Forest Drums

Two Years On…..

beelore — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:23:05 +0000

As we come to the end of 2011, it is great to think we have now been drumming in the National Pinetum at Bedgebury for two summers.

Due to popular demand, we are hoping to start an evening drumming session somewhere in Goudhurst village in the early New Year before the spring events start again in the Pinetum.

Watch this space for more news in January.

In the meantime, we wish all those who have drummed and supported us in the past two years – as well as the Friends of Bedgebury a very happy Christmas and prosperous New Year!

Forest Drums Extra – Tonight – 30th September 2011

beelore — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 08:52:35 +0000

I know it is late notice, but we have decided to hold an extra Forest Drums tonight – same place, same time – just to celebrate this beautiful weather – the last beat of summer.

Hope you can come!

Second of September 2011

beelore — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:09:28 +0000

We ended the season with another beautiful evening with only four of us this time. Susie, Anne and Lorne started and Moira joined a bit later.

By 7pm we really got into the groove and all enjoyed the peace of the forest once we stopped drumming!

In the end we did not drum at the Forest Discovery Day – but it was a lovely day for those who attended.

More outside sessions will be planned for next year starting in May.

We are also thinking of running some indoor winter drumming for adults – so please contact on the comments form below if you are interested.

Fifth of August 2011

beelore — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:35:10 +0000

We had a good time with a good mix of ages. Here are some videos of the session:

Fifteenth of July 2011

beelore — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 22:32:56 +0000

Our second adults-only session, we were blessed again with a stunning evening. A few regulars and a few newcomers, we shared a bottle of wine and perfected “The Elements” and a new piece called “Forest Drums” which the children should enjoy when we next meet on 5th August.

First of July 2011

beelore — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 17:14:58 +0000

We had a few new folk and a few regulars attend our session on Friday. The weather again was gorgeous and we really got in the groove after about an hour. Some of the children were quite tired and retired at 19.00. Thanks to everyone who came. Here is a video of the final track:

24th June – Our First Adult-Only Session

beelore — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 21:55:12 +0000

A small group of us gathered last night for the first “adult-only” session of Forest Drums. We were joined for the first time by Alicia and Ben – and Suzie was very happy not to have to keep an eye on her two little-uns! Susie’s two children, Andrew and Vicky joined us – as did old-timer Anne.

We had a great time jamming and a few set pieces with drums, shakers, didgeridoos, boomwhakers, flutes and just pure singing. Suzie helped us to chant our first song – and we all played the world’s premiere of a new drumming round which Lorne composed called “Drumming the Elements”. As if by magic, we managed to skip the rain – keeping our record-to-date of having no rain during the sessions – though Andrew was sure that the drumming actually encouraged the odd raindrop towards the end!

The Forestry Commission have asked us to set up a stand at Bedgebury’s Forest Discovery Day on 11th September – which we are now planning. More to follow in future posts.

Our next session will be on Friday 1st July (children welcome again). Please come along, bring a drum if you have one – but if not, don’t worry – we can lend you one!

Third of June 2011

beelore — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 21:22:27 +0000

We had another brilliant evening with some oldcomers and some newcomers.

One Dad and his son (sorry I forgot their names) came on holiday from Woking and based their holiday finale around the drumming! Fantastic!

Here are some photos of this month’s session:

This month we added a set of Boomwhakers and a Cajon!

Here is a lesson to learn the Cajon if you come to a future session and want to try your hand:

http://www.tvlesson.com/hdflvplayer/hdplayer.swf?file=5032.mp4&baseurl=http://www.tvlesson.com/hdflvplayer/&autoplay=false&Preview=http://www.tvlesson.com/thumb/1_5032.jpg&streamer=rtmp://stream.tvlesson.com/vod/

Best of all, the children started their own “marching band” and marched around between the trees with no adult supervision!

By popular demand, we have been asked to hold an adults-only drum circle on on 24th June. So it is a chance to leave the children behind and come and play with other older folk! Only requirement is you will need to lead one or two songs or circles for the group!

The next all-ages session will be on 1st July.

Sixth of May 2011

beelore — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:25:30 +0000

Our first drum circle was held on the 6th May in glorious sunshine. Some new folk turned up and we had a lot of fun. Next session on 3rd June!

Saturday 27th November – Not enough for a Quorum

beelore — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:57:08 +0000

We have been given permission to drum on a Saturday afternoon from 14.00 to 16.00.

Unfortunately, because of illness and the prediction of cold weather, we did not have enough interest posted, so we will delay the Programme until the Spring – with the first session in April. Please do come back if you drummed this season and let me know whether you are interested in any indoor sessions in the early new year.