Thursday Night Bluegrass on Sunday Afternoon?
Fancy Dress Picking Party, Horse & Jockey, Helsby, Saturday 19th Sept 98
 By Jean Brandon
The Saturday afternoon function was held mainly for Stuart William’s students - especially the Thursday Night Set - to get together, pick, have fun and generally let their hair down. Bryn’s do’s are always a good laugh and interesting and this one, designated a Fancy Dress Do, held high promise, so Derek and I thought we’d go along for the fun. The forecast had been given out wet and windy for the afternoon, but in fact, apart from one tiny shower, it turned out Warm, Sunny and Dry. When we arrived, late as usual, things were in full swing on the lawn beside the pub. Music, beer and an inexpensive barbecue put on by the landlord. I was surprised how few people there were considering what a good afternoon it had turned out to be, but the people who were there had joined in wholeheartedly by wearing some great costumes.
Monica Lewinski, Nell Gwynne, There was the Sheriff of Nottingham and his Lady (John and Sue Blissit) and Nell Gwynne (Helen Ellis). Noddy Holder (Karl Plant) looked more like one of the Bay City Rollers to me. (Bay City what???) A hairy-legged, moustachioed Nurse had Derek worried... There were plenty more characters, but my vote went to Russell Williams daringly dressed as Monica Lewinski (complete with Blue dress plus stain on front and a knee pad). Knee pad? Yep - for protection when grovelling under the table in the Oval Office, ostensibly looking for pencils the President had dropped... [Enough of that - this is a Family Mag. - Ed!] “What has all this got to do with Bluegrass? ” you may well ask - well, therewas plenty of that too as during the afternoon all these characters picked and jammed with abandon.
Stuart and Russel Williams organised a small band and played old standards at learner speed for everyone to join in with and this session was very popular. This was followed by the band singing the winning entries to the Limerick Writing Contest. Some of the offerings were not fit to print here and most of the writers would benefit from lessons in rhyme and meter... still it was all good fun. Towards the end of the afternoon after the raffle and a game of ‘Pass The Parcel’ Stuart and some of the more advanced students formed a scratch band and played some good old Bluegrass standards such as My Blue Ridge Mountain Home and Bile them Cabbage Down. A new ‘oldie’ was The Greenalls Gospel which is sung to the tune of I Saw The Light. Where does he get them from? “Just one more pint / Just one more pint / I drink Greenalls and it tastes all right / Now I’m so happy no sorrow in sight / Praise Greenalls, just one more pint! The youngest participant in the days goings-on was a budding, future recorder-playing, Bluegrass vocalist aged 6 years who gave her rendition of Cotton Eyed Joe, ably supported by The Scratch Band!!
Eventually a few spots of rain ended the outdoor session with many people wending their way home (no stamina!) but a few of the moved into the pub to continue eating and picking there. The fancy dress theme had caught on with the staff, with all the serving wenches wearing very revealing, low-cut, Western-saloon dresses. Derek was glad his sight is improving... The session emphasised the progress that has been made by some of the Thursday Night regulars - Mike Fallon and Dave Skerry in particular stood out. It was impressive to see banjo players (though not the 12 string guitar player!) playing quiet backup during verses and breaks! Jean Brandon, Chester.
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Monica Lewinski with 
Dave Skerry and Mike Fallon jam in