Bernard Evans has played in the Newlyn Reelers country dance band for over 20 years - playing accordian (here pictured in the middle). His wife, Audrey, plays double bass. The band has appeared regularly throughout Cornwall and regionally through the years.
Newlyn Reelers Counrty Dance Band
Newlyn Reelers banner
Newlyn Reelers banner
www.NewlynReelers.co.uk
The Newlyn Reelers band, based in West Cornwall, is a popular, well-established barn dance band, playing traditional English, Irish, Scottish and American music. There are four musicians – playing fiddle, accordian, guitar and double bass, plus a caller, who explains the dances to all comers, whether complete beginners or experienced dancers, making the dancing enjoyable and accessible to all. We have our own amplification, and can play in village halls, hotels, barns, clubs, marquees, or wherever there is space to dance and play. A live traditional folk band can enhance your event, including socials, parties, weddings, harvest homes, birthday celebrations, schools, colleges, festivals, etc. Barn dances (sometimes called social dances, folk dances or ceilidhs) are good for mixed groups and are suitable for all ages! The band usually plays a three-hour session, with a break in the middle for refreshments, etc.
For further details of the band, and to secure bookings, click on www.newlynreelers.co.uk
Bernard Evans playing accordian in the Golowan Band
Bernard and other members of the Newlyn Reelers also play in the Golowan Band, which appears at the Golowan annual festival - detailed below.
About Golowan Festival Organizers:
Golowan Community Arts is a registered charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. Based in Penzance, Cornwall, UK, their primary charitable aim is to:"Advance education for the public benefit through the promotion of art and culture with particular, but not exclusive reference to the art and culture of the Celtic regions of Europe."
Golowan brings together people of all ages in the town's annual June festival and runs year round community projects, which celebrate local culture and enhance the social and natural environment.
About Festival:
The Golowan Festival brings the past and present together in Penzance's community celebration of the traditional Feast of St. John, featuring The Golowan Band, Penglaz, Serpent Dances, The Quay Fair, the demonic democracy of the Mock Mayor Elections, Summer Fire, seaborne visitors to Sea and Sail and Quay Fair Day, banners and greenery, giant imagery and parades. As well as the hundreds of local performers taking part, Golowan is pleased to welcome a host of national and international artists visiting to participate in the full ten day programme of events.
History of the Festival:
The midsummer Feast of John (Gol - Jowan) was revived in 1991 by Alverton School, members of Kneehigh Theatre, Penwith Penninsula Project and Penzance Town Council. That one day of celebration - Mazey Day - has now grown into a ten-day festival, a platform for performers from the national and international stage, attracting over 70,000 visitors. The Golowan Festival has become the most colourful community festival in the South West - totally unique, nationally and internationally, but never losing its sense of tradition and place, blending Cornish tradition with contemporary imagery and ritual.
From simple beginnings, and years of gradual development, Golowan has become a unique Community Arts organisation. It has not been an easy process but the importance of Golowan's role culturally and economically, and its huge potential, is now widely recognised.
Golowan Band Penzance Bernard Evans and Andrew George St Ives MP - dancing - top of Causewayhead, Penzance at re-opening of Farmers Market late March 2009
Golowan Band with Bernard Evans Audrey Evans (bottom left, just behind leader) Penzance Cornwall Mazey Day
Golowan was commended by Common Ground, a charity supporting community celebrations, for fulfilling its rationale and won a Commendation for Excellence in the English Tourist Boards "Awards for Excellence -1994" as an example of good practise in the field of Cultural Tourism. Golowan was also one of the twelve examples cited in the Civic Trust's report on "The Vitality and Viability of Town's Programme".
The annual festival has become the catalyst for community projects throughout the year.
Community support and involvement has been the key to Golowan's success. Volunteers of all ages work together to create the festival and give their commitment to make things happen throughout the year.
Golowan Band Mazey Day Penzance
  
Mazey Day - part if Golowan Festival - early June each year - Penzance
For further details - please click on Galowan Festival www.Golowan.com
Golowan Band Playing at Ross Bridge Rant
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