www.elsiesband.com

"Elsie`s Band"
Tel.Nos.- John Hills:- 01732 762224, David Watts:- 01732 862862
Visit us at:- www.elsiesband.com
Location:- We are to be found at "The Queens Arms", Cowden Pound crossroads.
midway between Edenbridge and the A264, Tun.Wells to E.Grinstead
road. We are a small, intimate venue and the house offers no restaurant
or bar meals but the free sausage rolls on offer are second to none. Its
Adnams all the way(lager not sold here), a fine selection of wines and
a variety of chocolate bars and packet snacks


ELSIE`S BAND is one of the most prominent folk music bands to be found in the south east, well known for appearances at folk clubs, folk music festivals and folk concerts. They have appeared in the festivals at Loughborough, Walton and a number of times at Wadebridge and are to be regularly seen in the Kent, Sussex and Essex folk club scene. The band consists Tony Deane, Iris Bishop, David Watts and John Hills and its beginnings go back to the nineteen seventies. The band gets its` name from the landlady of the pub where they have held Sing and Play nights for many years, The Queens Arms at Cowden, Kent. It is known familiarly as Elsie`s to one and all after the name of the landlady, Elsie Maynard, hence the name of the band and there are few performers in the folk music world who are not familiar with this venue.
Each December we perform The Cowden Mummers play at Elsie`s with the our good friends Tony Gowan, Dave Andrews, Mac McNally and Will Duke. It is the traditional tale of good conquering evil with St.George, The Turkish Knight and a host of other characters as you would expect but our play has a significant difference. I doubt it has ever been performed the same way twice. Topicality and ad-lib are sometimes the order of the day but the underlying traditional basis is there to be seen and heard. Don`t miss it. See us each December. This little detail on mumming was inserted at the suggestion of a visitor to our site, Chris Little.
Elsie`s Band, THE CAST:_
Tony Deane, singer, songwriter and folklorist is the composer of "Following The Old `Oss", (already recorded by Chris Wood and Tony Rose), "Orchids" (a highly regarded song about the demise of the gardens at Heligan, Cornwall) and many more.

Iris Bishop, superb musician with accordions and concertinas is highly regarded in her own right as a member of a number of bands and for her accompaniment with Martyn Wyndham-Read. Also known internationally for her knitting design expertise.

David Watts, singer of a broad selection of folk and country songs as well as a good repertoire of comic and music hall songs. He is also the best pyrotechnist to be heard on the pub music scene.

John Hills, singer, song writer and string musician. ("Young in Kent", "Loss of the Regiment", "Docklands", " The Poachers Year", etc.etc.) Many song available on cd, "Nothing to Pay", give us a call on john h.hills@virgin. net or 01732 762224.

Another year passed and "Elsie`s Band" has chalked up their umpteenth "Obby Oss Day" in Padstow in 2008 and what a great day it was. The weather was kind enough for May Day to go with a swing, the number of visitors was down making the day comfortable and good crack and singing occurred in both "The Golden Lion" and "The London Inn". The St. Just boys singing on the 2nd was a treat for all ears. Padstow deserves a debt of gratitude from Britain for the way they preserve their festival with dedication and enthusiasm, men and women, boys and girls and the children. We are also grateful to be invited to share and take part in certain of their festivities. For us it is also an annual renewal of acquaintance with so many members of the folk music community as well as all our good friends in Cornwall. Among the many met were Helen and Laura, Dave and Annie, Larry McLaughlin, Jim Bassett, John Breeze, Graham O`Callaghan and Angie, Mike O`Connor and Tina, "Doc" Rowe, Tom and Barbara, Bob Lewis, Robbie Tatlow to name but a few; sorry not to have caught Vic Legg at any of the venues. The " Ring -o Bells" sessions were well attended, in fact at one time it was like an annual reunion of singers and musicians with songs taking a back seat for a while. Best wishes also to Bob H., Peter (from whom we all got headcolds!) and Gill, "Chicko", Tim, Molly and family, Rex, Jane and Steph, Pedro, Anne and so many more. May it long continue."Oss Oss wee Oss"

"ELSIE`S", "The Queens Arms", Cowden Pound, Kent, now in our 33rd year.

The year 2007 has been a really super one at "Elsie`s Sing and Play Evenings". Apart from the songs from extensive and varied repertoire of "Elsie`s Band" here is reminder of the year. We had the pleasure of seeing Bill Whaley and Dave Fletcher, Tom McConville, John Conolly, Jink`s Stack, Les Onions, Pete coe, Jim Bainbridge, Tony Hall, Brian Peters, Moor Music and Steve Turner.

We wish to offer our thanks to Elsie, Dave and Jane for their indulgence , patience and help throughout the year. We also like to say how grateful we are to all our regulars who, where possible, have supported the evenings as well as extending our thanks to many new faces seen here. It is only by your attendance can an enterprise like this continue and prosper and we hope we can count on your support in the future. Rest assured David is anxious to book guests from as wide a variety of music as possible for everyones enjoyment but he can only do it
with confidence if he is assured of an audience. Everyone is welcome to come to "Elsie`s" to do their thing or just enjoy the evening. It is not necessaryto pre-book a floor spot (did you ever?!), just make yourself known to Tony and you`ll be on his play list.

We, "Elsie`s Band", wish to thank all our friends at LEWES, SEAFORD, TONBRIDGE, "THE BEACON", ORPINGTON, EASTBOURNE, the folk club sessions, The History Societies etc., for the enthusiastic receptions we have received. We look forward to seeing you again. Come on you clubs in Kent, give us a shot, ask around, live dangerously. You will not be dis-appointed

Here is the programme for the first half of 2008

Jan.,12th The Hofners:- A great laid-back start to the year, the perfect
post Christmas pick-me-up...put him down Mrs.Stockwell

Feb., 9th Martyn Wyndham-Read:- A long time "queens Arms" visitor and
a personal favourite of Elsie. our esteemed hostess and
provider of sausuage rolls, oh, and the odd pint. (That`s not to
say there is anything odd about the Adnams). Oh, you know
what I mean.

March, 8th Tim Laycock:- Heading up from darkest Dorset to deepest Kent
to delight and entertain, with songs and tales, both the old and
the young....well mainly the former at "Elsie`s"!

April, 19th The Askew Sisters:- Fiddle, melodeon and youth. You`re going
to hear a lot more of Hazel and Emily.Just what some of us
need to freshen us ip for May Day.

May, 17th Roy Clinging and Neil Brooks:- Their first visit here bringing a
great variety of songs and tunes from Cheshire and the N.W.

June , 7th Mary Humphries and Anahata:- Third time at "Elsie`s" and a
grand evening guaranteed...don`t be late lest you miss
something!

July, 5th Dearman, Gammon and Harrison:- No, it`s not an estate agent
or a firm of lawyers, it`s three fine players with a summer
evening of music and song.

Aug., 2nd The usual August "Home Groan" night when our regular
performers and guests let it all hang out (in musical sense of
course).