Well that was week…………………… we’ve survived and I hope come out of it even stronger than when we first went into it…………….. read on………....

So Monday found as usual at our Open Practice session at The Monkwood, preparing for our busy week ahead. Little did we know that this would be last time that we would cross the threshold of The Monkwood, well certainly for the foreseeable future. ....

It was a great practice though and everything seemed to be swinging into place nicely. ....

On Tuesday we headed out to do our Gig at the Handsworth Folk Club. Always a pleasure this one, although we do feel a bit guilty at having been there two out of the last three months. The audience if small is always appreciative of our efforts and like to join in on the songs which of course makes the evening go for us. ....

This time we played of programme of rarely heard Masher material, which seemed to go down really well, and it was nice to dig out the songs that had some how sunk to the bottom of the Rep book and give them a good airing. ....

A great night and thanks to all those who turned out. Pictures HERE....

Wednesday came, and the earth seemed to be taken from under us. I got an Email informing us that The Monkwood was planning to hold a meeting of the BNP. ....

Where The Mashers stand on such matters is not a secret. Our immediate reaction was to pull Acoustic Rotherham from The Monkwood. However, Martin Hickman, who acts as a sort of on line conduit for anti BNP information, set in place a campaign which lead to The Land Lord informing the media that the BNP meeting had been cancelled. ....

So after consulting with the acts it was agreed to leave Acoustic Rotherham in place, especially as it was only days to the event. ....

However on Friday I learnt from The South Yorkshire Times that The Monkwood had gone ahead with the BNP meeting. More frightening was to be told that around fifty BNP members from all over Rotherham attended. I was told that “it’s alright most were just drunk louts shouting out slogans” but this was tempered with “but there were a couple there who appeared to be saying things that made sense”. Indeed. ....

And that is frightening thing that the BNP are getting their messages of hate across under a thin disguise of respectability. ....

It also shows just how our “liberal” Political Leadership through their corruption and total bankruptcy of ideas are failing the “people” and allowing these fringe groups to get more than a foot in the door of respectability. ....

The bottom line was Acoustic Rotherham had to be pulled from The Monkwood. I’m pleased to report that all the Acts made it known they would be uncomfortable at playing The Monkwood and 95% cancelled. ....

But why let the political thugs win by spoiling our afternoon of music? The wheels of Acoustic Rotherham went into full over drive to find a new venue for the Show. ....

And it came to pass, thanks to the efforts of Bob Humphries we found that The Queens in Rawmarsh was more than up for putting on the event. ....

The ether was hot with Emails, Blogs etc and eventually we held together the show. ....

The only thing against us was the potential Swine Flue of Acoustica and Glenn Coggin’s car. ....

It would have been nice to report that there ended the crisis. But on returning home from work on Saturday – yes work – I discovered that my answering machine was full of messages from BNP members suggesting that I might well find Acoustic Rotherham picketed by the BNP and worse that I might not have mouth to sing with (well that one depends upon where you are coming from I suppose). ....

I have to admit it’s scary. ....

I had a little bit more sympathy with a few calls about The Monkwood itself. ....

I’m going to be as fair as I can here, some may think that I’m compromising or being too understanding, but………….. ....

The Monkwood in common with many local pubs is struggling for business at the moment a combination of a bad Pub Group, the smoking ban, cheap super market beer make it virtually impossible for Land Lords to make any sort of profit. It’s a subject that we’ve touched on many times in our Blogs. ....

So it’s little wonder that when guaranteed a bumper night of punters that a Land Lord will be tempted to take any business that comes his way. ....

And in the case of Martin the Land Lord of The Monkwood this was the case. ....

Martin and his Partner are not Political in any sense of the word, just a relatively young couple trying to make a living and I’m sure did not fully appreciate the depth of feeling within many communities against the BNP. ....

I think Martin was shocked at the reaction by the Acoustic Rotherham and the acts involved. I think he was also shocked by the reaction of the campaign mounted by Rotherham’s anti fascist organisations. ....

Unfortunately, I think he now understands, that we would have gone ahead if it had not been for the lie. In fact he may have gained more business as by banning the BNP he may have benefited from regular concerts from the anti fascist organisations. ....

I can say that I have a personal apology from Martin for any offence that he may have given and on a personal level I hope that he can get off of the financial tight rope that he is walking. ....

Unfortunately we all have hard choices to make in life. Unfortunately ignorance, or turning a blind eye on some basic issues in life and the choice made will lead to consequences. And just as Land Lords have every right to allow anyone they like into their pubs, artists have the right to choose whether or not to perform in the Pub or venue. ....

And as far as I am concerned that ends the matter as far as The Monkwood is involved. ....

So was it just by chance that on Saturday we were due to play at a Fund Raiser for Unite Against Fascism, organised by the Socialist Party, at Nellie Deane’s – indeed it was. ....

A small but appreciative audience were in great form, as were Gill, Andy Holt and his Daughter Catherine, who gave fantastic performances. The Mashers were of course The Mashers.....

I don’t want to take anything away from the evening BUT unless we can turn the decent folk of Rotherham out to make their voices heard then the messages of the BNP will get louder and louder. ....

We have to be forthright in getting what I hope our more positive messages about life and community out there. ....

You can see a few pictures of the event HERE....

And so to Acoustic Rotherham 5. ....

First a big thank you to Chris at The Queens Hotel for being so accommodating and positive from the first. In quick order the event was up and being advertised by the Pub and for that we are very thankful. ....

Sometimes there is silver lining to a cloud, and ours is discovering The Queens as a venue for acoustic music. ....

The venue itself was super and all the artists commented upon the fantastic acoustics and the general layout of the bar that allowed the musicians to dominate and have their music heard.

It was great to see so many new faces, some new friends from the Anti BNP lobby and we were really pleased when John Healey our local MP and a Labour Minister joined us for a few minutes to show his solidarity with the stance the artists had taken.
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And once again I was stunned by the standard of performance, as were the audience. ....

Barry Smith from West Yorkshire was the first guest up, entertaining us with a mix of traditional songs, some with unique arrangements, it was fantastic. If you’ve not heard Barry then go to his Myspace HERE....

Short Supply was next up. Those expecting a Band gasped in surprise when coming face to face with Kev of The Rogues in solo mode. On the quiet Kev likes to write songs – which in our humble view are fantastic, and he entertained us with a great set of the material + one cover that he could not resist. His songs are well worth a listen HERE. I hope to get a special page on the Acoustic Rotherham site soon. ....

And then we had someone we had been trying to get along to an Acoustic Rotherham for sometime, Barbara Helen. What an amazing talent? I have a feeling that Helen hides her talents under too many bushes, for her performance and the wonderful songs she writes and sings were just stunning. ....

Barbara should certainly being made to work harder by promoters – so go listen to her and book her for your Folk Club, you will not be disappointed. HERE....

Following Barbara came another great song smith, and a great supporter of Acoustic Rotherham events Phillip Hartley, press ganged into giving a full set at short notice. Performed with confidence and in his own distinct style he held the audience brilliantly. Go on, if you’ve not heard his songs GO HERE....

And then local young lady Penny Cook gave us something completely different with her well crafted songs in the Punk tradition. For a Las of seventeen, she just has so much talent. Go HERE to hear her music.

We then had a special appearance by supremo of the Thursday Nellies session Gill. Two songs performed in his own brilliant style. I’m not sure if he’ll remember much about it though. ....

And then another great supporter of Acoustic Rotherham David Kidman entertained us with a few of his political songs – great stuff as usual. If you don’t know Dave then GO HERE and find out about all the stuff he does in the world of Folk Music. ....

It’s about this time in the afternoon that the stamina of the audience starts to get tested. ....

So a performance of energy and brilliant musicianship by Bob Humphries was just what was needed. He was on great form and unfortunately we cant point you to anything as he does not have an Internet presence – but if you pop along to any or most of the sessions in and around Rotherham you’re bound to bump into him…………………. ....

And from one local mega star to another. Making what was suppose to be a surprise visit to Acoustic Rotherham 5 was Ray Hearne. Poor Ray. He had travelled North from a Gig the previous evening down South on the Sunday and straight into the Lions Den of Acoustic Rotherham, and if that were not bad enough, I landed him with a full spot instead of the three songs he had originally been pressganged into giving. ....

A mixture of old and new from Ray who was in brilliant form, and the songs from his new CD were just perfect. GO HERE to find out more. We’ll have a review of Ray’s new CD up on Acoustic Rotherham very soon. ....

Before people could catch their breath we were into String Theory offering yet another contrast in musical genre. Dave, Sarah and John are fast becoming legends on the folk scene for their marathon sessions playing and singing a range of roots and traditional songs they held the audience absolutely captivated. String Theory come out of Barnsley and they are a busy band – so get them while you can. Have a listen HERE....

By now energy levels were starting to run low, so who better than to lift the evening, as it now was, but the incredible CrackTown. ....

Now Crack Town had been booked in several times before only to be frustrated by travel and vehicles, but it was fantastic to have them play a full set in front of what one might describe as a diminishing audience. ....

If you’ve not come across CrackTown then you are missing a treat, they are well worth a listen to for their “right on” politics and sideways look at life. Take a listen HERE....

But the evening didn’t end there. String Theory played on, and on and on – and I’m told that they were eventually dragged away from The Queens late into the evening, but just before the Quiz kicked in. ....

Well done, Dave, Sarah and Andy – you did us proud. I’m afraid that I was just emotionally and physically exhausted and had to find a quiet place to take in all the events of the week.

You can find pictures of the event HERE
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So the end of the week found Acoustic Rotherham with a new home, but now The Mashers don’t have an Open Practice venue anymore, so that will be our next project. Anyone with any ideas please let us know. ....

Doesn’t matter this week as we are off to Nellie Folk Monday (tonight) where we will be taking our message about the week just gone, and kicking a few butts. ....

Finally in this Blog I want to thank everyone who has contacted us over the past few days with messages of support. Your thoughts and support have been very kind and have helped us to see the week through. It’s great to know that there are so many people out there who care. ....

So this week make it one of peace and goodwill, and please don’t compromise on this.