Set off Friday later than planned, on a dark and dirty night, route committed to memory.... pass fish & chip shops we’ve never seen before.... arrive at Hebden Bridge. Hebden Bridge? Something has taken control of the Land Rover! Back-track to Todmorden, climb the steep hill to Bacup in nigh zero visibility and eventually spot a sign on the right - “The Moon”, it said cryptically. Must be the Planet:Earth centre where John “JK” Keegan and partner Linda have their Amateur Astronomy and Planetarium set-up. Drag caravan up track, on track more or less, in the gale and torrential rain, trying hard not to drive over the cliff that we knew was there but could not see. Lots of cars, a few tiny tents, but no lights.... no people.... just the howling and pitch black, driving rain. Searched for Mulder and Scully to no avail... they too had been abducted, it seemed. It was the X-Files, but for real ...

What to do? We unhitched the caravan and set off back down the hill to the pub we’d foolishly passed by on the way up, near the railway bridge, at the Todmorden end of the A681. Four people in there... “You’ve not been up the hill, not in this weather on such night? They do say folks disappear...”  Explaining that we were there for JK’s Bluegrass Music Picking Weekend the landlord exclaimed “Ooh, hey up - them ’Illbillies all came down here last time and we had a reet good do!” We settled in for a couple of pints of the best bitter we’d tasted in long ages - ‘Barnsley Bitter’ in top condition. Then to bed in the wilderness......

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and things looked good from our perch. We had a commanding view of the valley and the old quarry workings; the centre is built on these and the site is gradually being restored to Nature. During our late breakfast the clouds appeared, then the rain, though not too many people. But no worries - everything was very well organised. There was the amply-sized Astronomy Centre for concerts and to pick in, the Planetarium to give variety and education and an Astronomy Trail (like a Nature Trail, but out of this world!) The centre has full facilities for drinks and light snacks but no licence, so one was obliged to take one’s own booze. And one did!

The event started at 1.00 p.m. and struck off with picking sessions, with the main one in the Centre. There were not many pickers, in fact not many people at all, compared to what might have been expected; this was due entirely to the horrendously bad weather. Happily that didn’t stop a good group picking everything under the sun from Old Timey, real TradGrass, progressive stuff, a bit of Beatles, R&R and you-name-it. A very good session, enjoyed by all.

SilverHill: Bill Hyde, Pete Simmonds and John JK Keegan
pose by the John T.Williams Plaque

After the picking sessions everyone gathered for the serious moment of the day - the Dedication Ceremony. A small nature Garden had been built and a pear tree was ceremoniously planted in it to the memory of John T.Williamson. Also a plaque, made and engraved by Jim Burnett, was fixed to a stake and inaugurated during a short but moving speech by JK. “John T.”, a member of the original Silver Hill String Band, had died in 1994. Photographs were taken, including poses with the newly-formed SilverHill Band with John T’s D35 Martin Guitar to represent John’s presence. Interestingly, John’s D35 is being used by his daughter in her music degree at University.

Natural breaks, food, Planetarium visits, boozes, snoozes, and everyone was ready for the Evening Concert. Various bands gave their all. Amongst them was 2/3 of Northern Proud (Ian Reynolds and Pete Schaffer) with support from Pete “Bonz” Barnes, playing a variety of styles; Feather and Son from Leeds area, playing fiddle & guitar instrumentals and last (but not least) The SilverHill Band. To date this new group comprises John Keegan (guit, vocals), Bill Hyde (bjo) and Pete Simmons (elec. bass). As to their music, this writer can do no better than to plagiarise Ian Reynolds (NWBN Aug 1998) “...But J.K.’s songs are real, relevant and essentially now. And the arrangements are steeped in bluegrass technique and virtuosity. They will appeal to the folkies as much as the grassers and the country types. Divisions will tumble when this work gets known...” Among JK’s song titles were Coming Over To You, Voice of a Stranger, White Sand, Never Hold Your Love Back On Me, We’re Back! and Bill Hyde played his own instrumental composition Roch Valley Way.

The concert was followed by another jam session that continued long into the night - nay, morning - it went on for more hours than our stamina could feed!

In the morning the few hardy campers tried to pack up their small tents during short respites in the downpouring rain.... We hitched our caravan and were last to leave, bumping into Jim Woodhouse and his wife and daughter, as they arrived in their car. The charming ladies were blithely drinking champagne from stylish glasses, little fingers elegantly poised.... “When is the session, then?” quizzed Jim. “August 1999” replied I, driving off and relieving him of his £5 sponsorship renewal en passent

We will be there - register your name now!

Derek Brandon, Chester.

| Write to John Keegan | Visit the Planet:Earth Centre | Article on the 1997 event |

Updated 23rd Jan 1999