Fairport at Papplewick 30th May 2009
The worst thing about putting on a Fairport gig is that the next day (today) I float about in a semi daze.. but know that on Monday I will have to get back to earth and deal with ‘other things’
that’s life!
The best things about putting on a Fairport gig include spending time in the company of these lovely people, seeing the smiles on the faces of each and every member of the audience and knowing that I have played a small part in making this happen
It was a wonderful night. The
shone relentlessly, the band arrived early, as did much of the audience. All the chaps were very well on form, though tired after a long tour.. there was an air of ‘end of termness’ in the atmosphere.. most looking forward to a bit of a rest.. though Chris will be out again within days on the Whippersnapper tour!
As they arrived in the van Puggs was hammering a sign saying ‘Fairport’ into the hard ground.. they gave him the thumbs up in welcome. The sound and lighting was soon up and the soundcheck done. There was a bit of furniture moving as the band room was full of election cubicles for Thursday.. so they had an even smaller room as their own.. they could barely all fit in.. but at least it really was backstage!
I can’t add much to what has already been said here about the music.. it’s all been said and the set list was the same. What I will say though is that it was magical… a perfect gig on a perfect night
Puggs had deep discussions with Ric and Chris about Ukulele Central.. very exciting.. Mave the Rave.. aka Pastiemum was in seventh heaven.. after a long illness she was so happy to be there in the midst of this great music again.. and loved having her photo taken.. a lot!
Karen and I carefully wrapped Ric’s C ro cs in cellophane with ribbons and at the end of the interval I did the raffle with Chris… as already noted the winning number was called out.. No75.. and it was Delphini!!
None of us could quite believe that! The raffle was in aid of the RNLI, not sure how much was raised yet but the tin was very heavy.. so if you were there and contributed.. a big Thank You.
All too soon it was John Gaudie time, then Best Wishes and Meet.. I thought: ‘the next time I hear that I will be on a field…’ They said their ‘goodbyes’ and off they went.. we had another half an hour or so packing up time and left at midnight, leaving the hired in sound & lights man with at least another half hour’s packing up to do.
What a great gig it was, very memorable. Thank you chaps
, please come again to Papplewick!
