"Summer Dance and B-B-Q"
Photos by Ken Tarbox

 

East Garston Social Club's open air dance featured live music from 
Country Music Band
Rachel Skelly's Fallen Angels

The group played three lengthy sets during the course of the evening, with the program including a varied cross section of mainstream country standards, plus a few new items added to the mix.

For Rachel this was a return to the village where she had lived a few years back. Some of you will probably remember her better by her maiden name -"Rachel Smith."


I arrived at the venue around a quarter to nine to find all of the tables occupied and the group in full flow.  The day had been kind to us weatherwise and seemed to be holding up well as evening drew in. The first task for me was to secure a pint of Greene-King I.P.A before setting to work. What a really pleasant surprise when I entered the bar - The air was clear and fresh - gone was the awful stench that cigarette smoke leaves in an enclosed space. Brilliant - No more clothes smelling like a wet ashtray - and no more sore throats the morning after.    Perhaps July the 1st should be known as "Common sense" day from now on!



Martin Digweed and Alan Money were kept out of mischief  by the demand for B-B-Q food.
At one point there was a queue right across the car park awaiting sustenance.

Country music isn't my forte and I have to admit I find the lyric content of around 90% of its songs, overtly depressing, but there are millions that love it, so I am certainly not going to knock it. I don't however have a problem with Country instrumentals and have a real liking of the steel guitar.  I do appreciate good musicianship and will freely admit that all five members of  "Fallen Angels"  proved to be superb musicians, with, I suspect , plenty in reserve. Kevan on Pedal Steel is, in my opinion, exceptionally talented.
Above right and Tony Hawkins deals efficiently with the numerous raffle prizes before handing the microphone back to Rachel, launching the band into their final set of the evening. Unfortunately it was only a few minutes later that the good old English weather decided to do it's normal - and it pi --no it just about poured down. This sent most diving for cover- But a few hardy souls continued dancing under their umbrellas. My cue to get under cover fast as well. Digital Cameras and water don't mix at all - but there was just time for one more shot - Black & White this time - and it clearly shows the rain soaked umbrella next to a rain spattered James.

Rachel Skellys Fallen Angels web site
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