Andy Turner

As Helen says, the community singing of these local carols, and the way in which enthusiastic outsiders are welcomed, is something really special. I was bowled over by the carols when I first heard them on A People's Carol 40 years ago, and I found myself getting quite emotional at times yesterday.

This was also my view of proceedings at the Old Band Room, Dungworth yesterday afternoon, but I was too caught up in the absolute joy of joining in with the wonderful singing to take any photos.

Good to finally meet you too, Helen.

As for Stewart's suggestion of a nostalgia tax, it can't - as they say - be beyond the wit of man for a clever civil servant to devise a means of quantifying people's longing for a past golden age.
The scheme could be called Pay As You Yearn.

Surely 'non'fungible' simply means that it's impossible for your token to be funged. No matter how hard you try. It's quite a breakthrough, I can tell you, and it's certainly given the Worshipful Company of Fungers something to think about.

Today is #BandcampFriday when Bandcamp waive their usual commission, so if you download the track today, every single penny you donate will go to support Cancer Research

Shepherds Arise, by Andy Turner and a cast of thousands track by Andy Turner and a cast of thousands

Shepherds Arise - Andy Turner and a cast of thousands (well, 20 actually).
Recorded remotely in 2020 by a virtual choir including
@jonboden.bsky.social
@jackieoates.bsky.social
@jimcausley.bsky.social

**All proceeds to Cancer Research UK**

andyturner.bandcamp.com/track/shephe...

Is it Bandcamp Friday? Is it?

Is it Bandcamp Friday?
(Spoiler alert) It is!
isitbandcampfriday.com

Photo of Magpie Lane singing acapella in a church by candlelight.

The Magpie Lane Christmas extravaganza hits the road this weekend: we'll be at the Second Time Around Folk Club, Beeston near Nottingham tomorrow, and then at Royal Traditions, Dungworth near Sheffield on Saturday.
www.magpielane.co.uk/ml_news.htm

"Part of the iconic Wetherspoons brand—imagine Denny’s and a Greyhound bus station have unprotected sex, and the baby is raised by carpet... The customers—the bitter, the deranged, and the men in full motorcycle outfits eating lasagne at 11am—shoot us curious, guarded glances." 😱

This is perfect.

Ooh thanks for the reminder - I thought I'd set a Calendar alert but clearly not. Glad to say not all the Oxford seats are sold out - yet. But I wouldn't bank on there being any left in another hour or two.

If you're an ordinary, vaguely disorganised mortal, probably best to buy this now while you remember.
But if you're the organised type, add it to your Bandcamp Wishlist today, then come back and buy it on 5th December - that's a Bandcamp Friday, so even more money will go to Cancer Research.

Shepherds Arise, by Andy Turner and a cast of thousands track by Andy Turner and a cast of thousands

Here's a first: I've just released a charity Christmas single.
Recorded remotely in 2020 by a virtual choir including @jonboden.bsky.social @jackieoates.bsky.social @jimcausley.bsky.social
Costs £1.50 but you can pay more - all proceeds to Cancer Research UK.
andyturner.bandcamp.com/track/shephe...

Someone should ask Starmer and Mahmood whether they think the Kindertransport, for example, should have been a return ticket. Whether Alf Dubs, rather than becoming a Labour MP and now Lord, ought to have been sent back with his family to Czechoslovakia once it was liberated from German rule.

50 years a folky! 50 years a folky? Well, that’s maybe not strictly accurate, but 50 years ago today, on 13th November 1975, something happened which not only changed my musical tastes, but fundamentally altered the…

@chartmusictotp.bsky.social How TotP changed my life
afolksongaweek.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/5...

50 years a folky! 50 years a folky? Well, that’s maybe not strictly accurate, but 50 years ago today, on 13th November 1975, something happened which not only changed my musical tastes, but fundamentally altered the…

A special commemorative edition of A Folk Song A Week:
50 years a folky!
or
The Wombles, their part in my downfall...
afolksongaweek.wordpress.com/2025/11/13/5...

Magpie Lane Oxford Christmas concert Five-piece folk band Magpie Lane have been playing seasonal concerts at the Holywell Music Room every year since 1993, and these Christmas shows have become very much part of the Oxford musical landsc...

Our Christmas gig in Oxford on 13th December is now sold out.
There are bound to be a few returns, so feel free to join the waiting list
wegottickets.com/event/667363

Magpie Lane @ Royal Traditions At Sheffield The Old Band Room on Sat 6th Dec, 2025

I see there are still tickets available for @magpielane-oxford.bsky.social at Royal Traditions Folk Club near #Sheffield on 6th December. It's going to be a fabulously festive night as we'll no doubt all do some singing afterwards too.
Get tickets at wegottickets.com/event/645679
#festive

Mat Green playing fiddle, and Andy Turner playing anglo-concertina.

I'm off to Lewes tonight, to play the excellent Lewes Saturday Folk Club with Mat Green:
Elephant and Castle, White Hill, Lewes BN7 2DJ.
8:00 to 11:00
www.lewessaturdayfolkclub.org

Especially income-related taxes.

Poster advertising the band's Christmas concert in the Wesley Memorial Church in Oxford, showing the interior of the church.

A reminder that our Christmas concert in Oxford has a new venue this year. After 30-odd years we felt like a change! We think you'll like the venue just as much as the Holywell, and the seats are definitely more comfortable!
Tickets from wegottickets.com/event/667363

Log In Welcome to the National Trust 2025 voting website, hosted by independent voting service provider Civica Election Services.

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Use the Quick Vote option.

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A reminder in case you haven't yet voted in the National Trust elections

I seem to remember @johnfinnemore.bsky.social did a good sketch about the very same guy!

We'll pop by tomorrow afternoon if that's OK. But don't get too excited - half a dozen will be plenty!

They work well if cooked slowly in the oven with meat, as I recall.
I'll take some off you if you've got a glut.

Everyone in this country is descended from immigrants.

Every single last one of us.

And many, like Mr Farage, will have very recent migrant ancestors indeed and not even know about it.

Netanyahu: ‘These So-Called Genocide Experts Have Probably Never Committed A Genocide In Their Lives’ JERUSALEM—In response to an independent United Nations inquiry concluding that Israel is committing an ongoing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a defiant...

Netanyahu: ‘These So-Called Genocide Experts Have Probably Never Committed A Genocide In Their Lives’

Nadia Hussain

Poster for Magpie Lane Christmas concert

Yes indeed, tickets for our annual Christmas concert in Oxford are on sale, and you can buy them from wegottickets.com/event/667363
Saturday 13th December, 2pm
Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, Oxford
2pm start