Celtic tunes for a winter's night (From Stroud News and Journal)

Celtic tunes for a winter's night

THE VILLAGE of Nympsfield is to play host to a concert of Celtic spiritual concert by a member of one of Britain's great psychedelic bands next week.

Robin Williamson, co-founder of the influential 1960's group The Incredible String Band, will present an evening of Songs and Stories for Midwinter. The String Band, one of the few British groups to play at Woodstock, were praised by the likes of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, and have been described by Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin as "an inspiration and a sign".

More recently, no less a figure than Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, has written the foreword to a book on the band, insisting that listeners "forget the cliches about psychedelic vagueness: this was work of extraordinary emotional clarity and metaphorical rigour."

The concert has been arranged by Nympsfield yoga teacher Norma Barrell. "Robin's work, with its emphasis on our personal connection to the source of life and celebration of the natural world, is enlightening and inspirational," she said.

The evening, which is suitable for all ages, will consist of beautiful harp music accompanying traditional Celtic tales of magic and enchantment. Robin and his Indian wife Bina will also sing songs ranging from the serious and meaningful to the joyful and lighthearted, all imbued with Robin's inimitable sense of humour.

The concert, at Nympsfield Village Hall, takes place on Saturday, December 11 at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £10, will include mulled wine & mince pies, and can be obtained by calling 01453 836451.