Jeremy Corbyn @ the Albion Gin and Ale House - June 25

It may be totally out of the (my) remit of BSH to post this item but, from day one when,  was it Blair, Chamberlain or Disraeli who lived rent free in Downing St?, I vowed that this site would be 100% apolitical. Music  is music, jazz is jazz and politics is politics and ne'er the twain shall meet.

Today, however, down at my local boozer - The Albion Gin and Ale House, in Jarrow - no less a person than the former leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn was holding court. 

This was part of the annual Rebel Town Festival commemorating The Seven Men of Jarrow. Trade unionists who, like the better known Tolpuddle Martyrs were deported to Australia - presumably Rwanda had yet to be colonised - for daring to form a trade union.

Corbyn spoke eloquently, his measured reasoning must surely have converted any doubters.

Nevertheless, whilst the political issues were the main agenda they were musically bookended by Felling Silver Band which had Phil Rutherford of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra substituting sousaphone for Eb bass tuba and a folksy jam that had flute, fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, guitar and others bringing back memories of 'Jarra's Irish heritage. 

Ed Bell  was present, albeit sans cornetto. All that was missing was Ann Alex.  In Ann's defence, it was also the day of the Westoe Village Fete which takes place within her realm. You can't be everywhere at once - Lance

PS: The ale swilling crowd must have been encouraging for Charli and Amy at the end of the first week of their tenancy. Best wishes!