Classic-Banjo

A Site Dedicated to all enthusiasts of Classic Style Banjo

UK MIDLANDS BANJO FESTIVAL "THIS SATURDAY"

OUR EVENTS PAGE HAS HAD THE INCORRECT DATE FOR THE UK BANJO FESTIVAL.

"PLEASE NOTE" THE FESTIVAL IS THIS SATURDAY,

8TH OCTOBER 2016

Venue: Hilton House Hotel, 1 Mill Lane, Hilton, Derbyshire DE65 5GP tel. 01283 732304

MBF is a gathering of all styles of Banjo Music from the amateur to professional, with enthusiasts and players meeting up, chatting, buying, selling, relaxing and enjoying good company. Doors open 12 noon and the concert, in which anyone can play, will run through the afternoon and conclude in the evening with the free Raffle Draw sponsored by Clifford Essex Music Company Ltd.

For more details contact :

Keith Wilson 0113 2588243 or David Wade 07976 875619

or see www.midlandbanjofest.com

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Permalink Reply by David Wade on October 10, 2016 at 7:53

After a slow start to the event - the room filled up with players and audience by the time the concert was due to start. A minutes' silence in remembrance of Ray Bernard was followed by two recordings ...."I'll see you in my dreams". We had a table with a few of Ray's collection for sale, mainly tenors.

What a fantastic afternoon : an excellent first half to the concert and then the second half that was one of the best!

Excellent playing all round - Claude came from Belgium and Lotz from Dusseldorf.

Next Year's Date : 14th October get it in the diary NOW!

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Permalink Reply by thereallyniceman on October 11, 2016 at 14:37

Hi Dave,

I am pleased it was a good event! I am also so sad about the loss of Ray Bernard, he was a great guy and I have known him for "donkeys years" ! He played my maple Weaver Banjo at a previous Midland Banjo Fest and described it "as smooth as silk" and told me that he wanted to buy one. He was quite ill at that time too.

I first met Ray at Banjo Rallies in the UK many years ago and then at the "George Formby Society" meetings held here in Blackpool. In fact, I was there at the "Winter Gardens" meeting when George Harrison (Yes... the Beatles one) attended and first met Ray.

(My greatest claim to fame is that I stood at the next urinal to George Harrison in the Winter Gardens Gents toilets... I always wanted to say hello to a "Beatle" but I just somehow I couldn't bring myself to shake his hand)

:-)

Read about his friendship with the Beatle here:

Ray and George Harrison

Ray always had beautiful instruments, from Banjo Ukes to Banjos of all types and was a charming man.