The Market Harborough Round (7) Billesdon & Skeffington

We are back in the village of Tugby for this our seventh leg of the Market Harborough Round. We are parked up in the Community Centre Car Park next to the Allotments. We set off in a clockwise direction towards the village of Rolleston. It's mid morning and it's already in the mid 20's and very humid. We are soon out amongst the rolling countryside that is so familiar on this walk. Archie (The  Dog) takes every opportunity to cool off at every waterhole.

We pass Briery Leys Spinney and take a slight detour in the direction of Goadby.According to the map there is a large lake just down the hill on the Rolleston Hall Estate. Also, tucked away in the woodland in this small hamlet is the Church. (St John The Baptist).This small chapel consists of a west tower, and nave and chancel all in one. The tower is the oldest part of the church dating to the 13th century but the top stage with its battlements dates from the restoration in 1740. 

Things quickly start to get very difficult.... The next field is very overgrown. We miss the footpath sign as a result and have to back-track to find it. The Footbridge too is covered in Thistles and Nettles. I am really regretting the decision to wear shorts at this point, the legs are getting stung all over. Somehow I seem to have either been stung or bitten under the chin too. Even the old varicose veins seem to have expanded....I'm not happy and vow never to wear shorts again. The footpath takes us the the busy Harborough Road which we cross. 

The footpath continues the other side of the road. Unfortunately there is no obvious footpath. The field is shoulder high with crops of the Oil Seed Rape variety. Rather than risk 'death by a thousand cuts' trying to hack our way through we make the unanimous decision to take the road route to Billesdon.      

Church at Skeffington

It is definitely the right decision as we pass the village pub, 'The Queens Arms'. A pint of Theakston's Mild goes down very well indeed.  Billesdon has a population of 901 according to the 2011 census. This small chapel consists of a west tower, and nave and chancel all in one. The tower is the oldest part of the church dating to the 13th century but the top stage with its battlements dates from the restoration in 1740.Or sword shaped hill , so maybe it once had a sharp ridge? The Church here is also dedicated to St John The Baptist. 

We leave Billesdon passing Kates Hill Farm. We see the footpath that we would have originally emerged from. We continue uphill past the cemetery. We are heading in the direction of Skeffington through some lovely woodland.  

 

 The village's church is dedicated to St Thomas Becket, and dates from the 1th Century. Skeffington Hall is a 15th-century Manor House which stands in parkland off the main street.The house was originally constructed in about 1450 and extended c1530 and again in the early or mid 17th century. It's the third beautiful village/Hamlet we have visited today. A cracking walk at a touch under 10 miles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Country - The Roadmender Northampton

Fantastic to be seeing Big Country again for the third time on my home patch, 'The Roadmender' in Northampton. The fourth time in total as I'm sure I saw them at The Northampton Show many years ago? A really unexpected treat too, as a friend was unable to make this twice re-arranged performance. He very kindly donated the tickets to my wife and I. For which I am extremely grateful. The Doors are due to open at 7 PM, half an hour earlier than previously listed. We arrive just after 6 PM and there is no sign of life. We depart temporarily to 'The Bear' for a pre gig beer. Excellent value too at £3.45 for a pint of Abbott Ale and a soft drink.

Returning a short while later there is now a queue of three people. One or two of the usual suspects conspicuously absent.   It is quite pleasant chatting in the sunshine, such a contrast from the many cold and wet evenings endured in the same spot. We are soon joined by another familiar face from a few years ago. None other than the 'Kaivon' all the way from Toronto. He's loaded up with carrier bags again after a trip to 'Savers' in town. It's his Birthday, and he's on the Guest List too, so very excited. He also has news that all might not be well with the support band 'Spear of Destiny'. He remains tight-lipped, all will become revealed he assures us. We take up position stage right in front of where new Bassist Gil Allan will be situated.  

Sure enough the remaining members of 'Spear Of Destiny take the stage to tell us that Front man Kirk Brandon has been taken ill. Pretty serious too as he is being kept in hospital overnight. As a result the 'SOD' support slot is cancelled. All good wishes go out to Kirk for a speedy recovery. Big Country will now start at 8:30.

The Roadmender has filled nicely, not quite capacity but not far off. The band take the stage right on time and Bruce (Watson) invites Mark (Brzezicki) to takes us back to 1983. The beat strikes up to the opening song '1000 Stars'. 

''You all know why you're here tonight'' cries Bruce. Out of the silence a lone voice, with a Canadian twinge centre stage replies ''It's my Birthday''. ''Shut the F***K'' up is the immediate response. All in great humour. One of the many crowd favourites 'Lookaway' comes next.   

Things are warming up nicely as we dip back in to The Crossing'. The  album album reached No.3 in the official UK charts, 18 in the USA on the Billboard 200 in 1983. Arguably one of the best debut albums by a British Rock band of It's time. Definitely doesn't get the recognition it richly deserves in my opinion at least. Solid guitar based Rock at it's finest. 

There has been a line-up change to since I last saw the band. Bassist Scott Whitley has moved on, and Scotsman Gil Allan has taken over. On vocals the Iconic 'Simon Hough' is10 years into the role. We break away from 'The Crossing' with 'Just a Shadow' from 1984's Steeltown album. Talking of which the title track follows, a great song with local connections of course. Hopefully next year will see a 40th Anniversary of 'Steeltown' too.

 Things slow down a little with 'Ships' from 1991, the 'most modern' song of the night.  

The audience get their chance to exercise their lungs with 'Chance'. All together now.....

''Oh Lord where did the feeling go
 Oh Lord I never felt so low''

 

Bruce is becoming more and more animated. At one stage he lashes out at the microphone stand, sending it flying. The anarchic outburst is lost though when he apologises . ''You'll have to forgive me I'm upset , and It's all Phillip Schofield's  fault, the Bxxxxxd''.

The sound at the The Roadmender is excellent too. A big ending is in store too. Three heavyweights from their back catalogue take us to a rousing finish. 'In a Big Country', 'Wonderland' and 'Fields of Fire'. A set list rammed full of favourites as well as all 10 songs from ' The Crossing'.  The band leave the stage to rapturous applause.

Bruce & Jamie Watson

 

The Iconic Simon Hough

Remembering absent friends

A short departure it is too, and with a waft of a hasty vape in the air the band take to the stage again. The last song of the night is a super charged version of 'Inwards'. As always respects are paid to Stuart and the love is felt throughout the room. It has been a fantastic night and Big Country seem to get better each time I see them . As long as the fans keep turning out they will keep on playing. 

Thanks once again to Lee Mandley and Simon Morgan for thinking of me with the tickets.