Another lovely afternoon beneath the Yew next to Minster Pool.

Here we are:

And here you are:

Many thanks to Phil for the pics.

We had such a fun time a couple of Saturdays back under the Yew tree beside Minster Pool in Lichfield that we’ve decided to make a return visit… Tomorrow, Saturday 17 August  from approx 2pm to 3pm.

Would be lovely to see you there! We can offer a possible new tune or two… and definitely a new instrument! What is it? Come along to see…

We spent a happy hour yesterday afternoon busking beneath a fine Yew next to Minster Pool in Lichfield and some of our friends as well as the general public kindly threw money at us in reward.

We introduced some new numbers into the meagre repertoire among the solid gold oldies such as this one:

Thank you to our good friends Dave Mills (for the picture) and Kate Slater (for the video)

Dear Mortals – come and see/hear us tomorrow beside Minster Pool in Lichfield as we attempt to hold back the dark clouds of eternal darkness – and that’s just a no-deal Brexit! – with a jolly ditty or two. New tunes! Busking from 2pm or so… until we get told to clear off!

The GSers met ace snapper John Watson in a churchyard somewhere in the English Midlands for a little photo shoot this week… some of the results are already adorning this website.

Many thanks to John, and the guys and a girl for making it all look suitably mournful. A fine time was had by all…

The next performance by the Graveside Serenaders will be at a private party on the estate of Peter and Emily Bacon…

They had a shed… It was rotting from poor drainage around its base coupled with inexcusable neglect on the part of the estate manager. They were going to knock it down and spend a fortune on a new shed.

But then a good friend (and drummer) named Pete, encouraged them with the words: “This shed can be saved!” And so, with the help of a terrific gardener called Ian, a  handyman called Martin went to work with wood and hammer and nails, and – Geronimo! – a once sad shed is smiling again.

Newly splashed with wood preserver and adorned with an old VW hubcap, its rebirth will be celebrated on 2 December with a grand re-opening. There will be a ribbon and a guest of honour to cut it. There may be bunting; there may be a red carpet. There will definitely be a few drinks, some hot (well, warmish) snacks for the few warmly dressed friends muttering about how cold their feet are getting.

And the Graveside Serenaders will be trying out a few new tunes, including a sea shanty, a Christmas tune or two, and possibly a new rousing sing-along finale! Look out for them appropriately positioned near the compost bins… or in the kitchen if it’s raining.

If you are a Serenaders fan and haven’t already been invited, please give us a shout!

Our good friend Andy Paterson has designed and painted (with a little help from the Very Revd J. Olly Glum) the Graveside Serenaders’ iconic instrument: the tea chest bass. And here it is in near completed state: