On Saturday June 11, the Rye Ukulele Experiment was invited to play at the all day Doddington, Newnham 2016 festival. Doddington Ukulele Movement (DUM) organized it to raise funds for Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Trust. We were happy to support this even though it took about an hour to get there. It took place in a lovely garden with food, plenty of chairs and music equipment all set up. About 10 bands performed and it was a great and supportive atmosphere, as experienced and not so experienced performers entertained us. The organizer announced that the inspiration for this day came from the festival which we, Rye Ukulele Experiment, set up last year, at which DUM played and enjoyed the day very much. Just to remind everyone, the second Rye ukulele festival takes place on July 3, 11:30am – 8pm at the Cinque Ports pub on Cinque Ports Street, five minutes from Rye station.
At 5:30pm our group decided to call it a day and packed up. Just as we were securely in the car to go home, the heavens opened with a downpour, a lucky escape for us.
At home, there was just time to change before going to the next gig at the Rye Community Centre but this time it was to listen to Dave Kelly rather than perform. I chatted with him before the start of the concert and he seemed very relaxed and unassuming. He told me that he has been playing the blues (occasionally a bit of folk) for about 53 years with a spell in the USA in 1966. Returning to England, he decided to make a solo career with his singing, rather than go down the conventional route of finding a 9 to 5 job. He told the audience that he had played in Rye 30 years ago, following with gentle irony: “Thank you for inviting me back so soon”. When talking about going to see Dave Kelly, some friends said they were not tempted, because one man with a guitar might get boring. How wrong they were and what a gem they missed. Once on stage with his guitar, another part of David appeared, the lover of the blues. It was inspiring the way he played with a slide and sang either covers of other blues artists, or his own original songs about life and its struggles, that raised emotions. Do check him out.
I had to tear myself away at half time to catch the end of another event at the Queen’s Head, Landgate, which included dinner. The back room was dressed with flags and on the tables were sheets of the music the Rye Bay Crew were performing for “We’ll meet again! 1940’s night.” Everyone was encouraged to join in with songs such as Roll out the barrel, Goodbye Sally, Keep the home-fires burning and others.
There was a very spirited atmosphere and the people I spoke to said that they had had a great night.
As if all that wasn’t enough enjoyment, when the Rye Bay Crew finished, a blues band took over at the front of the pub. John Pearson – Wicked Messenger, entertained us with Jem Turpin on harmonica, Chris Jolly on base and Colin Gibson on guitar.
A lovely finish to the day. If you want to find out about their next gig, (well worth it) email: johnpearsonblues@yahoo.com.
Photos: Heidi Foster