A Walk Around Britain
14Nov08
This article from the Guardian about three chaps walking around Britain with no money and nothing but an English folk song in their hearts is inspiring.
People walk less and less, cycle less and less, and get in their car for the most trifling of journeys. Yet these three walk the length and breadth of our land, breaking the law by trying to lead a rousing rendition of John Barleycorn in a public house, and singing for their supper.
I am of the mind to follow them.
…. but my bed is too comfortable.
You can see a short video of their travels and listen to their ditties on their myspace page.
If I see them sing a song, I am sure to donate a coin or two to their travels and I urge you to do the same.
Filed under: Characters, Music | 1 Comment
Thankyou for reading the old article…
we feel good about it too.
It’s true about the walking and cycling…it looks as though the more ridiculous our ‘car-each’ transport systems become, the more people will hang on with clawed fingers to their ‘right and freedom’ to drive anywhere, always.
And regarding the law-breaking…softly softly…we always make sure the landlord and the customers are up for a song, and if it is unlicensed, there is always the garden or the street. It is quite rare that a pub will shirk from free entertainment, and songs certainly encourage people to spend money…its an old fairground trick…and regarding the apparent purpose of the laws, noise pollution, well unaccompanied songs create a spike in the right direction, they quiten a bar, as people follow the stories and listen. O well. Once, someone ventured the idea that it was illegal to lie down and sleep in a woodland. We did laugh. They’ll be saying its illegal to carry a knife next!
Your encouraging busking plug was great. The best is when parents let their children give…the future of public entertainment, minstrelsy, foolery is thus guaranteed continuity as a living tradition of this land.
Bath we have busked in, and the lanes allow a wonderfully relaxed singsong…lean back and let it soar…and we had one of our biggest crowds of dancing OAPs there. A lively town; must be in the water. We also got stopped from singing with the hat at the Bath Christmas fair, until we found a mulled cider stall who were willing to use us as customer attraction, with our pay in warm drinks, and our hats on our head.
Thanks again.
If you are a reader of Permaculture or Resurgence Magazine, we’ll soon be telling tales and sharing adventures therein.
And the next walk, of indeterminate duration, scope and itinerary will be rolling out by the last day of Christmas, the Feast of Fools, January 5th. It aims to journey from Canterbury to Wales, and up and across and thereabouts, to Scotland. We will follow our noses and good advice. And we were just given a camcorder, so we can hold the mirror of Albion up to herself. It is exciting.
All the best, and jolly blogging.
Will Ed Ginj.