Thanks for considering me your friend, Russ.

I wonder if there is any truth in the family legend that my distant relative Alfred Peck Stevens aka Alfred Glanville Vance aka The Great Vance, played a William Temlett Snr. zither-banjo shortly before his death on stage at The Sun Music Hall in 1888? 

Black Jake of Norwich. 

Wikipedia : Vance suffered from heart disease, and died on 26 December 1888, at the age of about 49, while performing on the stage of the Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge.^[1][3] He is buried in Nunhead Cemetery, although his headstone no longer exists.

Hello there, Russ. I am deeply touched by the all-round jubilation at my return to the banjo world after an absence of 11 years or so. Coincidentally, your name had crept to the top of my ‘to message’ list as a little bird told me that you would be at Halsway Manor this year – as indeed am I. Long story (which I can bore you with when we meet 🥱) but Sandra exercised her renowned powers of persuasion to lure me into joining the fun.

After such a long gap, getting back into it is challenging but I’m enjoying the journey; all of the music for our group is new to me so that’s proving an interesting exercise, but I understand that a couple of Danielle’s beginner-level students will be on the course so I won’t be completely alone. Whatever happens, it’ll be fun.

Looking forward to seeing you again x