This concert was the culmination of many, many long minutes of practise on Friday evening and Saturday morning. Outside the Minster, many people thronged the pavement hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols as we arrived. Our team of roadies (see left) swung into action like a well-oiled (or was that well-tanked-up) machine. An expectant crowd gathered as we set up our instruments and as we started to play "Battered Pies" you could see the expression of constipation....oops....... admiration on their faces. The tension mounted as Jenny Coxon started to softly play the ensemble's famous theme tune, "Nonsuch", then the mountain dulcimer section (Liz, Elana and Hannah) joined in with a gentle strumming. Sighs of wonderment could be heard as the 1st hammer dulcimer section  (Christie & Jenny Smith) came in followed  by the remaining hammered dulcimers and world renowned guitarist (That's me, you dumbclucks....), building to a harmonious crescendo, and then winding down from whence it came to a final shimmering bar from Jenny Coxon. Oh! how the audience applauded....we thought they'd never start! Then a hush came over the crowd as rumours had circulated that the guitar player was going to play a four bar solo introduction to the next piece, "Shoot the Donkey". Fingers were twitching in nervous anticipation over the 'start' buttons on their cam-corders and mini-disks, and a sharp inouttake of breath could be heard as I started to play, but I don't think anyone could smell it! Then out of sheer excitement, the tune gathered pace from a waltz to a slow trot, but no-one cared. And then all too soon it was time for the finale, a tricky little arrangement of "Princess Royal" and "Banbury Bill" (we were going to do the alternative version, the raucous "B***ocky Bill the Sailor", but in reverence to our surroundings and much to the disappointment of many of the crowd, had to restrain ourselves....). As the final notes echoed around those famous walls, the crowd went wild, shouting "more, more, more...NO MORE....." clamouring for autographs and the exits.

We're very big at the Minster...............................