My heart was filled with dread yesterday as the forecast for the Bristol area was pretty dire. Ian Fergusson, BBC Point West’s weatherman, was gloomy but the Beach’d Buoys, due to perform three times, were buoyant. It turns out they were right to be so because, apart from a very short downpour between sets, the sun shone on them.
Their first gig was at the Underfall Yard, a boat yard on Spike Island:
Spike Island is an inner city and harbour area of the English port city of Bristol, adjoining the city centre. It comprises the strip of land between the Floating Harbour to the north and the tidal New Cut of the River Avon to the south, from the dock entrance to the west to Bathurst Basin in the east.
(Wikipedia)
I’ve written many times about the Underfall, a favourite place of ours. We were upset and horrified when last year, 2023, some of the workshops and ‘The Big Shed’ were completely destroyed by a fire caused by a convicted arsonist, who is now in prison. The Beach’d Buoys performed on a small covered stage and the enthusiastic audience were mostly beneath an awning – obviously the organisers had been listening to Ian Fergusson! It was a great set, it didn’t rain, and no sooner finished than off they headed off along Baltic Wharf for the next one.
Set 2 was outside the Arnolfini Arts Centre. Here the Beach’d Buoys were on an elevated stage and they had a brilliant and enthusiastic audience. It wasn’t surprising that in turn, they performed brilliantly and enthusiastically.
In the background you can see the MV Balmoral, in the foreground Keith, Dave, Bari, Andrew, Tony, John and Trev on guitar
A quick pasty and a pint for the Buoys and then the last gig was actually on board the Balmoral. It was mighty cramped, and mighty hot below decks, but once again an enthusiastic audience noisily appreciated their performance.
Here we have Andrew, Trev, Bari on the bongos, and Keith
On the table in the last picture is a blue bucket; the Beach’d Buoys collect for the Children’s Hospice Southwest, a worthy cause, and last year they raised about £8,000 through donations at their gigs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_Shed
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Balmoral_(1949)
Lois Elsden 