Knavish Sprite

Local Showcase Saturday 2pm

Knavish Sprite (Robin Shannon) is a Didcot based folk / blues
singer and songwriter. A keen singer and guitar player, from a young
age Robin was particularly taken with the haunting melodies and
stories encapsulated by the folk and blues traditions. Under the
Knavish and Spritely guise of his namesake Robin Goodfellow, he is
increasingly establishing himself on the local music scene notably
performing at the Cornerstone Beer and Music Festival and reaching
the final 10 acts in the Purbeck Folk Festival “Rising” competition.

Greg Mayston’s Folk, Blues and Americana 2.45pm

Greg Mayston’s Folk, Blues and Americana play country, folk
and blues songs, new and old, and with love for the traditions
behind the songs. They released an album in 2020: ‘Old
Heads On Young Shoulders’ and continue to spread the word
of the music through these troubled times.

Ben Avison 3.30pm

Guitarist Ben Avison has carefully honed the craft
of songwriting, telling a story in every song. He is a
captivating performer who has been singled out for his
“beautifully rich voice”, “tasty guitar work” and as a
“master of many styles” by the BBC. The influences are
eclectic and classic, yet floating above it is a clear English
voice all its own.

Forty Thieves 4.15pm

Drawing on a range of musical sources, Forty Thieves weave
poetic tales of life and love by fusing haunting melodies,
spellbinding harmonies and subliminal rhythms all served
up in an eclectic contemporary folk sound.
Food for the soul. Reservations
taken. No cutlery required. All events are FREE
and no booking
COVERED MARKET is required
BlueJay 12pm
BlueJay are Wendy Bryant and Roger Jackson. They met
many years ago but have only been singing together
as BlueJay for the last few years. Wendy has sung with
many bands including Wycombe-based Bluegrass outfit
Redwing. Roger Is a film and TV composer and choir leader.
Wendy’s Carolina roots inform her singing in this genre.
Two of them share lead and harmony duties while Roger twangs amusingly on the guitar.
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Holy Fools 12.45pm

Local Showcase Saturday

Tennessee singer-songwriter Chris Floyd
of the Holy Fools will be joined by two
other members of the Oxford-based
quartet – multi-instrumentalist Harry
Brzezinski and bassist Jason Neil, both
long-time veterans of the UK music scene
– for a set of all-original Americana.

The Skeptics 1.30pm

See page 14 for information.

Mark Ashworth 2.15pm

Mark Ashworth is a songwriter, singer and musician rooted in
the broad folk tradition. Accompanying himself on guitar and
octave mandolin/bouzouki, his songs draw on wide influences,
from traditional song and ballad forms to contemporary
folk writers. His songs are performed by others around
the folk scene and have been recorded by artists including
Commonground, Reunion Lane and Shepherd’s Purse. All events are FREE
THE OLD FIRE STATION CAFÉ and no booking
is required
Paul Scourfield 4pm
Paul brings warmth and humour to any venue he visits, along
with songs and tunes which alternately excite, move or make
you laugh! Paul has released an album “Freshly Squeezed”

And stay on for the Martin Carthy gig at 8pm!

featuring songs and tunes from his solo repertoire.

BlueJay 4.45pm Three Idle Women 5.30pm

See page 24 for information. See page 13 for information.

Short Drag Roger 6.15pm

Short Drag Roger began just after the turn of the millennium in the landlocked village
of Chalgrove, Oxfordshire. Like true shanty men we sing traditional sea shanties, some
dating back as far as the sixteenth century. We sing in strict work rhythm, to keep the true
character of work songs. However the rich and exotic chorus harmonies are all our own! In
keeping with tradition, we also write our own shanties, and audience participation is an
essential part of any Short Drag Roger gig.

The Jolly Grogsters 7pm

The Jolly Grogsters put the shazam into shanties plus
some original bangers for good measure. Guitars, vocals,
mandolins, whistles, froittoirs and fiddles are all alive
and kicking on Planet Grog.
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Sunday 24th April

THE BLUE ROOM (ST ALDATES TAVERN) 1pm-1.45pm
Big Ginger Tom presents: TICKETS:
£7.50 + 10% bo
Patrick Griffin or £18 (+10% bo
oking fee,
oking fee)
with Anna Rena
Blending influences from his most e
and Craig Join
revered songwriters spanning er
genres such as folk, pop, jazz
and soul, Patrick’s songs portray “Beautiful songs, deep
passion and emotion with lyrics and catchy melodies.”
memorable hooks and a story to tell. BBC Music Introducing

THE BLUE ROOM (ST ALDATES TAVERN) 2pm-2.45pm P

Big Ginger Tom presents: TICKETS:
£7.50 + 10% bo
Anna Renae or £18 (+10% bo
oking fee,
oking fee)
with Patrick Gr
Anna Renae is a pop/folk singer- iffin
and Craig Join
songwriter, weaving musical stories er
inspired by life’s complexities.
Her debut album ‘Skin’, released in March 2020, and her follow-up
EP ‘Speaking Her Mind’, released in October 2021, both feature
songs written between the ages of 13-21, telling stories that
encapsulate aspects of Anna’s teenage and early adult life.
“If Anna Renae isn’t a star one day I’ll know
I should have retired long before now.”
Folking.com

THE BLUE ROOM (ST ALDATES TAVERN) 3pm-3.45pm P

Big Ginger Tom presents: TICKETS:
Craig Joiner
£7.50 + 10% bo
oking fee,
or £18 (+10% bo
oking fee)
with Anna Rena
Craig Joiner has been a professional e
and Patrick Gr
iffin
musician for over 25 years, doing
his first ever spot at the Cellar Folk
Club in Old Hemel Hempstead when SAVE WHEN YOU
he was 16. In recent years Craig
has returned to the Folk Club scene BUY TICKETS TO
gaining an impressive following and ALL 3 BIG GINGER
honing the songs for his debut solo TOM EVENTS!
album ‘Art Of Landing’.
“Craig is a singer / songwriter and his personal based songs are very
accessible, with all the foibles of life that we can relate to.”
Tony Birch - FATEA
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