Tin Whistle
The Suffolk Miracle - Syzewell Gap
A MUSICAL DRAMA of FORBIDDEN LOVE
A squire’s daughter is sent away by her father after she falls for a lowly horseman. But can love find a way to reunite the couple? The Suffolk Miracle, a musical drama presented by Open Space Theatre and the Syzewell Gap folk band, will be performed at several venues along the Suffolk-Norfolk border late May/early June.
Written by former Suffolk school teacher, Beverley Barnett, who lives at Dennington, the play is based on a centuries-old, local folk myth.
A ballad based on The Suffolk Miracle was first published in the late 17th century.
The play’s director, David Green, said: “It is a great story to tell with the help of some brilliant actors and musicians.”
Syzewell Gap has been entertaining audiences throughout East Anglia for 40 years. Open Space Theatre, founded in 2008, is based at Wingfield Barns, near Eye.
Performances of The Suffolk Miracle are as follows:
Thursday, May 25 – Wingfield Barns 01379 384505
Friday, May 26 – Laxfield Village Hall 01986 872481
Saturday, May 27 – Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft 01502 589726
Wednesday, May 31 – Beccles Public Hall 01502 770060
Thursday, June 1 – Diss Corn Hall 01379 652241
Friday, June 2 – The Cut, Halesworth 0300 3033 211
Saturday, June 3 – Fisher Theatre, Bungay 01986 897130
All performances 7.30 pm except Laxfield (8pm). Tickets £12
PETER AND JANE
WHAT WE DO
We are a folk duo from Suffolk, who love making music. Our original songs and tunes are influenced by the broad spectrum that is the folk genre and our performances always include a joyful selection of traditional material. Whether playing Scottish airs, Irish jigs and reels, or singing bluegrass favourites, traditional ballads or one of our own songs we centre our arrangements around close harmony between our instruments and voices.
HARBOUR LIGHTS TRIO
WHAT WE DO
We are based in East Suffolk and provide relatively inexpensive, light-hearted concerts, folk club spots or after dinner entertainment.
WHAT I DOTERENCE BLACKER
WHAT I DO
I write and sing songs about the way we live now, and play them on the guitar or ukulele. I have performed shows of songs and stories at venues from the Hay Festival to the Edinburgh Fringe, from from folk clubs to London’s Crazy Coqs cabaret bar.
SOUND TRADITION
WHAT WE DO
Sound Tradition is an a cappella folk foursome (David, Linda, Catherine and Moose) singing in glorious harmony, with occasional harmonium or percussion. We have a varied repertoire rangeing from lively chorus songs to lilting ballads, and from medieval times to the modern day, but always with an ear for the English folk tradition.
PROPER ENGLISH
WHAT WE DO
We are a singing trio and barn dance band performing traditional English songs and tunes in a lively and entertaining style.
PHIL LYONS
WHAT I DO
I sing traditional and contemporary British folk songs. I am an experienced performer, having sung at many folk clubs and festivals in this country and France. I play Bartram and Lowden guitars.
I have a solo CD, Time and Tide, that was well received on release.
PAUL RILEY
WHAT I DO
I have played in folk clubs, festivals and pubs as a soloist and with various collaborators since the 1970s. I play a mix of instrumentals and self-penned songs, folk and near folk, folk-blues and non-folk if it takes my fancy! I play guitar and mandolin.
I have recorded a CD The Wanderer – mostly original material, which has been well-received.
THE HOSEPIPE BAND
WHAT WE DO
The Hosepipe Band is usually a four-piece band playing for English ceilidhs / barn dances. We play for public events – festivals / public dances – and private events – weddings, parties etc.
Our repertoire combines traditional dance tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland and elsewhere with our own compositions.
MEGAN WISDOM
WHAT I DO
Born and raised in Suffolk and currently based in Newcastle, I am a solo singer of traditional and contemporary folk songs.
MATT HAINES
WHAT I DO
I sing mainly my own songs and instrumentals and accompany myself on the guitar. I also play bass guitar in The Hosepipe Band and play in a number of acoustic duos. I have played in pubs and at clubs and festivals throughout East Anglia.
EAST CREEK UNION
WHAT WE DO
East Creek Union, formed in 2011, is Scott Simmons (lead vocals, banjo and guitar), Bob Tracey (fiddle) and Pete Young (bass, mandolin and guitar). The band is based in North Essex and plays festivals, concert halls, theatres and pubs throughout England.
Mardles Ceilidhs
Beatroot are playing in DecemberNorfolk Ceilidhs were being held at the John Innes Centre until March 2020, when Covid 19 put a stop to them. We restarted on 08/10/2021, as Mardles Ceilidhs at the Costessey Centre, Longwater Lane, NR8 5AH. Many of the Mardles team helped to make Norfolk Ceilidhs possible by playing, calling and organizing. All the dances are called so no experience is needed!
Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in order to book tickets (£8/£6 for under 16s) in advance as numbers permitted in the hall are limited - you will be sent a confirmation email that includes the bank details to credit. If the tickets remaining (shown below) has gone negative then we are sold out and there is a waiting list.
Covid points to note, please -
- Please only attend if you are completely well, please take a lateral flow test if you have any doubts
- Please use hand sanitiser before each dance, please bring your own sanitiser.
- The doors will be open, so bring something warm to wear in between dances
Other points -.
- We start dancing at 19:30 and finish at 21:45 because we have to be out of the car park by 22:30
- There is no bar at the hall but there is a kitchen with mugs, kettles and glasses. You are welcome to bring your own drinks, including tea and coffee but please wash up at the end!
- If you bring alcohol then there is a corkage fee of £1 per 500ml can which we will have to pay to the Whitwell Railway as they hold the drinks licence for the hall. There will be a tub for you to put your cash fee into or you can pay it in advance when you buy your tickets.
| Date - all Friday at 19:30 | Band | Caller |
| 06/12/2024 | Beatroot | John Preston |
| 10/01/2025 | The Marisca Trio | Jon Hooton |
| 07/02/2025 | Fairgreen Band | Chris Austin |
| 07/03/2025 | The Keel Band | |
| 04/04/2025 | The Occasional Ceilidh Band | Jill Parson |
| 09/05/2025 | Harbour Lights Band | |
| 10/10/2025 | ||
| 14/11/2025 | Willowspin | Chris Davis |
| 12/12/2025 | Beatroot |
We publicise other dances on our Featured Events page.
Please follow our Facebook page or join the Google group mailing list to be kept informed.
There is a long history of public ceilidhs in Norwich - maybe you can fill in some dates for us! Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. any info.
- Labour party held dances
- Reeldance Organization held dances at Keir Hardy Hall on St Gregory's Alley until 2014
- Norfolk Ceilidhs at John Innes Centre from 2015 to 2020
- Covid!
- Mardles Ceilidhs at Costessey since Oct 2021