The Hat Club: Boo Hewerdine: Sept 27th

Barry Cross is a very clever man.
He designs the CD covers for Miracle Mile and my solo stuff.
He's also doing the posters for our music venue The Hat Club. 

As you can see we have the stupendous Boo Hewerdine playing on September 27th. 
If you'd like to come and see Boo in an intimate setting, please get your name on the club clipboard asap.
£10 will reserve you a place.
If you are a non member and are reading this, please just email me for details at trev@lisacottage.demon.co.uk

Boo is regarded by those in the know as one of this county's finest song writers.
I've been following his career since I saw him as a spotty youth (me not him), playing with his band The Bible. One of his songs in particular is probably responsible for me wanting to be in a band.
Yes, Boo is to blame for my wasted youth...
That song was 'Graceland'.

Boo has since gone on to develop a successful solo career and as a songwriter for other artists, notably Eddie Reader, for whom he wrote the gorgeous 'Patience of Angels'. 
Here's his take:

For more info on Boo please have a look at his website here.
It's going to be a cracking night.
Don't miss out...

Hat Club: Sat 12th: Cancelled Due to Indifference...

Thanks to:
- Barry Cross for doing the brilliant poster (free of charge, as per usual)
- Paul Austin for arranging the PA set up, free of charge, as per usual
- Val and the crew for trying to push the tickets
- Di for trying to talk it up
- Chris Guildersleve for being the only person to actually put his name on the list and paying up front
- In particular Paul Armfield for still offering to come and play for 'one man and his dog.'
Unfortunately, although Paul is ready to travel from the Isle of Wight in the hope of late arrivals, I'd be embarrassed to present him as our guest for the possibility of a miserly £20, hence the cancellation.
We have two more dates on the horizon:
- Sept 27. The world famous Boo Hewerdine
- Nov 8. The critically acclaimed Peter Bruntnel
I could post videos & rave reviews about them.
I'm sure that I will closer to the date but at the moment, frankly, I can't be arsed...

Hat Club Saturday Night: 6 Tickets Sold! Please Make an Effort Folks!

Hat Club: July 12th

I went to the club last night to talk up next week's Hat Club presentation.
Not
One
Ticket 
Sold…
Now, I'm not one for hectoring but…
These shows, Dear Member, are put on for you.
- Paul Austin provides the PA free
- Di and I do quality control
- Musicians come from far and wide to perform for you
It's a great night out, throws unfamiliar members together and it puts vital money behind the bar.
What's not to like?
Paul is coming across water to play for us.
However, if we do not have a minimum of 30 names on the list by Wednesday I'm going to have to cancel the show. Sorry to say that this might impact on our enthusiasm for future shows… and there are a couple of crackers in the bag.
After Paul we have:
Sept 27: Boo Hewerdine
November 8: Peter Bruntnel
Folk travel long to see these guys play.
You'd just need to stumble down to the club...
Come on people, get your names on the list; preferably before Wednesday.
Rant over…

The Hat Club: July 12th: Paul Armfield

Come on folks.

Support your club and…

Support live music!

The Hat Club: Paul Armfield: July 12th

Our next Hat Club presentation will be on July 12th.
It's a real pleasure to announce that Paul Armfield will be performing songs from his back catalogue and from his fine new album 'Up-Here'.
Why not read a review of that album here.
For those who want copious details I've copied some biography notes from Paul's own website for you to trawl through.
For those of you who prefer brevity:
- Paul has a voice of golden gravity; like Leonard Cohen steeped in honey.
- It's unlikely that there will be dancing.
- There may well be the odd 'man tear' shed.
£10 will get your name on the club's clip board.
Paul is journeying across water to play for you (he lives on the Isle of Wight) so please book early to guarantee him a warm welcome and to keep my anxiety levels low.
Meanwhile, here's the title track from Paul's 'Evermine' album.



After many years playing bass in an assortment of bands, bookstore manager Paul Armfield eventually sat down with Joan Baez’s guitarist Adam Kirk and wrote and recorded a handful of songs. These demos came to the attention of a new label who comissioned an album.
With his collaborator and friend now in the States Paul turned to other friends to make up a scratch band- the remarkable Four Good Reasons who, along with producer Ian Caple (Tricky, Stina Nordenson, Jan Tiersenn) and arranger Dickon Hinchliffe (Tindersticks) created the album Songs Without Words. One of the tracks on the album- Paul’s self translated interpretation of a lesser know Jacques Brel song Why Should It Be That A Man Gets Bored, made it onto Barklay’s Brel compilation where it sat very comfortably alongside the likes of Bowie, Scott Walker, Nina Simone et al.
Those who got to see Paul live during this period, whether as a duo supporting Lambchop, solo with the Go-Betweens or with all four of the Good Reasons witnessed performances of intense emotions, wringing tears of laughter, joy and sadness from the audience on a nightly basis. After witnessing their performance at the Glastonbury festival James Delingpole raved in the Sunday Telegraph of his ‘star find’.
Paul’s third album ‘Blood, Fish and Bone’ was recorded live over only four days, each of those four days were separated by six month intervals, scheduled around the visits of Adam Kirk from his new home in San Francisco.
Paul and Adam were joined by JC Grimshaw and drummer Rupert Brown in Rupert’s mostly valve studio. Unrehearsed, spontaneous, and full of the creaks and rumbles of furniture and outside traffic, the performances are also fairly hushed, partly as a response to the songs but also as a consideration to the terrible case of tinitus from which Rupert was suffering.
More recently Paul has taken to writing songs to order,bespoke songs for members of the audience as the in house laureate at Larmer Tree Festival, a song about skateboarding in Ventnor to raise money for a local skate-park, and contributing a song ‘Flagbearers’ to the second Folk Against Fascism album.
In 2009 to celebrate the bicentenary of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s birth Paul put some of the former poet Laureates poems to music and performed them at Tennyson’s Island home Farringford. An album of these songs was released in the autumn of 2011.
As a sideline Paul also performs double bass duties in gypsy jazz trio Tzigane and 1930s jazz and hula outfit The Gramophone Party.

Berks Summer League: Royal Berks ends v Trojans

Joe Budweiser writes:

The Trojans were off to their first away match of the campaign, travelling to Bracknell for a visit at the Royal Berkshire Health and Racquets Club. A very nice facility one must admit....

First on was Guy Plunkett, who quickly found the quality of opponent higher than his previous match. Down 0-2 in short order, he did manage to make a game of it in the third but alas could not keep up the pressure on his opponent. First match to Royal Berkshire. Playing his inaugural match for the Trojans, John Ashington experienced a similar result on the neighbouring court. His opponent's mid-court drops and ability to chase down length was the difference. Second match to Royal Berkshire.

The third match was to be played by Andy Wright, who made several appearances last summer for the Trojans. He had also volunteered as team chauffeur for the evening, a task not many sign up for and even doubly surprising as I had offered to do so! Driving to Bracknell clearly took a toll on his performance, as he was blanked 0-3 in the same manner as John and Guy.

This left myself playing at 2 and Olly Reeves at 1 with the task of getting some measure of points out of the evening.  Alas, it was not to be. We each put up a fight and at times seemed like we may get some momentum going, but the short version is both our matches ended on scores of 1-3 to the hosts.

A bit of a squad rethink will need to occur before the next match, as the Berkshire Summer League is proving a challenging environment for the Trojans....

Final score:

Beaconsfield Trojans: 2 games, 0 matches won

Royal Berkshire 2nds: 15 games, 5 matches won

Overall winner: Royal Berkshire 2nds

Match Report: Berks Summer League: Trojans v Greenacre 2nds

Match Report by Joe Budweiser:

The team was hopeful for a flying start, having consolidated two teams from last year's summer league and moving up into the Berkshire's third division.....onto the match.

First up, Guy Plunkett found himself down 0-2 in games before changing tactics and powering his way to a third game win. However, all that extra power used up any reserve energy he would need for the fourth game, leaving Beaconsfield with a 1-3 loss in the first match. Next, John Bullard drew the unfortunate circumstance of playing a current Scotland Masters team member, but fought well. Regrettably, he was similarly dispatched on a scoreline of 1-3.

Not looking good for the Trojans, team match score showing 0-2 after the first two matches.

I was on court next, putting in a reasonable performance for the first game only to capitulate at 7-9. I then lost my way and proceeded to only score six points in the next two games. Do the maths and you find that you can't win games much less matches by doing that. Overall team match to Greenacre 2nds at this point. Alex Speculand had a similar result in his match, losing a very tight first game 8-10 and then also yielding games two and three for a match score of 0-3.

Down 0-4 in matches, Phil Alexander was the team's last hope for some points and to retain a (small) bit of pride. And what a hope it was....Phil turned out an entertaining and whiteknuckle performance, sending his opponent the wrong way more times than I care to count. The match see-sawed with Phil winning the first and then the fourth to force a fifth game. Experience then ruled the day, as the crowd saw Phil take a very solid fifth game victory (completed with a nick for the final point!) to win his match and prevent a complete sweep by the visitors.

Final score:

Beaconsfield Trojans: 5 games, 1 match won
Greenacre 2nds: 14 games, 4 matches won

Overall winner: Greenacre 2nds

Hat Club: TONIGHT: Saturday April 26: Paul Gilbody

A reminder that the excellent singer/songwriter Paul Gilbody plays The Hat Club TONIGHT.
As well as having a thriving solo career Paul has been a hired gun for many excellent performers, including Karine Polwart, KT Tunstall and Ricky Ross.
He's just about to release a new album that features his unique eclectic mix of folk, pop and funk.
Paul will be playing two sets tonight and takes to the stage at around 8.30pm.
There will be a late bar and our own playlist of music throughout the evening.
And… we've polished up the club's mirrorball specially… what's not to like?
I'm thinking that you could turn up and pay on the door but it would be nice to get advanced notice of numbers. Please add your name to the club clip board asap; £10 reserves you a spot.
Paul has journeyed down from Edinburgh specially to play for us.
I'd love for him to have a warm Hat Club welcome...

Bucks Vets

Dear All,

Can you please send a reminder round within your clubs that entries for the Bucks Vets are closing this weekend. It would be great to get more entries and support. There will be a shirt from iPROSPORTS and also prizes for winners / runner up from Harrow.
Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Anyone entering can email me on sammueller71@gmail.com
Kind regards
Sam

Sam Mueller
(M) 07539 069888

Lions: A Season Reasoned: Mark Treadwell

A few words from the Lions' Captain:-

Despite a challenging season with respect to team selection (or lack of!) the Lions performed admirably & finished 2nd in the County League. Thank you to my regulars who revolved their life around matches: Nic, who started playing again while still a cripple; CK who would have played with a cast on; Toby who played despite needing to be in bed by 9pm; Simon, who would have played while on his honeymoon if he could have got away with it; Paul, an irregular regular; & the myriad of keen reserves who helped me out.

Mark T

Tigers: A Season Reasoned: Gareth Ashington Writes (Just Not 'Joined Up')

Captain Calamity (Gazza) writes:

Some were surprised that the Tigers would take their spot in Div 1 having earned the right by winning Div 2. Kev, Dan and Paul Boyle all sought a number 1 for us and along came Mike McLaughlin. Revelation. He’s good, Boyley Good and what a great team player. Only his dad’s birthday and a virus stopped him playing 2 matches. He came close to beating Tom Phipps and won his England cap this season. At Gerrards Cross after thrashing Trevor he then played Andy Peers and I think had a hit with Jonny. Oh and he turns up on time J We managed 7 wins out of 18 matches, 2 more than CB 1B and managed to stave of relegation and the prospect of 3 Beaconsfield teams in Div 2. Adam Pyne was briefly in the team but the ticking time bomb went against his nemesis, Mark. There were “walk offs”, swearing, body contact and a final scene at the bottom of the stairs where verbal exchanges threatened to be more, but happily Adam just dumped his new team shirt and sped away. Jonny played well especially up to Christmas and was kind enough to come back in our last few matches. Dan was late every match as usual and played at 3 and sometimes at 2. He did give it his all every match and improved visibly towards the end of the season. Chris battled hard and picked up points. Thanks to Dave Fielding for allowing Dave Powell to switch for the last quarter. Dave belongs in Div 1 and showed this with a great win against Stewart Heffernan, 3-1. That I was surprised at the win is something that Dave hasn’t forgiven me about yet! And thank you to Brett Martin who stepped in after Jonny started making his first million in the city. He tried gallantly but at 2 and twice at 1 he found Bucks Div 1 a unforgiving place. Mike has confirmed for next season and so with Dave and Dan we have a good nucleus. Me, I was crap with a solitary good win against Ian McGowan. 

Gazza.     

Club Over 45s Championship

This just in from Gareth Ashington:

For the first time the Over 45 tournament is not being played at the same time as the Club Championship. This is because players like Mark Treadwell play in both and end up playing up to 3 times on both the Saturday and the Sunday rendering them too exhausted to put up much of a fight in the main final. The match ups and timings are below. Please come and watch, support or ridicule and spend some money at the bar.

Quarters
Gareth v Dave – Friday at 5.10pm
Nic V Jamal – Friday at 7.40pm

Semies
Mark v Dave (likely) or Gareth – Sat 11.00am
Dan v Nic (likely and sorry Jamal) – Sat 11.00am

Final is booked for 6.00pm but may be brought forward by mutual consent and court availability

The Hat Club. 5: Paul Gilbody

Thanks to all of you who supported our last Hat Club.
Martin Stephenson was a sell out; justifiably so as he and his partner Helen charmed us all with tall tales, fine finger picking and sumptuous singing.
Our next presentation is Paul Gilbody on April 26th.
As well as being a member of KT Tunstall's band Edinburgh based Gilbody has a thriving solo career.
His songs are confessional singer/songwriter fare, with a little bit of blue eyed soul added to the mix. He's also a master of the loop, so be prepared to be gobsmacked as he, erm, plays with himself...
You can reserve your tickets now by paying your £10 and getting your name on that famous club clip board.


You can read about Paul's career here.


Some future dates for your diaries:

May 17: Kathryn Williams and band. Kathryn has recently been nominated for 'Performing Artist of the Year' by the Journal Culture Awards 2014. She will feature songs from her Mercury prize nominated album Little Black Numbers and her new album Crown Electric.
Katherine's backing band will include a guitarist and a cellist.

Read a recent Independent on Sunday with Kathryn here.


July 12: Paul Armfield: 
'A voice like Leonard Cohen steeped in honey'. 
I said that.
Me.
And, yup, it's true.
Paul has a new album out 'Up Here' which is gathering rave reviews.
Read about Paul here. 


September 27: Boo Hewerdine: His work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as master of solo recordings and much work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, including a long association with Eddi Reader. Boo has been described as "one of Britain's most consistently accomplished songwriters" and is truly a legend amongst aficionados of the songwriting craft.
For any Arsenal supporters out there, Boo also wrote the soundtrack to the move 'Fever Pitch'.

Meanwhile, back to Paul Gilbody: Here's a video or two for your delectation:

James Wyatt v Mike McLaughlin 11.30 am Saturday Morning

This just in from Mark Wyatt to Chairman Mears after an invite to Charlie and James to enter the Club Championships on May 10th.

Hi Kevin,
Many thanks for thinking of the boys.
Charlie has been at home for Spring break, so we went ski-ing together on Friday in Verbier having been to Chamonix on Monday.
He has just flown back to the USA for his final semester and we will be attending his graduation on 19 May when John Kerry (US Sec of State) is giving an address, so it should be interesting. He starts work at UBS next to Grand Central Station 16 July but hopes to be back in the Uk for a couple of weeks before then to sort out his US Visa.
James won the Austrian Open a couple of weeks ago (see attached photo).The man in leather shorts is apparently the Austrian President, but James wasn’t convinced having been told not to talk to any Austrian’s with a dodgy tache !
On 10/11 May, James is due to play in an u17 event at Surrey Health & Racquets and Charlie will be gearing up for his graduation, so I think it unlikely either of them will be able to participate in the Club Champs.
I am coming back next weekend to look after James, so he asked me if anyone in the 1st team would like a friendly match on Sat morning after 11.15am or sometime on Sunday?
He is just looking for a fun match !
Cheers and thanks again for thinking of us.
Best wishes,
Mark

James Wyatt v 1st teamer Mike McLaughlin: 11.30 am Saturday Morning