The
Bishops Stortford Acoustic Club
at South Mill Arts Centre
1-3, South Road, Bishops Stortford, Herts.
CM23 3JG
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Previous
Performances – Who played when |
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2026
THURSDAY
21st
MAY 2026
WATER LANE HALL FUNDRAISER
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Hello Acoustic Clubbers Every now and then we have the opportunity
of doing something positive, something that will make life just a little
better all-around. Last time we did that, not just the Acoustic Club, but so
many people who are a very important part of the collective. The Water Lane Hall project is one of those
incredible things that we, as a community, can get involved in. We can do a
bit that will improve not only our social and musical diaspora but something
we can be proud of. Whether people volunteer or put their hand
in their pocket, it does not matter, it is the collective act that we are
doing something as a part of Society and that often gets ignored. Last time, at the wonderful Belgian Brewer,
we did just that. Collectively we had a great evening of music provided by
local players in local bands to give us a memorable evening of music, Belgian
beer and the opportunity to throw some money in the hat to kick start the
Water Lane Hall Project. We had all that we needed for a successful
evening! A great venue blessed with warm late spring
weather that encouraged people to not only attend but be both outside as well
as inside, a large and enthusiastic audience and THREE top quality bands
providing brilliant music for everyone |
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We opened with the longest serving Band on
our books Blues Inc. The band holds that distinction because co-founder of
the Club Drew Bonnington continues to lead such a disparate group in its many
guises. Drew and Andy performed so many times as a duo and then added by
degrees, Graeme (one of the leading lights of the whole drive to keep Water
Lane Hall functioning) on bass, Martin on lead guitar and Nina on drums.
Together they gave us brilliant blues as well as more contemporary song as
well.
I am sorry that the photo is not of the
ones I took on the night, but tthose I had missed Cormac in person and got
just the end of his bass. Experience warns me – Do not mess with Cormac!! We closed the evening with the Exile Club.
Enough said! They are just about as good as it gets when it comes to original
music as well as covers and versions of songs from the hit parade that are
stamped with their indelible signature. Joe has been at the Acoustic Club nearly as
long as Drew however in fairness he started his musical journey as a fresh
faced very young man along with Tom Ryder. He continues as the driving force
of the band as songwriter, singer and just about as disgustingly good a lead
guitarist as it is allowed to be. Abi was introduced a few years ago as part
of a duo with Joe and her vocals proved she was brilliant. She has now
developed into one of live music’s livewires, covering the audience with her
love of singing and getting everyone to join in. Tommy is the newest member of the band but
he was known to us as a “Young Player” often accompanying singers on his keys
at our regular Young Player evening. He did not like to be named in the
programme so I christened him “The boy next door” as one of the players he
accompanied grew up next door to him. We first met Daisy and Neil as part of The
Exile Club and we have become firm friends revelling in their bass (Daisy)
and drums (Neil). Their set was, as we have come to expect,
one of individual excellence combined to make us revel in their absolute
brilliance as a band. The photo below shows just how brilliant they are,
getting the audience clapping and dancing along to Preacher Man.
Overall, the evening was an outstanding
musical success as well as a cracking way to bring the Water Lane Hall
project to the centre of the stage. Many thanks to those who attended and those
who donated so generously. We will give a final update to the amount
raised over the evening. Initial indications are that it is “SUBSTANTIAL” |
