Hilary

Can anyone advise on the age/value of a Metzler 26 button anglo in C/G? It has a code of 55299. I've been offered it by a work mate and want to give him a fair price. It works fine and comes with a box. cheers

My friend's cat would come in from the fields if someone started to play the 'tina. He would then attempt to climb inside it or sit on the box. He would put his paws in the bellows (no claws) to try and stop it being worked. If all else failed he would take hold of an offending hand and bite, gently at first but if you still didn't get the message he would go for blood, all the while staring into the face of the player. Once the music stopped he would get down and go back outside!

Knowing Gogs, it's probably a home-made one based on something else, but their musicians do play in dance bands as well so it could be something out of the tradition. Have you e-mailed their bagman? molly@cusu.cam.ac.uk they can give you a better idea.

I've just been watching a recording an arts programme - 'This is civilization' on Channel 4 (UK) In the Witches Sabbath by Goya, there's a woman playing a concertina and concertina players appear in several other paintings by this artist. Do other artists from the same period (the sabbath was painted in 1820-23) also use the instrument as an image?

Thanks for all the help. I'm hoping the cornet won't actually turn up on the ship now The lass that plays it may bring a recorder instead. Unfortunately, it's a friend that's doing the tuning (for free) and since he's spent ages getting it to agree with itself, I don't like to suggest changing anything. He's even found one reed coated with laquer apparently because whoever did it last (it has had other repairs in the past) didn't know how to tune it properly. He's currently having fun with the lead pins. I'm not sure I'll be playing the 'tina on deck - I'll be working while I'm out there and as it's not that loud it shouldn't cause offence to too many inside If it does, it'll probably get left on an iceflow

I'm getting a East German, accordian reeded D/A concertina fixed up to take to Antarctica 'cos I'm not prepared to take my Marcus Delux for 2 months on a ship in the Antarctic Ocean A friend is fixing it up since it was out of tune and he's a dab hand at that sort of thing. He says it's in 444 pitch, but even after searching the forums, I can't find out what this actually means. I do realise it's not the normal pitch that anyone else plays in, but I'd like to have a bit of knowledge in case I get into a discussion with the cornet player that's going on the same cruise

Thanks Peter. That answers all the debate, I just couldn't find it at the time of looking.

Having a chat with friends last night, this question came up. We knew that the Rev. Ken had the 'tina, but where did it go after he died? Did it get left to the archives at Cecil Sharpe House or is it still being used somewhere? Does anyone know?

There's actually a record of it being danced by the glovers in Perth (Scotland) 'Today, the Glover's Incorporation of Perth still dispplays the bell furnishings worn by the Morris dancers when Charles I was greeted by the town in 1633.' from Henry George Farmer, A History of Music in Scotland, London, 1947. pp. 231-233 at http://www.standingstones.com/scotem.html

Chris - You haven't seen the lot I play for The only one I'll willingly watch is the Squire/foreman and definately not my hubby! He fortunately usually dances no.2 so not a problem, but it's really difficult when one of the others dances No.1 and we (the musicians) have no 'in-time' feet to watch They'll get there eventually but at the moment we only have 2 experienced dancers on a regular basis so it's a problem.

I think the Eynsham dances (cotswold) may be fast enough to appease the Irish players, but the big difference between Irish and English trad dancing is in the hands. We use them - they don't seem to, except for balance. NEVER look at morris dancers feet! Unless they are really good and fit, most of them will be putting fudge-steps in to get to the right place in time This is why they use hankies and sticks - it takes your eye off everything else (my theory) and only people 'in the know' ie other dancers or musicians, will spot the mistakes This doesn't apply to cloggies - they have to be spot on because you can hear any errors. Or do I just think that because I'm not a clog dancer?

I've not listened to the Pogues version, but the melody line of the song is certainly playable on a G/D 30 button anglo - I just tried it. So give it a go, you won't know till you do.

Lucy - not only a train-spotter (steam only) but a computer nerd and a morris dancer, but very tolerant of all my music although he's tone deaf himself. My PA belonged to my grandmother - she played it on stage in London.

As someone who's played a small (16 button base) piano accordion since age 14 and picked up anglo concertina about 5 years ago, I'd like to issue a warning to any ladies out there who consider playing the PA in anything less than fully protective clothing - DON'T - the sticking out bits of human anatomy hurt when caught in the bellows I stopped using PA for morris etc when I damaged my back and couldn't stand to play because of the weight issue, I then moved on to the whistle for a few years before getting my 'tinas. I also play bodhran and sing and I've just finished bronze stringing my baby harp. Oh and my husband is a train-spotter So yep, I'm geek. Not sure I'd bite live ones but I've certainly wrung a few necks!

Hi Samantha Can't make it again this year (training course for work trip to Antarctica) but I'm putting it in the diary for next year. good luck Hilary

Thanks for the picture and the info. I've not managed to get back to the Victoria since the first post. The landlord there had no idea who the picture was of but didn't think it was anyone local as he'd picked it up at a car boot sale simply because he felt it fitted with the other decor of the pub.

I've got a Marcus G/D that took 3 months to get and cost £1200 3 or 4 years ago (delux model). The bellows have relaxed nicely and it seems pretty responsive although I have nothing much to compare it against. Others who have tried it liked the tone. Getting the G/D then was like looking for the holy grail, they weren't available except as commissions - no demand - but you may have more luck now. Try Marcus, he may be able to point you to someone wanting to sell and it only takes about 3.5 hours to get to him from Cambridgeshire.

Alex and Geoff - Thanks for those ideas, I'm looking into them.

Hello Does anyone have any contacts for a small celidh band in the Moffat area of Scotland who might be able to do a wedding in May? My daughter's getting married then and the band (from Knutsford and related to the groom) has just let us down!

So... how did it go? I trust everyone had a good time? The 'something' that came up failed to materialise, but as I've had a wonderfully contagious head cold for the last week, it's just as well I backed out! Are there any pictures?

Try the Cecil Sharpe book of English Folk songs for Schools. There's probably a copy in the back room of your local library or indeed the school may still have a copy. They are all relatively traditional and already cleaned up songs, that he collected from around the country. If you don't have a source locally, you could contact Cecil Sharpe House in London. If they haven't got a copy they should be shot!

Lay off the bodhran jokes or I'll set the goat on you! (just 'kidding') trouble is your tax would discriminate against those poor souls who have instruments taken away from them!

What the heck, Samantha Make it public, it may shame us into coming next year!

Things have cropped up so unfortunately I won't be able to come this year. Sorry.

Nothing wrong with a vegitarian diet. I eat at least one vegitarian a day Not offence intended - I have a friend who is unable to deal with meat protein in any form - catering for her is a real challenge and a delight. She's very appreciative of any efforts made by this confirmed and certified carnivore - and she's more than happy to pick up the roadkill as I'm driving her to work.