The Railway Folk Club

Over the past six years the unique acoustic magic of Ember (website) has delighted audiences all over the world, from California to Mexico, Ireland to Spain.

The simple, yet moving music centres around the miraculous blending of two very different voices: Emily Williams (violin and guitar) of Wales and Rebecca Sullivan (guitar and harmonica) of Utah. For our Festival the duo calls on Welsh cellist Emma Bryden, who brings depth to the music with her beautiful, moody strings.

You could call it contemporary folk with an edge and the group has been compared to Indigo Girls, The Be Good Tanyas, Simon and Garfunkel. Engaging and humorous performers, Emily and Rebecca build a natural repartee with the audience - in true troubadour style. Hecklers are always welcome!

Ron Trueman-Border (website) has gained an enviable reputation as one of the folk and acoustic scene's most popular singer/songwriters....he writes such accessible choruses, so enthusiastically received by his audiences, that everyone feels an empathy with the lyrics.

Many musicians, having heard his songs, are singing and recording them too. You've probably heard Stewart Lever's covers of Ron's songs, Romeo & Juliet and Chase Me Girls I'm Chocolate - come and hear Ron sing them for you.

Ron is a gifted writer, but he is also an extremely talented guitarist multi-instrumentalist and accomplished singer able to convey a sense of fun one minute and sheer emotion the next.

Brian Peters is "one of British folk music's finest ambassadors"... expect a stage act of high energy and humour. Starting out in folk clubs, he has taken his skilful and dynamic performances of traditional and other material to stages all over the world, touring regularly in Europe and USA.

Brian is a leading squeezebox player (melodeon and concertina), a polished guitarist in the open-tuned English folk style, and a passionate singer. He's passionate about the English folk tradition but sometime startlingly eclectic... well known for classic tradition songs, gripping ballads and melodeon wizardry.

Brian's recent CD Anglophilia has confirmed his place as one of England's best Anglo concertina players as well.

Anthony John Clarke, singer/songwriter/guitarist (website). Song writing is an art many aspire to, but few have the ability to create a masterpiece. Anthony John does just that almost every time he puts pen to paper.

Intelligent and eloquent lyrics coupled with beautifully crafted melodies, leave the listener in no doubt that this is the work of a true craftsman. He's got class!

Often considered to be Ireland's best kept secret, Anthony John always makes a lasting impression on audiences with his unique blend of music and humour.

With the lovely harmonies and keyboard playing of Elizabeth Van De Waal, Anthony John is back by popular request at our Festival.

Chris While & Julie Matthews (website) are breathtaking singers, songwriters, musicians and performers whose dedication to their craft and audience holds no bounds.

Their songs cover life as they see it, from the industrial waste lands of the north, to injustice and freedom, matters of the heart and everything in between.

"They're simply World Class, it just doesn't come any better than that!" Chris Leslie of Fairport Convention was heard to say on his way out of a While & Matthews concert.

"Two of my favourite singer songwriters in the whole wide world!" - Beth Nielsen Chapman.

Julie plays guitar, piano, bouzouki, mandolin & harmonica; Chris plays guitar, bodhran, banjo, dulcimer & percussion.

It's time for another fix of the Garva experience! But this year with a difference - the band aren't going to be limited to Irish music, and it's a new line-up! Sadly, Terry Coyne had a motorcycle accident earlier this year, and is not yet fit to play; Lesley McGough has left the band for pastures new. However, we can promise you that... tonight anything goes! With a cracking selection of songs and tunes, some new and many familiar, and plenty of jokes to make you groan – how can anyone resist?

THE NEW GARVA LINE-UP:

TONY GIBBONS: Cittern & vocals. Founder of the band in 1990. Was also a member of the John Wright Band for 18 months. Toured & recorded with Niamh Parsons. Also sung with Mary Black, Christy Moore, etc.

KEVIN WEBSTER: 2-row button accordion. Another member of the original GARVA line-up. Won 7 World championships on his instrument. Clever bugger !!!

LIAM MURPHY: Uillean Pipes, Whistle, Guitar. Son of John Murphy, another original GARVA member - it just gets better !!

PHIL HARE: Vocals & guitar. A fantastic performer in his own right. Played many clubs & festivals as a solo performer. One of the best guitarists & singer-songwriters on the scene.

The Xmas with Garva at the Railway last year was a total sell-out AGAIN!

Order your tickets early if you want to be sure of a seat!

Billy Mitchell (website) singer/song writer/ guitarist - played with in Jack The Lad playing for four years in every venue known to man, and some that weren't!

At the end of the seventies he joined with Peter McIntyre to form the hilarious Maxie & Mitch, who have spent the last twenty four years playing music in a very funny way to people all over the world who fancied a laugh.

Billy joined Lindisfarne in 1996. He only plays a handful of solo concerts every year, so we're lucky to get him at Lymm.