Hi there, Friend of FiddleBop!
It’s Dave from FiddleBop. I don’t know where you are as you’re reading this newsletter, but I’m writing it here at my desk which is piled high with papers — of course, I know exactly what is in each pile. Really, I do — and with my trusty fiddle over to my left.
Looking out of my window, I can see some fluffy clouds and some blue sky. And a returning-to-green mid-Wales hillside. And no sheep.
No sheep? Here in Wales? Now that really is unusual.
And something else that's unusual: Joanna Davies has discovered that every biscuit from a packet that she just bought has her initials on it! How amazing! How did they know her initials?
Fancy a Jammy Dodger, anyone?
What's not unusual is that, it being autumn, the fungi are here again. We've lots of mushrooms and toadstools in our field. Like this one.
Where was I? OK, it’s been six months since the last FiddleBop newsletter. Which was in March 2026. And what an eventful six months! FiddleBop has played eleven gigs: some in sweltering heat, and a couple where rain was on the agenda (at one gig, rain was THE major agenda item).
And we’ve had searing heat and a drought here, with accompanying wildfires (a bit scary at times, those), also an eclipse, the arrival of FiddleBop tee shirts (yaaaay! More below), and a change of UK prime minister.
O and there was a wedding too (again, more of that below) 
Right, those eleven gigs. Let me tell you a bit about each one.
Back in early April 2026, the intrepid FiddleBop Four played “LOST: Live at the Old Street Tavern”, which is — or rather, was — in Ludlow, Shropshire.
This gig was particularly exciting because it was the first FiddleBop gig with Ian on cello. He produced a snazzy bowler hat for the occasion, and did a great job being sonorous on his cello!
And we all made some new friends, and really enjoyed ourselves.
But sadly tho’, we won’t be returning to LOST. “Live at the Old Street Tavern” came to an end as a venue last July. We’ll miss it.
Thanks to Mike Dodson for all his LOST efforts, and we hope you find a new venue soon, Mike.
Next, after some more practising, FiddleBop rocketed off to Tywyn in Gwynedd, on the windy coast of Wales on 15 May 2026. This was to play at the Magic Lantern, which is an unmissable (it is bright red) building. Formerly the Tywyn Assembly Rooms, the Magic Lantern is not just a thriving independent cinema — it beat 130 others to win the 2025 BIFA Cinema of the Year Award — it is also a music venue. And FiddleBop enjoyed playing there!
Also this was an especially memory-filled visit for me, Dave, since I had camped, along with some friends (not all still alive, alas), in the sand dunes to the south of Tywyn. Back in the days of my hippy youth (which, some say, never ended). Back when I was still dreaming of being able to play the violin. This was a few years after John and Yoko Lennon’s stay in Tywyn...
For the next FiddleBop gig, we went from coast to castle. On 6 June 2026 we played in the semi-ruinous shadow of Abergavenny Castle, Monmouthshire. We could feel the weight of centuries looking stonily down upon us, as we trotted out some jazz-folk for the listening pleasure of everyone at Abergavenny Arts Festival 2026.
This was a nice gig on a welcomely sunny day. Little did we know just how hot and sunny it was about to get in the days to follow...
And it was indeed a hot (very hot) and sunny day on 27 June, when FiddleBop played at Upton Jazz Festival 2026. Whew! I wilt to just think about it!
We started to sweat when ferrying our equipment into the Rugby Club building, and then got hotter still by the time we were due to start playing. Thank goodness for the breeze through a large open window that looked onto the pitch... But it-ain’t-half-hot-mum moans aside, we hugely enjoyed this gig!
We also enjoyed listening to other musicians in the festival’s many venues (official and unofficial) after we’d finished. All in all: great audience, nice venue, brilliant festival, and we got paid too.
So it was hot. But we had a great time. What more could we ask?
OK, so we thought that Upton Jazz Festival was hot-hot-hot. But that was nothing compared to Caerleon Festival 2026’s ‘Big Free Weekend’ on 12 July. This was oven-temperature, swelteringly hot! FiddleBop played in a marquee at the Bell Inn, after the City of Newport Male Voice Choir. As they left the tent, one or two nodded to us and said “Good luck!”. And we needed our luck: I was head-to-foot drenched with sweat by the time we finished, but Jo even had to pause her playing occasionally because of the torrents of sweat dropping into her eyes.
It was still a fun gig, tho’!
A pause here, while I help look for Dotty, one of our two cats.
She eventually emerged — maiowing — from the trees on the other side of our still-dry stream.
Then she got a slap-up meal for her trouble.
OK, on with the newsletter.
On 25 July 2026 FiddleBop went south, up the hills and down again and into the Valleys, to the Mitre Live Music Venue in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent.
The Mitre is “... a locally run, independent, non-profit music venue and community hub...There is something for everyone and always a warm welcome." True words! Friendly and enthusiastic people and (in between our sets) good chats were the order of the day.
We especially appreciated the offers to help with carrying our equipment out when we’d finished. Thank you!
We like the Mitre.
And what happens in Brecon annually, in early August? Why Brecon Jazz Festival, that’s what! This year, FiddleBop played in the associated Fringe Festival. We did our jazz-folk stuff on a stage outside (thankfully, on a day that was less hot than our previous gigs) the Foundry venue in Brecon, on 8 August 2026. We had a special guest for this one: Amy Rose Garlick singing ‘Summertime’.
We loved the praise heaped (well, spooned) upon us by appreciative members of the audience: thank you (you know who you are).
And just as at Upton Jazz Festival, it was also a lot of fun wandering around the town after our set, listening to other musicians, chatting, enjoying festival food and drink, and just soaking in the festival ambience.
Long may Brecon Jazz Festival continue!
Next up: FiddleBop travel to the Six Bells, at Bishops Castle in Shropshire, on 21 August 2026. And what a nice place this is! The Six Bells — not easy to miss, being bright orange — is a smashing pub in a charming village. And the pub has a very nice and roomy outdoor (but fully covered) stage, with plenty of space for the audience to gather. And gather they did.
It was a bit of a cooler day when we played here, with just a faint hint of rain (but it didn’t). Yup, FiddleBop greatly enjoyed playing at the Six Bells, where we met some friends old and new and... Guess what? We sold our first FiddleBop tee shirt (more about these below).
Whew! More gigs! On 21 August 2026 FiddleBop returned to the Welsh Borders, to Leominster in Herefordshire, to do our bit as part of Leominster’s ‘Sip, Shop & Celebrate’ event.
Unlike our gigs earlier in the summer, this time there were hints of rain as we drove there. FiddleBop set up and played outside the thriving and friendly (and award-winning) Draper’s Lane Deli.
All went well until the rain came, when the gazebo kept the rain off us… just!
A high spot here was the appearance of Elvis Presley (at least I think it really was him... wasn’t it?), resplendent in head-to-foot white and sparkling with rhinestones, who treated us all to renditions of his greatest hits. A hard act to follow!
No rest for the wicked! A mere nine days later, on 30 August 2026, FiddleBop went west. A loooong way west. To Aberjazz, the annual jazz and blues festival held in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, where we were part of the Fringe. We played on an outdoor stage, which rather strangely had a junior football pitch situated between us and most of the audience. (I’m very glad that mis-kicked ball, the one that ended up behind the stage, did miss my fiddle!) This stage was at the back of the Farmer’s Arms, a newly renovated pub right in the centre of town. Unfortunately tho’, we were also right in the centre of a torrential rainstorm! The heavens opened… so that we could only play one of our two sets. Which was disappointing.
Which brings us to our most recent gig. At a railway station? OK, a former railway station: Erwood Station Craft Centre, Powys, on 5 September 2026. Opened in 1864 for trains on the former Mid-Wales Railway, the station closed forever in 1962. And would have been my nearest rail station (boo-hoo).
The platforms and station buildings are still there. FiddleBop set up on the foundations of an old railway building and played to visitors and friends.
This was on a day of warm and pleasant sunshine. Which was great! A smashing time was had by all. Including FiddleBop.
And while playing at Erwood Station, we collected £135 for the Nepal flooding disaster. We are very grateful to our neigbour Sarah for going round with the collection bucket, and then getting the money to its desination.
Now, as usual, it’s time to mention some future FiddleBop gigs.
The first is on that windy Welsh coastline again, at the Dragon Theatre (Jubilee Road, Barmouth, Gwynedd LL42 1EF): “A former Victorian chapel, the Dragon Theatre Barmouth is a charity set up for the social welfare of the people of Barmouth and its surrounding areas”.
The Dragon Theatre is an eye-catching building with a great logo! Doors open at 7 pm on Friday 25 September 2026. FiddleBop will be supported by singer/guitarist Stephen Husband. Tickets are £12 at the door, or you can phone 01341 450353 or email reservations@barmouthmusic.co.uk.
Next, it is closer to home for us, at the Red Lion (Llangors, Brecon, Powys LD3 7TY) from 7.30 pm on Friday 2 October 2026. It’s free entry.
FiddleBop has played at the Red Lion several times now, and it is always a lively and friendly gig. We’re looking forward to it!
Dashing about all over the place, we are! And it is towards the north-west that we'll be dashing — well, driving; and keeping within all speed limits, of course — on Saturday 24 October 2026. That’s the day that we can’t wait for! When the doors open at 7 pm for FiddleBop’s gig at The Tabernacle, MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in Machynlleth (Heol Penrallt, Machynlleth, Powys SY20 8AJ). "... the Tabernacle, home of MOMA Machynlleth, with its seven art galleries and a concert hall in a converted chapel..." Tickets are £12, with under-15 folk entering free, from here or at the door.
This’ll be a good ‘un!
Less dashing about after that! FiddleBop return to one of our favourites, the Foundry venue (8 Bell Lane, Brecon, Powys LD3 9EE) from 7.30 pm on 6 November 2026; free entry.
It is always nice to meet old friends and make new friends at Foundry gigs. While the chilled atmosphere might even tempt us to try out some never-before-heard FiddleBop numbers… you never know. See you there?
And then… it’s FiddleBop at a folk club! And not just any old folk club, but one which has been going for over 40 years. From 1 pm on Sunday 15 November, FiddleBop will be playing our unique jazz-folk music at Pontardawe Valley Folk Club (Pontardawe Heritage & Visitor Centre, The Old Stables, Herbert Street, Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot SA8 4EB).
This is a gig that we in FiddleBop are very much looking forward to, not least because it will give us a chance to try some of our more folk-oriented repertoire. But still with plenty of Gypsy jazz, of course! Admission is £10 at the door.
The final FiddleBop gig for 2026 (at least, as far as we know at this moment) will be on 27 November, from 7.30 pm, at the Conquest Theatre (Tenbury Road, Bromyard, Herefordshire HR7 4LL). The Conquest Theatre is "a vibrant volunteer-run theatre... providing live drama, music, films and event cinema in Bromyard". Which sounds great!
This is a venue which is new to us, so we are all agog to check it out. Tickets are £10 at the door.
OK, I’ve mentioned tee shirts. Ta-da, let the fanfare begin for FiddleBop’s venture into the clothing industry! And what have we got? Take a look...
We’ve some smashing FiddleBop tee shirts which you can now buy: black, in small, medium and large sizes. All with a nicely embroidered FiddleBop logo which was designed by Fran Davies (see below).
Dare you miss this opportunity to adorn yourself and support FiddleBop at the same time? Thought not... so to solve all your future birthday and Xmas present dilemmas at a stroke, purchase a FiddleBop tee shirt. Or maybe more than one.
Just email us at info@fiddlebop.org or come to a FiddleBop gig. (Online purchasing is on the way...)
Finally, that wedding. On 23 May 2026, Jo’s son (Dave’s stepson) Reuben Davies married Fran Hodgson. That’s the Fran Davies who designed the FiddleBop tee-shirt logo, of course. And Reub is a musician — with that heritage, how could he not be? — being the singer with London-based “We don’t believe in genres” band Ghost Arcadia. Congratulations, Reub and Fran!
Yup, I know this is only related to FiddleBop by a slender thread. But I couldn't resist posting a random selection of wedding photos here All of which were taken by the rather wonderful Sandra Reddin Photography.
So finally, here is that currently-correct list of FiddleBop's future gigs. We're adding more gigs all the time, so look here since this list is always up to date. We'd love to see you at a FiddleBop gig sometime!
All the best!
From Dave, Jo, Graeme, and Ian... the FiddleBoppers
PS Did you enjoy this newsletter? We hope so. If you wish to continue to receive FiddleBop newsletters like this one, then your wish is our command.
But if you don't, then click here to unsubscribe, or send an unsubscribe-request email to info@fiddlebop.org. If you don’t do either of these things then we’ll assume that you are happy to receive future FiddleBop newsletters.
This list of gigs is correct at the time of writing, but the list on our website is always up to date.
| The gig! | When/where is FiddleBop playing? | Venue, occasion, whatever... | Contact details |
|
Tickets £12 at the door, or phone 01341 450353, or email reservations@barmouthmusic.co.uk |
From 7 pm Plus support from Stephen Husband (vocals and guitar) |
"A former Victorian chapel, the Dragon Theatre Barmouth is a charity set up for the social welfare of the people of Barmouth and its surrounding areas" |
The Dragon Theatre |
|
|||
|
Free entry! |
From 8.30 pm |
"The Red Lion, located in the beautiful village of Llangors... " |
The Red Lion |
|
|
|||
|
|
Doors open 7 pm, 7.30 pm start |
The Tabernacle, MOMA Machynlleth "... the Tabernacle, home of MOMA Machynlleth, with its seven art galleries and a concert hall in a converted chapel..." |
The Tabernacle, MOMA |
|
|
|||
Admission TBA |
Time TBA |
The Foundry |
The Foundry |
|
|
|||
Admission £10 |
1 pm |
"The Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe... has been going for over 40 years..." |
Pontardawe Valley Folk Club |
|
|
|||
|
Admission £10 |
7.30 pm |
"A vibrant volunteer-run theatre... providing live drama, music, films and event cinema in Bromyard" |
The Conquest Theatre |
|
|
|||
Tickets TBA |
From 7 pm |
|
Bill’s Kitchen |
|
|
|||
Admission TBA |
Time TBA |
"Beautifully restored 19th century railway carriages housing a charming coffee shop, gift shop & art gallery" |
Erwood Station Craft Centre |
|
|
|||
TO BE CONFIRMED Free entry! |
Time TBA |
Chipping Norton Town Festival
|
Chipping Norton Town Festival |
|
|
|||
info@fiddlebop.org
01982 560726
07968 950870
FiddleBop
@FiddleBop@fiddlebop
Get our email newsletter
www.
@moma