Photo by Dave Brassington

 

On stage -

Sidmouth Folk Festival

Peter plays guitar and bass footpedals. When the occasion demands he also plays flute. He is part of the Soft Option Appalachian band, where he plays mandolin or bass.

He looks after the band’s technical side, following a long career in the BBC.

Clare joined the band in 2006 and hasn't been persuaded to leave since. She brings her flute and whistle-playing skills to the band, as well as her tune writing talent. Several of her tunes feature in the ‘Shades of Summer’ concert and CD. She is also responsible for making the band look pretty, although this would be quite a full-time occupation and has to give way to her rather more prosaic day job as an accountant.

Moira leads the band, usually on her Violectra fiddle (purple coloured) but sometimes on her electric Camac harp. She arranges the music and writes some of her own, featured in the ‘Shades of Summer’ concert and CD. She is the one in charge at workshops.

Dampier’s Hound, Jess has not yet learned an instrument, so cannot join the band.