Is there anybody out there?

Now, where were we?

Apologies for the lengthy winter hiatus due to temporary camera failure, horrid shifts and outright laziness.

What's been happening I might hear you ask?

The back end of 2011 saw fabulous gigs by Graham McGrotty(guitar, voice, banter and wedding entertaining), The Fallen(New Year's Eve, a smashing night) and a superb debut show by Glemsford's least serious covers act, Beergut 100.

Other highlights included a rather special Hallowe'en evening which saw local author Robert Crichton show up to tell some rather atmospheric, well written and local ghost stories of his own composition.
The annual Carols By Candlelight was held, with some, as always, wonderful performances from locals.
2012, has thus, far, seen the annual show by local supergroup Biggus Dickus this year featuring the talents of Matt from Hi-On Maiden, Mad Gav From Norwich, Joe Lazarus, Thommo and Filipino Satriani, Julius Sicoy. Support on this night came from the returning Beergut 100.

The crib team, of course, remain in the bottom half of the league.

Welcome back all, I'm sorry I've left the place in such a state.

It's that time of the year.

Yes folks, the annual carol concert is being organised. Anyone wishing to participate should contact Kevin at the Angel this year.

That is all.

Dogs of the Angel: Gibson

This cheeky, hairy little chap is Kevin.

Held in his arms is new pub dog Gibson, who is seven weeks old and the latest brood from Jackie The Dog Trainer.

Paula reports that this time round they're doing the puppy training thing 'the proper way' in order to avoid some of the more unfortunate habits of delinquent older brother Jackson. CPiB is looking forward to the little fella scrounging crisps from him as soon as his jabs are all up to date.

Absolution-ly Fabulous

The arse end of September saw the first visit of Absolution, a combo also known locally as 'Ben's other band'.

A rock trio with a distinctly AC/DC/ZZTop/Bonamassa edge to their sound they played a fabulous blend of their own material from their debut album 'Issues', which CPiB recommends you spend ACTUAL MONEY on*,  along with the usual covers, which included a roaring Hendrix medley, to bulk out the set the band comprise Two Legged Bass Thing Ben Gardner, drummer Doug Lang and ace guitarist Joe Fawcett.
The group have a fabulously 'full' sound(trios can sometime sound a bit threadbare I find) with the solid rhythm section laying down rock-steady foundations for Joe's laid-back-yet-nifty guitar work and vocals.
The night was notable for three things:
1) The discovery of a new 'how good are the band' index. Which basically goes as follows - the quality of the band laying is directly proportion to how much grumbling The Fat Guitarist does about them. This particular night, he was yellow carded after shouting some distinctly rude things at the band.
2) The Lovely Sam's birthday. Many glasses of Bailey's were consumed.
3) What a smashing night, cheers fellas, hope to see you again soon.



* - You can purchase Absolution's album 'Issues' either at their gigs or through their website.

It takes a whole lotta guts to play the Angel and other stories.

Coming up on November is yet ANOTHER debut by a band in the Angel.

Yes, the 25th sees the first date on the very exclusive 'world tour of Glemsford' tour by Beergut 100.

Comprising Steve 'Laz' Lazarus(guitar), Steve 'Jock' Allen'(guitars), Gav 'Gavin Mills, Gavin Mills, riding through the glen, Gavin Mills, Gavin Mills, with his band of men' Mills(bass), Lisa 'impressive range' Uren(vocals) and Danny 'drummer' Piper(drums) this lot came together in the wake of this years's Lazfest as the at-the-time bandless musicians decided that they'd missed the fun of rehearsing and generally dicking about in studios and decided to do something to remedy this situation. So here they are, having settled on a name after toying with gems such as 'Will Sing For Beer And Crisps', 'Four Midlife Crises And A Fat Lass' and 'Free Beer From The Landlord Tonight' and as noted above, will be debuting on the 25th of November. You know you want to.

In other news following a long campaign which at one point made the national press, CPiB is able to report that the bulb in the replacement lamppost (which was erected rather than change the previous, outdated light on the same pole as power cables) opposite Porous Mansions has failed. Chairman Steve has been informed and the clock is ticking to see how long THIS replacement takes.

The Crown is now open again for business. In the interests of research a number of Glemsford drinkers have made the long trip(for some, anyway) up to Brook Street. What they found was a smartly decorated  pub, with a well-kept pint of Adnam's plus Guest Ale(currently Mauldon's Mole Trap), a simple menu of affordable meals with special 'event nights' planned with a welcoming and friendly landlord and lady in the shape of new licensees Ian and Amanda. CPiB recommends the occasional Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday visit(if you can live with the huge amounts of Up Hill you have to walk on the way home). There's even a website which can be found HERE.

Midlife Krysis For Tommo(and his chums)

September saw a world-exclusive first outing for Stanstead renaissance man Tommo in his role as Bass Thing for his new band Krysis.

Formed from the ashes of his previous band Exigent around the nucleus of Tommo(bass and van driving) and Lisa 'the other Lisa who sings' Cook with drummer Nick Neale and guitarist Matt they turned out to knock out some tunes.

Knocking out a wide variety of tunes from the usual Pub Classics to some more off-the-wall numbers such as Focus' yodelrock classic 'Hocus Pocus'(featuring Eddie 'is yer name down? Then yer not comin' in' Crichton providing vocals) and a blistering rendition of 'Little Piece Of My Heart' with Lisa's effortless power and range really doing the song justice Krysis were a fun addition to the Angel music calender and will be back for the annual Hallowe'en bash. It'll be scarily good.

CPiB: furthering the musical careers of regulars.

Here at CPiB we are only too happy to help any regulars with a leg-up or a bit of promotion wherever possible.
So, I'd therefore like to request that all of you go out there and vote for musical Scotsman Alan Toner(pictured) after this weekend's episode of 'The X-Factor'.
That is all.

And not to be outdone.....

Anyway. The annual Glemsford Angels Sinatra night took place at the arse end of July(yes, I KNOW), with the wonderful Ben Jenkins providing the entertainment, which I am assured was of top-notch standard.

However, this was not the high point of the evening. Halfway through proceedings Hazel's daughter Charlene was amazed when at-the-time partner Chris took the mic to request her hand in marriage. I'm told the place erupted and no-one actually heard her answer. So, congratulations to the pair of you if she said yes ;).
Also, many thanks to Alan for the scan of the Free Press article, which, if you click on it, will allow you to view at non-eye straining size.


In other news Work Experience Barman Ryan and Holly are no longer resident at the Angel, having saved enough for a deposit on a rental property just over the road. Oh, and Ryan will soon be taking up a new role at the Swan in Lavenham as head barman. If you're over that neck of the woods mention my name and I'm sure he'll tell you to piss off offer you a drink on the house.

And here's a glimpse of what awaited the happy couple on their honeymoon..

...at Little Bodieve Campsite, Cornwall.

Just be grateful there's no pictures of the interior of the owner's bungalow.

All I'm saying here is 'Diana and Jesus'.

August 6th - The Wedding of Mr and Mrs Gardner.

What a lovely day this was. Starting out with a ceremony for close friends and family at Kentwell Hall where the Egremont Street Bass Thing and The Lovely Sam formally agreed to share names,  the happy couple then retired to the paddock at the top of Angel Lane to celebrate the occasion.

Starting with Pimm's and Speeches and followed by a magnificent hog roast washed down with several pints of Mauldon's ales all to the musical accompaniment of Bob-With-The-Harmonica's Beat Combo Sticky Fingers this was a near-perfect village celebrating with guests coming from as far and wide as Long Melford and Cavendish(oh and some of Sam's family from Up North too).

Other highlights? Tommo looking like a particularly dapper geography teacher. The kids building sandcastles and making 'gunpowder' with the 'natural fertiliser' provided by the horses resident at the paddock. The toilets(honestly, I was quite tempted to head out to Stars n' Jars for a paper just so I could use them one more time the morning after they were that good). Ben looking the smartest he ever will in his whole life(barring court appearances). Sam looking stunning. Tony Ward, resplendent in striped blazer, checked shirt and salmon trousers and CARRYING IT OFF. Guest vocals with The Turn from Lisa and Julie. The cheese cake. Made of actual cheese. The wonderful sense of community and goodwill from all attending.
CPiB wishes the Gardners every future happiness.