Thank you to everyone that came out to the UK shows. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible. Great people, food and music.

The players, MatthewBourne, Neil Turpin (joining us for End of The Road Festival), Will Glaser (drums for Sly and the Family Drone, and Abigail Snail with Steff Kett), Dave Smith (joining us at Frome) and finally Charles Hayward in London.

Thanks to all who made it possible, willing to put on the show, Luke and the team at The Waiting Room in Eaglescliffe, Shaun Atherton and the welcoming Lubber Fiend community in Newcastle, Faith Eliott and Bart Owl for sorting out the wonderful shows at Pianodrome in Edinburgh and The Rum Shack in Glasgow. To Paul and Gayle for the solo date at Bishop’s House in Sheffield. Andy Abbott and Bradford Culture Co. for the Bradford date, Danny Green for the Frome show and Baba Yaga’s Hut and State 51 for the London shows.

Grateful too for the other music those nights, Viking Moses, Aurora Engine, Faith Eliott, Howie Reeve, Testament, Marlene Ribeiro, Sylvie Grey, La Tene (surprise guests for State 51 show in London) and Christine Kirubi & Alex McKenzie for the wonderful opener in London.

The longer piece is about how community and people builds something that works. No egos. Food and wellbeing brought to the fore. Nonjudgemental and open supportive audience who create an environment that encourages the musical exploration. Safe spaces.

It should not be overlooked that I have spent 20-odd years building a network, building an audience. This is a process of being open and friendly to everyone. And over time you filter out those who don’t click or fail to reciprocate your good intentions. We get down to a network of all the good people.

Bounteous spreads laid on with an attitude of ‘why would we not do this for you?’.