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
12th August 2026: We had a brief song workshop. Bill listened to 'Classic Folk', posted 'Folk Aid for Lockerbie on YT. Hospital appointment, Addenbrooke's want to check whether C has spread to adrenal gland. If not, may be operable, if so maybe not, in limbo pending further scan and chemo via oncology. Neither of us taking it well but remain pragmatic. Started on new TT tune, posted ESMM Rapper 1997 to FB.
11th August 2026: Bill early swim, Sheila music session with Max. U3A was a step to far for this day, (let Rob know. Listened to Genevieve Plays Folk. Knoodled some songs. Supper'nSong: eight up, very enjoyable.
10th August 2026: Sheila blackberrying on the heath with Leah. Isaac serviced our boiler. No problems. Bill to Mike Briggs funeral, well supported. New appointment with Gastro consultant on Wednesday. Had expected a referral to Addenbrooke's but apparently not so straightforward!
9th August 2026: a slow Sunday, Sheila gardened and we managed to play a few tunes and have a sing song. Bill compiled a mashup video of yesterday's dance out.
8th August 2026: East Suffolk Morris: Henley Folk Weekend: a new venture for the Cross Keys and so to a degree chaotic. Two good sets but separated by an hour and a half wait for a nine piece ensemble to sound check, (in a small marquee in a pub garden where amplification was almost superfluous). Apparently we managed to enjoy ourselves but were pretty fed up by the second spot. Bill sorted the videos.
7th August 2026: Sheila at Burwell. Leah's car being repaired on the yard, Bill finished listening to Classic Folk and watched August Folk Chart Show. Processed another video of Mike Briggs and shared with Russ. Sheila home, Bill dropped in on Rowan.
6th August 2026: Sheila: at Burwell, tripped and broke her violin (again), Bill dropped books at charity shop before failing to find a parking slot to swim. Started to sort next week's TT tune.
5th August 2026: Bill to hospital appt. with Sheila. Likely next step referral to Addenbrooke's for major surgery, (Whipple Procedure). Life altering consequences but hopefully a life saving outcome. Bill will be effectively out of action for a few months. Sheila returned to Burwell. Bill let his children know.Not a secret, but also not an option!. This is a year for adjustments in life. Mildly terrified! Now TT tune is whinham's.
4th August 2026: Sheila came back from Burwell this afternoon to come to Bill's hospital appointment tomorrow. Bill posted TT sketches. Derek rang from Spain for a chat having heard of Bill's malaise. He hopes to see us in October when he is over. Bill sorted on eof his tune files creating space through disposal of notation that will never be used and is easily obtained online if needed.
3rd August 2026: Sheila at Burwell Bash. Bill finished prepping TT tune, had a chat with Sheila, received hospital appointment for Wednesday morning. Phil asked for a tunelist, maybe get together sometime.
2nd August 2026: Sheila is on her way to Burwell Bash. Bill popped in on Ash's family. Bill went down intending to play at the Sober Cafe, but couldn't park within about half a mile so came home. It has probably become a victim of its own success after last months carnival day! Bill went along to the Woolpack session which although the usual 'curate's egg' was very enjoyable at times. He almost left at the half hour point but stayed to the end before slipping away. Played a couple of songs, joined in with some of the tunes, and sophie requested that he play Sun and Moon for her to sing. One bright spot was the contribution of a young, (teens 20's) guitarist who was excellent, will go on to brighten many an open mic if he doesn't already!
1st August 2026:Rabbits: A day out at Panfield Bluegrass Festival. Reconnecting with friends from that world. Enjoyable but wearing without a 'base', and interesting to dip into the music and enthusiasts who follow it and each other around the country in US style RV's throughout the summer. Bill posted Melnet 'Theme of the Month' R tunes.
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