On 19 January 2013, in the Black Swan pub in York, York Alternative History organised a ‘wake’ for the Luddites executed in 1813. At the same time, we celebrated the group’s 1st Birthday, as we were started in January 2012. Martin Bashforth acted as MC and added a couple of songs. In the first half, he was aided and abetted by Gary Craig’s songs, Laura Potts reading from Arundhati Roy, Michael Terwey on guitar in duo with Katie Graham on cello, Marion Mingins declaiming a lively poem, Theo Simon (visiting from Seize the Day), while the half was finished loud and lusty by duo James Bar Bowen (from Huddersfield) and John Vaughan (from York). In the second half, Martin was followed by Phil Cerny (from the Black Swan Folk Club), a story from Cath Heinemeyer, more songs from Josiah Mortimer, a rousing rendition from local poet Henry Raby and it all ended in storming fashion with trio Ben Young, Richard Lane and Ginevra House (half of York band, Reason Breeds Monsters). Pure magic! We must do this again.
Is anybody coming, Helen?
Martin reads from Joe Corrie
Gary sings
Laura reads
Michael and Katie
Marion the poet
Theo sings
James and John rock
Martin’s voice is fading!
Phil gets the monochrome touch
Cath tells it how it was once upon a time
Josiah gets us going
Henry delivers the message
Rich, Gin and Ben of Reason Breeds Monsters
And RBM send us on our way!
AND THEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT!!
York's Alternative History 