Thought it best to shift this away from Dale’s thread (though hopefully he will make it to the UK in November).
As there are a grand total of five of us (plus lurkers unspecified and those over-the-border who may care to join us ) in Wales keen on a get-together …probably in the Spring?..somewhere in Wales…with Whistles…and food…and beer…and maybe tents (make that July )…some more tuneful than others…etc etc some plans need a-forming.
I haven’t been around Wales (or Whistles) long enough to suggest venues etc - to suggest that Newtown and Llanidloes are the heart of Whistledom would be pushing it some.
So, ideas folks…and if we get any brilliant ideas then we can take it off-board so as not to bore everyone else
Sorry Trisha, I missed this before posting to the “Dales visit” thread. How about we start cautiously and agree a Saturday afternoon sometime, just to test the waters. If we could fix a date and find out who’d like to come we could sort out a venue then, depending on where people are coming from.
May I suggest than if only a few of us want to meet, then to save costs of halls etc, we meet at a venue where we can make a noise, but near ‘facilities’. A countryside park, beach, etc.
I could get us a room at Swansea University. There’s a big park adjacent (or the beach) if it’s nice enough to be outdoors, but if its raining there’d be no problem about being noisy on a Saturday. And there’s a handy pub nearby too which was OK last time I was in there.
Swansea sounds good. Week Saturday?
(btw trisha, I’ve been playing too long to qualify for a worst whistler contest - just thought I’d suggest the idea!)
Jo
Edit: Pembrokeshire is, of course, a lot more beautiful. Especially South Pembrokeshire.
Are non-whistlers to be invited?
Let’s just keep the thread bumped up the list for a couple of weeks for those that don’t visit so often. I don’t venture too far from home between Jan and the end of April due to youngstock - lambs, llama crias etc, so even Swansea would be pushing it some.
Regarding the worst whistler contest - bags I the wooden whistle…erm I mean spoon..
That’s the trouble with Wales - we’re not exactly blessed with north-south communications are we? Perhaps we should meet in Aberystwyth, on the grounds that it’ll be equally inconvenient for everyone
Aberystwyth would be very good for me. I also admit the whole north/divide is very annoying, especially when all the big Welsh protests etc. which I would go to end up happening in Cardiff and I have to get there all the way from Bangor (it’s easier for me to get to London).
I’d be even closer to Aberystwyth (which I’ll just bump up by saying it’s a very beautiful town with plenty of nice sea to mess about in, plus trips out to see dolphins and stuff, maybe even trips to see leatherback turtles in the not-too-distant future) next spring/early summer because I’ll probably be working at the Centre for Alternative Technology near Machynlleth so it’d just be short bike ride for me.
If a Welsh get together happens I might even mention it to Andy McLaughlin of Crasdant (who could then mention it to Stephen Rees of Crasdant and Ar Log, a very good whistler) and see if he wants to turn up (or has time). He works just a few minutes from where I live and occassionally goes to the same sessions as me.
There is a certain amount of sense in Aberystwyth and having a lowkey workshop has an appeal (especially if it’s Welsh music ), but we need to decide together whether we want “outsiders” if we are just having a session of sorts/ or just plus family/ or just us…
Is there a sensible cheap/free venue in or around Aberystwyth? Indeed, does CAT have any facilities we could maybe borrow…providing we hide the cars and arrive glowing and looking suitably recycled on our bicyclettes?
Ackshully, I got it on, but it’s been so long since I last used it,
I can’t find the ‘on’ switch.
Having a lowkey workshop sounds great to me.
Anywhere, anyplace, anytime (Martini whistler!) is fine
If there is a long way to travel, may I suggest car sharing
e.g. South Wale-eans meet at say Llandeilo main car park
and go north from there … or something like that,
vice-versa arrangement for North Wale-eans travelling south.
I seriously doubt I could make it to Aber. If I could meet someone somewhere on a train line though it might be possible.
If a Welsh get together happens I might even mention it to Andy McLaughlin of Crasdant (who could then mention it to Stephen Rees of Crasdant and Ar Log, a very good whistler) and see if he wants to turn up (or has time). He works just a few minutes from where I live and occassionally goes to the same sessions as me
Name-dropping are we?
Seriously, if we want a workshop, Stephen Rees would be good. I know Ceri Matthews well enough to ask (and I know he gives good workshops).
I’ll indulge in a name-dropping session then - I could mention it to Ceri & Julie, Cass (Meurig), Huw Williams, KilBride (Danny anyway), Sian Phillips and (most impressive of all ) Degogenod. Oh and Geoff and Kate of Allan yn y Fan and Martin of Boys from the Hill (only I think he’s in Estonia at the moment getting married).
I wouldn’t mind negotiating with any of the above people regarding workshops.
If somebody had a farm, with an outbuilding big enough, and would allow some people to make scary noises with metal/palstic/wooden tubes, then the choice of venue for a first meet might be solved.
Also they could record the scary noises, and play them back to …well, scare things e.g. scavenging birds, tax collectors, VAT men(and wimmen).
Host to provide tea/coffee from say Saturday midday to early evening?
Livestock could be looked after etc 'cos it’s not like there is a choice where animals are involved.
Transport could be shared to cut costs, or student passes utilised.
Wotcha think?
One off offer!
If anyone (in Wales ) really can’t afford the travel and desparately wants to meet up at this first gathering, email me, and we’ll have a look at it.
Hi,
I’ve been away for a while and only just seen this. (I am also not visiting the board too often at the moment for the same reason even though I’m back home - there’s a lot to deal with)
I would LOVE to meet up with other Welsh whistlers. I might qualify for the worst in a contest being a relative newie - but I could drop some of the same names as Jo C.!! (but not quite as many as she is SO into the Welsh music scene!) I know Julie and Ceri - who happens to be my flute teacher, is a great piper and does really good workshops - and lives in the next village to me. Depends what kind of meet we want though - I think low key and enjoying some Welsh music and getting to know each other a bit for starters might be good. A pre-meet for that on a Sat or something was a good suggestion from someone. I could get to Swansea for that (1.5 hr drive)
Aberystwyth would be an ideal location for me - only an hours drive up the coast (then I could sleep at home and not in a tent - my bones are getting too old for that these days) and I have a friend up there (post grad at the uni) who is involved in the folk club so I could find out more about that too.
Jo - if you get a train up to Carmarthen from Pembs I could give you a lift to Aber. I would take us 1.5 hrs (Carmarthen is half an hour in the wrong direction for me but it would be possible and workable)
Who are all the Welsh whistles who chiff and fipple then? Is it just 5 of us?
Hope we can come to some agreement on this soon - it’s a great idea (and much nicer than London - sorry Dale!)
I’m not from Wales, and I have no idea what next year will bring, but I’d really like to visit Wales (and a friend who I’ve never met in person who lives in Swansea). So, maybe, I’ll drop by.
Forgot to mention for anyone interested - the Pencader Pipe Festival is on Sept 19th and 20th this year. It’s a small and only very locally advertised event really for the local community but the last 2 years have been FANTASTIC! Great sessions in the pub after the concerts on Fri and Sat nights - till about 6 a.m. once! workshops on the Sat a.m. and a feast. There are always some excellent visiting pipers. Anyone who makes music by blowing something is always welcome at the workshops and sessions. it’s great fun. Last year they also did coracle racing on the river Teifi. You can find out more if you just type Pencader Pipe Festival into google. (It’s something Ceri started and organises)
Maybe see someone else from C+F there?
Sarah
I’ll second the Pencader recommendation for anyone who can make it (unfortunately I can’t). I’ve never actually been, but from what I’ve heard, it is a very nice festival. Cass said it’s the best festival ever, and as a professional musician she should have a good idea!
Thanks for the offer of a lift Sarah - I might be able to get a lift with someone to somewhere nearer to you than Carmarthen.
An idea regarding a workshop - if we all came ready to share a tune, an official workshop leader wouldn’t be necessary, and teaching is a great way of improving your playing. It wouldn’t matter if a couple of people already know it. Just one request - NOT Pwt ar y Bys!
Would anyone object to the presence of non- C&Fers / non-whistlers? Obviously if it’s at a private house, it would be a different matter.
) in Wales keen on a get-together …probably in the Spring?..somewhere in Wales…with Whistles…and food…and beer…and maybe tents (make that July 
)…some more tuneful than others…etc etc some plans need a-forming.
)