Easton is a village in Suffolk with a crinkle crankle wall

sa 8 mr 08

1910 Baroness de Laroche became the first woman to receive a pilot's licence

We've found a provisional bill for August's altcountry-americana-newtradition festival at Easton Farm Park. Three stages, topping Sam Baker doing his only UK date, Special Ed & The Shortbus seem to be a bluegrass cross between Madness and Orkestra del Sol, and there's a good

sprinkling of pedal steel guitars including the Redlands Palomino Company who despite coming from a large town near Chelmsford sound like the real thing.

we 27 fe 08

1939 Borley Rectory, reputedly the most haunted house in England, burned down

Strong rumours about a bluegrass festival to be held on Easton Farm Park at the end of August, the weekend after the bank holiday ... and that's Alison Krauss not because she's on the bill but because we like her ... but then who knows?

February's pics as prints, mugs and t-shirts at photoboxgallery.com/NearTheCoast

sa 16 fe 08

1937 Nylon patented

There were enough musicians last night in the Easton Shed to field two football teams, indeed Fiona nearly ran out of bottled water for them. Goldmaster Allstars had more guitarists and wittily encored with the theme from Get Carter (we found it irritatingly familiar and had to ask to put a name to it). Ska Cubano were Cuban(ish), more show biz and we almost fell in love with Megumi Mesaku doubling alto and bari but felt we must remain true to Miss Olga.

Lots of lovely woofy electric double bass from both bands and again a thoroughly good night but like Kasaï Masaï there could have been a few more of you in the audience. Next Peppery gig is French band LoJo at the Wolsey. More pics here.

tu 18 de 07

1892 First performance of Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker

The Easton Farm Park Farmers' Markets are usually held on the fourth Saturday of each month but are earlier in December because of Christmas. When we arrived around midday Saturday things were starting to pack up (well Suffolk Smokehouse had sold out of chicken) and we'd missed both the brass band and Daddy C ... but the children were still enjoying the rides and the adventure playground, and the staff were getting pretty involved too.

tu 30 oc 07

1905 Aspirin became available in Britain

The Easton White Horse has got one of those attractive you run it! signs just like the Stradbroke White Hart ... does seem to show a certain desperation.

sa 13 oc 07

1943 Italy declared war on Germany

At Easton Farm Park last night Kasaï Masaï had people up dancing by the third number and just about everybody on their feet by the fifth. Delightful tumbling, intricate guitar swimming in echo, offhanded bass which you don't quite know where's it going next, a good hearted stage act and knowing use of repetition to build tension make KM compulsively danceable. Fiona said They're really nice blokes and earlier in the day they'd given African drumming and dancing lessons to local youngsters. The Shed could have used a bit more audience but whose fault is that? YOURS! Get on the mailing list at Peppery. More pics here.