Join us for a series of intimate folk concerts at Cullercoats Watch House, a unique and quirky venue in the heart of Cullercoats.

Bellows o’er the Bay

Enjoy the glorious sounds of the pipes as we present two mixed instrument trios of Northumbrian folk musicians: The Grand Assembly and John Bushby with Miggins Fiddle.

The Grand Assembly

Grand Music from Northern England

The Grand Assembly celebrate the living traditions of our regional music. Iain, Trish
and Rachael are all experienced soloists in their own right, as well as having separate
backgrounds performing in bands playing at festivals and folk clubs, (Lowp,
Horseplay), for dancing (The Blue Hat Ceilidh Band), and in many years of making
music socially in pub sessions across the North East.

The trio first played together for two community ceilidhs. Brought together in a spirit
of constructive creative chaos engendered by their clients, the under 5s and a
dementia positive project, they found common ground in their shared affinity with the
traditional music of the North of England, and began exploring it.

Expect old and new tunes such as lively 17th and 18th century dance tunes, beautiful
slow airs, stately marches, jigs and rants as well as new tunes written within the
tradition, all played with passion and precision.

The Grand Assembly is:

• Iain Gelston (Half Long bagpipes, Northumbrian smallpipes, bouzouki, whistle)
• Rachael Hales (viola, fiddle)
• Trish Winter (wooden flute, whistles, shruti box)

John Bushby with Miggins Fiddle

Originally from Tasmania, John Bushby is a critically acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and instrument maker. He has worked and collaborated with many of the folk greats, including Nic Jones and the Halliard. Alongside his late wife Caroline, John has worked with Australian television and radio, and toured extensively with folk bands Tantallon and Finnegan’s Wake.

Miggins Fiddle are Marina Dodgson and Maurice Condie. In trio with John, who will be playing border pipes, they will be playing fiddle/octave fiddle (Marina) and octave mandolin (Maurice).

John, Maurice and Marina will be performing mostly self composed tunes written in the traditional style, drawing inspiration from people, places and experiences.