Family folk with Megson

30 | April 18, 2013 | www.cambridge-news.co.uk | Cambridge News

What’s On Family VISIT OUR FAMILY SECTIONat cambridge-news.co.uk/whatson

Five thingsto do with the family

PUT on your party gear, make a birthdaycard and head to Cambridge CornExchange for Spot the dog’s birthdayshow. Created by children’s theatreextraordinaire David Wood (he of TheBFG), and based on the classic booksby Eric Hill, there will be games, songsand stories, but don’t make puppy dogeyes if there’s no cake! It’s on Saturdayat 12.30pm and 3pm, is suitable forall ages and costs £12, from (01223)357851 or www.cornex.co.uk.

1. Go to a birthday party

LITERARY fiends should pop alongto Heffers bookshop in Cambridgeon Saturday to catch teen author TeriTerry signing copies of her new book,Fractured. It’s the sequel to her firstnovel, Slated, which tells the story of Kylawhose memory and personality havebeen completely erased, but have they?Find out more about Kyla’s quest touncover the truth and hear Teri readingfrom her books from 12pm. Entry is free.

2. Meet the author

NO, not really! That would be silly!Instead, find out how Floyd gets his kitestuck in a tree, and then his shoe, a cat,a ladder and an orang-utan, trying toget it back down! Based on the storyby Oliver Jeffers, expect music andinteraction galore from the Big WoodenHorse Theatre Company on Saturday at2.30pm at the Mumford Theatre. Stuckis suitable for ages 4 and above andtickets cost £7 from 0845 196 2320.

3. Get stuck in a tree

IF your kids aren’t too nimble in thekitchen but have a budding passion forfood (well, mainly cake, we imagine),why not sign them up for the CambridgeCookery School’s Young Chefs AfterSchool Club? The eight-week coursestarts on Monday from 4.30pm until 6pmand is a chance to pick up basic cookingskills, make a few delicious dishes (youcan take the recipes home), and luckilyall the clearing up is done for you!Suitable for 12-15-year-olds, visitwww.cambridgecookeryschool.com forticket prices and to book.

4. Learn to cook

GRAB a net, pack a picnic and headout to find some creepy crawlies, superskaters and little fishes at WelneyWetlands. It’s the last weekend youcan take advantage of the centre’sfamily pond dipping days. Pop along onSaturday or Sunday, between 9.30amand 5pm. There’s no need to book, justturn up and get dipping. Equipment isincluded in the admission price. Emailinfo.welney@wwt.org.uk or call 01353860711 for more information.

5. Take a dip

Family folk showat the Junction

IF you’re beginning to growsick of singing along to “Thewheels on the bus go round

and round, round and round,”or warbling “Ohhhh! Thegrand old Duke of York…” on aloop, every single car journey,Megson can help.

The husband and wifeduo, otherwise known as Stuand Debbie Hanna, are thedarlings of the British folkscene. Hailing from Teesideand named after Debbie’sfamily dog, the pair arethree time BBC Radio 2 FolkAward nominees, and arecoming to Cambridge totingguitars, mandolas and a freshapproach to nursery rhymetime.

Their latest album, WhenI was A Lad: A Collection ofChildren’s Folk Songs, wasinspired by time they spenttaking a break from touring

to have their little girl, LolaWren, now 22-months-old.Numbed by the jingly nurseryrhymes spouted by the likes ofCBeebies, the couple decidedlittle people deserved decentmusic of their own too.

When I Was A Lad is stockedwith traditional folk songsand lullabies, as well as a fewnew pieces the couple wrotethemselves and although it’s afolk album for children, really,anyone can enjoy it.

“It’s more laid back Isuppose,” explains Stu, whenasked what makes it ideal forpre-schoolers – whether theyare mini folk fans or not. “But

we don’t compromise on themusic, it’s not dumbed down.”

The songs he says are “quitegentle,” and include oldfavourites like Dance To YourDaddy and Five Little Ducks,but also a few you might notrecognise like A Frog He WouldA Woo-ing Go and LeatherwingBat.

“Adult folk gigs are oftenquite quiet with everyonereally paying attention to themusic,” says Stu. “Which isgreat, but it’s not so great ifyou’ve got young childrenwith you.” That’s why Megsonhave started playing gigs forchildren and their families.

“The demand is there,”Stu enthuses. “There arelots of really good theatreshows for children, but not somuch music. We just want toentertain, they can have a singand a dance, and they’re often

interested in the instruments,so we talk about them a littlebit. But it’s a real concert, nota workshop; it’s a proper gigexperience.”

“It’s exhausting!” he admits.“It’s much tougher than a usualgig!”

Their biggest fan so faris definitely their daughterLola: “We practice our songsfor her. She goes on YouTubeand finds our videos and says‘mummy, daddy! Play this one!’she’s got her favourites. We’llbe bringing her along to theJunction, but she’ll probablywant to get on stage,” helaughs.

So why should people comealong? “If they want a relaxing,enjoyable, organic music gigthat’s fun, without a plasticky,panto feel.”

We’re sold. Those wheels cango fall off that bus.

Words: Ella Walker

� The Family Folk Show withMegson is at Cambridge Junction onSunday at 11.30am and 2.30pm, andis suitable for all ages. Tickets are£9 (£5 concessions) from (01223)511511 or www.junction.co.uk