Folkbluesnbeyond
Bill Johnston and Sheila Darling have enjoyed a low profile presence in the East Anglian Acoustic Music world for more decades than they may admit to. We are active members of local folk clubs and dance sides, and have performed in public solo, as a duo and in bands. Our musical lives are mainly recreational at this time, (2025).
Bill is maintaining the Diary Notes, updating a week or so at a time, see below.
Bill also maintains a separate musical web presence on Facebook, the only space at present where his Tuesday Tunesday sketched tunes initially appear, along with other musical bits and bobs. https://www.facebook.com/folkbluesnbeyond/ If you are not FB phobic have a look...Linked FB sites relate to the U3A Folk Music Group, Facebook , and Bill's most recent band, '3 Men in a Shed Suffolk' Facebook and earlier barn dance band 'Instep, Facebook.
Bill was also a member of John Goodluck's 'Bards of the Heath' : Facebook
There is a 'Folkbluesnbeyond' Youtube channel with more than a thousand videos, music or folk related. folkbluesnbeyond - YouTube
Also on Bandcamp. One upload at present, a blues tape from a time when Bill was hungry to perform. Bandcamp. Bill's 1990's Blues Archive
Always willing, even now.
These are windows into our world.....
Weekly Diary Notes: (for the full archive follow the link above)
1st September 2026: Autumn: Rabbits: Sheila swam, Bill went to swim but the timetable had changed so not practicable. Previous timetable in error as to finishing date! New timetable has a few do-able slots for the future term. Bill posted Melnet Tune of the Month and Tunesday Tuesday. Max came round to play music with Sheila.
Bill oncology appointment with Srini, (Consultant) . Seeing nurse, Karen, on Friday to discuss and consent to chemo. Six rounds over 12 weeks, initially at Heath Road. 2 appointments per round, with a long 'line' into arm and around to proximity of the heart, stays in for the whole time. Heavy duty meds with lots of possible side effects, unpredictable but definitely lifestyle limiting if they turn up. Review at end of that period. Aim is to reduce size of tumour. All a bit overwhelming at the moment, but we'll see how we go. No swimming for the duration ! Again... damn having just renewed a routine..
'When the wind it blows on that faithful morning
that I close my eyes, and fly my body home
I don't want my friends to cry no tears about me
I'll be bathing in the glory of the throne.'
(Townes Van Zandt)
Reflects the current mood.
East Suffolk Morris: Newbourne Fox. An excellent evening, a good turn out and show with IanM squiring the dance. Bill stayed for the sing song afterwards which was also great fun, had a long chat with Isaac F about concertinas, he could probably use his organ building skills to refurb the side's bequeathed instrument if it is still around. He and Liam are going to come along to practices in the autumn. Sorry to hear that KeithG is in dire straits with his health and wellbeing. Signed the communal card.
31st August 2026: Bill sorted side one of 'Caller's Choice' as a YT upload, finished listening to 'Classic Folk', (began yesterday), watched a Martin Taylor interview and a livestream of Blowzabella from Shrewsbury FF, which would ba an event of choice if not so far away! Sheila gardening, practising. Bill knoodling on Melnet Poll tunes..
30th August 2026: Bill popped in on Ashley's family, With Sheila for a walk along the prom towards Felixstowe Ferry. Derek rang from Madrid. Brought him up to date about what is going on. He is coming over in October, hoing to meet up. Fingers crossed.
29th August 2026: Bill feeling low, Sheila glad of the rain for the garden.
28th August 2026: Bill working on TT tune, song and tune hour with Sheila. Photographed Fylde and Hohner Corona to possibly post on Marketplace. Megan and Mossy are engaged. Sheila gardened. We've booked an evening concert next Saturday at Beccles FF. We'll spend the day then on. Brave for us! Steve D rang to check in on Bill.
27th August 2026: Bill: thinking about TT tune. Sheila: pottering. Received message from simon and Val re Hadleigh Folk Nights not restarting until January due to Simon's stroke earlier in the year. We had been told about the stroke but not realised how serious it was. A tragedy for one whose commitment and energy has always been the subject of our admiration.
26th August 2026: we looked at the programme for Bungay Folk Festival 26, a feast of riches, almost overwhelming. We thought we might go up for the weekend but... would be a bit manic. Looking at possibly the day on Saturday and the Picnic at the castle concert on the Sunday if we have the energy. Derek came and tweaked the fit on our new front door. Sheila pm to Sue's to play fiddle.
25th August 2026: Bill swam, Sheila music with Max, then to Minster concert and an afternoon with Jorja. Bill to U3A Folk Music Group at the Douglas Bader. An excellent afternoon in the side room which was a better venue than the main pub area, better acoustics and easier to manage. Bill dropped in on Ash & family and Rowan for a catch up now no longer radioactive.
24th August 2026: Sheila clearing down from FolkEast, Bill PET scan. Bill's nurse at Colchester hospital lives across the road from The Angel in Woodbridge, and hears our folk evenings from her front room. (She also played at her first 'Open Mic' at the Angel recently.
3rd June 2026: Sheila off to Northumbria for a friend's funeral. Bill dental appointment.
2nd June 2026:Sheila: music with Max, Bill wandered the wasteland, (Ipswich) then to see Vicky Swann and Johnny Dyer playing at The Minster. Excellent. Posted Tuesday Tunesday sketches.
1st June 2026: Rabbits: Sheila swam, and sorting paperwork, played a bit. Chi Gung and online fiddle group. Bill posted tune and theme of the month to Melnet, shared Thaxted videos with Colchester and Chelmsford Morris. Played some tunes, (exorcising the 'traditional music afternoon', enough said that exorcism was needed.) Bill popped in on Ashley and family, watched Mel Biggs interviewing Anna Pack.
31st May 2026: Sheila and Bill crossed on the A12, she returning from the hand-fasting, and Bill to EATMT afternoon at the Fromus Centre in Saxmundham. Pleasant venue, limited turnout of about 30. Facilitated by Shirley. These events seem not to fit easily into our 'folk' calender.. Bill sorted some video from Thaxted.
30th May 2026: Sheila to Poppy and Nathan's handfasting. Bill to Thaxted morris meeting with four chaps from the side. Thank you Brian for driving. An enjoyable coach tour (L) with Chelmsford, Colchester, Westminster, and Dolphin (ie John and Emma, Ring Squire). John, and Russell and John (Colchester) made up numbers for the dancing. Emma joined Bill playing for East Suffolk. A pleasure and privelige.
Bill touched base with old friends at the first show, including Richard P from the bluegrass world, recommending the new Panfield Festival. We came home after the first show. A two hour wait, (three for the Horn Dance), was not worth the benefit. Home by 9. Lovely to get back to Thaxted after a break of a couple of decades. A changed event, but for the better, (save for some high level politics which had Cliff M usurp the 'presenting' role which would normally fall to Ring Squire.)
29th May 2026: Sheila swam. Stephanie in touch, Bill's friend and colleague Sue B has died after a period of illness, (and pain). Not unexpected but sad. Ash & Nat have agreed to buy a house. More than they initially wanted to spend, but fits the bill as their 'forever' home. Bill completed this week's sketched for TT. We practised our songs for Everyman Folk Club: an excellent evening to close the season. We opened with a floor spot, (miss the Mississippi and Home to Me), Two floor spots each half with John K on good form, (he isn't always).
28th May 2026: Sheila gym, Bill started to prep TT tune for next week. Practised songs.
27th May 2026: Sheila very tired, not sleeping. Practised songs for Friday. Bill had chat with Laurel,
26th May 2026: Sheila gym, and builders appointment at her house. Bill posted TT tune, popped in on Ashley and family. Their house is sold, now looking to buy.
25th May 2026: Bill had a brief wander at the Broke Hall Street Sale, with Sheila practised some songs on the list to choose from for Friday at Everyman. Practised morris tunes for Saturday at Thaxted. A little disappointed that most of the sides in ESMM group at Thaxted are local and easy to see elsewhere. Popped in of Rowan .
24th May 2026: We went to the Constable Rd Street Sale, perhaps our favourite of those taking place this weekend. Came home with a jute carpet, plants,bits and bobs. Ashley let us know about a free concert of Early and Renaissance music at St Peters on the Waterfront at tea time. Excellent if niche, sackbuts, cornets, etc. Polyphonic instrumental and vocal music by the 'Wind and Voice Experience' who workshop for a weekend annually then present the concert. Good to see Edward & Jill, and Clive and Diane. Fantastic acoustics.
23rd May 2026: We went to the Beverly Rd street sale, saw Ash and family there. Fairly sparse. Bill prepped TT tune, (using a couple of recycled clips).We have been asked to sing at Everyman F C on Friday, tried a few songs. Max popped in to see Sheila and nab some clothes from her.
22nd May 2026: Sheila art class, Bill to town, spectacles re-adjusted. Gave Gwendal and Paul at Two Sisters a miss.
21st May 2026: a day in, Bill knoodling on TT tune, sleeping, sheila gardening. Brian is giving Bill a lift to Thaxted on 30th.
20th May 2026: Sheila music with Max, Bill an Anglo social afternoon with Roger, Andrew, and Margerette. Musically very enjoyable, but catching up Bill is not the only one in the local 'Folk' community with health difficultiesat the moment. Maybe an age thing but disconcerting.
19th May 2026:Sheila to the dentist and coffee with Penny. House measured up for some new windows, fitting in July. Sheila meeting surveyor at K's Ave. Cancelled music with Max, weary. Bill posted TT tune
3.6.26