Bath has always held a special place in my heart. It was my first port of call when I left Ireland in the 80’s, where my grandmother lived, and my father was born. It was also where I completed my apprenticeship as a singer spending many hours singing on the streets where the beautiful bath stone provided a sort of acoustic heaven for singing songs.

And last week Bath did not disappoint…. My Bath Folk Festival 2015 kicked off with a solo singer songwriter gig at the Royal Oak pub on the Lower Bristol Road where it was  great to see old friends and new. Thanks to Marick Baxter and all the festival committee for having me play and also to Reuben for the excellent job he did on sound.

Then there was a week long  workshop teaching tin whistle and flute where it was so inspiring to see so many students, some of whom had no previous experience of playing Irish music, put their heart and soul into learning tunes.

Highlights of the week included daily sightings of Flora and Freddie, the resident young foxes living near Hicks field, the festival campsite, walks by the canal at dusk, meeting the super cute Jenna, Katherine Mann’s brand new baby girl, tunes and songs in the Star with the super talented Ray Cohen, a lovely children- friendly session in Green Park station in the afternoon where it rained feathers as jugglers and performers Henry and Susie did their thing in time to our music. Meeting the Short family, our camping neighbours, and hearing their inspiring story of how they have built their Lick The Spoon chocolate business from scratch. And then there was the gorgeous  evening spent in the company of my beautiful friend singer songwriter Jennifer Crook. Until next year…thank you Bath.