

(c)
Melodeon Playgroup
6th-8th February 2026
Below is the programme for 2026. The organisers reserve the right to amend this programme if necessary due to unforeseen circumstances.
Friday 6th February:
16:00 - 18:00. Informal pub session in the Pewter Room of the Fleece Inn for any early arrivals
20:00 - late. Pub sessions in the Pewter Room of the Fleece Inn and the (heated) Barn
Saturday 7th February:
Absolute Beginners Workshop with Ed Rennie Starting with the basics of how to hold the thing and working up to being able to play a simple tune!
Beginners Workshop with Helena Painting: A selection of simple tunes to work with to enhance your playing skills and techniques
Improvers Workshops with Mel Biggs : (Saturday morning) & with Cohen: (Saturday afternoon)
Advanced Workshops with Cohen: (Saturday morning) & with Mel Biggs: (Saturday afternoon)
10:00 - 10:20 Meet and greet, registration in the Fleece Inn Barn
10:30 - 13:00 Workshops in Bandroom (Absolute Beginners), Fleece Barn (Beginners),
Village Hall (Improvers) & Manor House Ballroom (Advanced)
13:00 - 14:20 Lunch break - hot and cold food available from the buffet menu of the day
14:30 - 17:00 Workshops in Bandroom (Absolute Beginners), Fleece Barn (Beginners), Village Hall
(Improvers) & Manor House Ballroom (Advanced)
17:00 - 18:00 An opportunity to practice tunes, and to try out the instruments on offer from
Pete of Acorn Instruments.
17:30 - 18:00 Dancing at the Fleece Inn by Asum Gras Molly, who invite you to join the sides'
musicians to experience playing for dance (subject to the weather permitting!)
19:30 - Session and further practice in the Fleece Barn (1930-2100 - slower pace) and Pewter Room at a faster pace 1930-late.
Sunday 9th February:
10:00 - 11:00 Workshop in the Fleece Barn - "Learn a Tune" - suited to Beginners and upwards, and
Absolute Beginners welcome to have a go!
11:00 - 12:00 Morris dancing from our local side Belle d'Vain who invite you to join the sides'
musicians to experience playing for dance (dependant on the weather!).
12:00 - 13:00 Barn available for eating lunch
19:30 - late "The Survivors' Session" - an informal friendly evening of music and chat in the Fleece Inn for anyone still standing!
ALSO:
14:00 A Sunday afternoon concert in the Barn by the guest tutors Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne
& Mel Biggs
Please note this will be a separate ticketed event hosted by the Fleece Inn
and is not part of the Melodeon Playgroup event.
Tickets may be purchased directly from the Fleece Inn
2026 Programme
Friday evening informal session in the
Pewter Room