Maggie's 70th Birthday Bash

This week's session marked the occasion of Maggie S's 70th birthday. You don't usually tell a lady's age but she hasn't exactly been making a secret of it. This event fell on the same day as another big event for regulars at the club. Keith H and Pat got married in the afternoon - congratulations Keith and Pat. That meant that quite a few people had to fit in the wedding, reception or both before coming over to The Bridge. That didn't however stop us having a near capacity crowd of 28. I'm sure we could have fitted in a few more but the hot, humid weather made it rather sweaty until the big carriage door was opened to let in some fresh air - I hope we didn't disturb the neighbours.

An excellent spread of refreshments was provided by Maggie L, no doubt ably assisted by the lovely Gertie, who made a point of saying hello to everyone in her usual, enthusiastic way (for the benefit of newcomers to the blog, Gertie is a dog). Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to BUST.

Since there were 22 people singing at this session and we only got round once (plus 6 extras), I'll depart from the usual routine and in an effort to mention everyone, I'll try to identify, at least approximately, every song and tune. So here goes with "singer - song (song writer or reference)":

Round the first

Mike - "The Lamb Finishing off Song" to the tune Strike the bell - "Strike the bell landlord..."
Derek - Little Charlie Cassidy (sung)
Richard - Bushes and briars (Roud 1027)
Lesley - The french loaf and the gateau (Les Barker)
Kevin - The circle game (Joni Mitchell)
Terry - The Grimsby lads (John Conolly)
Tom - Fools' paradise (Isaac Guillory)
Colin - Are ye sleeping, Maggie (Dougie MacLean)
Steve G (with Jo) - Salty and sweet (John Smith)
Chris - Hunting the hare
Paul - Zen and the art of lane swimming (own composition)
John - Streams of lovely Nancy (Roud 688)
Angela - O if I was but a Butterfly (Roud 308)
Keith - James of the Glen (Dave Gibb)
Dave - All jolly fellows that follow the plough (Roud 346)
Mike (and everyone) - Happy birthday (Patty Hill, Mildred J Hill)
Geoff - An updated parody of Matty Groves (Roud 52, Child 81)
Gary - While love is eternal, time is only in our head
Helen - The testimony of Patience Kershaw (Frank Higgins)
Kath - Salmon Tails Up The Water
Simon - No sir no (Roud 146) - a version borrowed from The Yetties
Jo (with Steve G) - The unquiet grave (Child 78)
Keith G - Mean eyed cat (Johnny Cash)

Round the second

Derek - The widow's daughter

Richard - Where the Blarney roses grow

Lesley - Both sides now (Joni Mitchell)

Terry - Keep that wheel a-turnin' (Arthur Hagg)

Tom - Everybody (Brian Cookman)

The Bristol Shantymen (Mike, Dave, Geoff, John) - Haul away, old fellow, away

Here's a selection of the songs sung during the session.

(Number of people present - 28, of which 22 performed)