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

18^th May 2026: Sheila clearing space for windows to be measured, chi gung and online fiddle group.

Bill finally gave up on the idea/fantasy of fettling his boxes and disposed of a tuning table, (home made) , various reed-blocks and an old East German melodeon, salvaging those few parts that he might use. Making space, (gradually). Knoodled, moving bluegrass tunes to concertina, refreshing 'morris' tunes. (Un)surprised that myeloma links have started to appear on his FB feed, hmm.

When Bill saw Rowan on Saturday he had watched the recent Panorama about AI and sophisticated scamming. Showed Bill some of the programme which both found frightening. If your voice is your password beware, it is as easily stolen as your image, but still haven't made passcodes work, only safer if usable, but then inevitably hackable. Ironically Bill recovered a payment from a 'subscription' scam, 'PDF Converter', beware and avoid, by very prompt action and copying You & Yours, BBC into correspondence.

Listened to 'Genevieve Plays Folk', excellent as usual, eccentric but favourite of the folk podcasts. Interesting that a pending YT post received a copyright strike on 'Newcastle', published in 1650!

Martin from the Woodbridge session has expressed interest on Bill's 72 bass Hohner. Fingers crossed.

17^th May 2026: Bill digitised some vinyl to edit etc. We went to Woodbridge to see SMART Sinfonia with a terrific programme of Rossini,Weber and Tchaikovsky.

16^th May 2026:Bill visited Rowan and also Ashley's family where Holly was 'crafting' with Jasmine. Tidied up the sketches collection. Sorted out Car Insurance, saved £200 via Confused.com from the auto renewing policy quote. Sheila visited Bogusha. We had intended to go to the concert in Holbrook but it didn't happen.

15^th May 2026: Sheila yoga and Art Class, Bill's computer needed a network reset to connect to the internet, hopefully will now work for immediate future. Not sure what has caused a flurry of activity and new YT followers, (relatively speaking). TT posts almost complete. Still refreshing morris tunes.

14^th May 2026: Sheila Tai Chi, Bill knoodling on TT and Melnet tunes, and refreshing Morris tunes as he is flying solo at Thaxted and hasn't been out much with the side this year.. Angel Woodbridge session. Seven around the room, an enjoyable mix of music and banter. We left around ten while still enjoying the evening.

13^th May 2026: Sheila had meeting with structural engineer. Bill bumped into Roy N who recently had major surgery. Roy indicated that he had stopped going to the Woolpack session, ( about 100 yards from his house) because he doesn't 'go out to be miserable...'. He recently went to the Southwold Harbour Inn session which he enjoyed. They were all good! He is looking for something more local which has the same quality in attendance. Bill giving Morris a miss tonight. He doesn't usually stay out for the evening beyond the dancing (his choice), which makes significant 'round trips' for the sake of a brief window of activity non viable.

12^th May 2026: Sheila's close friend Christine has died. Sheila came home early from a lunch out on hearing the news. Bill posted TT, listened to Genevieve Plays Folk, looking at 'P' tunes for next month's melnet. Gave the Minster concert a miss, organ, a bit heavy duty. Song and Supper: lightly attended but very enjoyable. Bill paid next year's Everyman FC tickets up front, (as he always does). An expression of optimism?

11^th May 2026: Sheila played violin & concertina, Chi Gung and online fiddle class, Bill popped to Woodbridge, dropped off books at Oxfam, engaged with BG solicitors, complicated third party ID verification a nightmare which is supposed to take two miniutes. Hmm.

10^th May 2026: Bill popped in on Ash's family. Rowan has fractured his wrist and broken (another) rib! We had a run to the clothes bank and bottlebank. Bill prepped TT tune, (a day earlier than usual).

8.5.26