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Plans are afoot for the first weekend in June 2012, with the Dead rabbits, and something a little
more relaxed and acoustic for the Sunday
Festival Report
25th September 2010
Frenzied work by all concerned in the morning under cloudless blue skies raised hopes that it would be a cracking
day.
We had already been told that the Rutland Morris Men would be unable to appear, however Dave Casewell from
Uppingham did turn up, and would have danced but for the lack of a target for his Morris Stick.
WYSYWIG, Greethams most enthusiastic band took up the challenge and with rather more
rehearsal than is usual, opened the gig. The skies darkened, the temperature dropped, the BBQ smoked, and the PA system played
up, but on they went. On and on!
When they were finally persuaded that they had done a sterling job (really, guys,
honest) Iain Bamber took over for his solo spot.
That boy will go far.
The Extones, Wood Steel &
Soul and McGoo all played their parts and their pieces in keeping the crowd jigging along, and all too soon the time came
for the headline act to take the stage.
BlackJack, the Church Lane Crew, headed by James and Robin Tidd got things
rocking along.
A storming set followed and all too soon the last encore had been played and the day was over (for
some)
Beer Report
On
the cask ale front, easily the most popular and the first to sell out was Farmers Blonde, a 4.0% pale dry bitter from the
Bradfield brewery.
Greetham Gold, en exclusive, and Gordon Bennett both performed strongly, but all the beers were
in great form and it would be unfair to criticise any of them.
The low temperatures the night before and careful
stillageing in the shade cast by the trees meant that the beers were all served at perfect temperatures.
The BBQ
proved to be very popular, especially as the jacket spuds could be used as handwarmers before being filled and eaten. Two
uses for the price of one!
Next Year-Ask me when my back has stopped aching and we have had a chance to reflect
on the event.
Thanks
Well, we couldn't have done it without
the massive amount of help received from too many people to mention. If I miss anyone out, please do not be offended, as it
is not intentional.
On the preparation side, Paul Bland, for having the bright idea in the first place; don't
worry, I'll get you back! Don McGarrigle, his weekend guests who came away for a quiet break from home, and his long suffering
wife Helen, who fronted up the BBQ. Helen was a very effective BBQ-master, and dragooned some excellent help, including Thomas
de Vries, and May Ling.
Steve Batkin, and Kev the scaffolder, a man with a 24 inch neck, and racing pigeons to
boot. All I was after was some simple staging to separate the bands from the audience, but what we got would have put Glastonbury
in the shade. CS Scaffolding, the comapny they work for deserve a special vote of thanks, as the labour, let alone the materials
is hugely appreciated.
Dick "the Buttons" Brett, chief tent erector, ale taster and sound engineer did
not seem to stop all day. His care and attention to the PA equipment meant that any minor niggles were soon resolved, and
the Bands played on.
All the Plough staff put in an extra effort into helping the weekend along, and all deserve
an extra vote of thanks for their hard work. Having said that, there is one who shall remain nameless, who said, "Can
we do it all again next weekend?" The response form me was not recorded.
Finally, the greates show of appreciation
has to go to Kath, my wife who has been so supportive throught the whole process, from planning to final execution.
I don't think that I was the object of the execution, although I might still be wrong on that.
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