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
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.
31st July 2026: Bill connected the broadband to the router directly using ethernet cable (20+m) around the walls. Doubled the speed + compared with running through the house wiring, close to advertised speed! Not sure whether that will make a great deal of difference as we are not high bandspeed users! Sheila sorting office space and garden. Preparing for Burwell on Sunday. We will try Panfield Bluegrass tomorrow. Bill knoodling on TT tune.
30th July 2026: Bill popped in on John G. Caroline W also there. Had a good chat and catchup. The regular visits seem to go well, but with no understanding of what they mean for John. Chatting with Caroline about Phil's pre Wolsey FDG days, referred to The Jovial Beggars, a folk dance group in Essex which may feature in the 'silent' DVD from her attic. Sheila struggling with lack of sleep. Practising for Burwell Bash. Phil W replied to Bill outlining his busy musical life.
29th July 2026: Sheila: gym A slow hot day.
28th July 2026: Sheila: music with Max, Bill: swam and wandered fruitlessly in Ipswich. Gave the Minster concert a miss. Posted Tuesday Tunesday. Phil in touch asking about sessions.
27th July 2026: We managed a couple of tunes and a few songs this morning. Bill finished sorting TT tune. Sheila Qui Gung.
26th July 2026: Sheila recovering from a couple of days away. Bill: sorted TT tune, up to a point. Out of his comfort zone. Treated as a problem solving exercise!. Steve D rang to be supportive. Derek and Charo are in the uk this weekend, but returning to Madrid , where things are not good at the moment.
25th July 2026: Sheila: returned from Norfolk this morning. Bill popped in on Ashley and family, also Rowan. Began to make sense of TT tune.
24th July 2026: Sheila: Sandringham Flower Show. Bill enjoyed a visit from Holly who stayed for lunch. Gave U3A a miss, Rob suggested I shouldn't drive the day after sedstion with endoscopy. Probably the wise choice! Shared videos from Wednesday with Hoxne and Old School, posted ESM's. Battisford is cancelled next Thursday for lack of dancers. Bill rummaging and processing undiscovered video.
23rd July 2026: Bill nil by mouth and endoscopy, unpleasant. Processed some videos from last evening. Sheila made sure Bill ok before visiting her sister in Norfolk for the Sandringham flower show tomorrow.
22nd July 2026: Sheila swam. Max didn't turn up for music. Bill had a fairly fruitless wander in Ipswich. Listened to 'Classic Folk'. The 'new' Ipswich Folk Club is being heavily trailed. Seems to be another 'open mic' style venue for song and spoken word etc. (Only 3 slots left for the inaugural night on 3rd September. Wishing it success but doubt that it is our thing, and certainly not a 'Folk Club' in social terms! Jo G confirmed that Rob Lummis has died, He played bodhran and djembe and often appeared with the Bards. Kevin B has broken his leg, quite badly so won't be out with ESM for a while. ESM are out with Hoxne and Old School Rapper in Framlingham: an excellent evening with a good mix of dances and catching up with friends from other sides, and Pam and Jed who mad it this year.. The dancing finished about 9.50 as the landlord at the Railway called last orders! Bill came home, as did most there. Lots of video to process, (except where Bill pressed the wrong button or forgot to switch the camera on!
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