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).

We are happy to be called upon to play music, for listening or for dance. We do not self promote. This web-page succeeds a page which was active for more than twenty years before the host discontinued operations, which prompted a review of our online presence, and what we want it to represent moving forwards in time.

A feature of the previous web page which received mainly positive feedback were Bill's Diary Notes which he maintained between 2003/4 and 2024, ceasing contemporaneous publication with the demise of the website. They can be found here: Diary Notes

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

7^th July 2026: Bill knoodling on slide guitar then to town, picked up trousers and a shirt from charity shop, and a couple of books. To Minster for the Gainsborough Quintet playing 'The Trout'. John T and Terry also there. Introduced to a couple who may come along to The Angel session on Thursday. John /Jo G in touch. Hoping to reignite John's musical interest with aid of new carer, (who has an ESM link). Bill to hospital for CT scan.. Now both hands have catheter bruises! Posted TT tune.

6^th July 2026: Sheila swam, saw Luke and Isaac at the house, (servicing boiler).Bill: results in from Sunday's 'oscopies. Hospital rang to book CT Scan tomorrow.. Very hot, little else achieved.

5^th July 2026: Bill 'oscopies in Colchester. It is done! Regrettable a further CT scan needed and biopsies taken which may be the start of a second cancer 'journey' this year! Hey Ho. Missed Sheringham, Missed Music Day. This week is 'windows' and at the weekend Ely Folk Festival.

4^th July 2026: Sheila gym, Bill TT ,confirmed tomorrow's hospital appointment, becoming weary of corresponding with a customer service 'bot' which pretends to be human! Day 1 Plenvu, unpleasant!

3^rd July 2026: Sheila: cat-minder, Yoga, Art Class, Bill: knoodling on TT tune, U3A Folk Music Group: Kettleburgh Chequers : an excellent afternoon, probably the most enjoyable session in Suffolk. Hoping it will continue when Rob ceases to organise. Bill sang 'Rolling Down to Old Maui', and 'Calico Printers Clerk', concertina on both.

2^nd July 2026: we listened to Rob's recent upload of Tickler's Jam live recordings. Also Bill listened to a pre millenium interview with Sarah Graves, one of a number held at Essex Record Office. (This one on Soundcloud).. Interesting account of the Essex folk scene from the 1970's. Sheila has some viewings on her house. Started thinking about TT tune. Pre Colonoscomy diet has begun! Sheila's house scored EPC D.

1^st July 2026: Bill posted Melnet tune and theme of the month. Listened to Mike Norris' Classic Folk. Sheila: admin and meet up with the ESM Ladies' Group at Liz T's.

30^th June 2026: Bill to Minster Concert, Geoff Clapham and Joanna Lam, excellent. Received pack for endo/colonoscopy on Sunday, which effectively writes off getting to Sheringham again this year and involves fairly prescriptive and unpleasant preparation over four days!Sheila sorting, Max failed to show for music with gran, (overslept). Laxfield with East Suffolk Morris a step too far even with offered lift.

29^th June 2026: Sue Bruce funeral, a friend an colleague over many years. A great turnout from the workplace, both magistrates and colleagues. Something of a catch up session. Listened to Genevieve Plays Folk

28^th June 2026: Bill popped in on Ash & family, we thoroughly enjoyed Clive and Diana's 190^th celebration garden party..

27^th June 2026: another hot day. Bill pleased he didn't commit to tramping Colchester all day. Received Colon/endoscopy appointment for next Sunday, in Colchester.

26^th June 2026: Sheila: Art class. Yoga cancelled. Bill prepping TT tune.

25.6.2026: Sheila sorting with estate agent, Bill knoodled on TT tune. East Suffolk Morris: Framsden Greyhound: a good turnout, brief stand with hydration break, (heat). There seems to be a bare side for Colchester on Saturday. Bill confirmed not going to that, or Laxfield, (previously available with lift , but reconsidered when no offers and in light of the heat!.)

24^th June 2026: Sheila saw Estate Agent, lunch with MJ, Bill flaked in the heat. New TT tune is a polska!

23^rd June 2026: Sheila: swam, played music with Max, out to (long) lunch, Bill to Ipswich Minster, Collatus Trio, excellent. Good to see Barry, (former probation officer and classical guitarist). Posted Tunesday Tuesday.

22^nd June 2026: Sheila :admin, Bill: blood test, sorting video, playing slide guitar.

3^rd June 2026: Sheila off to Northumbria for a friend's funeral. Bill dental appointment.

2^nd 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.

1^st 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.

31^st 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.

30^th 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.)

29^th 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).

28^th May 2026: Sheila gym, Bill started to prep TT tune for next week. Practised songs.

27^th May 2026: Sheila very tired, not sleeping. Practised songs for Friday. Bill had chat with Laurel,

26^th 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.

25^th 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 .

24^th 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.

23^rd 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.

22^nd May 2026: Sheila art class, Bill to town, spectacles re-adjusted. Gave Gwendal and Paul at Two Sisters a miss.

21^st May 2026: a day in, Bill knoodling on TT tune, sleeping, sheila gardening. Brian is giving Bill a lift to Thaxted on 30^th.

20^th 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.

19^th 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