"Folk songs of Kent" is the working title of a series of folk music concerts featuring songs from and about Kent performed by singers and musicians from Kent. Kent County Council have awarded a grant to Folk Spots to present a series of three concerts as part of KCC's Kentweek Festival, the county-wide event celebrating all that is great and good about Kent.

The performers taking part in the project all originate from Kent, in fact most of them still live in the area and the others are frequent visitors. They include Pete Castle, Maria Cunningham, Bob Kenward, Bing Lyle, Tan Tethera (Dave, Kath and Heather Grabham) and Andy Turner. It was back in 1994 that we first got the majority of them together to record an album of Kentish material entitled "Keys of Canterbury" which also featured the late, and sadly missed, Ron Spicer. That album was launched with a packed concert at Tenterden Folk Day, as it was then known. The album was very successful so, in June 1998, we went back into the studios to record a second Kentish album, "Apples cherries, hops and women". We were very pleased to be able to invite Maria to join us for the album as she is a fine singer and had been a good friend of Ron's and had written a song about his life. It was also especially good to be able to include a new generation of folk musicians in the form of Heather, Dave and Kath's daughter, who plays whistles and flute as well as singing. "Apples" was launched at another packed concert at Tenterden Folk Festival in October 1998 and is receiving excellent reviews in the local and national folk media.

These Kentweek concerts will be a rare opportunity to see the diverse talents of this group of Kentish performers on one stage.

Pete Castle; born in Ashford; nationally known professional folk singer, story teller, community arts project leader, etc. since 1978; also a member of internationally known group Popeluc.

Maria Cunningham; often thought of as a Sussex singer but actually from Kent, mainly performs unaccompanied songs; also writes in the traditional style.

Bob Kenward; one time resident of Faversham and now lives in Tunbridge Wells; best known for his prolific writing of songs and poems about Kent which have been taken up by many local singers.

Bing Lyle; piano accordion player and singer, originally from Kent but now based in Brighton. Bing also works with a Brighton based arts agency and is no stranger to many musical styles from folk to classical. He is a member of several groups including the well known Ceilidh band The Sussex Pistols.

Tan Tethera (Dave, Kath and Heather Grabham); highly regarded family trio from Woodchuch, near Ashford; well known in the local folk clubs; Dave is also Squire of Woodchurch Morris and Dance Co-ordinator of Tenterden Folk Festival.

Andy Turner; also originally from Ashford where he started singing, playing and dancing; former Sidmouth singer of the year!; now plays with Geckoes and other nationally known groups.

The first of the concerts will take place on Sunday 20^th June in the Wagon Store, the Museum of Kent Life at Cobtree on the edge of Maidstone. You could hardly ask for a more appropriate setting so listen to songs with titles such as "Hopping down in Kent" or "All men of Kent". The museum will be open so that you can spend some time looking round at the Kentish exhibits, have a picnic and then attend the concert in the evening.

The second concert will be on Monday 21^st June at The Beacon, Tea Garden Lane, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells. The Beacon is a popular pub which is well known for it's special events including folk evenings and special theme nights in the restaurant. The Beacon is run by John and Di Cullen, who have been involved in the folk scene in Tunbridge Wells for many years.

The third and final concert will be a special event for Tenterden folk club on Tuesday 22^nd June upstairs at the Eight Bells in Tenterden High Street. The Bells is the home of our regular sing-a-rounds and one of the principle venues for the annual Tenterden Folk Festival in October. By coincidence there is an inscription on a beam in the bar, which reads "Kent Sir - every body knows Kent - apples, cherries, hops and women". This is, of course, a quote from Charles Dickens Pickwick Papers.

Sunday 20th June 1999 - MAIDSTONE;

The Wagon Store, Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree, Maidstone, Kent.

7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Adults £6.00 - Children £3.00

Monday 21st June 1999 - TUNBRIDGE WELLS;

The Beacon, Tea Garden Lane, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent. 8.30

p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Adults £5.00 - Children £3.00

Tuesday 22nd June 1999 - TENTERDEN;

The Eight Bells, High Street, Tenterden, Kent.

8.30 p.m. to 11.00 p.m.

Adults £4.00 - Children £2.00

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Last updated 27^th February 1999.