Tim's Diary Page

Benjamin's Book now available!

2012-01-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

BENJAMIN'S BOOK
A complete facsimile copy of the book is now available. Benjamin Rose was a farmer, Alehouse keeper and fiddle player in the tiny North dorset hamlet of Belchalwell. In 1820 he wrote out by hand 134 country dance tunes. This facsimile contains the entire book, plus a detailed introduction giving the musical and social context of the book. The book also contains an MP3 Cd of all the tunes, for players who prefer to learn by ear.

The cost is £20 plus post and packing. Please contact Colin Thompson on fiddler@casterbridge.net

There is an informal launch for Benjamin's Book at the Dorset County Museum, High West st, Dorchester on Thursday 16th February , starting at 6.30pm. we invite you to celebrate the publication of Benjamin's Book. Copies of the book will be available, and we hope that musicians will bring along an instrument and try out some of the tunes. Tim and Colin will give a short presentation about the book and Benjamin Rose. if you do intend to come, please email Colin at fiddler@casterbridge.net

Tim's gig list 2012

2012-01-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Friday 3rd February, Benjamin's Book at Morden VH, Dorset, 7.30pm tel 01929 459431 An Artsreach presentation

Saturday 4th February. Benjamin's Book at Toller Porcorum VH, Dorset, 7.30pm. tel 01300 320373. An Artsreach presentation

Friday 10th February. Tim solo at the Fo'c'sle Folk Club, Th Richmond Inn, 108, Portswood Rd, Southampton SO17 2FW. Starts at 8pm.

Thursday 16th February. launch to celebrate the publication of Benjamin's Book, Dorset County Museum, High west st, Dorchester at 6.30pm. RSVP to fiddler@casterbridge.net

Saturday 25th February. Stoke Abbott Barnes Night. Poetry, music and song associated with Dorset poet William Barnes. tel 01308 863611. With Colin Thompson

Wednesday 7th March. Benjamin's Book at the Exchange, Sturminster Newton, presented by the Sturminster Newton Museum and mill Society. 7.30pm. Tickets from the museum.

Friday 16th March. Benjamin's Book at Sturminster Marshall VH, 7.30pm. tel 01258 857019. An Artsreach presentation

Saturday 17th March. Benjamin's Book at Hinton Martell VH, near Wimborne, Dorset, 7.30pm. tel 01258 840569. An Artsreach presentation.

Saturday 24th March. Benjamin's Book at Evershot VH, Dorset. 7.30pm. tel 01935 83580. An Artsreach presentation.

Monday 23rd April. Tim solo at Grand Union Folk Club, Barrow- upon-Soar, Leicestershire. 8.30pm. www.guf.org.uk

Wednesday 2nd May, Tim solo at Faversham folk club, the Chimney Boy, Faversham

Friday 11th/Saturday 12th May. Tim solo and with Taffy Thomas at Halsway Manor Quantocks weekend. Halsway Manor, Somerset

Friday 18th May. New Scorpion Band present the Singing Islands at Shaftesbury Arts Centre, Dorset. 7.30pm

Saturday 19th May, Tim storytelling at Dorset Wildlife Trust event at Corfe Mullen during the day. various times, 10am-3.30pm

Thursday 24th May. Tim performing in and directing a rehearsed reading of the London Hermit; or, Rambles in Dorsetshire by John O'Keefe at West Lulworth VH, Dorset. Details TBC

Friday 25th May, Tim and Colin Thompson at Winterborne Tomson church, 6.30pm. An evening of Thomas Hardy, William Barnes and Dorset folk music

Wednesday 6th June. Tim solo at Overton Folk Club, Overton Community centre, Overton, Hampshire 8pm.

Saturday 7th, Sunday 8th July; also Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July. The witches Promise, a community play at Weoley Castle, Selly Oak, Birmingham for Birmingham Rep. The play is written by Stephanie Dale and directed by Peter Cann, with music composed by Tim.

Monday 6th-Thursday 9th August. Tim solo at Sidmouth Folk week, but including a performance of Benjamin' Book with Colin Thompson on Monday 6th August.

Friday 24th August, New Scorpion Band at the Hardy conference, Corn Exchange,Dorchester. time tbc

Friday 7th September. 'An' Hop around like Fleas'- special multi-media performance of tunes and stories from Benjamin's Book with Colin Thompson and local music students in the Olympic ICCI 360 Dome at Weymouth, Dorset. Time TBC

Sunday 9th September. Swanage Folk Festival. Workshop at Mowlem Theatre in the morning, followed by 3pm performance of Benjamin's Book.

Sea Strands- New CD recording

2011-01-14T10:15:00.000-08:00

Sea Strands is a collection of traditional and new folksongs and tunes from Dorset, including many songs collected by Robert and Henry Hammond circa 1906, and tunes from the manuscript book of Benjamin Rose, written down in Belchalwell, Dorset in 1820. The songs are accompanied by myself on duet concertina, melodeon and mouth organ, with additionalal accompaniments from Gabriel Laycock on 12- String guitar, Robin Jeffrey on lauoto, mandolin, banjo and guitar, and Colin Thompson on fiddle and viola.

The CD has been very well recieved, and is available from me at gigs, or via the website- just send me an email with your contact details. The cost in the UK is £13.00 including postage and packing.