reviews

The Old Time Sailors - Sunday 26th September

2021

The Old Time Sailors - Sunday 26th September 2021

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,". For me, Dickens' immortal words describe Sundays perfectly. For many Sunday is a day of rest yet we end up following a set pattern, week after week. Following my usual Sunday routine, I ambled down to my local pub. A fellow local greeted me on arrival with "You've just missed the most amazing entertainment! But they may be coming back!" They did. They turned my Sunday upside down. Capsized it if you will.

That Sunday afternoon, the pub sailed back into the 19th century and was treated to over three hours of outstanding traditional seafaring music played and sung by a seventeen piece band, all dressed in 19th century style costumes, plus one guest tin whistler. The pub joined in when the locals knew the chorus. This unplanned, totally impromptu performance was a tour de force of professional musicianship executed by a band clearly showing its collective passion for its musical A genre. Three hour long sets of exuberant entertaining left

That Sunday afternoon, the pub sailed back into the 19th century and was treated to over three hours of outstanding traditional seafaring music played and sung by a seventeen piece band, all dressed in 19th century style costumes, plus one guest tin whistler. The pub joined in when the locals knew the chorus. This unplanned, totally impromptu performance was a tour de force of professional musicianship executed by a band clearly showing its collective passion for its musical A genre. Three hour long sets of exuberant entertaining left the pub locals exhausted and musically fulfilled. Sadly the band weighed anchor and sailed back to North wales. Everyone in the audience recognised that they had witnessed an extraordinary and unexpected event that had transformed a Sunday afternoon. Especially the pub landlord; he was the guest tin whistler! It is now Tuesday 28th September, and a warm euphoria pervades the pub as the locals continue to reminisce and share mobile video clips, continue to talk in wonder about the unforgettable Sunday when the Old Time Sailors moored up to the White Hart in Bicester, Oxfordshire."

"The White Hart welcomes the return of the

Sailorette and her crew."

Eight bells has just been struck in the White Hart. It is the end of the afternoon watch (16:00 hours). The bar is starting to fill up with eager customers, animated chatter, all feeling a frisson of excitement and anticipation although the Sailorette is not expected to sail into Bicester for another three or four hours. Rather like a flock of gulls breathlessly awaiting the return of a successful fishing fleet filled to the gunwales with its haul. After casting off in September, the Old Time Sailors had continued their voyage of discovery. Sailing from faraway Edinburgh to Plymouth, Newquay to exotic Matlock Bath, windswept whitby to the wilds of Pontardulais. That morning, the Sailorette had been moored alongside HMS Warrior in Portsmouth before returning to the White Hart. The ship docked just before seven bells on the dog watch. Looking around, the audience had grown much larger, augmented with wives, girlfriends, partners, relatives and those who had heard about the legendary performance. By now the sun was well over the yardarm, consequently the expectant masses exuded a warm, cordial, inviting atmosphere. The sight of the seventeen crew of the Sailorette caused the buzz in the pub to evaporate into an excited electrified hush. We had returned to the 1800's once more. And suddenly they were away with their first song causing an eruption of smiles and vigorous nods from the experienced locals. Yet again this was an emotionally exhilarating experience for all. During the break, the White Hart was rich with enthusiastic conversations; clearly the reaction of an extremely appreciative audience and confirmed when I walked around and sought opinions. Not only was the pub Landlord in full swing with his tin whistle, but the pub discovered another local star, George. George knew all the songs. He was word perfect. It wasn't long before he was standing shoulder to shoulder with the Old Time Sailors singing his heart out. He was lucky that he wasn't press ganged! Once again, the Old Time Sailors landed a haul of outstanding unique entertainment, anchored by their excellent musicianship, and shipped by a company displaying an intense passion for this folk and maritime musical genre. As Robert Louis Stevenson's Squire Trelawney would have said, "Treasure indeed!"