What a year for the world and Shave! Maybe it’s me getting old (45 this year) but I listen to Radio 4 more and more (apart from the modern jazz prog late nights on those lovely journeys home from gigs.) “This Sceptred Isle” with the wonderful Anna Massey recently talked of pour attitudes to leaders, the Royal’s and global issues. So far, we’ve all had to deal with the loss of Royal icons (whatever you think of the Royals), impending war and the incredible event of the 2 towers terrorism. Something makes us carry on.

And then there’s the Shave year…. Hmmm. Perspective?

Anyway. Here are my musings. As you know, good old Steve left, leaving a gap in lots of ways and lovely Fran is with us. If you must know, I’ve known her and her husband Chris, for many years. We parted company when life events moved us all around. Chris just turned up, after all these years, at a Chatham gig, and we reconvened with Sarah and I invited us down to theirs in Rochester for a weekend.

Music got talked about. I convinced Shave she was worth auditioning and in she is, bringing new talent, ideas, sounds – as well as a very stabilising atmosphere. Fran always has time for people, has a very balanced view and a warmth that is showing more and more on stage – unlike Bryan and I who get grumpier with age!

Another major life change. Sarah and I and the boys moved to Glastonbury in November of 2002. Sarah being a Dorset lass was keen to move West from Cambridge and we all shared that dream. So here we are in Glastonbury. Well, Butleigh to be precise – a small village 4 miles from the Tor. I drive around and still find the views incredible and I’ve never lived so near the sea before. However, tears shed for missing Mike Gilpin in Swaffham Prior and all at the Red Lion Folk Club in Whittlesford, Cambs. where I spent so many delightful Friday nights.

Shave are still going strong and it’s amazing to be playing at Shetland and Lomond festivals in 2003.Always wanted to go to Shetland, and my mother always said she would come too. We nearly got the gig 4 years ago, and she nearly bought her ticket. Sad thing is, she died in 2000 at 80 and her dream never had a chance. I’d take her tomorrow if given the chance. As a friend said, “you can still take her there now” – and I will.

Jake (my 12 year old) has had the hardest adjustment, we now know, having had to leave Cambridge where he was established to his new school in Glastonbury. However, he, at 12 don’t forget, passed his grade 6 flute exam recently (apart from 5 theory grades, a piano and a sax grade!!) His presence at gigs (to which he now adores coming) is a wonderful experience for me, and I’m pleased to say is joining a youth ceilidh band very soon and surpasses my flute and piccolo playing.

Where do I want us to go? To continue. I can’t see huge changes. We’re too old and won’t relive that sex appeal we all once had (!!!) I guess I’ve come to that time when I want to continue on a sort of plateau – not stale, but stable with creating more music and diversifying, but having the pleasure of continuing to perform. I’m using my sopranino sax more and the band made me buy a new soprano rauschpfeife! I didn’t argue with them much and it was a delight to actually meet Eric Moulder, the maker, at our recent gig in Lichfield’s Guildhall.

Ravings of the year must go to Gilles Chabanet for incredible hurdy gurdy and Hevia (thanks to Guido for the CD loan) for bagpipe playing that makes me wet my pants. I’m also getting back into Camel, having seen then at a reunion gig last year

The most wonderful experiences were at the 2 “Lord of the Rings” films with “Withnail and I” and “The Others” close by. I’ve also introduced my family to “God Shuffled His Feet” by Crash Test Dummies and my 4 year old knows the words.

Thanks to….

Well, the family as usual, Sarah, Jake, Arch and Felix.

To Chris, Fran’s husband for getting us back to together, the James family in Wiltshire for never loosing that enthusiasm and helping us practically and again everyone that has taken the time to come and say hello at gigs.

Duncan
31st December 2002