Home Page

About Widdershins

 

 

 

We are delighted to get a mention in the Harry Potter book The Order of the Phoenix where J.K.Rowling called one of her characters Willy Widdershins. The fact that he was the rather impish wizard who created the regurgitating toilet and went on to snitch on Harry is of little consequence as we believe any publicity is good publicity. Perhaps you could decide from the descriptions below which of the band might best fit the impish wizard mould - I have my ideas.

The Members


Click on a member to find out more
(And don't forget Nigel our caller)


Adrian Hopley (Melodeon and Concertina):

A classically trained musician, Adrian first learned the Melodeon to help kick-start the Winster Morris revival. He sang in folk clubs in Derbyshire before moving to North Yorkshire and joining the Broadgate Band. He has been heavily involved with folk music in schools and was a Director of Folkworks representing educational interests.

Adrian specialises in instruments that defy human logic vis. melodian, concertina and Northumbrian pipes but if he didn't have these little problems to solve he'd only be injuring himself on his motorbikes or turning another fifty salt and pepper pots on his lathe.
(back to top)


Dave Chapman (Bass and Mandolin):

Dave sang in folk clubs around Sheffield and formed various folk groups over the years, playing with Midsummer Level the resident folk group at Chepstow Folk Club. He was for a while involved with musical promotions and also played bass in the local jazz group The Downe And Outs and with the late Sid Mould Quintet. He formed the Broadgate Band in 1985 the band from which Widdershins emerged.

Dave is seen here posing with an electric mandolin he made in his workshop, he also makes acoustic mandolins.
(back to top)


Gillian Edwards (Fiddle and Recorder):

Gillian has a classical music background, but took up fiddle to play for Morris dancing in Somerset and found a lifelong love of traditional music and folk in its broadest sense. She teaches folk dancing in the local village school and has recently formed a twenty strong Community Ceilidh Band to play for local dances. Gillian also sings with the women's acapella group "Henwen", appearing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for last five years.

Name dropping is not one of Gillian's fortes but I'm sure she won't mind me telling you that Liza Carthy played in Gillian's recorder group whilst a pupil at her school - well I'm impressed.
(back to top)


Phil Moore(piano):

Phil has played extensively with Val Cutler, Ian Cutler and Colin Rees "from the Bully Wee Band" on the London Folk Scene. He is presently playing with Steve Phillips ("Notting Hillbillies") and the Rough Diamonds. Phil also worked with Charles O'Connor (Horslips) and Chris Parkinson (The House Band).

One of Phil's moments to remember was whilst roadying for Steve Philips he got to play Happy Birthday to Mark Knoffler with whom Steve was gigging at Ronnies (He's still waiting for the call from Mark).
(back to top)


Jack - What's For Sweet? - Gibson (percussion):

Jack started as a singer in a dance band and became a vibes player, appearing in various Teeside jazz groups during a distinguished musical career. He has worked with Steve Gray (of the group "Sky"), Roy Babbington ("Soft Machine" and the "Stan Tracey Big Band") and jazz pianist Race Newton. Jack has been a cabaret musician, an orchestral player and a theatre pit percussionist, but his first love is jazz. In fact, until he discovered Widdershins, he wouldn't have been caught dead playing folk! Jack is currently playing with Steve Phillips and The Rough Diamonds.

Jack is the band "wind up merchant" and Middlesbrough F.C. supporter a fact he compensates for by eating anything at anytime.
(back to top)


Nigel Staten (Caller):

Nigel is a caller with considerable experience and sensitivity who is able to adjust his dance sets to suit the experience of the dancers and is not beyond creating a dance to suit a situation . He draws on a vast repertoire of dances for all ages and abilities, and can usually be found on the dance floor enjoying a quick "strip the willow" with the dancers.

Actually Nigel is very patient with the dancers but the band know what lurks beneath that winning smile and are like little mice when he is explaining one of his dances and dare not interrupt or make witty cryptic observations or suggestions from the stage - HONEST!!
(back to top)