Venue:
St Leonard’s Church, Sheepstor, Dartmoor
Date: 07/03/2024
For the second time in a year I made the pilgrimage to St. Leonard’s Church in the little village of Sheepstor, perched up on the south-west corner of Dartmoor.
The point of the expedition was to catch a live performance from the folk duo called Ninebarrow. They are only touring a few more gigs this year before they embark upon a project that will keep them from our stages for the next year or so. So, a brief window in which to hear for myself their pristine harmonies and their gorgeously crafted songs.
It’s a small fortune for a return ticket on the train from home, and the trip was rendered affordable only by the fact that my younger vulpine brother lives only a few miles away from the venue and put me up for the night. Happily, he was entranced and delighted by the gig too, so it was a successful adventure all round.
The church was packed – a sell-out – but its small size means that even when full the atmosphere is intimate and cosy. Minimal amplification is needed here, which means that the guy’s voices carry clear and unadorned to the back of the nave with ease. The little village puts on occasional gigs in this charming building, and as they are an unlicenced venue, the villagers lay on a big table of nibbles and a big table of booze, for which you are invited to make a ‘donation’ in a cardboard box. All proceeds to the village hall restoration project.
As I am unable to tell you gleefully that there are a lot of forthcoming gigs you might be able to attend, I’ll just say that it takes a performance by someone like Ninebarrow to remind one and renew one’s confidence that all you need are good voices, good playing and wonderful songs. Everything else is unecessary in the end. This evening was a triumph of honest simplicity.
These guys deploy great skill in their songwriting. I also love the fact that when they perform they take the time to explain the provenance of each song; their choice of subject matter is always interesting and often deeply laden with emotional heft.
I commend them to you for future reference and urge you to keep an eye open for their reappearance in a few month’s time.
The audience:
Folktastic, largely grey-haired and local. Quiet as a proverbial mouse. Enthusiastic in their appreciation. I’d imagine that 75% of the villagers were there, and from a show of hands indicating those who’d seen Ninebarrow before, I’d say the band have the village properly sown up – well over half of the audience were repeat attendees. Mind you, Ninebarrow had played the church previously on four occasions already!
It made me think..
Every village needs a venue like this.
*looks at his local Parish Council*
*Sighs*
That’s an astonishing full sound for what appears to be a cutlery cabinet.
That’s Oliver you’re talking about.
Never mind him, it’s the lady fourth down on the left who knows what she’s about.
In the remote possibility that someone is interested, the photo in the first post is taken in Dorset, on the byway overlooking Kimmeridge bay.
Are they from Dorset? I guess the name come from Ninebarrow Down in the Purbecks?
Must have some connection, what with the name and the photo location.
They live in Broadstone. Jay’s family home is in North Dorset. Jon’s father is Poole folk singer Bob Whitley.
Thanks RedLemon! The stuff we learn here.
The countryside looks stupendous.
Is that Poldark country?
I’ve just been checking their bio and it does appear they are from Dorset (as am I).
https://www.ninebarrow.co.uk/about
That area, Purbeck, has some of the best views in the country IMO, and that bench is a favourite stop of mine. The much publicised Pliosaur was found in the cliffs down there somewhere.
https://www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
Poldark Country is further west in Cornwall.
me too, from Poole and spent much of my youth cycling around the Purbecks.
Aside from being very talented musicians and songwriters, the Ninebarrow guys run walking tours around Dorset, a part of the world well known to me from childhood holidays worthy of a Famous Five yarn or two, and then from many camping trips with my wife in our younger days (i.e. when still capable of enjoying the idea of tents). Even today, we have a strong connection, as my brother-in-law lives within walking distance of the photo above, and for several years I lived in Studland.
I had my stag night at Studland Bay. Fabulous area.
Knoll House?
I used to have an aunt and uncle who lived in Corfe Castle, and then along Ninebarrow north of Harmans Cross – every Christmas and many a summer was spent there in my childhood. The Isle of Purbeck really is the stuff of middle class children’s stories – ruined castles, quaint village shops, beaches, coves, and endless green fields and hills with hardly anyone in sight. Part of me is still there, descending the cliffs to Dancing Ledge.
Pint in the Square & Compass, drive a little further west and park at the side of the road, then take the rod and tackle from the boot and tramp across the fields to the steep descent to Chapman’s Pool. Spin for bass from the rocks by the little boathouse until it gets too dark to see where you’re putting your feet. Gather up your fishing gear and stagger carefully and slowly – it’s a long tumble if you lose your footing here – back up the steep slope to the top, and head back across the fields in the gathering gloom towards the car. Maybe another pint, then drive home down the hill towards Corfe and on to a warm place and a cuppa. Never caught a single bass from there, but what a place to stand and think.
Lovely stuff – just the area for an Afterword summer convention.