After we heard that a certain centre for the folk arts acquired the nickname of “the Folkie’s Hogwarts”, it was tempting to frame our first Big Workshop Weekend with Dipper, Malkin, Moss and Moore at Prior’s Field School as the “Folkie’s St Trinian’s”. As it turned out, our students were far too well-behaved and our teachers were way too soft on us (take note for next time Headmistress Dipper!)
The location didn’t live up to St Trinian’s reputation either. Instead of cold, stark dorms, there were comfortable single rooms, half of them with ensuite shower rooms (we were in the Surrey Hills after all). Even the school dinners lacked any characteristic stodge and tasted way too good.
The only bit of skullduggery emerged at the Saturday night post-ceilidh after-party conker championship organised by 'Flash' Dave and his assistant Tom where Folk Inspiration triumphed (our conker conquered all)! Was it our superior technique, or was there something dodgy afoot (a homage to the infamous St Trinian's racehorse syndicate perhaps)?
From what the Big Workshop Weekenders told us, John, Dave, Archie and Tom were excellent workshop leaders (how very disappointing!). The effort they put into teaching all day and entertaining us all night was completely out of order.
Video: Dipper, Malkin, Moss & Moore - sublime music for dancing!
Despite the enthusiastic feedback, we’re persevering with it and working with Prior’s Field to find a date for the next Big Workshop Weekend with our dream team of amazing tutors. We’ll just have to pull our socks down to live up to the “Folkie's St Trinian’s” tag.
Big Workshop Weekend with Dipper, Malkin, Moss & Moore + concert and ceilidh with caller Emma Wooders
27 - 29 October 2023 at Prior's Field School Godalming
All photographs captured by Jo Hughes
Support our lovely Big Workshop Weekend team. Buy their music, follow them on social media, go to their gigs.
John Dipper - Visit John's website, sign up for John's Saturday online workshops, follow him on Facebook and Instagram
Dave Malkin - Visit Dave's website and follow him on Instagram
Tom Moore - Go to Tom's Linktree and follow Tom and Archie's Instagram
Archie Moss - Go to Archie's Linktree
Emma Wooders - Follow her on Facebook
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