Mally's Traditional Music Store

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Welcome to my photo gallery. In recent years it has become necessary for me to become somewhat proficient in photography, in order to get pictures for my book covers. Just as in music, if you want to get good at anything, you have to practise, and photography is no different. So, now I find myself snapping away incessantly. In the course of my business and leisure I am constantly attending folk events, music sessions, etc.. It is vital for my musical research and improvement. Also I get to many morris days and weekends playing for Persephone Women's Morris. Because of this I am accumulating lots of folky photos, so it makes sense to share some with the world. You will find my pictures tend to look at events rather differently to most photographers. Rather than photographing artists performing at concerts etc., I tend to snap personalities when they are just having fun. Of course you will find stacks of morris sides because of my association with Persephone.

Becky Taylor CD Launch April 2008 Spent a very enjoyable evening at The Music Room. Becky Taylor launched her new CD, Ireland Bridge. Michael Mallinson Gigs March 2008 My young grandson Michael Mallinson seems to be developing into a pop star. He's only 17 but he's writing potential hit songs, he's made a 5 track CD of his own songs, he's performed on radio and he's doing major gigs both solo and fronting his own band. Young Acoustic Roots Competion March 2008 I was invited by Pete Thornton-Smith, along with Mary White (Cleethorpes Folk Festival), to be a judge at Young Acoustic Roots Competition at the Phoenix Theatre, Bawtry, presented by The BPAS Group. The standard of performance and musical skill was superb. The competion was won by Patrick Young and Catherine Bindon. The other performers were Izzy and Anna Hathersage. Tom Moore and Archie Churchill-Moss and the band 4Square consisting of Nicola Lyons, Jim Molyneuz, James Meadows and Dan Day. Whittlesey Straw Bear January 2008 Another great festival at Whittlesey Straw Bear. Persephone Twelveth Night Party January 2008 Persephone decided to have a Twelveth night party. Guests were invited from other dance teams and a good time was had by all. Roy Atkinson, Amy Atkinson, Dave Mallinson, Tim Yates and Sam Leahy played for the dancing and there was a concert spot from Midnight Special. Moyasta Junction and Kilrush October 2007 Had an absolutely brilliant time in County Clare. Played with a band called Rakish Paddy at the pub at Moyasta on Saturday evening then a great session in Kilrush on the Sunday afternoon. Steve and Sarah's Wedding September 2007 Was invited to the wedding of Steve Fields and Sarah Bentham, what a fantastic day that was and an evening ceilidh to round of the event. Steve dances with Rose and Castle Morris and Sarah dances with Anstey Royale Chalfont. So the celebrations carried on next day with an afternoon of morris dancing at the Griffin pub. Oyster Festival September 2007 Did an amazing gig at an Irish Oyster Festival at a posh hotel in Sedgefield. Played to 2500 people and met some pals from Newcastle. Towersey Village Festival August 2007 Another brilliant festival at Towersey. It was tough getting down after Whitby but it was worth it and the weather was great. Whitby Folk Week August 2007 Whitby Folk Week was brilliant once again. I had help on the stall this year and was able to get out and about. I played lots of music and got loads of photographs. Here's some of the many characters I met during the week. Sidmouth Folk Week August 2007 Sidmouth Folk Week, another enjoyable year. I worked full time in the music fair, so I was unable to get many good photos. An Evening of Morris Dance at East Bierley July 2007 Persephone, Spen Valley Longsword, Great Yorkshire Morris, Inclognito and Rainbow Morris had a great evening of dance, followed by a session of music and song at The New Inn, East Bierley. Miltown Malbay July 2007 I went to the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, County Clare and had an absolutely fantastic week. I spent each morning studying the B/C accordeon under the guidance of virtuoso player Joesephine Marsh. Josephine was a great teacher and I learned stacks. I spent the afternoons and evenings playing in the sessions until after midnight with just an hour or so off to eat some tea. I was greatly impressed with the number of youngsters playing and their standard was mighty. Britannia Coco-nut Dancers July 2007 Spent a smart afternoon dancing with Britannia Coco-nut Dancers, Abbots Bromley Horn Dancers, Saddleworth Morris and Bradshaw Mummers. Argamels Dance Weekend June 2007 Had a great day dancing in Southport, unfortunately the bad weather and a major blunder by me, prevented me getting any pictures, but I took some at the evening ceilidh. An Evening of Morris Dance at Hunsworth June 2007 Persephone, Wakefield Morris and Spen Valley Longsword had a great evening of dance, followed by a session of music and song at the Savile Arms, Hunsworth, near Leeds. Ripon Morris Dance Weekend June 2007 Ripon Morris held a super dance weekend to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. We had a brilliant ceilidh on the Saturday evening. Cecil Sharp House June 2007 In early May, out of the blue, I received a letter from the EFDSS, to inform me that I had been nominated for one of the Society's Anniversary Awards. It's 75 years since the song and dance societies merged, and there were 75 awards being given to commemorate the occasion. I felt greatly honoured and privileged to be receiving one. On 11 June 2007, I went to Cecil Sharp House for the presentations by Ursula Vaughan Williams, and what a wonderful evening we had. Here's some photographs of the occasion. It's just a shame I didn't manage to photograph every recipient. An Evening of Morris Dance at Outlane June 2007 Persephone, Stockport and Slubbin Billy's had a great evening of dance, followed by a session of music and song at the Jack O'Mitre pub. Minster Strays Day of Dance June 2007 I went with Persephone for a day of dance at Thornton le Clay, Castle Howard and Old Malton. Evesham Medieval, Morris and Cider Festival June 2007 What a fantastic weekend we had! I went along with Persephone, we were treat like royalty. Besides the dancing, there were medieval knights, a juggler and fire eater. We had music, singing and dancing in the pub. There was an outdoor swimming pool on the camp site, we were taken to an asparagus festival and also were entertained by a big band. Holmfirth Folk Festival May 2007 Another good year at Holmfirth, there were loads of morris sides, organised by Slubbin Billy's. On Sunday we had a great Irish session. Moor & Coast Folk Festival May 2007 Another brilliant weekend in Whitby at the Moor and Coast Folk Festival. Heptonstall Pace Egg Play, Good Friday April 2007 A good time was had by all at the Pace Egg Play in Heptenstall. Deering Banjos at Eagle Music Shop March 2007 Wall to wall banjos at the Eagle Music Shop banjo day, presented by Deering Banjos. What a great Saturday afternoon! Whittlesey Straw BearJanuary 2007 The dancing was brilliant and the craic was mighty at Whittlesey Straw Bear this year. Rochester Dickens Weekend December 2006 Anstey, Persephone and Stockport Morris Sides went and enjoyed a fabulous social weekend crammed with dancing and non-stop partying. The Music Room Opening September 2006 The Music Room opening celebrations were very enjoyable. Particularly the visit to an Indian restaurant where we were treated to a wonderful concert with John Spiers and Jon Boden. Whitby Folk Week August 2006 Whitby Folk Week was brilliant this year, unfortunately I lost the majority of my pictures by pressing the wrong button. Sidmouth Folk Week August 2006 Sidmouth Folk Week, another great year, as usual. Four Fools Folk Festival June 2006 I went with Persephone and had a very enjoyable day dancing in Chorley. Then more fun at the Four Fools Folk Festival. Ripley Morris Weekend June 2006 This was a fabulous weekend that included exotic booze on the coach. Morris at Castle Howard June 2006 A day of dance based in Thornton le Clay near York. Moor & Coast Folk Festival May 2006 A very enjoyable weekend in Whitby at the Moor and Coast Folk Festival. We went to dance in Goathland.