8th - 10th March 2002 at Halsway Manor
Article by Colin Gallagher, Hexham, Northumberland
This was my first visit to Halsway Manor, and I am ashamed to say my first visit to Somerset. The Manor is unique in the UK as a residential folk music centre devoted to folk music, dance and song. Is this is a working example of what we could also do in Northumberland? Its setting is magnificent. It stands in its own grounds on the slopes of the Quantock Hills near to Taunton, and is a Grade 2 listed Somerset manor house with over a thousand years of history. As we quickly discovered, the manor includes a ballroom, a library and lounge, and (most important) a well stocked bar.
The distance from Northumberland is not for the faint hearted, but the setting, and the weekend of piping was well worth the effort. It must also be said that for those few participants from the North, this was a truly 'coals to Newcastle' job.
This was the second Halsway piping course, and again organised by Alan Corkett. Two dozen plus pipers assembled at the Manor near Crowcombe on the Friday evening. The tutors on the course were Colin Ross, Andy May, and Francis Wood. Colin worked mostly with the intermediates and also with those inevitable bothersome pipes that needed maintenance. Andy spent most of his time with the advanced and Francis with the beginners.
All of the tutors excelled themselves at the informal concert held on the Saturday night, in combinations of duets and solos. In particular, Colin Ross and Andy May played some entrancing duets (pipe duets, and fiddle and piano duets). Francis Wood contributed well on his border pipes, and Alan Corkett also on accordion. As is traditional, each of the study groups contributed to the entertainment with their prepared party pieces. Earlier in the afternoon, Francis Wood had run an unruly workshop (as it appeared to those not a part of it) on how to make a set of disposable Northumbrian Pipes, which also he duly demonstrated, in the evening. They appeared to be made of drinking straws, plastic cups, bottles and polythene bags. To the amazement of everyone present a recognisable melody emerged.
True, the weather was unpredictable, but the food excellent,
the setting rural delight. For we Northerners still in the grip of winter,
we marvelled at flowers in hedges, and leaves on trees. So we all had
an outstanding and musically stimulating weekend, and must congratulate
Alan and his colleagues for their preparation and hospitality.
