Captain Banjo's Street Band performs at Little Bridge House, Children's Hospice South West, Barnstaple, North Devon

Over the last few months Captain Banjo's Street Band based in Pilton, Barnstaple, North Devon is proud to have been involved in fundraising thousand of pounds for the Childrens Hospice South West in aid of life limited children. So, when the band was invited to perform at a volunteers barbecue at Little Bridge House last Sunday (6th September 2009), the Band leaped at the opportunity to learn more about the wonderful work done by this charity and see one of their most important centres.

However, nothing could have prepared the members of Captain Banjo's Street Band for the welcoming, cheerful and supportive ambiance they found at Little Bridge House created by the people who work there as they look after the children and families in their care.

Set in tranquil and beautiful grounds in a quiet part of Fremington, North Devon, Little Bridge House is an outstanding example of what can be achieved through volunteers and not for profit, charitable endeavours. (Photos taken by the Band's resident photographer Rose with kind permission of Little Bridge House.)

Certainly, the Band's visit to the Children's Hospice South West will renew their determination to work as hard as possible to raise funds for this charitable organisation whose good works require a minimum of £6 million every year to run Little Bridge House and Charlton Farm.

And there is always more help needed, however hard existing volunteers work, so Captain Banjo's Street Band says 'Oi!' check out the Children's Hospice South West web site and get involved. It's fun and you will know that you are doing something to help wonderful people help children and families in great need and what could anyone do that would be more satisfying?

Barnstaple town centre rocks again to Captain Banjo's Street Band August Bank Holiday Weekend

Barnstaple town centre rocked again to the pulsating sounds of Captain Banjo's Street Band this August Bank Holiday Saturday lunchtime with Barnstaple onlookers giving generously in aid of fundraising for Children's Hospice North Devon.

Although lead musician melodeon player Jan was suffering from a heavy cold, she insisted that the show had to go on in aid of the Children's Hospice (photo right).

Since sleepy saxophone player Rob had forgotten his camera (and possibly his brain), friend of the band Rose stepped into the breach, as she also did for the Barnstaple Beer Festival, and took the photos using her own camera. Thanks Rose!

As ever, the vibrant and rapidly evolving Captain Banjo's Street Band is continuing to innovate and has now introduced the ragtime tune 'Pig Ankle Rag' into its repertoire which was so popular it had some members of the public dancing in the streets and brought a smile to many faces.

All agreed that ragtime tunes were a great addition to the band's repertoire and the hunt is now on for more tunes to keep Captain Banjo's Street Band performances fresh, exciting and, of course, raising more money for life limited children through kind donations from the public.

North Devon Leisure Centre Beer Festival entertainment rocks with Captain Banjo's Street Band

The North Devon Leisure Centre Beer Festival rocked to an evening of toe tapping drumming and traditional tunes played by Captain Banjo's Street Band with a floor show performed by resident fire stick juggler Tim, 22nd Aug. 2009 with fundraising collections being made for the North Devon Children's Hospice.



Since Captain Banjo's Street Band were busy squeezing their melodeons, blowing their whistles and saxophones and strumming their guitars, huge thanks are due to Rose, close supporter of Mark, drummer and Elvis Presley impersonator, who stepped in to be official band photographer for the evening.





And a big hello to (strangely camera shy) street artist 'ZHE155', who was taking some time away from decorating Barnstaple street furniture with tasteful images of the feminine form and his colleague 'Unknown', who were both taking a great interest in Captain Banjo. Could it be that images of Captain Banjo might soon be replacing some of those images of the female form around Barnstaple soon?

To round off the weekend, Captain Banjo's Street Band are planning to head for The Hunters Inn, Heddon Valley, Parracombe, near Barnstaple, North Devon starting around 8 pm for an informal evening of folk tunes and songs with guitar and song master Ian Hudson.

See you there, perhaps :-)

Captain Banjo's Street Band rock The Hunters' Inn Heddon Valley Parracombe North Devon

When Captain Banjo's Street Band discovered that maestro guitar player and esteemed band member David Orton, who is also proprietor of The Hunters' Inn, Heddon Valley, Parracombe, North Devon, had been awarded North Devon CAMRA Pub of the Year 2009, band members couldn't resist celebrating the award with an out of fancy dress flying visit to Dave's monthly Sunday folk music session run by popular local folk musician, singer and watercolour artist (photo left below) Ian Hudson.

When it was also rumoured that Martin Hughes, ace piano accordion folk musician from neighbouring Somerset was also attending this session, set in the heart of North Devon's beautiful Heddon Valley and close to its spectacular and scenic coastline, the evening was already promising to be a profoundly awesome experience (photo of Martin right below).

Needless to say, the folk music session didn't disappoint with a wonderful mixture of meditative acoustic guitar numbers from Ian Hudson, toe tapping English folk dance tunes from Martin Hughes and energetic African drum assisted folk rocking from Captain Banjo's Street Band (various photos below with many thanks to the kind member of the public who assisted with the photography).

As the members of Captain Banjo's Street band happily drifted off into the night at the end of a wonderful evening and wended their way through the twisting and tiny country roads of North Devon to their homes, nobody had any doubt that they would be back soon to sample again David Orton's wonderful blend of Hunters' Inn hospitality, wholesome, freshly cooked locally sourced food and, of course, his fantastic beer.

Captain Banjo's Street Band rocking at Pilton Green Man Festival fundraising for children's hospice, North Devon

Captain Banjo's Street Band went down a storm at the Pilton Green Man Festival with its individual blend of audience participation, rocking traditional folk tunes and fundraising collections for the children's hospice, North Devon.



Despite the constant threat of rain (and a few actual showers) the crowds turned out in great numbers with Pilton Street, Barnstaple packed throughout Saturday afternoon providing great opportunities for the many traders, street performers and band performances on the three stages.



Many more were enjoying the ambience of Morris dancing, band performances, craft demonstrations and stalls in the grounds of Pilton House. With as much emphasis on things for children to do as well as adults, there was certainly something for everybody.

The Reform Inn, Barnstaple, spiritual home of Captain Banjo's Street Band, was packed with keen festival goers determined to drink the barrel dry with loads of beers to choose from provided by proprietor and brewer of Barum Beers, Tim, for the North Devon Beer Festival and served up by Nayomie Worth beer maid extraordinaire whose amazing knowledge of the beers made her extremely popular with Captain Banjo's Street Band (seen in the photo Nayomie to the left and Tim on the right of Captain Banjo).

With the huge popularity of the Pilton Festival putting a strain on local car parks, bongo drumming member Helen, proprietor of the Crossways B & B (possibly the best bed and breakfast in Barnstaple) kindly allowed some of the band members to park in the gardens of her B &B.

Were you at the Pilton Festival? Did you have a great time? Did you see Captain Banjo's Street Band? What did you think? We'd love to know and welcome your comments below so we can get better and raise more money for limited life children at the North Devon Hospice. We look forward to hearing from you :-)

Party time at beer festival in Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple with Captain Banjo's Street Band

The guys and gals of the Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple really showed that they know how to 'parteee!' with the help of Captain Banjo's Street Band as they set to work to sample the amazing range of hop based beverages on offer for this weekend's beer festival.






Lord Basil’s Invitation XI cricket team seemed only slightly saddened by the heavy rain outside that forced them to forsake the cricket pitch in favour of honing their statistical and analytical cricketing skills with the help of traditional Barum beers.



Reform Inn's landlady was looking ravishing in her grass skirt and revellers will be relieved to see photographic evidence that they weren't seeing double as her sister joined in the partying!








Rob, staunch supporter and highly valued drummer in Captain Banjo's Street Band, looked wonderfully ghoulish in his new fancy dress costume, agreed by all aficionados of Captain Banjo's Street Band to be a wonderful contribution to the Captain Banjo Street Band image.



Much as Captain Banjo's Street Band loves a good party, the children's Hospice in North Devon is never far from its thoughts and the fundraising collection tins were again going the rounds collecting for children with limited lives with all present giving generously (photo above).





Captain Banjo's Street Band are planned to be rocking on Saturday 18th July on the stages of the Pilton Festival, Barnstaple at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. fund raising and making new friends.

Will you be there to join in the party on Saturday at the Pilton Festival with a few pennies in your pocket for the children's hospice in North Devon? Your support is always welcome as are your comments below :-)

Street musicians entertainment in Barnstaple High Street, Devon benefits life limited children on American Independence Day

The collecting tins were ringing again to the sounds of Captain Banjo's Streetband as it rocked the streets of Barnstaple town centre with some traditional American tunes on 4th July 2009 collecting for life limited children.

Despite showers of rain that threatened to make the streets of Barnstaple unplayable by Pilton based Captain Banjo's Street Band, determined to raise funds for the North Devon Children's Hospice and to push total fundraising in only three weeks of collecting through the £1,000 mark, Captain Banjo's musicians pressed on and were rewarded by a generous Barnstaple public with over £240 and collection tins that were heavy with coins by the end of their lunchtime playing session on American Independence Day.

Captain Banjo's Street Band had a new photographer (see photo with collecting tins) who, at the last minute, did a fantastic job to record the band playing. Like many in the band Keith multi-tasked and shared his time between looking after ace guitar player Dave's son (Dave who is also proprietor of The Hunters Inn is shown in the photo below tending his little boy) , rattling the collection tins and taking some fantastic videos, all of which turned out to be successful.

Top video of the day was the one showing Captain Banjo's Street Band playing in front of the Barnstaple charity shop for the Children's Hospice South West (top picture), which is the charity whose hard work for life limited children makes all the playing worthwhile.

Be sure to check out the Captain Banjo Street Band diary in the index to this page for future anticipated venues although circumstances may change at the last moment so do check with event organisers before travelling and incurring any cost.

Although the fundraising effort was for a very serious cause, there were lots of smiles and happy faces and even the sun came out a few times as Captain Banjo's Street Band proved that it can provide the very best in street entertainment in Barnstaple and the South West of England.

Muddiford Inn, Barnstaple, Devon rocks to Captain Banjo's Street Band for Chris's Birthday Party raising money for Children's Hospice

Captain Banjo's Street Band climbed aboard its mini-bus to venture into the beautiful Devon countryside to visit the Muddiford Inn near Barnstaple to help celebrate the Birthday of Chris (seen dancing in the movie above) and to fund raise for the North Devon Children's Hospice with a very substantial and kind donation from the organisers.

Undeterred by a sudden downpour of rain, Captain Banjo's Street Band started off its gig in the bar of this sensational olde worlde pub and popular gastronomic destination but, when the leaden sky gave way to puffy clouds and patches of blue, moved outdoors to rock some more tunes in the Muddiford Inn's excellent beer garden.



Audience participation is always welcomed and Chris's friends and family certainly did Captain Banjo's Street Band proud with their contributions to the legendary 'Oi' song (video below).



Still on a high with all the excitement, Captain Banjo's Street Band climbed aboard its mini-bus and made a lightning fund raising strike into Barnstaple town centre where they raised a further £166.67 for the children's hospice at a local pub with more rocking making the total for the night £416.67 and the total so far on just three play-outs is £907!

One of the most enjoyable things about Captain Banjo's Street Band is an eclectic variety of performers who come from all sorts of different occupations. This ensures that the band has a ready fund of expertise in almost every situation. Mickey, pirate and drummer extraordinaire (see picture to right), who is the band's resident artist and recent Fine Arts graduate, quickly pointed out the artistic work of her street art friend for the band to admire (see photo left) as they emerged back into Barnstaple High Street.



Click here for more great pictures of Captain Banjo's Street band at the Muddiford Inn gig.

The next public gig for Captain Banjo's Street Band is in Barnstaple town centre on Saturday 4th July 2009 around 11.30 am raising money for the North Devon Children's Hospice.

All welcome - so let's rock!

Lynton & Lynmouth Music Festival 2009 rocks as Captain Banjo's Street Band says OY!

In weather that would have pleased the most southern of continental resorts Lynton & Lynmouth's free music festival 2009 was bathed in sunshine as packed crowds enjoyed stage and street musical performances.

Captain Banjo's Street Band was again out busking for charity and collecting for the children's hospice in North Devon with passing crowds giving freely as well as participating enthusiastically in the songs (OY!).

New to Captain Banjo's Street act was an expert display of fire stick juggling which is sure to become a permanent feature for the band and much enjoyed by the crowd.

Be sure to check out the Captain Banjo Street Band diary in the index to this page for future anticipated venues although circumstances may change at the last moment so do check with event organisers before travelling and incurring any cost.

Captain Banjo's Street Band in Braunton fighting cancer with cheerful tunes

Captain Banjo's Street Band rocked at the Relay for Life, Braunton, North Devon this weekend (13th June 2009) after cancer survivors completed a circuit of the running track and their supporters started their marathon 24 hour relay run in support of cancer sufferers fund raising.

Those who have not attended these celebrations of the human spirit cannot fully appreciate the feelings of hope, courage and community that are generated at these events.

Cancer is a disease that can afflict any of us and the speeches of the cancer sufferers and their supporters were visibly moving to many of the onlookers.

Captain Banjo's Street Band is proud to have helped in some small way to support the Relay for Life, Braunton, Devon in its fight against cancer.

Captain Banjo is seen in the photo above with the Chairman of the Braunton Parish Council and the Chairman of North Devon District Council who supported the Braunton Relay for Life.

Captain Banjo's Street Band storming and performing in Barnstaple town centre, North Devon

If Captain Banjo's Street Band were nervous for their debut performance, they certainly didn't show it but they did get a lot of attention from the Saturday shoppers when they arrived in Barnstaple town centre and pretty soon the North Devon children's hospice charity collection tins were filling up.

The street band played in three separate locations in Barnstaple town centre and in one location where there were already wedding celebrations in full swing, they were even asked to go back and perform at the wedding party later that day.

Unfortunately, after playing for a couple of hours and collecting £350, Captain Banjo's Street Band were in need of a much deserved rest and returned to their homes in Pilton tired but contented.

All agreed that it was an amazing debut performance and one thing was sure. After such a successful debut, Captain Banjo's Street Band will definitely be rocking the streets of Barnstaple and surrounding areas to collect for the North Devon children's hospice charity again soon.

Captain Banjo's Street Band debut performance meeting up at the Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple, North Devon

Keen to create the maximum impact and to have lots of fun collecting for the North Devon children's hospice charity, Captain Banjo's Street Band met up at around midday at their favourite pub and practice location the Reform Inn, Pilton, Barnstaple, North Devon in full fancy dress costume.

Whilst admiring each others costumes, some in Captain Banjo's Street Band took the opportunity of a quick drink of the excellent Barum Beer which is the local brew that really is brewed locally.

Others spent a few minutes practicing sitting on their chosen seats whilst performing.

Once everybody had arrived, the band made their way to a practice area in the local park to tune up their musical instruments and practice a few tunes before moving on to perform in Barnstaple Town Centre.