Whitchurch, Shropshire Welcomes The English Country Music Weekend 2026
19th to 21st June 2026
On behalf of Whitchurch, welcome to this year’s ECMW. Thanks to all hosts, stewards, venues and Whitchurch Scouts for helping make the event happen.
Contacts: Peter Morris: 07894-556599 · Bill Webb: 07572-094498 · Baz Fewster: 07977-463049
Baz is available Fri & Sat evening and all day Sun.
Contents
Weekend bus service
Over Saturday and Sunday there is a bus service between The Rugby Club and the bus station at Tesco’s car park.
The bus only holds 16 passengers, so allow plenty of time to reach your chosen sessions.
| Saturday Rugby Club | Saturday Bus Station | Sunday Rugby Club | Sunday Bus Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10:30 AM | 11:00 AM | 10:30 AM | 11:00 AM |
| 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | 11:30 AM | 12:00 PM |
| 12:30 PM | 01:00 PM | 12:30 PM | 01:00 PM |
| 01:30 PM | 02:00 PM | 01:30 PM | 02:00 PM |
| BREAK | BREAK | BREAK | BREAK |
| BREAK | 04:00 PM | BREAK | 04:00 PM |
| 04:30 PM | 05:00 PM | 04:30 PM | 05:00 PM |
| 05:30 PM | 06:00 PM | 05:30 PM | 06:00 PM |
| 06:30 PM | 07:00 PM | 06:30 PM | 07:00 PM |
| 07:30 PM | 08:00 PM | 07:30 PM | 08:00 PM |
| 08:30 PM | 09:00 PM | 08:30 PM | 09:00 PM |
| 09:30 PM | 10:00 PM | ||
| 10:30 PM | 11:00 PM |
Friday 19th June
Taz Tarry
14:00–17:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Join Taz in the historic birthplace of composer Sir Edward German.
DIY Session
14:00–17:00 in The Wheatsheaf Inn
This intimate session will be held in the back room of this popular inn.
Songs & Tunes
14:00–17:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Julie and Gavin host this mix of music and song.
DIY Session
15:00–18:00 in The Rugby Club
A second chance to make your own session.
Fi Fraser
18:00–20:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Fi Fraser of The Old Swan Band leads this early evening session.
This Way Up
18:00–21:00 in The Rugby Club
A versatile local band for an uplifting session to remember.
Katie Howson
20:00–23:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Katie leads the first of her weekend sessions.
Malcolm Woods
20:00–23:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Finish the day with Malcolm and the hospitality of Sammi and her staff.
Will Allen
21:00–23:00 in The Rugby Club
Back by popular demand, Will leads this final session in the Rugby Club.
Saturday 20th June
Everyone Gets To Lead
11:00–14:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Bryan Creer and Valmai Goodyear give everybody a chance to lead.
Morris Dancing
11:30–12:30 in The Bull Ring
Watch Mersey Morris and Nightshade Morris perform in the centre of town.
Neil and Liz
12:00–14:30 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Local tunes in a very local pub.
More Morris Dancing
13:00–14:00 in The Cock & Greyhound
Mersey Morris and Nightshade Morris perform again, followed by more music.
Morris Plus
14:00–17:00 in The Cock & Greyhound
A laid-back session of Morris tunes and related dance music. Everyone welcome.
Shropshire Heroes
14:00–17:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Join this local band for lively traditional tunes.
The Songs Session
14:30–17:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Chris Bartram hosts a session of songs in a bigger and better venue.
The Bismarks’
15:00–18:00 in The Rugby Club
Part of their 30th anniversary, with music, chat and tunes to join in.
Sussex Comes To Shropshire
17:00–20:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Will Duke transports us across England with tunes from different counties.
Jimmy’s Session
19:00–21:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Jimmy Mitchell returns to Whitchurch with more tunes to enjoy.
Kevin Holland
20:00–22:30 in The Archibald Worthington Club
An eclectic variety of tunes and instruments.
Mossy Christian’s Session
21:00–23:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
A lively late-night session.
A Session for Rod Stradling
20:30 until late in The Rugby Club
A tribute to Rod Stradling as musician, enthusiast, mentor and friend, hosted by Roger Digby.
Sunday 21st June
Fiddlin’, Pluckin’ & Blowin’
10:30–12:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Doc Rowe presents a personal illustrated journey through the history of ECMW.
English Country Conundrums
12:00–14:30 in The Archibald Worthington Club
A fun quiz-and-reveal session with Katie Howson, Roger Digby and Liz Giddings.
Not Quite Folk
12:00–15:00 in The Rugby Club
Richard & Sylviane lead a session of Not Quite Folk tunes.
Three Tunes You Might Not Know
12:00–15:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Gavin Atkin reprises his popular session with three more tunes to explore.
DIY Session
12:00–15:00 in The Cock & Greyhound
Players are invited to make their own music.
The Shropshire Boatmen
13:30–15:30 in St. Alkmund’s Church
Shanties and canal songs in the church setting.
5 Speed Box
15:00–17:30 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
A return session from the local popular band.
Scan Tester Fan Club
15:00–18:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
Come along and join in, and guess which tunes you’ll hear.
Will Allen
16:00–19:00 in The Rugby Club
Will returns for his second session of the weekend.
Mossy Christian’s Session
20:00–23:00 in The Rugby Club
The final session in the Rugby Club.
The Wednesday Nighters
20:00–23:00 in The Old Town Hall Vaults
The regulars invite you to join them for a fun finish to the weekend.
Shropshire Heroes
20:00–23:00 in The Archibald Worthington Club
The final session at “The Archie” is hosted by this local band.
Please remember
- Be polite to the staff in the venues.
- If you wish to have a small DIY session in a venue not listed, ask permission first.
- The organisers reserve the right to amend the programme as circumstances dictate; changes will be listed in the Rugby Club.
- Some eateries on the map may have ceased trading, but there will be another one in the same premises or close by.