President and impresario Richard Woolley gamely hosted 'Friday Night Is Music Night' at the Chester Road Sporting Club on 9th October as the customary Autumn Event for this year.
Around 50 Old Carolians and their guests had an extremely pleasant evening listening to a programme of folk, country, pop and classical music. The classical music was performed by members of the Midland Fretted Orchestra (Nick Gravestock, Gethin Davies, Richard Shearing and Sue Whittaker). Other contributions came from Jim Preston, Campbell Slater, Colin Lloyd, and our President, Richard Woolley, duetting with Graham Dumphy.
Richard has been a member of the Midlands Fretted Orchestra for many years and, as well as playing in the rhythm section, is its Treasurer. The orchestra rehearses fortnightly at St Mary's Church Hall, Bearwood, and sections of the orchestra also meet to rehearse in smaller groups in members' houses. It is affiliated to the National Banjo, Mandolin and Guitar Federation and attends and enters competitions at the federation's Biennial Rally.
Richard and Graham started the evening by performing 'The Boatman' - Graham's adaptation of a Chris de Burgh song, plus Ario Guthrie's 'Spirit of New Orleans'.
Sue Whittaker, in her solo, played 'Recuerdos de l'Alhambra, Vals No. 4, Danza, and Brasiliera' while Jim Preston played and sang 'Muckle Horses', 'Galway Shawl', 'Cornish Lads' and 'What's the Use of Wings?'.
Campbell Slater, ably assisted by Norman Broadfield on the Club's audio system, played and sang Buddy Holly favourites, including 'Maybe Baby', 'Crying', 'Waiting and Hopin'' and the timeless 'Peggy Sue'. The inimitable Colin Lloyd recreated his days from 17 years earlier in the Kidderminster folk scene by singing and playing 'Courtin' in the Kitchen', 'Meet Me on the Corner', 'Five Foot Flirt' and 'Ramblin' Rover'. After a great interval meal of fish and chips, organised by Ken Garbett, the audience was able to join in the fun by singing "Never Be Anyone Else but You', 'Lipstick on Your Collar', 'Travellin' Light', 'Hey, Good Lookin'', 'Take Me Home' and 'Take Good Care of My Baby' with accompaniment from the President and Graham Dumphy.
As usual with these memorable Carolian events, there are always other people whose support and help is invaluable. Apart from Richard's organisation and participation, we should also thank Peter Guy and friends for organising the raffle, David Slater for spreading the news of the event on the website, Norman Broadfield for organising everything at the Club, and Tim Gulliver and Peter Picken for publicity and ticket Sales. The evening raised a total of £160, including £112 on the raffle.
Perhaps, as a final observation, I would say that it was a most enjoyable evening, made all the more pleasurable by an appreciation of the musical skills of all the players and singers. There is not only the appreciation of musical talent and ability, but also the means by which these can be transmitted to the audience.
OCA's Entertainment Correspondent: 'Captain' Peter Vaughan