Festival fun on this latest Bank Holiday Sunday included the further adventures of The AKsionals who were pressed into action this weekend when our valiant lads ventured forth at the aforementioned "Shed Fest" at The Potting Shed pub in nearby Crudwell.
Everyone of the dozen or so blokes made the trek from SN6 to SN16 did so with some trepidation given a lack of rehearsal time and one or two late withdrawals, but like the experience troupe that they are they were able to circle the proverbial wagons and bond together for a final impromptu run through beneath some trees opposite the pub. Despite still being drowned out by the noise of the band that was currently occupying the stage, the lads knuckled down to their preparation and managed to add two more songs their set whilst drawing a modicum of applause from a passer by, which buoyed their spirits before the show.
Storming the stage in front of a sizeable audience the blokes were their usual total contrast to other acts performing during the course of the afternoon. They regaled the crowd with tales of fine Wiltshire yeomanry, dry stone walling, Vegetable growing contests, singing heartfelt ballad to the event's (rather nervous) lady organizer and rounding things off with a rousing Georgian toasting song.
The fruits of their labour can be heard on the tracks on the Soundcloud playlist below, and they show evidence of comments from long suffering family members that they sounded "not bad, all things considered"
So,
as we are not known for passing up a chance to unleash our inner
minstrels it has to be admitted that we were somewhat disappointed that
we were not able to perform at the first "Shed Fest" being run by top
notch local hostelry, The Potting Shed
in nearby Crudwell. One of our number did venture along and can barely
remember the majority of the visit after "testing" one too many ales!
However,
that is about to be remedied with the offshoot and outlet for
unfettered BlokeSong that is the rabble affectionaly known as "The
Magnificent AKsionals" who are due to be in action at the 2nd "Shed
Fest" this coming Bank Holiday Sunday.
Even
without many of the regulars Magnificents, recent outings at the World
War 1 Commemorative Event and the latest rehearsal show promise for this
subset of the main group. It also provides a great excuse to dig out
one or two lapsed numbers from our repertoire and introduce one or two
new ones, all for the love of performing our unique style of singing and
to be paid in "proper" Beer Tokens!
Do
see if you can make it along to support the chaps and enjoy a grand
afternoon out in the late Summer sunshine (fingers crossed!). The
blokes should be on around 15:15 or so and would welcome your support at the location on the map below.
