Z

Colin Westgate: Images of Iceland - Saturday 28th Jan

2012-01-25T23:02:00.004Z

Scottish Night - this Thursday

2012-01-23T09:39:00.002Z

2012-01-12T22:18:00.001Z

Support the RNLI while celebrating Burns Night in traditional fashion:

Scottish Night - Thursday 26 January

2012-01-09T17:14:00.001Z

Happy New Year! The first special session of 2012 will be Scottish Night. Thursday 26 January. Not quite Burns Night. But almost!

Let's see how many Scots tunes and songs everyone can come up with.

Christmas Session 2011: III

2011-12-25T00:09:00.002Z

Happy Christmas everyone!

Christmas Session 2011: II

2011-12-24T13:07:00.000Z

Christmas Session 2011: I

2011-12-23T10:15:00.001Z

First video of last night's wonderful Christmas Session. More to follow in the next couple of days:

Christmas Sing-along Session - tonight!

2011-12-22T08:27:00.000Z

Tonight! Christmas Sing-along Session at the Coast Inn. Words provided. Mulled wine available. A great way to gear up for Christmas. 8 pm.

The Twelve Accordion Days of Christmas

2011-12-16T14:14:00.000Z

There's a different Christmassy accordion video appearing each day in the run-up to Christmas on the Black Diamond Accordions Blog . Some surprisingly diverse choices in store.

Christmas Session - next Thursday, 22.12.11

2011-12-15T12:04:00.001Z

Don't forget to come on down to the Coast Inn next Thursday night for a rousing sing-along Christmas Session. If you came last year you'll know what fun it will be. Wordsheets will be provided (if we can find the box from last year, which we haven't seen since we moved house!!)

Regatta Christmas Ceilidh - 10th December 2011

2011-12-14T00:22:00.001Z

Another triumph of Mersea music-making. Lots of photos going up on this page over the next few days.

Thursday 1.12.11

2011-12-13T23:48:00.001Z

Christmas Ceilidh tickets . . .

2011-11-09T14:44:00.000Z

. . . are on sale now and selling fast, so get yours soon! Available at the MICA or at this Thursday's Session.

Folk Radio UK

2011-11-09T14:37:00.000Z

Folk Radio UK plays non-stop Folk, Roots, Indie and Alternative music. It's completely free to listen , although the station relies on the good-will of listeners to make voluntary donations which provide the main source of funding.

Regatta Christmas Ceilidh

2011-10-25T21:26:00.000+01:00

OK, it's still only October, but it's always a good thing to look ahead. Especially as the busy Christmas season marches inexorably towards us.

So here's advance notice of this year's Christmas Ceilidh at the MICA on Saturday 10th December, featuring The Regatta Ceilidh Band - aka Liz, Tom, Ian, Gary, Adrian, Barry and Greg, with John doing the honours as caller.

If you went along last year you'll know how much festive fun is on offer - not just the liveliest dancing and music on the island, but a fantastic hot supper and as many mince pies with cream as you can eat. This year's Christmas Ceilidh promises to be even bigger and better. So put the date in your diary NOW. Tickets will be on sale at the MICA soon.

The Session's 2nd birthday - 20.10.11

2011-10-21T20:57:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Chrissie for these pics from the Session's 2nd birthday celebrations. I've posted some others HERE .

Obituary: Ian Seager, Musician, 1942-2011

2011-10-19T12:42:00.000+01:00

As we approach the Mersea Session’s second birthday, it is sad to report the death of one of our few founder members, Ian Seager.

It was a near-empty Coast Inn that hosted our first session in October 2009, when Ian drove all the way from Chelmsford to attend, with Fred Field from Tollesbury. We had a pretty sparse evening until the doors burst open and in walked the Ragged String Band, and the party started.

Ian spent much of the winter months in Malta - he didn’t ‘do’ cold - but when he was at home, he was a regular at Fred’s United Brethren Tuesday evening session in Chelmsford. Before he retired, Ian ran a successful office cleaning business in Chelmsford, employing over 50 people at one point.

Ian said some very kind things to me about my playing and about our session. He declared one particular session, about a year ago as the best session he had ever been to, and I’m not aware that accolade was topped during his last year. He was very kind to Juliet and me in facilitating a short break in Malta last spring, where we stayed with his great friend Joe Grimshaw, but we were to be Joe's last visitors, as he died a short month later, which greatly saddened Ian.

Ian really loved his music-making and played his Polkawerk melodeon with great drive and enthusiasm. Although an infrequent visitor to the Coast session, he is greatly missed at the United Brethren, and it is the mark of the man that the fund that his friend Fred Field has set up in memoriam, which will go the stroke unit at Broomfield Hospital (which looked after Ian so well during his last hours), has topped £270 at last count. I have put in a contribution from his friends at the Coast Inn.

RIP Ian

Greg

Session's 2nd birthday - Thursday 20 October

2011-10-17T12:47:00.000+01:00

Don't forget that the Session is 2 years old this Thursday!

Please come along and help us celebrate.

15 October 2011 - FWMPC fundraiser

2011-10-17T12:45:00.000+01:00

Four members of the Session were invited to perform at a fundraising shanty evening in aid of Friends of West Mersea Parish Church , which opened with an entertaining talk on the history of sea shanties by Keith Lovell , continued with a delicious seafood supper, and ended with a good hour's-worth of shanties and sea-songs by our very own John, Bill, Barry and Greg - all on extremely fine form. The whole programme was enthusiastically received by the large (and keenly participatory) audience, and the evening's contribution to the restoration project was well into four figures.

Announcing the forthcoming launch of Black Diamond Accordions

2011-10-06T16:04:00.002+01:00

Shameless bit of commercial advertising follows:

If you've been to the Thursday Session since August, you may have seen Greg playing a Black Diamond Accordion.

Black Diamond Accordions is Greg and Juliet's new business venture, which will be officially launched on 11-14th November at the Accordions International Festival 2011, Seacroft Holiday Village, Hemsby, Norfolk.

Following a trip to China earlier this year, to visit one of the oldest-established accordion factories, Greg struck an exclusive deal to import and sell a range of accordions in the UK, under our own Black Diamond Accordions branding.

Using Italian reeds to produce an excellent tone, these are high-quality, well designed instruments at extremely affordable prices.

We're currently busy building our website and online shop, designing the catalogue, and organising photoshoots, videos and sound recordings. The website will be launched later this month.

Meanwhile, we are keeping everyone up to date with what's happening by posting news on the Black Diamond Accordions Blog .

There's also a Black Diamond Accordions Facebook Page and you can follow us on Twitter, too, @.BDAccordions.

We'll be selling Black Diamond Accordions via our online shop and at accordion festivals and other events, rather than in traditional high-street music shops, so the faster and louder we can get the new name out there in the big wide world, the better.

Simply by 'liking' our Facebook page, following us on Twitter and telling your friends about Black Diamond Accordions, you will be helping us to spread the word!

THANK YOU! Juliet and Greg xx

FWMPC Sea Shanties, small talk and Sea Songs, Saturday 15th October

2011-09-14T16:35:00.001+01:00

This will be a fun evening. Keith Lovell is hugely knowledgable about the history and origins of sea shanties and a highly entertaining speaker, too.

Musical 'illustrations' will be provided by a small invited group of 'Coast Inn Players', and there will be an audience singalong session after the seafood supper (which is included in the ticket price, together with a glass of wine).

(If you love sea shanties, see previous post (below) for news of another local event of interest.)

Harwich Shanty Festival - 7th-9th October 2011

2011-09-14T16:33:00.000+01:00

If you enjoyed our own (damp but joyous) Shanty Night in Mersea Week, you'll love the Harwich Shanty Festival, which offers three whole days of music and nautically-themed events.

Details below (click on pics to enlarge) and further info and full programme is available on the festival's website .

Regatta Christmas Ceilidh, 10th December - a clarification

2011-09-12T20:47:00.000+01:00

Unfortunately, a misprint has occurred in the current issue of Mersea Life, which lists the Friends of West Mersea Parish Church Christmas Carols Evening as taking place on 10th December - at the same time as the Regatta Christmas Ceilidh!

This has understandably caused some consternation amongst those who were hoping to go to (or indeed perform in) both events.

However, please note that in reality there is no clash of dates.

The FWMPC Christmas Carols Evening, featuring Vocalise and the Moondance Band will be taking place on Tuesday 20th December. See the FWMPC website for full details of the carols evening, and watch this space for additional info about the Christmas Ceilidh.

The Mayor's Musical Extravaganza - Saturday, 29th October 2011

2011-09-08T19:49:00.000+01:00

Last year, as you may remember, the Mayor of West Mersea, Cllr John May - a long-time loyal supporter of music at the Coast Inn - 'borrowed' the Session one Thursday in October, as part of his mayoral fundraising initiative in support of two special charities close to his heart: Essex Air Ambulance and St Helena Hospice. The event was a huge success and contributed towards the grand total of £4,500 which John presented to the two organisations earlier this year.

For 2011, John is once again harnessing some of the cream of Mersea's musical talent to raise money for his chosen charities, but this time it's being held at the MICA and will take the form of three distinct sets performed by Vocalise, the Moondance Band, and Blackwaterside (the poster says 'Coast Inn Players' but this is a misprint).

So please put it in your diary and support the Mersea Music Extravaganza on 29th October. Tickets £10, available from the MICA, or from Marion at the Coast Inn on Thursday nights.

Sea Shanties, Small Talk and Sea Songs - Saturday 15th October

2011-09-08T16:21:00.001+01:00

Friends of West Mersea Parish Church are holding a shanties evening in St Peter's Church Hall at 7.30 pm on Saturday, 15th October.

The Revd Keith Lovell - a renowned expert on the subject - will be giving a fascinating talk about the origins of sea shanties and songs, with amusing anecdotes and amazing facts, accompanied musical illustrations by a small group of musicians.

Tickets are £10, available from the Church Office, and include a seafood supper.

There will be a chance to join in with some well-known shanties in a rousing singalong after the meal.

If you enjoyed Shanty Night at the Coast Inn last month, then you'll enjoy this!

And while on the subject of the excellent fundraising work of Friends of West Mersea Parish Church, just a reminder that a good-quality DVD of the Friends' inaugural concert "All That Is Mersea" - opening with shanties sung by a group of Coast Inn Players, followed by sets by Cafe Musica, and Vocalise (led by Caroline Laver) - can be purchased for £10 at the Art Cafe or at the Coast Inn on Thursday nights (speak to Greg or Juliet).

Yet more musical diary dates following soon!

Mersea's Christmas Ceilidh 2011 - Saturday 10th December

2011-09-08T15:17:00.000+01:00

Advance notice of this year's Mersea Christmas Ceilidh, which will be held in the MICA Centre on Saturday, 10th December, at 7.30 pm. Tickets will include a hot supper, and there will be a bar and raffle.

Fast-paced music by the Regatta Ceilidh Band (aka our very own Session musicians Liz, Sue, Tom, Ian, Gary, Adrian, Barry and Greg). Caller - who else but our very own John Leyland?

If you enjoyed taking part in or watching the dancing on the car park on Regatta Day last month, then do come along on 10th December and bring your family and friends. Children of all ages welcome. A great family night out to start off the festive season.

All profits will go towards funding next year's Song and Dance event at the West Mersea Town Regatta.

More musical dates for your diary coming soon . . . .

Thursday 1.9.2011

2011-09-06T22:17:00.000+01:00

Pics this week mostly by Iona.

Good to see so many musicians there - although inevitably the sheer numbers meant that turn-taking took ages to go round the table. Still, swings and roundabouts. And maybe that's the joy of Thursday nights at the Coast Inn - you just never know who'll be there or what'll happen!

West Mersea Regatta Song & Dance 2011

2011-09-06T20:30:00.000+01:00

Not a Coast Inn event, but since so many of those who took part are musicians and supporters of the Thursday Session and/or Moondance Club, I've put a gallery of pictures from this year's Regatta Song and Dance on its own page HERE .

Coast Inn featured in Essex Life magazine

2011-08-31T13:57:00.000+01:00

See page 103 of this month's Essex Life magazine for a 'Me and My Local' piece about the Coast Inn, as described by Mandie Holgate.

There's a nice mention for the acoustic evening, 'which is great fun', and Moondance Club, and a plug for Regatta Day too (. . . 'live music' and 'bands' and a 'great atmosphere' . . .)

Thursday Sessions - business as usual from this week onward

2011-08-29T17:34:00.001+01:00

Apologies to musicians and audience alike for the blip that occurred last Thursday at the Coast Inn, when there were no reserved tables or seats available for musicians. Half a dozen players who couldn't get in held an impromptu session elsewhere and others simply went home. A select band who did manage to secure seats entertained the expectant audience for the evening, so hopefully people who stayed didn't go away disappointed at the end of the night, but it was an unfortunate turn of events nevertheless.

Belinda has apologised for the breakdown in communication which occurred on a particularly busy day at the Inn, and all is set for a return to normal service this week.

So do please come along to play and listen this Thursday as usual. With so many people coming back from their holidays now, hopefully we will have a really good turnout and a resumption of the kind of lively session we all enjoy.

A letter from the RNLI to everyone who supported Shanty Night

2011-08-29T17:18:00.000+01:00

Shanty Night Photos

2011-08-22T23:04:00.000+01:00

I've put Shanty Night photos on their own page HERE .

And there are more, taken by Patrick Higham and Sheelagh Ross, on Flickr, HERE .

If anyone else took pics at Shanty Night I can add to the collection, do please email them to me.

Massive thanks, again, to Belinda and Tim of the Coast Inn for hosting the whole event; to the staff at the Coast Inn; to all the musicians who - as always - gave so generously of their considerable individual and collective talents; to Anthea from the lifeboat station for lending the banners and bunting; to Hattie and Iona for selling the songsheets; to Tig for coming all the way from Australia to be our official photographer and to everyone who braved the torrential downpour to come along, listen, join in, dance and contribute so many £££££s to the RNLI.

Let's do it all again next year!

Shanty Night - sound recording

2011-08-22T21:29:00.000+01:00

HERE'S A RECORDING of Shanty Night kindly made by Patrick Higham, who runs the wonderfully comprehensive Essex Live Music website.

It features Greg's intro and Billy O'Shea, John's A-Rovin', Barry's first hornpipe medley, Caroline singing The Mermaid, Liz's version of Pay Me My Money Down and Adrian's Little Boy Billy.

Shanty Night 2011

2011-08-22T16:42:00.000+01:00

Thanks to all the brave people who turned out to support this event despite torrential rain during the first half of the evening. Sales of the songsheets plus donations raised £300 for the RNLI.

Huge thanks to Belinda and Tim for organising the marquee and for being such perfect hosts.

Hope everyone's up for doing the whole thing all over again (only even better!) in next year's Mersea Week.

Photos here soon.

Thursday 11.8.11

2011-08-22T16:28:00.000+01:00

This week's photos all by Tig Martin:

SHANTY NIGHT - TONIGHT!

2011-08-18T15:00:00.000+01:00

WRAP UP REALLY WARM - IT'S GOING TO BE A BIT CHILLY IN THE MARQUEE!

Shanty Night - 18th August: your chance to name the song/s you want to perform

2011-08-10T21:25:00.000+01:00

A list of songs for inclusion in the songsheets on 18th August will be circulating at this week's Session.

If you will be there, please feel free to suggest additional songs for inclusion, and also put your name down for any song/s you'd like to lead, or perform as a solo (though be prepared for audience participation in the chorus!)

For those who can't make it to the Coast Inn tomorrow, I'll be publishing a list of everything that's going in the songsheets (which we'll be selling for £2 a go to raise funds for the RNLI) here over the weekend.

Please do get in touch by email email or via the Facebook page as soon as possible if you want to add anything or claim a favourite song to perform, as I'll be typing up all the lyrics and printing out the songsheets early next week.

Colchester Free Festival - 27th August

2011-08-10T21:13:00.000+01:00

Colchester Free Festival is looking for volunteers to help on 27 August in the Castle Park, Colchester. See their website for details.

Thursday 4.8.11

2011-08-08T22:13:00.000+01:00

Shanty Night - Thursday 18th August 2011

2011-08-04T18:36:00.001+01:00

Only two weeks to go until Shanty Night!

Resounding success though last year's was generally considered to be, this year it will be EVEN BETTER!

To avoid the space and access issues we experienced in 2010, this year's Shanty Night will be held in a marquee in the Coast Inn car park.

There will be ample space for musicians, and amplification for individual solo items, while retaining an authentic aucoustic ambience for the community-singing numbers. Hopefully everyone who wants to join in with and listen to the music will be able to find a seat in or around the marquee from which they can enjoy the evening, and access to the bar will be easier, too.

Absolutely everyone is welcome to come along and join in.

Entry is, of course, FREE, but word-sheets will be available for £2 - all proceeds to the RNLI.

Posters and fliers will be available at the Session tonight and next Thursday - do please take some and help to publicise this special Mersea Session event.

Regatta Song and Dance update

2011-07-19T20:17:00.000+01:00

Great response to last week's call for musicians to take the stage at Regatta Song and Dance on 20th August - thanks all, your enthusiasm, time and talents are very much appreciated.

There's going to be a really rich variety of high quality entertainment for everyone at the Coast Road car park all afternoon - not just music, but storytelling and drama too, maybe even a fire-eater!

Still a few places left, though, so please do drop me an email if you're at all interested.

STOP PRESS: exciting news - One-Drum have agreed to start the whole proceedings off with - quite literally - a BANG! This will be a brilliant way to kick off Song and Dance 2011. They'll probably be starting at noon, but watch this space for definite info soon.

One Drum Music and Dance from one drum on Vimeo.

Calling all musicians . . .

2011-07-13T18:05:00.000+01:00

Saturday 20th August is West Mersea Town Regatta Day and last year the first ever 'Regatta Song and Dance' event was held on the Coast Road car park, providing free, family-friendly, land-based entertainment between the end of the Watersports and the start of the prizegiving and subsequent firework display.

The brainchild of Regatta Commodore Chrissie Westgate, Song and Dance 2010 was a huge success, with Coast Inn Session musicians joining forces to create 'The Regatta Ceilidh Band' for the Ceilidh.

To further enhance what will already be a much upgraded 'experience' for the punters this year (more local crafts and nautically-themed stalls, more sideshows, more purveyors of food and drink, etc) we are looking for musicians, solo or in groups, who fancy taking the stage (and it will be a real stage this time) for an informal half-hour (or even 15 minute) acoustic slot.

Very light amplification will be OK, so long as the basic overall effect is acoustic (we have promised the Regatta Committee that the afternoon's entertainment will not clash or compete with the Watersports commentary - they were there first, we are the new kids, so must fit in around the existing arrangements).

The Song and Dance proper kicks off with the children's dancing display at 5 pm, followed by the Ceilidh at 5.30. So we're looking for people to fill informal half-hour slots from midday onwards.

I have a timetable and a few slots are already booked but there are still plenty to spare (despite what you may have read in Mersea Life Magazine). So if you would like to have a go, or know anyone else locally who would, please drop me an email, or see me at the Session.

Any genre of singing and playing is welcome. Or dancing. Or juggling. Or magic. Or fire-eating. Or indeed any other kind of entertainment. It doesn't have to be nautically themed and you don't have to dress up as a pirate (unless you want to!) The only stipulation is that it must be strictly 'family friendly', so no post-watershed or otherwise 'inappropriate' lyrics please.

Regatta Song and Dance is a 100% community event, by the community for the community. No-one gets paid - it's all done for fun and love and in celebration of our island's unique ambiance. Do come and join in.

Look forward to being overwhelmed by volunteers very soon!

Juliet

PS - the Session email list is looking rather out of date. If you are a regular or occasional Session musician and didn't receive an email about this, please drop me a line with your contact details and I'll add you to the list.

"All That Is Mersea" dvd on sale on Thursday nights

2011-07-06T07:30:00.000+01:00

The 90-minute dvd of the "All That Is Mersea" concert will be available to buy at the Session on Thursday nights from this week. Price £10, or £8 for people who performed in the concert. All profits to Friends of West Mersea Parish Church.

All That Is Mersea concert update

2011-07-05T20:50:00.001+01:00

The 'All That Is Mersea' concert in aid of Friends of West Mersea Parish Church, in which session members - or the 'Coast Inn Players', as they were styled for the evening - sang a selection of rousing shanties, gets good coverage in this week's Courier, with photos by Chrissie Westgate forming the centre spread.

DVDs of the concert are now available at £10 (or at a great concessionary price for performers).

See the FWMPC website for details or email info@fwmpc.org.uk to reserve your copy.

Thursday 30.6.11

2011-07-01T13:37:00.001+01:00

A really cracking and highly eclectic session this week. The wealth of musical talent gathered on a Thursday night just grows and grows. Great to see some musicians who haven't been along for a while, and also to welcome Jose on the piano, who went down a storm and we really hope to see him back at the Coast again soon. Thanks to Iona for taking some of the pics.

Commercial Break - Bill Kitchen

2011-07-01T11:37:00.001+01:00

When Bill Kitchen turns up at the Coast Inn on a Thursday night, it's as though an entire coachload of musicians has arrived. Not only does he usually bring one or more of his talented Brightlingsea compatriots with him, but a collection of instruments so diverse one can only wonder how he can squish them into a single vehicle, let alone play them all. But play them he does. Is there nothing this man cannot pluck, bang, blow or scrape? Though I don't think we've ever seen him at the keyboard ( have we?).

In addition to being a one-man folk band, Bill can sing and Bill can act (as those of us who enjoyed his Alf Doolittle in My Fair Lady earlier in the year will testify), and now this man of many parts has launched himself in yet another guise - as a qualified reflexologist. And it is as a slightly accidental but very grateful beneficiary of his healing ministrations that I have interrupted this otherwise non-commercial blog to advertise Bill's new enterprise - Sole Sensations. Put your feet in a safe pair of hands!

Thursday 23.6.11

2011-06-29T14:16:00.000+01:00

'The Coast Inn Players' and 'Vocalise' at the FWMPC launch concert

2011-06-20T15:38:00.001+01:00

Photos by Chrissie and Colin Westgate.

See also the video of the event below.

If you didn't go to the launch concert, but are interested in supporting West Mersea's historic church, you can join the 'Friends' via their website - leaflets are also available in the church porch. The initiative is all about maintaining the church as a building, for the island and its community. You don't have to be a member of the congregation, or a churchgoer, or a believer at all to join in - it's for anyone at all who cares about protecting Mersea's architectural and aesthetic heritage for future generations. Future musical events in the fundraising campaign will be listed on the News page here.

Friends of West Mersea Parish Church Launch Concert

2011-06-20T12:57:00.001+01:00

Here's a video of this wonderful event, which starred some of our favourite Mersea musicians - from our very own 'Coast Inn Players' singing shanties, to Vocalise, in a truly triumphant debut public performance. You'll get an idea of the eclectic array of musical talent on display - as well as the rapturous audience reception - from this brief medley.

Altogether a superb evening's entertainment and a highly effective way to launch this very worthwhile initiative. More info about the aims and objectives of the 'Friends' on the FWMPC website here.

Friends of West Mersea Parish Church - launch day and evening concert

2011-06-13T22:12:00.000+01:00

Reminder about Saturday's launch of Friends of West Mersea Parish Church - a fundraising initiative to save and restore this historic building for future generations.

Local musicians - including a group from the Coast Inn Session, as well as Vocalise - have been invited to perform in the concert that rounds off the day's events, and the programme includes:

7.30 Coast Inn Players

7.50 Cafe Musica

8.15 Break, Morris Dancing, Wine

8.45 Organ recital

9.00 Vocalise Choir

9.20 Cafe Musica

Here's the appeal's official video:

And here's a taste of Cafe Musica, aka James Weaver and Peter Banks, introduced by Steve Rice:

Thursday 9.6.11

2011-06-13T21:45:00.000+01:00

Hello Åland Islands, hello World!

2011-06-08T23:26:00.000+01:00

Never let it be said that the Mersea Session is a parochial little institution, unheard of outside Essex, let alone the UK. Oh no indeed - far from it. In fact, as our Cluster Map (which usually lives down at the bottom left of the page) reveals, this website has been visited by fans from 42 different countries!

Current Country Totals

From 30 Jun 2010 to 3 May 2011

United Kingdom 2,145
United States 80
Europe 66
Russian Federation 13
Germany 11
France 9
Australia 9
Canada 7
Ireland 5
India 5
South Africa 3
Poland 3
Malaysia 3
Mexico 3
Italy 3
New Zealand 2
Spain 2
Belgium 2
Taiwan 2
Philippines 2
Denmark 2
Saudi Arabia 2
Ukraine 2
Switzerland 2
Netherlands 2
Sweden 1
Finland 1
Aland Islands 1
Norway 1
Czech Republic 1
Portugal 1
Singapore 1
Vietnam 1
Brazil 1
Chile 1
Palestinian Territory 1
Pakistan 1
Georgia 1
Bulgaria 1
Turkey 1
Malta 1
Morocco 1
Austria 1

Yes, OK, it might just conceivably be the case that one or two of those were inadvertent visits - accidental landings from unlikely Google searches - but nevertheless it is rather heartwarming to know that there are individuals somewhere out there in Morocco, Bulgaria, Taiwan and the Åland Islands, who have, albeit fleetingly, caught a glimpse of Mersea life.

(NB 'hits' on Cluster Map represent visits from each different ISP per day, so multiple pageviews by the same user aren't counted, and hence our visitor total should not be too skewed by, for example, thrice-hourly gazing at photos by the lovelorn or the narcissistic amongst our readership.)

Food, Drink and Leisure Festival 2011

2011-06-08T22:32:00.002+01:00

The third Mersea Island Food, Drink and Leisure Festival was a huge success, with an estimated 6,000 visitors over the two days. The crowds were particularly in evidence on the Sunday, when, just like last year, the weather was much kinder than on the Saturday - the sun shone, and people packed the lawns, eating ice-creams, drinking Mersea beer and enjoying the entertainments on both the main stage on the top arena and in the 'acoustic tent' on the lower lawn. Members of the Coast Inn's Thursday Session and Moondance Club contributed to much of the weekend's music-making, with Liz doing a fantastic job organising sound for the whole event, as well as performing with Blackwaterside.

Here are some pics of musicians at the Festival by Chrissie Westgate, with ten of mine tagged on at the end (have finally found my camera, previously believed lost in the move - hooray!):

Mersea Island Food, Drink and Leisure Festival - 28/29 May

2011-05-27T13:43:00.001+01:00

A reminder about the Mersea Island Food, Drink and Leisure Festival at the Vineyard, East Mersea this weekend. If you haven't been in previous years, do try to come along - entry is free and there's masses of parking space. If you have been before, then you'll know that (come rain or shine!) - it offers two really great family days out, and a celebration of the best of our island life.

In addition to showcasing local food and drink producers, there's a wealth of stalls, displays and demonstrations covering every aspect of Mersea's rich past and present. You can see the full range of attractions on the Festival's website.

A major part of the weekend's enjoyment is provided by the singers, musicians and dancers who perform throughout event on both days. Many Session regulars will be appearing on the main stage (see below for listings), and this year, in addition to the music on the main stage on the top lawn, on the Sunday there will be an 'Acoustic Tent' on the lower lawn. All musicians are invited to come along and play/sing for as long as they wish - just as on a normal Thursday night at the Coast Inn.

So whether you're a Session regular or not, if you plan to visit the Festival on the Sunday, then do take along your instrument (or voice) and give the Acoustic Tent a whirl. It may be that the event attracts audience and musicians who haven't experienced the Mersea Session before and will be inspired to come along on a Thursday night.

In order to drum up some more support for Thursday nights, the following flier will be available at the Acoustic Tent for people to take away:

Here's the list of who's playing on the main stage at the Festival (all times are approximate):

Saturday 28th
11.00-14.00 Blackwaterside, Moondance, Arran, Josh Wilson and Guests
14.00-14.30 Mersea Dance (30 mins)
14.30-15.30 John Leyland (30 mins) and Guests (30 mins)
15.30-15.50 Alimah Dance (20 mins)
15.50-17.00 Al and Tony

Sunday 29th

11.00-14.00 Blackwaterside, Moondance, Lantern Band and Guests
14.00-14.30 Zumba, Carol Irvine (30 mins)
14.30-14.50 Hymns Singalong (with Greg on midi accordion) (20 mins)
14.50-15.30 Paul Kiff (40 mins)
15.30-16.00 Ellie Scrivener (30 mins)
16.00-16.20 Alimah Dance (20 mins)
16.20-17.00 Verão (with Helen Abbey) (40 mins)

(Great to see some new faces down at the Coast Inn last night, and special thanks to Barry for accompanying Bill in 'I'm Getting Married in the Morning' - one of Mr Kitchen's show-stealing numbers from Brightlingsea Operatic Group's recent production of My Fair Lady. )

Jazz on a Summer's Evening

2011-05-26T14:49:00.000+01:00

The Friends of Peldon Village Hall have asked us to let you know about their forthcoming event starring some favourite local musicians:

"The Crissy Lee Quintet featuring Helen Abbey as guest vocalist will be performing an open air concert at Brickhouse Farm in Peldon on Saturday 25th June. Tickets are £10.00, which includes a hot supper. There will be a licensed bar. Doors open 7.00pm. All proceeds go to Peldon Village Hall rebuilding fund. Please come and join us for a great evening of jazz."

Call Bob Holmes on 735510 to reserve a ticket.

MIPS and MIYPS Open Day - 4th June

2011-05-25T19:47:00.003+01:00

I've been asked to help publicise the Mersea Players' Open Day on 4th June - your chance to find out more about the island's drama group, which welcomes new members of all ages and relies on volunteers to help with every aspect of their regular productions.

It's not just about performing - there are opportunities for people with all kinds of skills to contribute - including musicians and those who fancy helping out with anything from sound and lighting to carpentry and make-up. Full details below (click on image to enlarge) - do pop along to see what's going on.

Regatta Song and Dance - 20th August

2011-05-24T20:23:00.000+01:00

Further to the news of this event listed in the last but one post, here's the flier which has just been produced today (click on image to enlarge).

Many thanks to Leafy for the lovely illustrations.

Copies will be available at the Food, Drink and Leisure Festival this weekend to give Song and Dance a bit of advance publicity, and then, nearer the time, it will be delivered to thousands of homes on the island and in surrounding villages, as well as being displayed on lamp-posts and in shop windows, etc etc.

If you would like copies to distribute at a local event, club or workplace, do please drop me a line.

Mayor's Charity Presentation - Thursday 19 May

2011-05-24T00:14:00.002+01:00

Mayor John May (newly re-elected to the council by a resoundingly large vote, and made Mayor for a second term - congratulations John!) - took over last Thursday's Session to use it as the focus for his presentation of cheques to the two charities for which he worked so hard to raise funds in his first term of office - St Helena Hospice in Colchester, and Essex Air Ambulance.

Through his efforts and those of many willing volunteers who freely gave their time and talents in support of the Mayoral fundraising initiative - including our own 'Mayor's Session' on 11 November last year , as well as a Ball at the MICA Centre and a lunch at the Titash Indian restaurant - a grand total of £2,250 was raised for each of the good causes.

Representatives from the charities and other specially invited guests were present to enjoy songs and tunes requested by John and Marion and played by some of the Session's regular musicians. The presentation of cheques and subsequent speeches were followed by a splendid buffet laid on by Belinda and her team, and another musical set rounded off the evening.

Thanks to Megan Ranson for the photos above.

Back online!

2011-05-23T22:40:00.001+01:00

Greetings from your Webmistress - and apologies for this site having been moribund for such a long time. My excuses include pressure of work, moving house and office and, more recently, the lack of a resident babysitter on Thursday nights, so I haven't been down to the Coast Inn to enjoy the music for months and months.

(Whatever excuses your Session attending Webmaster might muster for not having left the odd post here during my absence remain to be seen . . . but he too has been busy at work and moving house, not to mention writing a regular column in Coast Road's esteemed free magazine, Mersea Life , editing the newsletter of a sailing club the name of which is best not so much as whispered on this island, as well as helping to organise Mersea Week . . . so we'd better let him off, I guess.)

Attendance on Thursday nights has been thin at times in recent months, but nil desperandum - it's not the only local session to experience a bit of a dropping off of late, and some are putting this down to the recession, others to winter blues, yet others to the fact that one simply has to keep reinventing and re-publicising these things on a regular basis in order to keep people's interest from waning.

So let's look forward, not back, and get on with imparting some news of upcoming events:

MERSEA FOOD, DRINK AND LEISURE FESTIVAL - 28TH/29TH MAY

If you haven't been to the Food, Drink and Leisure Festival before, then do put the dates in your diary and go along next weekend - it offers two really great family days out, and a celebration of the best of our island life. In addition to showcasing local food and drink producers, there's a wealth of stalls, displays and demonstrations covering every aspect of Mersea's rich past and present. You can see the full range of attractions on the Festival's website.

A major part of the weekend's enjoyment is provided by the singers, musicians and dancers who perform throughout event on both days. Many Session regulars will be appearing on the main stage (see below for listings) - indeed if you live on Mersea you will probably have noticed (how could you avoid it?!) the delightful visages of our very own beloved Ian, Tom and Greg gracing every telegraph pole and shop window.

This year, in addition to the music on the main stage on the top lawn, on the Sunday there will be an 'Acoustic Tent' on the lower lawn. All musicians are invited to come along and play/sing for as long as they wish - just as on a normal Thursday night at the Coast Inn. So whether you're a Session regular or not, if you plan to visit the Festival on the Sunday, then do take along your instrument (or voice) and give the Acoustic Tent a whirl. It may be that the event attracts audience and musicians who haven't experienced the Mersea Session before and will be inspired to come along on a Thursday night. For more information about the Acoustic Tent, speak to John Leyland, or contact the organiser of the Festival, Bev Perkins, on info@mersea-fdl-festival.com or 07912 582030.

Here's the list of who's playing what on the main stage (all times are approximate):

Saturday 28th
11.00-14.00 Blackwaterside, Moondance, Arran, Josh Wilson and Guests
14.00-14.30 Mersea Dance (30 mins)
14.30-15.30 John Leyland (30 mins) and Guests (30 mins)
15.30-15.50 Alimah Dance (20 mins)
15.50-17.00 Al and Tony

Sunday 29th

11.00-14.00 Blackwaterside, Moondance, Lantern Band and Guests
14.00-14.30 Zumba, Carol Irvine (30 mins)
14.30-14.50 Hymns Singalong (with Greg on midi accordion) (20 mins)
14.50-15.30 Paul Kiff (40 mins)
15.30-16.00 Ellie Scrivener (30 mins)
16.00-16.20 Alimah Dance (20 mins)
16.20-17.00 Verão (40 mins)

FRIENDS OF WEST MERSEA PARISH CHURCH - LAUNCH EVENT 18TH JUNE

The beautiful, historic Church of St Peter and St Paul has stood in the West Mersea village centre for many centuries and is a well-loved landmark for the local community and visitors. The cost in both time and money to preserve, maintain and develop this ancient Grade1 Listed Building is high and it is no longer possible for the congregation alone to fund.

The Friends of West Mersea Parish Church is a group of interested people from the wider community - from all denominations and none - who wish to support and maintain this wonderful, ancient Mersea building.
FWMPC are holding a Launch Event on Saturday 18th June which starts at 2.30 in the afternoon and carries on into the evening. Admission to all parts of the day is free - details on their website and on the poster here . John Leyland and Greg are among those taking part in the 'Entertainment' at 7.30, which also includes some Morris Dancing and a talk on the history of shanty singing.

SHANTY NIGHT - THURSDAY 18TH AUGUST

Last year's Shanty Night at the Coast Inn happened on a wing and a prayer, and was held indoors owing to weather too inclement and draughty to allow for al fresco musicmaking. It attracted far more people than we'd ever anticipated and as a result, despite being jolly lively, highly memorable and ultimately quite exhausting, it was at times too much of a squish for musicians and audience alike, and there were moments when general rowdiness and a clash of interests between musicians and drinkers threatened to get a little bit out of hand. Luckily it was on balance considered a great success, but lessons were learned and plans for big improvements this year are under way.

These plans include a marquee for performers and dedicated music-loving audience and an outdoor bar (leaving the indoor bar free for dedicated musically indifferent drinkers); more amplification for performers; audience song-sheets with the words of popular shanties and sea-songs; and using the event as a fundraiser for the RNLI, those stalwart volunteers from the Mersea community on whom so many rely.

Updates on all details and plans will be posted here as soon as finalised. But please be reassured - if your playing was drowned out last year, if you wanted to join in but didn't know the words, if you didn't have enough room to breathe, or if, indeed, you couldn't get into the Coast Inn at all . . . . then don't despair! It will all be better organised this year and better geared to the needs of all those attending.

So stand by for an evening of nautically-themed music making to remember!

TOWN REGATTA SONG AND DANCE - SATURDAY 20TH AUGUST

Last year's Regatta Song and Dance was in many ways experimental - there had been those who said 'it'll never work' and those who said it would prove unpopular or even a health-and-safety hazard, and those who simply weren't at all keen on the idea of a non-boaty event at the Regatta for people who don't wish to, or are unable to, join in with the sailing and watersports that are central to the day. But, in the face of at times seemingly insurmountable setbacks - some almost at the last minute - Commodore Chrissie made it happen- and, as the photos prove , it was a rip-roaring success enjoyed by all who took part.

Post-match analysis by a group of those involved in the organisation and production of the event revealed that a steep learning curve had already been scaled but that our collective experiences, together with feedback from others who took part and watched (both locals and visitors from afar) highlighted some areas which needed improving for 2011 and others which were so successful that they needed expanding and enhancing for Song and Dance's second year.

Because the Watersports are the central waterfront attraction of the afternoon and include some entertaining (and often quite noisy) amplified commentary, the main musical events - children's dancing display, the ceilidh and the set by Blackwaterside - can't officially kick off until the Greasy Pole Competition - the grand finale of the Watersports - has finished, which will be at around 5 o'clock.

However, from noon onward, the car park on Coast Road will be full of interesting stalls, refreshments and attractions (this year with a very much more local flavour - featuring island charities, organisations, craftspeople, traders and purveyors of delicious food and drink) and the stage will be set up, so it's been decided that acoustic musicians should be invited to 'busk' on the stage to entertain those whose attention is not turned towards what's happening on the water.

This will have to be on strictly acoustic basis (or very nearly so), as it must not interfere with or override the Watersports commentary (otherwise we'll be in trouble with the Powers That Be on the Regatta Committee Boat). Obviously this does not offer 100% ideal conditions for music-making, but Ellie Scrivener played in the afternoon on an informal basis last year, which went down very well, so if you're interested but unsure, do speak to her about it. We do think it could work well for the right kind of performers, or we wouldn't be suggesting it!

This year, although it will be nice to give the appearance that everything is very casual and informal, we're taking bookings for half-hour slots between 1 and 4 pm. So that's seven half-hour slots up for grabs. All kinds of music welcome - it doesn't have to be nautically themed at all, although if it is, then it will make the intriguing Mermaid on Stilts feel at home! If you're interested, please drop me a line to discuss and/or book a time to play.

And it goes without saying that the more people of all ages who turn out to support Regatta Song & Dance, the merrier. It really is a terrific afternoon's fun.

The children of MIYPs will be showing off their hornpipe-dancing skills to some well-known maritime tunes, as well as performing a routine to music from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. The popular Eighteenth Century Pirates will be gathered once more, joining in with the Ceilidh and generally lending a bit of nautical 'heritage' to the proceedings. 'Blackwaterside' will be rounding off the early evening with all our favourite tunes from the Session - from Rolling in My Sweet Baby's Arms to Wild Rover.

And then after the prizegiving for the day's sailing races and watersports, there will of course be the traditional and very spectacular firework display.

****************

I think that's everything for now. Please get in touch if there's anything you'd like to publicise here and I'll do my very best to oblige.

Visit again soon for updates on all the above - and more.

Thursday 27th January

2011-01-23T14:10:00.000Z

200 traditional tunes listed here for starters: http://www.rampantscotland.com/songs/blsongs_index.htm .

(Belated) Burns Night Session - Thursday 27th Jan

2011-01-21T22:41:00.000Z

OK, it'll be a couple of days late, but we're making this coming Thursday's Session a special Scottish-themed evening in honour of Burns Night. So come along and sing, play or listen to all manner of Scots songs, tunes and recitations. You might even feel inspired to dress in Caledonian fashion!

(Sorry about lack of recent updates - no cameras in evidence the last two Thursday nights!)

Happy New Year

2011-01-07T21:32:00.000Z

The first Session of 2011 offered a cheering end to an otherwise dull, grey day. Very good to see the return of some musicians who hadn't been along for a while, too.

Christmas Session

2010-12-28T13:23:00.000Z

Thanks to all who came to the Christmas Session on 23rd - an evening entirely comprising Christmas songs and carols. There was a lovely big audience, in fine voice and festive good humour, and a great collection of musicians who played their hearts out.

No photos, I'm afraid, because nobody brought a camera!

Special thanks to John Leyland for running the whole show, to the Laver family and the Young family for their special contributions, to Barry for letting us sing his own carol (it'll be in the song-books next year, Barry!), and to Belinda for the mince-pies and nibbles. As John said at the time - let's hope we've started a new tradition. It was such a wonderful way to start Christmas.

Christmas Session this Thursday!

2010-12-20T10:50:00.000Z

Come along for a festive sing-song from 8 pm at the Coast Inn on Thursday 23rd. Lots of traditional carols, and other seasonal songs and tunes. We're printing songsheets with all the words so everyone can join in. John Leyland is MC for the night, so musicians please contact him in advance, if possible, if you have a party-piece lined up, or speak to him at the beginning of the evening. Mince pies and mulled wine will be available. Should be a great atmosphere - don't expect a Silent Night!

More press coverage

2010-12-17T07:06:00.002Z

There's a write-up of the Mayor's Session in this month's Mersea Life magazine.

Special thanks are also due to Ralph, proprietor of the Estuary Life group, for his generous donation of one of the top prizes in the Christmas Ceildih raffle.

Christmas Ceilidh pics . . .

2010-12-16T22:01:00.002Z

. . . are up on their own special page

(PS if you or anyone you know took pics at the Ceilidh, do please email them to me so I can post them up here - the more the merrier)

Ceilidh thanks

2010-12-15T20:55:00.001Z

Thanks to everyone who came to the Christmas Ceilidh on Saturday - a resounding success in every way. More than 100 people bought tickets, and were rewarded with a hugely entertaining and enjoyable evening. We made a very respectable profit, too, which will be put towards next year's Regatta Song & Dance event. Feedback from those who attended has been unanimously positive. Shall we do the whole thing again next Christmas???

Massive thanks are due to all the musicians - Liz, Ellie Scrivener, Ellie Smith, Tom, Rick, Adrian, John and Greg - who gave their time and talents so willingly and to such brilliant effect. Was there ever such a dynamic ceilidh band in the history of ceilidhs? And thanks also to those who were missed out of the roll call of gratitude on the night but without whose behind-the-scenes hard work the evening would never have happened - including Victoria, Maria, Hattie, Jessie and Iona; to Leafy and Colin for their festive displays of greetings cards and calendars; and to the local businesses and individuals who very generously donated prizes for the raffle. Thanks also to the MICA staff, to Kim for the delicious food, and to the Mayor, John May, for drawing the raffle.

Pics here very soon . . . .

Hey! A Ceilidh is a Barn Dance!

2010-12-07T15:49:00.000Z

Seems a large number of people on Mersea didn't know that!

(As soon as it was explained, they bought tickets.)

So we have written the words 'Barn Dance' in large red letters on the board we've put up on the Strood advertising this Saturday's . . . .

Some tickets still left at the MICA, and I'll bring some along to this Thursday's Session.

Thursday 2.12.10

2010-12-07T15:39:00.001Z

Despite the bad weather and atrocious road conditions last Thursday, the Coast Inn was pleasantly full, and seven musicians turned up (including Kim, who manfully struggled over to the island from D'arcy) to entertain us. With the Christmas decorations up, snow glinting outside, and a roaring log fire, it all made for a very warm and cosy evening, and the music was as varied as ever and even included some early Christmas carols. Here are some pics by Brian. I still haven't had time to sift through the 45,000 that Iona took, but will soon . . .

Press coverage and other news . . .

2010-11-30T14:01:00.000Z

Good coverage of the Mayor's Fundraiser in this week's Mersea Courier. There's a full write-up on page 4 (with colour photo featuring Ellie, John and Barry) and then a centre-page double spread of Chrissie's lovely monochrome shots from the evening (and a bit of a 'spot the hand' quiz, but no prizes).

All good publicity for the Session, the Coast Inn and the Mayor's charity fundraising initiative. We also have a new regular slot for the Session on the 'clubs' page, towards the back of the paper, which will give people who don't use the internet an opportunity to read about what's going on each month.

And there's also an ad for the Christmas Ceilidh! Which reminds me!!! Please buy your tickets for this SOON (from the MICA or at the Session this Thursday and next). We really need to sell as many tickets as we can in order to make a profit on this one, so please galvanise your family, friends and neighbours and support this festive community event ('by the community, for the community') if you possibly can. It'll be a very reasonably priced evening out, amongst a friendly crowd, and the perfect antidote to Strictly Come Dancing!

Finally, it's Mersea Lights Up this Friday (3rd Dec) at the MICA at 6.30 pm. Father Christmas will be arriving in his sledge, accompanied by a torchlit procession of children from the school. The Mayor will be switching on the lights. And Greg will be accompanying the community carol singing on his fantastic organ-effect midi accordion (which has to be heard to be believed!). There will be charity stalls, mulled wine and mince pies, too. So do come along and join in.

CHRISTMAS CEILIDH

2010-11-24T13:37:00.000Z

Get your tickets for the fabulous Christmas Ceilidh now!

If you enjoyed the Regatta Song and Dance back in the distant warm days of summer, then you'll LOVE Mersea's Christmas Ceilidh on Saturday 11th December.

And if you didn't catch the singing and dancing in Mersea Week, then come along and see what you missed!

The Regatta Ceilidh Band (aka the Session's very own Liz, Greg, Tom, Rick and Adrian) will be providing the foot-stomping music, with John Leyland calling. And Ellie Scrivener will be offering a 'musical interlude' while everyone eats, drinks and gets their breath back for the second half of the evening's dancing.

Ticket price includes a hot supper and mince pies. There will be a bar and a raffle too. And we're hoping that Father Christmas might even put in an appearance. Altogether a festive, fun and family-friendly evening's entertainment at a very reasonable price.

All proceeds will go towards making next year's Regatta Song and Dance even bigger and better, with more singing and more dancing, as well as the popular 18th-century pirates, plus children's activities, stalls for Mersea artists, craftspeople and charities, and nautically-themed sideshows.

Tickets £6 adult, £3 children or £15 family (2+2) include a delicious hot supper and mince pies, are available at the MICA, or from Juliet or Chrissie Westgate.

Please tell your families and friends - and BOOK NOW TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

Mayor's Fundraiser photos II

2010-11-16T14:00:00.001Z

Here are photos taken by Chrissie Westgate at the Mayor's Fundraiser. More in Gallery II.

(To order high-quality prints of any of these photos, ring Chrissie on 01206 384315 - what a great Christmas present idea!)

Mayor's Fundraiser photos I

2010-11-16T13:22:00.000Z

Here are photos taken on 11 November by Juliet Young. Lots more in Gallery II .

Mayor's Fundraiser . . . .

2010-11-13T11:24:00.001Z

. . . . raised a total of . . . ..

£616 !

Mayor's Fundraiser: a resounding success!

2010-11-12T11:38:00.000Z

Another Message from your MC: To last night's performers: Thank you, thank you, thank you! Was there ever a night quite like it? Flawless performances from start to finish, platinum quality entertainment, everyone playing at the top of their game, singing and playing their socks off for two very good causes, job done! It is such an honour to play with such a brilliant bunch of super-talented musos, we really did make heavenly music last night. Greg

Looks like the evening raised in excess of £500 for the Mayor's charities, so huge thanks to all performers and the lovely paying audience, and for donations and raffle prizes given.

Lots of photos coming in already. A few are up on the Facebook page by way of a preview. All the rest will be posted here and in Gallery II over the next few days. Meanwhile, here's one of the 'official' ones by Chrissie:

Mayor's Fundraiser - a message from your MC

2010-11-09T10:19:00.000Z

Sorry about the late notice, but that pesky work life has got in the way of my musical activities!

On Thursday, it would be great if the musicians/singers can arrive about 7.30pm, so that you can be seated and watered before kicking off at 8pm. We are trying to keep the 'session feel' but also managing the evening so that we can get the maximum number of performances in.

I am arranging the seating/layout with John and Marion on Thursday morning, and we'll organise a seating plan so every musician will have an allocated place. There will be limited amping up, as we can't hook up so many instruments/voices, but there will be a vocal mic and a single instrument channel if the performer prefers it. I do have a list of songs/tunes and will let each performer know a couple of songs in advance of when they're on. There will be a raffle during the evening and another break, and we should wrap up before midnight.

So, no worries, I'm sure everyone will enjoy the evening, and let's hope we raise as much money as possible for John's chosen charities! Greg

(NB audience tickets for the Mayor's Session are now SOLD OUT, and owing to strictly limited numbers (for safety and fire etc reasons) admission on the door on the night without a ticket will not be possible.)

Thursday 4.11.10

2010-11-09T10:10:00.000Z

Photos by Juliet Y and Brian. More on the Gallery II page.

Thursday 28.10.10 - Session's belated birthday celebrations

2010-10-28T10:06:00.000+01:00

Barry's come up trumps with some photos from the Session's First Birthday celebrations, postponed from the week before:

Thursday 21.10.10

2010-10-22T09:41:00.001+01:00

Photos by Pete and Hilary. More in the new Gallery II page.

21st October - the Session's First Birthday!

2010-10-16T17:32:00.001+01:00

Come and celebrate 12 months of musicmaking at the Coast Inn next Thursday.

Here are some pics from Session Number One, in October 2009.

. . . what a difference a year makes!

Thursday 14.10.10

2010-10-16T16:20:00.000+01:00

This week's photos are by Brian (using his mobile phone) and me (with my poor, ailing Canon) . . . so absolutely no prizes for quality, but hope they capture the spirit of the evening. Several notable regulars sadly missed, but really great to see so many new faces round the table. Lots more on the Gallery page.

David Britton's Session sketches

2010-10-16T15:21:00.002+01:00

Mersea artist David Britton and his wife Rachel are frequent visitors to the Session. You may have noticed that David usually has his sketchbook and charcoal at the ready. He recently allowed me to scan some of the drawings he's made on Thursday nights - and here they are:

David is best known for his wonderful large-scale landscape oil paintings, of which the one below was a finalist in the Daily Mail 'Not the Turner Prize' competition 2003, it's entitled 'Low Tide, Mersea Island':

You can see more of David's paintings at the Art Cafe , where a book featuring his poems and paintings is also available.

(On Saturday 12th February next year, David's sequence of readings and music - "The Land and the Sea" - will be performed at St Peter's Church, West Mersea, with Greg and John Leyland, amongst others, providing the music. More details on the News page in due course. )

Thursday 7.10.10

2010-10-16T15:13:00.000+01:00

Ceilidh Club at Langenhoe Village Hall

2010-10-06T18:23:00.000+01:00

John Leyland has asked us to let everyone know about the Ceilidh Club held at Langenhoe Village Hall on the second Friday of each month. The next one will be this Friday, 8th October.

It runs from 8.00pm - 11.30 pm. Tickets cost £8.00, including food. There's always live music to dance to and the caller is, more often than not, Mr Leyland himself! All are very welcome.

Future Ceilidh Club meetings will be listed on the news page here and also on the Mersea Island Live Music website.

The Moondance Club

2010-10-06T14:42:00.000+01:00

(click on pic to enlarge)

Tickets . . .

2010-10-06T11:50:00.000+01:00

. . . for the Mayor's Fundraising Session on 11th November are selling out VERY FAST. If you need audience tickets (£4 each), please see me at this week's Thursday Session - it may be your very last chance to get into this sell-out special Session!

. . . for the Christmas Ceilidh at the MICA Centre on Saturday 11th December, with the 'Regatta Ceilidh Band' (aka Liz, Greg, Tom, Rick and Adrian)', and John Leyland (caller) are now available. I'll be bringing them along to Thursday Sessions every week, and they'll soon be on sale at the MICA Centre or from Chrissie Gamble. Adults £6, children £3, family ticket £15. Ticket price includes a hot supper, three hours of lively dancing, and a musical interlude with Ellie Scrivener. There will be a bar and a raffle, and all profits will be going towards making next year's Regatta Song & Dance even bigger and better.

The Moondance Club

2010-10-06T11:42:00.000+01:00

Important diary date: Announcing the launch of Ian's new "Moondance Club" this Sunday, 10th October, in the restaurant at the Coast Inn. 7-10pm. Entry free.

Three hours of relaxed jazz for a Sunday evening. Ian on piano, Tom on bass and Rick on drums, with Ian, Caroline, Anna and others on vocals. Other musicians will be very welcome, but please contact Ian in advance to book your slot - this isn't a come-along-and-play session like Thursdays, but a little more structured and rehearsed.

Do come along and support this exciting new venture. Hopefully it will be a fortnightly event. More news here soon.

Thursday 30.9.10

2010-10-01T21:18:00.000+01:00

This week's photos are all by Juliet Young. More on the Gallery page.

Update on the Mayor's Special Fundraising Session - 11th November

2010-09-29T21:50:00.001+01:00

The Mayor and Mayoress, John May and Marion Jarvis, have come up with lots of ideas for 11th November, including some special requests for their favourite songs by particular musicians, which they will make known to those people in person.

The Mayor will outline the kind of evening he envisages during the interval at this week's Session. For anyone who won't be there, a summary of the issues discussed at today's meeting can be found on the Facebook discussion page .

Audience tickets will be on sale at the Coast Inn from Thursday onwards at £4, all proceeds from which will go to the Mayor's special charities, Essex Air Ambulance and St Helena Hospice.

There's going to be a raffle on 11th November, too. John is asking local businesses for prizes, and has already received some generous offers (eg a meal for two at one of Mersea's favourite restaurants). But so that the raffle table is absolutely laden on the night, how about everyone involved donating something - even something very modest? - perhaps a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine or beer or bubble-bath, a home-made cake, a jar of marmalade, a pot-plant, an unwanted gift. Let's see see what we can come up with to make a really good display and sell the maximum number of raffle-tickets.

Hope all the regular musicians and audience will feel inspired to come along and help make this a really memorable one-off fundraising night for two charities especially dear to local hearts.

(If you're not a musician and fancy helping with a bit of organising on the night (furniture shifting, selling raffle tickets, ushering people to their seats, etc), please let me know.)

Thursday 23.9.10

2010-09-25T20:23:00.002+01:00

This week's pics are by Juliet and Juliet. As usual - a few tasters here and lots more in the Gallery .

The Mayor's special Charity Fundraising Session - 11th November

2010-09-20T09:30:00.000+01:00

Update on Greg's announcement following a meeting with Belinda: The Mayor's Charity Fundraising Session on 11th November will take place in the restaurant and tickets will be £4 (available from the Coast Inn from 1st October, or on the door).

All proceeds will be split between the Mayor's chosen charities - Essex Air Ambulance and St Helena's Hospice - both of them very popular and immensely worthy local causes.

John May has been one of the Session's most loyal and regular supporters right from the start, so please do come along and support his charity fundraising initiative in return. A raffle will be held - all donations of prizes, large or small, will be very welcome. And any other ideas to maximise the fundraising potential of this special Session will gratefully received. (Email us or leave a message on the Facebook page.)

(NB The front bar will be open, free of charge, as usual, for anyone who simply wants to go to the Coast Inn for a drink and not take part in the special Session.)

Harwich Sea Shanty Festival 2010

2010-09-19T22:41:00.001+01:00

Free open air entertainment, concerts, music sessions, classic boats, traditional maritime crafts, Napoleonic displays, pub sessions and singarounds - absolutely masses going on over the weekend of 8th-10th October. See the Festival website for full details.

Annual Chelmsford Morris Ceilidh

2010-09-19T22:37:00.000+01:00

I've been asked by Bob Sawyer of Chelmsford Morris to give this one a plug:

Thursday 16.9.10

2010-09-18T10:20:00.001+01:00

This week's pictures are by Peter and Hilary. A selection below - lots more in the Gallery .

Roman River Festival 2010

2010-09-18T08:33:00.000+01:00

Quick plug for the eleventh Roman River Festival, with ten concerts of music old and new by world-class musicans in churches and village halls along the Roman River - starting with Bach at St Stephen's, Great Wigborough and ending with a Tango Evening in Fingringhoe Village Hall. There's also a family concert featuring Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf at Abberton & Langenhoe Village Hall and a morning of Baroque violin and harpsichord at East Mersea Church. Full details of all events in the Festival are over on the Mersea Island Live Music website.

Announcing the Lord Mayor's Show!!

2010-09-17T12:35:00.002+01:00

Not quite sure what it's going to be called, so The Lord Mayor's Show is a working title whilst we sort out the details. At last night's session, John May, the Mayor of West Mersea, addressed the assembly and announced that he would like to take over the Mersea Session for one night only for a charitable event, raising funds for his two chosen charities, Essex Air Ambulance and St Helena Hospice.

This idea was warmly received by everyone there, and the date of Thursday 11th November was fixed in the diary. Belinda has kindly offered to let us have the restaurant area behind the main bar to maximise the attendance (and therefore fundraising potential). Juliet is working with John May re organisation, so watch this space, but in the meantime, get the date of Thursday 11th November into your diaries and practice, practice, practice!

Thursday 9.9.10

2010-09-16T21:16:00.000+01:00

Lots more over on the Gallery page.

Coming soon to a town not far from Mersea . . .

2010-09-08T23:22:00.000+01:00

Colchester Free Festival 2010 is a one-day music and arts festival in Castle Park from 11am to 7pm on Saturday 18th September and forms the finale of "Colchester!" - a week-long "grassroots celebration", with events taking place throughout the town, from Monday 13th September to Saturday 18th September. See the Free Festival website for full details of all the events and bands.

The Great Amplification Debate . . .

2010-09-04T13:59:00.000+01:00

. . . is under way over on our Mersea Session Facebook discussion page.

This is a really important issue, and central to the direction the Session will take in future, so please, whether you are a musician or a member of the audience, have your say now. The Session is a community activity, and everyone's voice counts.

So join in the discussion on Facebook, or leave a comment here, or email us (contact details on sidebar down there on the left), to make sure that your views are heard.