Val Woollard

Val is a multi-instrumentalist who has played in various groups for country dancing, English ceilidhs, barn dances, call them what you will, for over 20 years.  She is currently a member of The Hosepipe Band, Bass Instincts and the French dance band Bof!

Val's first instrument is the recorder, for which she has developed her own appropriate techniques, but she also plays flute, English bagpipes, hammered dulcimer and saxophone.  She has recorded many CDs and contributed her own compositions for several folk music publications.

Simon Haines

Simon's main instruments belong to the free-reed family:  the melodeon, concertina dn bandonean.  He also plays the hurdy-gurdy.

Simon has played in dance bands since the early 1980s.  Like Val, he is currently a member of The Hosepipe Band, Bass Instincts and Bof!

Elaine Barker (dance tutor)

Elaine has been  involved with the folk and dance scene in Essex since the early l980s.  She is in constant demand as a country dance caller and has worked with numerous local dance bands, including The Hooligan Band, Bass Instincts, Itchy Feet, The Metric Foot Band and The Hosepipe Band.

In addition to being a regular dance caller, Elaine has run many country dancing class and courses for adults and children.  She has also run the Colchester Folk Club for many years, turning it into a highly successful venue, sought after by musicians nationally, and popular with audiences throughout East Anglia.

Elain also sings solo and in various duo acts and teaches guitar.

*  You can hear music by these two bands on their Myspace pages at:

www.myspace.com/thehosepipeband
www.myspace.com/bassinstincts5