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 about a week 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
21st October 2025: Bill sorted ESMM FB access problems for MickR. Received summary and email confirming 'decisions' made at last evenings practice: From Mick and David:-
'Based on the discussion last night I think we agreed:- (informally and in part contrary to a decision made at a properly constituted AGM in 2023),
- We would hold the taster session at Rushmere on January 11th, but advertise it as the first of a series for beginners to get to know cotswold morris.
- The session would be open to both men and ladies.
- The result is that if ladies come along and want to join we will be a mixed side. Presumably the name will change to East Suffolk Morris. (ultra vires without a constituted EGM)
- Subsequent sessions will be the normal practice nights at Gosbeck.
We will all try to think of places to advertise our new stance and the events we are setting up, for example village magazines. In that advertising we will say that we are open to ladies.'
Hey Ho, Bill has had an enjoyable 40+ years with ESMM, will wait and see but suspects that this year may have been his last with the side. (May be proved wrong but ….)
Posted TT tune, we went for a wander and lunch in Felixstowe. Bill consoled himself about the relatively imminent demise of ESMM by attending the Little Bentley Bluegrass session, a warm welcome and some excellent music played.
20th October 2023: Sheila swam, making props for U3A Panto, we have also been asked for a song at the concert next week. Bill swam, back to strength, (but wearying). Prepped Melnet Theme for next month, 'K' tunes. Bill gave ESMM practice a miss given that the session would be largely taken up with discussion of the 'Taster' session and whether to become a mixed side etc, all of which have been covered previously at two annual meetings.
19th October 2025: Sheila : making panto props, Bill watched Mel Biggs interview with Bruno La Tron. Prepped a couple of 'K' tunes. Popped in on Nat and Harrison
18th October 2025: Sheila swam, Bill tidied up TT posts , we finished binging on 'Riot Women' on tv
17th October 2025: sheila: yoga and art class, Bill knoodled on TT tune, listened to Classic Folk. Holly popped in for an hour.
16th October 2025: Sheila panto and tai chi, Bill suffering gastric bug, ugh. Posted Minster Concert from July.
15th October 2025:
14th October 2025: U3A Washbrook: A noisy room on a quiet but enjoyable afternoon. Supper'nSong followed bu a very enjoyable round the table meal and musical hour.(11 around).
13th October 2025:Sheila swam, to massage, Chi Gung and online Fiddle group, Bill swam, ordered calenders for his family, finished prepping tomorrows TT tune, . Sorry to hear that Sue B (former colleague) now ill with no further treatment offered. ESMM first practice of the season. The 'Morris Book' app is very effective but constant reminders to post availability irritate as much as the 'reply all' brigade!
12th October 2021: Ronnie Wood on Desert Island Discs, an interesting listen. Sheila: Gym, all new equipment and grey paint! We went to the EATMT afternoon of song and dance at Coddenham, (these events are rarely within our geographical range), very enjoyable, but some people seem to take themselves very seriously! Bill processed the video from Saturday and posted unlisted, (shared with Little Egypt). Popped in on Ash & Nat. Confirmed attending U3A Concert in a couple of weeks.
11th October 2025: Bill playing for Little Egypt Morris at the eighth and final Gippewic Pagan Gathering.Good fun, but they like their tunes fast. A good show, then in the evening to the Wolsey Orchestra Concert at the Corn Exchange, with Sheila and Jorja. A strange programme but enjoyable.
10th October 2025: Sheila missed her online meeting, Yoga, Art Class, Bill knoodled on TT tune and practised for morris with Little Egypt MM tomorrow.
9th October 2025: Sheila: panto practice but gave Tai Chi a miss, Bill swam, chat with Clare B on the bus. Looked at TT tune, listened to Classic Folk podcast, had a chat with Laurel. Angel Woodbridge: four of us, (equal to the audience). Bill feeling rough so opted out about 9,30.
8th October 2025: a slow day. New TT tune, Bill posted side 1 of Breton Accordion cassette. Mid Week Blues: Kenneth Kenny:a very talented guitarist and singer making a troubadour living, not blues and style not to Bill's liking so a brief, (four song) visit.
7th October2025: Bill to town then Music at the Minster, Christopher and Alice Borrett with a great mix of nautical material. Excellent. Bill prepped a couple of videos from TMD and posted TT tune.
17.3.25