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 2026, 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

Bill has been making biographical notes, which may be of interest and will be a continuing work in progress until it isn't. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hqo0zkw15y3s6v34ozq6n/Bill-Bio.doc?rlkey=puw1dmco609vh9i9bc4614mp6&st=8w0wjvz8&dl=0

These are windows into our world.....

Weekly Diary Notes: (for the full archive follow the link above

13^th September 2026: Sheila swam, Laurel & Nick came round, (from Broadstairs). We enjoyed some time together, including lunch, (thanks Sheila). Bill rummaging in the hard drives from old computers for more archive gems, found a couple.

12^th September 2026: Saturday, Bill completed prepping TT. Sheila cooked for Laurel's visit tomorrow. Exhausting for a slow day! The calender is a roller coaster of medical appointments and regular annual payments falling due. We had intended to go to the prom concert at the Corn Exchange but stayed in and watched the' Last Night' at home!

11^th September 2026: 25 years since 9/11: Sheila gym, Bill telephone conversation with Cancer nurse about practicalities of PICC line etc. Sheila Yoga. Bill knoodling on TT tune. Starting to prep.

10^th September 2026: Bill swam, Sheila to Ladies Panto group, where a number of members are diverted by present difficulty. Viability? Bill dropped in on John G and Jo, brief visit and chat. John now has his recliner, so looking more comfortable. Rowan popped round for a chat, has a job interview tomorrow so fingers crossed for him. Bill started looking a TT for next week. Looks horrible to play until the hood is up, then probably fixable. Looked at Traditional Music Day programme again. We can probably find enough to justify a day ticket. Angel Session: (Opportunity cost ESM at Ufford.) Enjoyable, Graham, Nikki, Mike, Alan and Bill managed a couple of hours of varied tunes.

9^th September 2026: We had a wander around Woodbridge this morning. Bill struggling to make sense of BT broadband renewal options. Bill popped in on Rowan, Joe & Leslie dropped in on Sheila.

8^th September 2026: Bill's Chemo diary has started to come through, almost a full time job, with an afternoon on the day of ESM feast and AGM. Bill sorted an archive 'Bill & Sheila' recording and posted Tunesday Tuesday, We are still a bit shell-shocked but putting one foot before the other so to speak. Supper 'n Song: eight to eat, six for the music. A very enjoyable evening, lots of concertina, Sheila sang her new song, Billl sang the 'Dancing Song' and we played together on some tunes..

7^th September 2026: Bill & Sheila each swam in respective pools. Sheila gardening, (respite from our present emotional chaos!). We had a front room tune and song session, (the trouble with our repertoire is that a lot of it is a bit weepy!) Bill prepped TT posts for tomorrow. Sheila Chi Gung. Bill chats with Laurel and Rowan. (Laurel coming over on Sunday. Determined despite Bill's concerns about the journey within a day.)

Looked at Traditional Music Day programme. Day ticket gives very little, the concert is attractive not viable in practical terms. Also reviewed the correspondence regarding Bill's C.

6^th September 2026: Happy Birthday Natalie: WE returned to Bungay to meet up with Jacqui and Martin for the 'Folk Picnic'. We went on to Cohen B-C's solo concert. Outstanding. Opportunity cost, Sober Cafe, and Woolpack Session.

5^th September 2026: We went to Bungay Folk Festival for the afternoon and evening. Caught up with lots of friends. Saw Tamise, skilled musicians, technically excellent but robotic. Will Pound and Jenn Butterworth were excellent. In support Detta Kenzie with Sam Kelly . Detta's voice was overdriven and over-amplified with heavy reverb, which made the content almost unlistenable. The festival is highly aspirational, but the town is swamped by the incursion.

4^th September 2026: Bill had the due diligence chat, and signed up for chemo. Will involve 3 per week visits to hospital fortnightly, and is effectively ongoing (until it isn't). Pretty lifestyle limiting, and continuing immunosuppressed. Very tiring plus assorted side effects unknown. Apparently he can call for a break or stop if it is too much. If shrinks the tumour significantly may be referred for surgery, if not continue chemo until contrary cost/benefit equation. A difficult conversation and some tough times ahead. One day at a time.

Directed to cease Leukemia meds in preparation for chemo. Bill's cancer diary is an intrusion on these pages, as it is in life. People who read the page may be sufficiently interested to understand and deal with that.

The new U3A Folk Music Group Autumn programme is out. Bill is hoping to work around the concerts, or the FB page become unviable, and hopefully to get to at least some of the afternoon. Asked the hospital to avoid Tuesdays! Sheila's car serviced and MoT'd by Rob, who keeps our vehicles running, low mileage not withstanding! Bill made a start on the TT tune for next week, (at Bungay FF tomorrow and Sunday).

3^rd September 2026: Happy Birthday Sheila: anniversary of Olivia's neonatal death. Bill swam, Sheila to a friend's for coffee. Joe and Leah popped in (separately). Lots of flowers about, curry for tea.

7.9.26