Join melodeon player, singer and entertainer Jim Bainbridge and his wife Francie for a new singing group on the first Sunday of every month. A chance for singers, accompanied or not and of any genre, to add to the welcoming musical tradition of this friendly venue.

I've been playing & singing with my old melodeon since my early days on Tyneside in the 60s, ably assisted by my wife Francie on her spoons! Touring folk clubs and festivals for years and making a living in the pubs and bars in the Mizen area of West Cork, I'm always happiest in informal settings rather than concerts etc, and I have a fairly eclectic repertoire, I think.

I spent many years in Glentrool and ran many enjoyable music nights in that welcoming place (pub and former school, now the Glentrool Hive) and if we can even approach the sheer enjoyment of those nights, we'll be doing OK.

More recently, with Jackie Boyce, a fine Ulster singer, I ran a very successful singing session in Co. Leitrim, where singers (and musicians) travelled many a mile to the public bar in Davitt's of Drumkeeran village.

I've really missed that since moving back to Galloway, and my hope would be to give a similar platform for local singers, of ANY material within reason. In Ireland, it would be 90pc Irish, but really, whatever you do will be OK at the Vault, accompanied or not.

There are only two rules - no electrics and don't take over.  Musicians are well catered for at the Vault and it would be good to build another aspect of the music in the town - a few stories, jokes and tunes also welcome!

It will happen in a public bar and there will be noise, however the atmosphere at The Vault Arts Centre is always very respectful and appreciative of musicians/performers, but I'd hope that local singers will come along and do their bit in a friendly setting, where pub regulars can be involved and where humour is an important ingredient.  We'll have a 20/30 minute break for chat and go round the room, one song at a time, but we'll see how it works and adapt as necessary.

So that's the idea and we just hope that all you singers will come and support us - without support from other singers it won't work - come & join us, you'll be very welcome!

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