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: (for the full archive follow the link above
6th September 2026: Happy Birthday Natalie: WE returned to Bungay to meet up with Jacqui and Martin for the 'Folk Picnic'. We went on to Cohen B-C's solo concert. Outstanding. Opportunity cost, Sober Cafe, and Woolpack Session.
5th September 2026: We went to Bungay Folk Festival for the afternoon and evening. Caught up with lots of friends. Saw Tamise, skilled musicians, technically excellent but robotic. Will Pound and Jenn Butterworth were excellent. In support Detta Kenzie with Sam Kelly . Detta's voice was overdriven and over-amplified with heavy reverb, which made the content almost unlistenable. The festival is highly aspirational, but the town is swamped by the incursion.
4th September 2026: Bill had the due diligence chat, and signed up for chemo. Will involve 3 per week visits to hospital fortnightly, and is effectively ongoing (until it isn't). Pretty lifestyle limiting, and continuing immunosuppressed. Very tiring plus assorted side effects unknown. Apparently he can call for a break or stop if it is too much. If shrinks the tumour significantly may be referred for surgery, if not continue chemo until contrary cost/benefit equation. A difficult conversation and some tough times ahead. One day at a time.
Directed to cease Leukemia meds in preparation for chemo. Bill's cancer diary is an intrusion on these pages, as it is in life. People who read the page may be sufficiently interested to understand and deal with that.
The new U3A Folk Music Group Autumn programme is out. Bill is hoping to work around the concerts, or the FB page become unviable, and hopefully to get to at least some of the afternoon. Asked the hospital to avoid Tuesdays! Sheila's car serviced and MoT'd by Rob, who keeps our vehicles running, low mileage not withstanding! Bill made a start on the TT tune for next week, (at Bungay FF tomorrow and Sunday).
3rd September 2026: Happy Birthday Sheila: anniversary of Olivia's neonatal death. Bill swam, Sheila to a friend's for coffee. Joe and Leah popped in (separately). Lots of flowers about, curry for tea.
2nd September: Sheila blood test, Holly visited. Came to lunch and played some tunes on her concertina, doing very well. Sheila shopped. We played some tunes and polished her new song. Bill processed the video from last night and saved on YT, didn't post on ESM FB. Richard's short videos tend to have priority. Up to Mick to decide.
1st September 2026: Autumn: Rabbits: Sheila swam, Bill went to swim but the timetable had changed so not practicable. Previous timetable in error as to finishing date! New timetable has a few do-able slots for the future term. Bill posted Melnet Tune of the Month and Tunesday Tuesday. Max came round to play music with Sheila.
Bill oncology appointment with Srini, (Consultant) . Seeing nurse, Karen, on Friday to discuss and consent to chemo. Six rounds over 12 weeks, initially at Heath Road. 2 appointments per round, with a long 'line' into arm and around to proximity of the heart, stays in for the whole time. Heavy duty meds with lots of possible side effects, unpredictable but definitely lifestyle limiting if they turn up. Review at end of that period. Aim is to reduce size of tumour. All a bit overwhelming at the moment, but we'll see how we go. No swimming for the duration ! Again... damn having just renewed a routine..
'When the wind it blows on that faithful morning
that I close my eyes, and fly my body home
I don't want my friends to cry no tears about me
I'll be bathing in the glory of the throne.'
(Townes Van Zandt)
Reflects the current mood.
East Suffolk Morris: Newbourne Fox. An excellent evening, a good turn out and show with IanM squiring the dance. Bill stayed for the sing song afterwards which was also great fun, had a long chat with Isaac F about concertinas, he could probably use his organ building skills to refurb the side's bequeathed instrument if it is still around. He and Liam are going to come along to practices in the autumn. Sorry to hear that KeithG is in dire straits with his health and wellbeing. Signed the communal card.
31st August 2026: Bill sorted side one of 'Caller's Choice' as a YT upload, finished listening to 'Classic Folk', (began yesterday), watched a Martin Taylor interview and a livestream of Blowzabella from Shrewsbury FF, which would ba an event of choice if not so far away! Sheila gardening, practising. Bill knoodling on Melnet Poll tunes..
30th August 2026: Bill popped in on Ashley's family, With Sheila for a walk along the prom towards Felixstowe Ferry. Derek rang from Madrid. Brought him up to date about what is going on. He is coming over in October, hoing to meet up. Fingers crossed.
29th August 2026: Bill feeling low, Sheila glad of the rain for the garden.
7.9.26