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

12^th March 2026: We had a brief song session. Bill: consultant appointment. She apologised that his 120clock appointment had been diarised for 1pm, thorough, more tests ancillary to the CML, some invasive! Bill updated the video of David Cotter adding his signature song'The Man in the Moon which was not on the previously published list.

Angel Woodbridge session: four of us and a very enjoyable evening, we were played out of energy, (but not tunes) by about ten.

11^th March 2026: Sheila gym, and briefly to King's Ave. Bill blood test, (had to wait as not been ordered!), Listened to 'Classic Folk', knoodled on tunes. New TT tune, 'Cliffs of Moher'.

10^th March 2026:Happy Birthday Max: Sheila spent some time at King's Avenue, then visited Max. Bill had a wander in Ipswich, picked up a couple of books and a Martin Taylor CD. Supper n Song: Ten around the table, and we managed 2 ½ times round with songs and tunes. Bill uploaded a compilation of David Cotter's songs to YT.

9^th March 2026: Sheila swam, played music with Max, Did some work at King's avenue, Bill sorted the TT tune, discovered that his turntable is not working properly Ordered new belts. Popped in on Rowan, but eschewed morris practice given dense fog.

8^th March 2026: Sheila at Kings Ave pruning wisteria, and visited Leah, Bill dropped in on Ashley and family.

Short knoodle and sorting music folders.

7^th March 2026: Sheila gym and spent most of the day at her house, Bill sorted a few 'sketches' for TT.

6^th March 2026: Sheila out to lunch with friends, Bill had a brief wander in Woodbridge, Holly came round and worked on some tunes on the concertina. Opportunity cost, Hadleigh FAC but there has to be a real draw to take us on the roads at night. We are usually abed by 10pm nowadays.

5^th March 2026: Sheila: Tai Chi, Bill started thinking about TT tune.

4^th March 2026: Bill blood test, then we went to David Cotter's memorial and wake. Exceptional turnout from all aspects of David's life. The 'order ' leaflet included the 'addresses' for videos of David which Bill has taken down the years at U3A concerts. Sheila checked in on her house with Steven to assess any work that needs doing.

3^rd March 2026: Sheila visiting Inola. Holly popped in on her way to a voice therapy session. Bill posted TT tune.

2^nd March 2026: Sheila swam, (left her towel behind), and took Max along to an interview in Stowmarket. Bill had a wander in Ipswich, even more gaps on the street, (incidentally displacing the 'free books' shop) to Microshops who offered a space pro tem at less than 24 hours notice. Bill listened to 'Genevieve Plays Folk' which had an lengthy portion devoted to Morris Dancing. Bill popped in on Ash & family before going on to ESMM practice: largely Bledington led by Ian with intervening offerings. Bill is confirmed for Thaxsted in May with a lift from Kevin unless Sheila fancies the day out, (and driving).

1^st March 2026: Bill posted Melnet Tune and Theme of the month, EATMT Musical afternoon at Coddenham: ably led by Eammon. Very enjoyable but in some ways more formal than the previous similar event. Lots of rehearsed 'party pieces' on show, which affected the 'vibe' a bit. Lovely to see Des and Ruth, who were in good form with Des's Quattro attracting keen interest. Sheila sang 'Katherine Shaw' which we discover to be a Roger Watson song recently recorded by Sarah Matthews, and which will now move from niche to ibiquitous, to Sheila's dismay having sung the song for decades. Bill (when pressed) sang 'Admiral Benbow'.

Woolpack Session: which we would probably have missed except for mild pressure from Max to come along. Sheila quite enjoyed the evening, Bill found it difficult, claustrophobic and chaotic. There seems to have been a successful takeover by the 'Steamboat' sessioneers. God to have numbers but Bill will probably revert to non attendance while Sheila goes along with Max.

28^th February 2026: Sheila to coffee with Bogusha, Bill CT scan.Finished TT tune, started on possible Melnet tune.

27^th February 2026: Sheila Yoga and Art, Bill booked in for CT scan, (not sure why but later clarified). Continued with TT tune. Everyman Folk Club:we are first on, (by request). We sang, A Heart Needs a Home , and Paper Wings. Bill partcularly enjoyed Skip's, (Steve Shipley's),melodeon set. Steve Turner is a relatively regular Everyman guest. Less dour than he used to be. An excellent player of English Concertina, (though his accompaniments are fairly similar regardless the song).

26^th February 2026: Sheila to Jilly's for coffee.Bill working on TT tune.

25^th February 2026: Tracey Kingdom anniversary: Bill blood test. Song and tune up. New TT tune.

24^th February 2026: morning practice . U3A Folk Music a good afternoon of music and song. The only 'round the room' worth supporting. We dry ran our songs for Everyman on Friday.

23^rd February 2026: Sheila to lunch with Mary Jane. Bill had a wander in Ipswich, even the charity shops are closing down. ESMM practice, good to be back in the saddle.

22^nd February 2026:Bill TT tune, visited Ashley and grandchildren, polishing songs for Everyman, Mick R rang for a chat.

20^th February 2026: Sheila: massage, yoga,art class and we maneged a few tunes in between. Holly came round for some 'ear' playing. Bill knoodled on TT tune and Melnet theme for next month.

10.11.25