Aldeburgh

Tomorrow from 11am it's family day at Stradbroke cricket club and in the evening it's open mike in the Framlingham Castle hosted by Benhall ukulele goddess Lucy Sampson.  Lucy along with John Sessions, Madam Galina, Kasaï Masaï, The Dirty Gentleman and local celebrity Neil Innes will be playing the other festival in the Aldeburgh Pumphouse next month.

Though Woodbridge and Aldeburgh the usual house sales hot spots have been quiet it's been encouragingly busy in the near the coast heartland.

near the coast seems to be coming out of its winter lock down.  Tomorrow and Saturday there's the second bunch of Bikesafe courses at police hq Martlesham, Saturday evening we'll regretfully miss soprano Claire Weston's recital in Framlingham as we'll be at the Love Bout after party but Sunday we'll try for the Suffolk Mini Run ending in Aldeburgh and definitely Slice of Life's comedy evening in the St Mike's rooms.

♫Police Dog Hogan are a seriously creative, original and witty Americana seven piece that will overcome your prejudices about 'Country' (are you listening Radio Stradbroke?).  They are playing the Aldeburgh Pump House at the end of the month and though the Pump House is perfectly formed it is tiny, better book early.

BE WARNED the police will be speed checking in Valley Road Leiston, and North Warren and Leiston Rd in Aldeburgh.

We were surprised Stephen Fry was so obviously reading an autocue and that Argo won Best Film Bafta because we knew nothing about it.  With delicious grumpy old men John Goodman and Alan Arkin and the Aldeburgh Cinema having added two showings next week we're tempted.

♫Last night the Aldeburgh Pumphouse had its own restorated (we've been spending a lot of time with community information officers recently) petite charm and an impromptu but fully functioning bar.  SOLD OUT it was packed for a pop up Maverick concert from the Henry Brothers (who allegedly have added a jolly song to their set) and Vagaband (who just keep getting tighter) ... reckon it should be a more of a standing audience for Police Dog Hogan in April ... but then what do we know.♫

To honour Aldeburgh Cinema's chief projectionist Neville Parry's 80th birthday there's a 3pm showing today of The Smallest Show On Earth on traditional 35mm film probably complete with scratches.

A little stirring of house sales near the coast but surprisingly just one in Aldeburgh.

♫Next month Maverick have a Valentine's show at the Aldeburgh Pumphouse with top of bill Vagaband (just ♥ standy up drummers) and supporting with the songs of death and destruction you know and love the Henry Brothers ... and there's a FREE cd.

♫It would seem that for Benjamin Britten's centenary next year the Britten-Peers Chamber Choir conductor Ben Parry has renamed itself the Aldeburgh Voices (well the Britten-Peers Chamber Choir didn't really trip of the tongue did it?) and will be auditioning experienced choral singers in January.

As a taster for Maverick's second annual Thanksgiving Ranch Party (with Americana themed food) at Easton Farm Park this Saturday Maverick are presenting Canadian singer songwriter Dennis Ellsworth in DP's Aldeburgh this Friday for FREE.♫

After his recent(ish) cameo appearance in the Framlingham Bookshop the über cool Bill Nighy will be presenting a lifetime achievement award at the Aldeburgh Documentary Film Festival this weekend ... well he is cosy with the festival director.

Dennington when it appeared to have at least two policemen of its own, the Earl Soham Slog which doesn't seem to have much to do with Earl Soham and the Aldeburgh town steps half a century apart.

We can understand peeps objecting to Aldeburgh's Scallop because it breaks up an

unbroken vista but it does cause a lot of interest ... but then so does fraud, MP's expenses and a ginger at a Las Vegas party.

We thought it something when we got to see reigning world road race champion Thor Hushovd on Suffolk roads at Framsden last year but yesterday on the Aldeburgh-Thorpeness road we got to see British reigning world champion Mark Cavendish and Tour de France winner Brad Wiggins, that won't happen again in a hurry.  Loads of spectators (nothing like being on telly to make people think something is interesting) and the many police motorcyclists enjoying their celebrity by waving at the spectators.  Coverage of the tour all week on ITV4.