Lichfield Comhaltas News

Volume 3 Issue 1 Autumn/Winter 2003

The Boys from Brum Steal the Show!

If you don’t already know it where’y’ve you been? But our big brother branch in Brum walked away with the All-Ireland Groupai Cheoil title this year. This talented group of lads and lassies, led by familiar (larger than life) figure at the Horse and Jockey, Vince Jordan, struck a big blow for Midlands music and trounced the competition from all over. The trophy has already been flaunted around the H & J and celebrations took place at the Birmingham Irish Centre on November 14th

But—Birmingham—you’d better watch out because there are mutterings that Lichfield is home-growing its own Groupa Cheol, to make an appearance at the Regional Fleadh in May. Your days may be numbered (but probably in millions!).

Lichfield CCE Hot News

There will be a General meeting of the group at 7.30 pm on Monday 2nd February —before the session. Although all members are welcome to attend the Committee meetings, the Committee felt that there ought be general meetings from time to time before the session in order to encourage a wider number of members to attend. Please come along and air your views on where the Branch is going.

The branch’s second AGM was held on

Following the resignation of Tony Downey from the post of Chair, Alan Richardson was elected as the new Chairman of the branch.

Other Committee members:
Secretary (Runai): Mike Lancaster

Vice-Chairman: Mike Kinghan

Treasurer: Mo Bradshaw

PRO: Martin Thompson

Auditor: Chris Jordan

The next Committee meeting is on: Wednesday 11th January 2004

A big thanks to ex-Chair Tony Downey for his work to date and setting us off in the right direction.

JOKE!

Fellow walks into a pub in Belfast with a plastic bag under his arms.

The bartender asks "What's that?"

"Six pounds of semtex", he answers.

"Thanks be to Jaysus; I thought it was a bodhrán!"

(Courtesy of Tommy Hayes)

10 Disgusting Things Irish Traditional Flute Players Do

1. Eat crisps immediately before playing, subsequently splattering those nearby with bits of chewed soggy potato.

2. Blow hard down the flute at irregular but frequent intervals so that the accumulated wet gunge goes on people's shoes (or earholes or other orifices, depending on the angle of the flute).

3. While playing, hold the end of the flute over people's pints of beer and cups of tea so the wet gunge drips slowly into the glass or cup as playing progresses. (Best done to other players' drinks, as they don't notice till it's too late.)

4. Between tunes, bounce the end of the flute gently on the knee so that the gunge runs out and leaves a soggy wet patch on their trousers.

5. Insult fiddle players for playing tunes with notes lower than bottom D or C in (not disgusting unless you're a fiddle player).

6. Insert a peanut at the embouchure of the flute, close all holes, point flute at nearby dog or other pet as available, then blow hard. A successful strike on the dog/pet often depends on the blood/alcohol level of the flute player. Flute players with Low C# and C keys are recommended to close those keys for that little extra accuracy and a slight but satisfying "zing".

7. As 6, except flute player mimes tune-playing for a few minutes after inserting the peanut. Then the aim can be at, say, a fiddle player doing tunes with too many low notes. After blowing, resume the mime/play position immediately so the fiddle player hasn't a clue where the attack came from. Repeat as necessary.

8. Try to rob drink from bars by pretending flute is the barrel of an antique gun and pointing it at bar staff (seldom successful).

9. Use cork grease for (censored).

10. Regularly smear flute with rancid oil (preferably oil from a tin of sardines past its use-by date) This also enhances the level of disgustingness achieved under items 2, 3, and 4.

The Flute: truly Irish Traditional Music's most disgusting instrument.

Operation Ormskirk—theAll Britain Fleadh 2003

By our reporter on the spot (the indefatigable) Mike Lancaster

In June last year the Lichfield Ceili band made a trip to Glasgow with a number of supporters to compete at the All Britain Fleadh, an impressive achievement in itself after just 6 months of existence!

This year unfortunately, for reasons nobody could help, we were unable to compete. However I decided to go along anyway as it promised to be a good weekend for music and to support our friends from the South Birmingham branch who were competing there in strength. It was also a chance to check out the likely opposition for next year when we will, hopefully, take part again.

The All Britain was originally scheduled to be in Leeds this year but later got switched to Liverpool, or to be precise, Ormskirk, having been taken on valiantly by the Liverpool branch. The venue was a teacher training college linked with Lancaster University and a very grand and elegant place it looked in the midsummer sunshine, having a sort of Georgian look about it. I had booked accommodation on the campus, situated close to where Vince Jordan and some of the other S. Birmingham members were staying. After settling in the first priority was, no, not music, but food. This is where the first glitch in the organisation might have been noted. There was a student union shop selling groceries etc and a small, rather understaffed burger bar. Both closed at 2.00pm on Saturday afternoon and that was that! Nothing else until the next morning. There was no 'chippy' or anything like it in walking distance, so poor Tommy Boyle for example could get nothing to eat that evening, except some biscuits kindly provided by Ann Jordan.

However we remained cheerful with the prospect of good music and the place was bustling with competitors young and old. I like to attend the 15 to 18 competitions as these youngsters are usually sickeningly good, often better than the seniors, and of course I am most interested in the flute competitions. I do recommend visiting major fleadhs if you haven't done it. It is fascinating to hear good exponents of the tradition and compare styles and abilities. It's also exciting when you know some of the competitors , as well as good to meet friends and like minded people.

The Saturday competitions over, Tommy and I set out to find a session. This proved more difficult than we expected, considering the number of musicians that were around. The student union had a large bar, but because everyone congregated there it became very noisy. A few determined souls, including our friend Bernard of the huge djembe drum, were trying to get going against the background of the laughing, shouting, drinking mass, but it was a struggle I did not feel inclined to take on.

Just when I was beginning to think that my flute would remain unblown, Vince sorted things out. He, Catherine McEvoy and her brother John, Carmel and John Burke and a few others were planning to meet up for a tune by the trade stands, a quieter area adjacent to the bar. A great session did indeed duly follow for the next couple of hours, until brought to a halt by a college security guard needing to lock up. Fair enough I suppose, but it wouldn't happen so early in Ireland!

Next morning, after a good breakfast, competitions began in earnest again. All the South Birmingham competitors gave a very good account of themselves, qualifying for the All Ireland in a number of competitions, notably the senior grupai cheol and the senior trios. As usual the fleadh culminated in the senior ceili band competition and a large, rather hot and sweaty crowd gathered for this climax. There was of course much excellent playing from some great bands and a tense wait at the end for the results. In the end a London band won, but South Birmingham narrowly beat Leeds to come a well deserved 2nd, thereby qualifying for Clonmel!

So, a good and successful weekend in pleasant surroundings with some great music. There were a few hitches, but organising an event like this is a herculean task and who are we to criticise, who as yet have never done it? Congratulations to the Liverpool branch. Fair play to them!

Lichfield CCE Hot News

10 Disgusting Things Irish Traditional Flute Players Do

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