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
Bill has been making biographical notes, which may be of interest and will be a continuing work in progress until it isn't. Bill Bio (The link redirects to dropbox and is safe)
These are windows into our world.....
Weekly Diary Notes: (for the full archive follow the link above
6th October 2026: we both slept badly. Bill had 'shocky' fingers so playing at U3A this pm....?Had a run through double gloved! U3A Autumn Showcase Concert: we opened with our allocated two song, and Rob, bemused wondered where the third was, having failed to mention we now had three. We played a third unrehearsed gospel song, good fun. The concert was a successful gamble to showcase regular members of the group with a performance set. Harbour Lights Trio plus Tracey Wisdom played a folk club length spot, but generally there was capability and variety in abundance. Bill managed to fil as usual and will drip feed to the increasingly popular FB page for the group. Very tiring but equally enjoyable. Buoght some chips on the way home. Bill posted TT sketches and sorted ESMM video from yesterday. The whole day a step too far really, very tired. Bill contacted his 'nurse' about ne medication which seems contrary to the intentions of lukemia management, will doubtless still have to take it.. Pump off tomorrow.
5th October 2026: Bill: chemo round 2. 10am, 3hours, but in reality 10am-4pm. Now on the full dose and sent home with extra meds including five days of self injection, ouch! (From Thursday, so we'll see how that goes,but plenty of people already do it). Jacqui dropped in to see Sheila and came along for a chat. ESM AGM & Feast , Sheila taking Bill and stopping off at Liz's meanwhile. Bill travelling light, but concertina and melodeon giving him shock sensibilities already fingerless gloves no protection!. Taking a concertina and Irvine's melodeon which was entrusted to him at the last feast. An excellent evening, opening with dancing, a fine meal. Buoyed by guest dancers who have supported the side during the year, mellowed by memories of Keith. Thank you to David and Mick for steering the side through 2026 so ably. A new season starts with practice sessions from next Monday.
4th October 2026: Bill knoodling, posted 'Buckets of Rain' on Slide. Had mistakenly thought EATMT Coddenham afternoon was this month, now able to play Sober Cafe instead. Sheila tired and had sore hip, rib and knee. Bill played a slide set at Sober Cafe. Thank you to Tim Ainslie for excellent sound. Still a bit wobbly from vaccinations so The Woolpack session a step too far.
3rd October 2026: we had our flu and covid jabs at the GP surgery. Sheila gardened. Bill knoodled. Derek rang from Spain. He is coming over with Charo and some friends for a couple of weeks. Will ring Bill on 15th and may come across to see us the following day. Bill still rummaging in archive video.
2nd October 2026: Sheila swam, Bill started thinking about TT tune, Found a ten yrear old video of the English Dulcimer Duo at EATMD 2016: posted in full, back in the day before the day changed venue and format. An excellent set at Edgar's Farmhouse. Hopefully will be picked up in appropriate places. We finished watching 'The Holdovers', an excellent film we part watched last evening. Sheila visited Gilly whose husband (Steve) had a period of aggressive chemo before radical surgery. Hopefully supportive, and went on to Yoga. Bill had a PICC line service and blood test at Heath Rd Hospital in preparation for his second round of chemo which starts on on Monday. Bill's sister Caroline has been in touch, seemingly a reader here. A supportive message.
1st October: Sheila gardening, Bill posted Melnet TotM . Shared links to Reg Reeder vids with his grandson who is preparing a talk on the hammered dulcimer. Thought about sharing Flowers and Frolics links on Melnet, but that will wait a step. Relatively 'new normal' today. Thinking about sharing anecdotes here as well as music and the 'C' diary. Packed up his '36' waist trousers now that his girth has shrunk significantly. Sheila: Tai Chi, Bill looked at new TT tune. Needs work to make it interesting! Listened to 'Podwireless', excellent. RiP Esther Rantzen, Three years from diagnosis to demise, roughly what Bill was informally given as a best outcome in the absence of intervention or remission.
Anecdote: Walking to the paper shop today Bill found himself using Douglas Harding's Zen 'Seeing' technique. ('On Having No Head'). Bill was in his teens and already practising TM (Transcendental Meditation), when he visited Douglas at his Nacton home and was introduced to 'seeing'. Just a different avenue to a single destination. Both proclaim simplicity. Douglas featured in an Incredible String Band song. A few years later Bill was interviewed for employment by Douglas's wife, Beryl, a magistrate and force of nature, with whom he worked for a number of years.
30th September 2026: Sheila: chiropracter and physio, Bill had a wander in Woodbridge, dropped of some books at Oxfam, Dropped in on John G & Jo. An unusual burst of energy for which he may pay later. Listened to 'Classic Folk'. Popped in on Ash's family and on Rowan. Fingers crossed for Rowan's interviews.
29th September 2026: Bill PICC line is pulling, has forgotten what 'normal' might feel like, in a 'what's the point' mood. PICC reset on Friday. Sheila swim. Bill finished listening to Genevieve Plays Folk, Sorted some videos. Becca in touch offering Bill'nSheila a spot at Friday's Ceilidh. Would have loved to say yes but turning out at 8.30 for a stand up spot probably a step too far. Explained the situation and received a lovely reply.
28th September 2026: Sheila sorting her accounts. Bill to Felixstowe on the bus. Bought a couple of pairs smaller trousers, (losing weight and girth). Sorted possible Melnet tune. Low energy but pacing self. Also posted 'Woodland Revels' on concertina. Sheila Chi Gung and online fiddle group.
27th September 2026: Laurel popped in for a brief visit on her way home. Lovely to see her and doing so well. Bill posted a ten year old 'Winderslide' to YT. Taking things steadily today. We played a few tunes and looked at 'Adele Blanc Sec', potential Melnet tune. Sorted another Flowers and Frolics video for later posting. A slow day but, maybe that's how ;life must be.
26th September 2026: Bill extremely weary. Slept most of the day. Keith's funeral is on 22nd October at Wrabness, feels a step too far at the moment!. Sheila very patient. Looking at Melnet options for this month, discover Mel Biggs charges 67.50 for a single tune lesson! Cheaper to drive see her, and pay in person? Holly popped in for a cuppa en route to Theatre. Bill sorted some of the Flowers and Frolics videos.
25th September 2026: Happy Birthday Ashley: Sheila swam, Bill feeling pretty ropey, weak all day. Posted Arthur Knevett first video from EATMD, Had a knoodle on TT tune, we had a bit of a sing song. Sheila: Yoga. Bill listened to this week's 'Classic Folk'. Everyman Folk Club: Sailor Swift with Pete Morton. Bill flaked out at half time and we came home. Smallish audience but didn't deserve more. Not sure of the point of the show.
24th September 2026: We are both weary, Bill in chemo and Sheila caring over the odds!. Sheila to Ladies Panto group for U3A Xmas Party, probably the last time the group will meet, hoping not. Bill knoodling on TT tune, started to process. Familiar but hard to revisit for some reason. Uploaded Arthur Knevett videos from EATMD for later posting. Listened to remainder of Genevieve Plays Folk, And some JJCale.
23rd September 2026:Sheila Gym and visiting a friend for coffee. Bill had a wander in Ipswich, picked up a couple of books, but most of the charity shops were shut, City of Culture 2029, hmm. Noticed that youtube subscribers are now up to 1300! (Mel Biggs is on 2000). Hardly a mega social, but for a niche channel, not bad. Not monetised but can't avoid the ads, sorry. Folkbluesnbeyond YT We have booked to see Trackdogs at the John Peel Centre in November. They are on an anniversary tour. Baskery are coming in November 2027, another must see. Listened to Genevieve Plays Folk. Pump disconnect, now a week away from hospital, next stop 2nd October. New TT tune is Roslyn Castle. A favourite from Bards of the Heath days.
22nd September 2026: Sheila swam. Bill managed the first night with his 'pump'. Sorry to hear the KeithG (ESMM) died in the early hours. Lots of memories with East Suffolk and Chameleonic. Bill'nSheila quick brush up on a couple of songs for U3A later today. Laurel popping on for a cuppa on Sunday, (coming down for Ash's birthday tea with Di. Found a clip of Bill singing Flash Company in 1996, edited to FB for fun and posterity. U3A Folk Music Group: Westerfield Swan: An enjoyable afternoon, sorry to hear that Jezzer has a diagnosis, we may cross paths in chemo, Sheila sang 'Gipsy Girl' and 'Salt of my Tears', Bill sang Bob Pegg's 'Dancing Song' tacitly thinking of Keith.Bill posted TT sketches.
7.9.26