Friday 19th June
14:00–17:00 DIY Session in The Wheatsheaf Inn
This intimate session will be held in the small back room of this popular venue.
14:00–17:00 Taz Tarry in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Join Taz for his session held in the historic birthplace of composer Sir Edward German.
14:00–17:00 The Archibald Worthington Club
Songs & Tunes
Julie and Gavin host this mix of music and song.
15:00–18:00 The Rugby Club
DIY Session
Make your own session.
18:00–20:00 Fi Fraser in The Archibald Worthington Club
Fi Fraser of The Old Swan Band leads this early evening session.
18:00–21:00 The Rugby Club
This Way Up
Join this versatile band for some great tunes with plenty of energy for an uplifting session to remember.
20:00–23:00 Katie Howson in The Archibald Worthington Club
Katie leads the first of her sessions.
20:00–23:00 The Old Town Hall Vaults
Malcolm Woods
Join Malcolm in enjoying the hospitality of Sammi and her staff in this historic pub.
21:00–23:00 The Rugby Club
Will Allen
Back by popular demand, Will leads this final session in the Rugby Club.
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Saturday 20th June
Daytime
11:00–14:00 The Archibald Worthington Club
Everyone Gets To Lead
Bryan Creer and Valmai Goodyear give everybody a chance to lead.
11:30–12:30 Morris Dancing in The Bull Ring
A chance to watch Mersey Morris and Nightshade Morris perform in the centre of town.
12:00–14:30 Neil and Liz in The Old Town Hall Vaults
Our very own Neil Moore and Liz Jackson lead off with some very local tunes in a very local pub.
13:00–14:00 The Cock & Greyhound
More Morris Dancing
Mersey Morris perform again, followed by…
14:00–17:00 The Cock & Greyhound
Morris Plus
Sarah and members of Mersey Morris welcome all to join a laid-back session of Morris tunes which have ‘other lives’ such as those used for Country Dance, Ceilidh tunes etc, those appropriated from other places, lesser-used tunes or those specifically written for sides. Everyone welcome, bring your favourite tunes to share!
14:00–17:00 The Shropshire Heroes in The Archibald Worthington Club
Join this local band for some lively traditional tunes.
14:30–17:00 Chris Bartram in The Old Town Hall Vaults
The Songs Session
Once again Chris Bartram hosts a session of songs and in a bigger better venue.
15:00–18:00 The Bismarks’ in The Rugby Club
Join The Bismarks’ for their 30th Anniversary. Listen to them play their unique music combined with some chat and join in some tunes.
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Saturday 20th June
Evening
17:00–20:00 The Archibald Worthington Club
Sussex Comes To Shropshire
Will Duke once again transports us across England with tunes from different counties.
19:00–21:00 The Old Town Hall Vaults
Jimmy’s Session
Jimmy Mitchell returns to Whitchurch with more tunes to enjoy. Followed by a DIY session until 11pm.
20:00–22:30 Kevin Holland in The Archibald Worthington Club
20:30–Late in The Rugby Club
A Session for Rod Stradling
Rod Stradling, who died in December, was one of the most influential people in the resurgence of English Country Music that began in the 1970s. In 1977, Rod was one of the co-organisers of the first English Country Music Weekend. As ECMW 2027 will be the 50th anniversary of this, it is right that this should be acknowledged next year.
This year, the first ECMW after his death, we pay tribute to Rod as Musician, Enthusiast, Mentor and Friend. During the session people who knew Rod well will speak briefly about their friendship and introduce tunes that they associate with Rod.
The session will be hosted by Roger Digby and the music will be led by Paul Burgess, Fi Fraser, Jeannie Harris, Katie Howson, Taz Tarry, Jamie Wheeler… and perhaps others.
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Sunday 21st June
Daytime
10:30–12:00 Doc Rowe in The Archibald Worthington Club
Fiddlin’, Pluckin’ & Blowin’: ECMW a celebration in sound and pictures
Doc Rowe presents a personal illustrated journey through the history of the English Country Music Weekend, drawing on photographs, recordings and memories gathered over decades. Capturing the people, places and tunes that make ECMW unique, from pub sessions to late-night tunes and singing. It also wishes to pay tribute to founder Rod Stradling and his lasting influence on English traditional music.
12:00–14:30 Katie Howson in The Archibald Worthington Club
English Country Conundrums
When is an English tune not English, or indeed, when is a foreign tune English? This is a “fun” event although with a meaningful theme. It’s in two parts – first off, a quiz – is this tune English? If not, where do you think it is from? Then – the Big Reveal – no fisticuffs allowed! Bring your pencil and paper and come and enjoy listening to some excellent and thought-provoking recordings. Afterwards, come and play some music in a session with tunes which could be English! Led by Katie Howson, Roger Digby and Liz Giddings (aka the Valiantinos), 3/5 of the now extinct Valiant Dance Band, who specialised in tunes from around the world but still with a distinctly English style.
12:00–15:00 The Rugby Club
Not Quite Folk
Richard & Sylviane lead a session of Not Quite Folk tunes in The Rugby Club.
12:00–15:00 The Old Town Hall Vaults
Three Tunes You Might Not Know
Gavin Atkin reprises his popular session from last year with three more tunes to titillate the tune buds.
12:00–15:00 The Cock & Greyhound
DIY Session
Zoe & Tez invite players to make their own music.
13:30–15:30 St. Alkmund’s Church
The Shropshire Boatmen: Shanties & Canal Songs
Come along and join in with The Shropshire Boatmen for an afternoon of songs about the sea and our country’s canals in the magnificent setting of St. Alkmund’s Church. Hear about the history behind sea shanties and tales of the canals and inland waterways.
15:00–17:30 The Old Town Hall Vaults
5 Speed Box
Returning for a session of tunes, join 5 Speed Box for this session.
15:00–18:00 The Archibald Worthington Club
Scan Tester Fan Club
Guess which tunes you’ll hear at this session.
16:00–19:00 Will Allen in The Rugby Club
Another session led by Will Allen.
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Sunday 21st June
Evening
20:00–23:00 The Rugby Club
DIY Session
Make your own session.
20:00–23:00 The Old Town Hall Vaults
Liz, Neil & Friends
Join Liz Jackson, Neil Moore and Friends in The Backies for more Songs and Tunes.
20:00–23:00 The Archibald Worthington Club
Shropshire Heroes
The final session at “The Archie”.