I've just received the 2008 reprint of this book by John Offord. I got the original in 1985 and found it an inspiration in seeking 3/2 hornpipes from my home area in NW England. The initial interest was sparked by Greg Stephen's record Beggar Boy of the North with Crookfinger Jack in the 1970s Now available as a CD
The reprint of John...is very comprehensive and has good notes, available on line . It goes well with Pete Stewart's book from Hornpipe Music and the new reissue of The Great Northern Tunebook which I got online from English Folk Dance and Song Society.Google all these.
It's quite a nice challenge to revisit these tunes on Anglo after playing Fiddle and Melodeon
I'm fascinated with the shift from 3/2 to 2/2 and 4/4 in the late 17th and early 18th Centuries as hornpipes have always been my favourite tunes for step dancing.
Any views on the transition would be welcomed

Hi Michael,

Going off at a complete tangent, I have some video clips of John playing fiddle at The George, Southwark, last December. He's probably on most of the clips, but definitely leading the two tunes on video No.2:

http://uk.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CEE4C17E3E9D4A5A

Regards,
Peter.

Thanks Peter that was great, lots of nice links too, what were they filmed on?
Sounds like a nice session
Mike

Hi Mike,

I have a nice little Panasonic DMC-FZ8 which I was talked into buying, whilst in France, last year. Well; my friends talked me into buying a digital camera, I selected this model. I'm amazed how good the video facility turned out to be, and it's excellent for still photography (I've got a two page spread in the September 2008 issue of "Surrey Life", so I'm happy with that!). So; my friends have a lot to answer for!

This session is the one attended by Alan Day and Chris Drinkwater (from C.net) on a fairly regular basis. I've not made it up there since last December, but it's well worth the effort for anyone in or around the London area (or visiting). Jim Besser came over from the States, back in 2006, and dropped in on one monthly meeting.

It's always dark in that room, even in the summer. It's "The George", Southwark; London's last remaining galleried inn.

Regards,
Peter.