FREE DAYTIME PERFORMERS FOR 2024

See programme for performance times

The Bluehills Federation Choir are delighted to be invited to the opening of the Bettws Triangle Festival this year. Our choir is made up of children from Clunbury C of E Primary School, Newcastle C of E Primary School and St. Mary's Primary School, Bucknell. The children are supported by the Shropshire Music Service and the dedicated staff across the Federation. We have performed in many different venues over the last couple of years, including Bishop Castle Festival, Ludlow Food Festival, Clun Church Christmas Service, Shropshire Sings (Shrewsbury) and Bedstone College. We aim to bring joy and a smile to the faces of our audience.

Benji Kirkpatrick:      https://www.benjikirkpatrick.com/                                                                                                                 Shropshire born Benji Kirkpatrick, is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. Benji was head hunted by folk rock pioneers, Steeleye Span in 2017, 40 years after his dad, John, was in the band and was a member until 2021, featuring on 50th anniversary album ‘Estd. 1969’. He was one third of ‘bloke folk’ trio, ‘Faustus’, along with Paul Sartin and Saul Rose, whose hard-hitting brand of English folk hammered it’s mark onto the scene until the untimely and tragic death of Paul in 2022. Benji is a long-term collaborator with Seth Lakeman, featuring on the successful releases ‘Kitty Jay’, ‘Freedom Fields’ and ‘Make Your Mark’ and tours with Seth and his band regularly. His new album In Phase, released autumn 2023, features all original songs written between 2020 and 2022.  He is back again this year both as a solo artist and in support of John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris on Sunday evening.

Bonnie Dobson: Since 1961 over 20 different albums of Bonnie's songs have been released and at least 70 separate versions of her song Morning Dew exist, ranging from such artists as, Grateful Dead, Lulu. Robert Plant. Herman Hermits to name but a few. Her latest album contains new recordings of her finest classics, some new songs and a sprinkling of classic folk standards. Bonnie is a very special person and friend to all in Bettws-y-crwyn having lived for many years just up the hill. It will be good to have her back amongst us once again.

David Reynolds & Sue Arnaboldi: Sue (vocals) and Dave (guitar/vocals) came together 14 years ago, for a one-off event when they lived in Oxfordshire. Now with 100 miles between them they still manage to get together to play an eclectic mix of folk, country, jazz and popular tunes. We are delighted to be welcoming them back to this year's festival.

David Reynolds & George Byatt: George will be singing good old favourites and ballads, accompanied by Dave on guitar/vocals. They met at a local Folk session when Dave added a guitar part to a song George was singing and have been performing together ever since. We love having this duo on board bringing something a little different to the festival.

Fleur de Lys:  Charlotte Bulley, Anne Marie Summers and Helen Wilding make up this innovative group called Fleurs de Lys. With a repertoire of medieval music from the 12th to 16th centuries, they play mediaeval harp, bagpipes, fiddle and hurdy gurdy, among other instruments. Their performances are a lively mix of instrumental and a capella, of complaint about boorish husbands, longing for lovers, and the joys of wine, dance and song, together with some more reflective works. They have been playing and singing together intermittently since 2007.

Kris Norton: Kris lives in Newcastle on Clun but grew up in Wales and always wanted to play a harp. Just before retirement as a primary school teacher specialising in music, she ended a harp workshop day in Knighton and came home with a harp. She plays a 36 string lever harp, also known as a Celtic or clarsach harp and enjoys playing music of many genres.

Men from Off: A group of Shropshire men singing together for sheer enjoyment. The group has gradually evolved and now perform 3- and 4-part harmony, down from the original 10! Their repertoire is mainly based on traditional and contemporary Shropshire songs but includes others which have a relevance to the ‘Men from Off’.

Patrick Gambles: Award-winning singer songwriter who cut his teeth on the Northern UK folk club circuit as a teenager in the mid-1970s. Fine original material with quality vocals, guitar and banjo. Folk roots with a contemporary, country edge. Patrick has recently relocated to South Shropshire after living and performing in Australia for many years. Check out NO WAY BACK, his album of original songs available via Spotify.

Press Gangers: Press Gangers are now establishing themselves as a popular Shanty/Irish band with added musical accompaniment, at venues along the Welsh border. The band encourages everyone to join in the singing whilst raising funds for good causes.  They were with us last year for their first gig and  we are delighted that they are returning.

Rapsquillion: Now in its 25th year, Rapsquillion, the award-winning but grizzled veteran of the Shropshire and mid-Wales folk music scene, has, in its various incarnations, been producing its own brand of close harmony music, mostly a cappella and usually based on traditional words and music. This group of singers goes from strength to strength and am proud that most are also local Morris Dancers.........what could be better than that.

Whitton Voices: A community choir from Presteigne that sing traditional songs from all over the world, and contemporary pieces written for a cappella choirs. Taught by ear by Sue Harris and motivated by a strong enthusiasm for singing together in harmony, they perform regularly around the Welsh Borders.

Quartet: Mike Blakesley Trombone, Dick Pearce  Trumpet and Flugel, Stuart Goodhew Keyboard, Chris Bolton  Double Bass. Mike was member of support band for Louis Armstrong Allstars and played on QE2 for 18 years. DIck performed with the Ronnie Scott Quintet for 13 years. Stuart is a remarkable pianist and had a huge success recently at our local the Sparc theatre. Chris Bolton has played with many top players is local to us and still runs her own club: The Bolthole. All together they produce top quality jazz which is a real joy to hear.