Chris Timson

That seems a bit Napoleonic! Chris

Well, this sudden flurry of play is most gratifying. Keep it up, lads, keep it up. Chris

Welcome to the game. An astute move that will serve as a warning to the other players to watch their backs, I suspect. Chris

I think the truth is we've outstayed our welcome. Mostly these games have been well attended with some superb play, but last year's game took ages to reach a conclusion and this one has only attracted a few players. Even Samantha has had very little to say. I think we'll play this one to its natural conclusion and then leave the forum in peace. What do you think? Chris

Hmmm. A Thames Clipper move involving bridges may have implications for Edgar's Sore Point. I'll need to consult with some of my colleagues, currently at a beanfeast conference in Geneva. In the meantime, David, take tenure plus half points. Got that, Samantha? Chris

Thanks, Ken, for saying that for me I play anglo but Anne, my wife, plays English. We each feel incomprehension for the approach of the other's instrument and no amount of logic would ever convince either of us to spend serious time on the other system. This is what lies behind my personal conviction that choice of system is a personal thing that is not fully susceptible to logic (the same goes for any sort of instrument, not just concertina systems). If you play around with concertinas for a few hours you'll soon get a feel for whether the instrument appeals at a physical level. The point is, if you enjoy playing it you'll put the effort into working out how to play the music you want to play. If you don't enjoy it you'll never put the practice in to play anything! Chris

Actually, if you play all three terminals it will count as a Hook and Loop procedure which of course is inferior to Riveted Action. Chris

Agree that Jeffries concertinas are very distinctive and at the top end of what is available in anglos. I do think that there are other anglos that are also sit in that bracket very comfortably (notably some Linotas and Crabbs amongst older instruments and Dippers and Wheatstone / Dickinsons amongst the newer). In that exalted company which you prefer is a matter of taste, I think. I also think it's sad that Jeffries anglos cost more than other comparable concertinas merely because of the Jeffries name. Chris (Full disclosure, I play a Jeffries G/D in sessions and a Dipper C/G baritone for song accompaniment)

(Ker-ching) Thank you. Chris

Not a hybrid (of course!) but did you know Colin has made at least one in that tuning? Cormac Begley got to play it, and was raving about it. Indeed I have. In fact I've met a couple and like all C&R's work they were both things of great beauty. But I only have one lifetime to live. Chris

Well I can't vouch for hybrid baritone anglos since I have never handled one, but Anne's Morse English baritone has a tone rather closer to true concertina reeds than my Morse anglo. I would be in the market for hybrid bass anglo (one octave below G/D) but I suspect that might be impossible. Chris

Some suggestions in this recent thread here. Chris

A Lamb's Reverse. Excellent, two points there, Samantha. Chris

Thank you, Woody, for that cautionary note. Might I add that it is my intention as your chairman to maintain and indeed enhance my reputation for always being seen to deal fairly and open-handedly with all. In particular I will never knowingly accept a bribe, although as the Chairman's Manual (Revised Helsinki edition, 2013) so wisely states, "The Chairman must always show great compassion to any player who, through no fault of their own, finds themselves overburdened with cash and requests circumstantial relief". In the angelic spirit which thus prevails at this point in the game I think Steve's move most apposite. Chris

Indeed it can and is particularly appropriate since Charles Wheatstone was taught the rules of the Great Game by his friend Faraday while they were waiting for a train at New Cross Gate - the train had been delayed due to a strike amongst the navvies building the Thames Tunnel which would delay its arrival by nearly three years. Chris

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. It is my privilege and honour on this the one hundred and twelfth birthday on the founder of our feast, Charles Wheatstone, once again to summon as many as will to play the Ninth Annual Charles Wheatstone Memorial Mornington Crescent game. Last year, as many will recall, after a thrilling if somewhat protracted game it was Woody who pipped us all to the post and won. It is therefore my honour and privilege, not to mention my privilege and honour, to call upon Woody to accept the privilege of setting the, doubtless, very honourable rules and making the first move of what will be, I am certain, a very privileged and honourable game. Once again I shall take the very privileged and honourable position of chairman, thus relinquishing the honour and privilege of combat. So, over to you, Woody ... Chris

Here's a link to a page I wrote about 16 years ago (so not so new any more) about my Dipper baritone C/G. This is, as you will see, not a small beast. Chris

I dreamed I saw old Pete last night, Alive as you and me. Says I, “But Pete, you’re three days dead.” “I never died,” said he; “I'm with Joe Hill,” said he. Thanks, Jim. I think that's the most apt comment I've seen so far. Chris

If you want to discuss this please start a new thread for the purpose and leave this one for remembrance of Pete Seeger. Thanks Chris

Among our most treasured possessions are two letters from Pete Seeger to Anne praising her song All In Harmony and making suggestions to improve it. Rest in peace, Pete, you were one of the Good Guys. Chris

As it happens I've now agreed to buy a case from aybee of this forum, so all is ending well. Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone. Cheers, Chris

First thing I did was ring Colin, Brian. Right now there is a bit of a case famine at chez Dipper. Chris

A thought, definitely a thought, thanks. Looks like a good case but probably more than I need. Worth remembering for future though. Thanks. That would also be more than I need, but again worth knowing about. Thanks. Cheers all, Chris

Thanks for the suggestions but both shops are the wrong side of the Atlantic for me. I should have said UK. Chris

At the Radway Reunion in February we will be holding Ralphie's Hour between 3 and 4 on Saturday 15th for tunes and memories. Chris