We at Barnbuskers ceilidh band like to check out our performance venues prior to the actual event with an on-site visit where we can. It’s not always possible but it’s nice to get to know the people putting on the ceilidh and to ensure that there is easy access for all our equipment and instruments to where we are going to perform. So off we went yesterday (the weekend before the Burns Night ceilidh on 25th January 2025) and here are a few details that might be of interest to those not familiar with Kingsbury Episcopi area.
Kingsbury Episcopi is a lovely small Somerset village on the banks of the River Parrett and about 9 miles North West of Yeovil. Finding the Wyndham Arms in the village therefore shouldn’t be too difficult for visitors new to the area. The good news is that it’s got a nice large car park to the rear (see photos). Access to the car park is on the left hand side of the Wyndham Arms pub as you face it from the road.
The Wyndham Arms itself is a beautiful traditional olde worlde pub with lots of quirky corners and a very friendly proprietor. There’s a piano in the corner of the pub which seemed well used and later on the day of our visit a gathering of folk musicians were meeting there to play music. The ceilidh will be in the hall above the bar on the first floor accessed by stairs. After leaving the kitchen, the Haggis will be paraded around the bar area accompanied by our Barnbuskers fiddlers (so those just enjoying the Burns Night ambiance in the bar don’t miss out) and then it will be taken upstairs to the hall and ceilidh dance area where it will be addressed in the famous poem by Robert Burns before being cleaved asunder to be eventually shared out to the happy throng.
So we’re looking forward to a great Free Burns Night ceilidh next weekend (Saturday 25th January 2025) at the Wyndham Arms, Kingsbury Episcopi, Martock near Yeovil. The car park is a good size but the number of people in the hall for the ceilidh is limited so it’s best to arrive on time (7pm to grab a drink at the bar for a 7.30pm start to the dancing). Booking your free place is available on Eventbrite. We’ll be wearing the Barnbuskers tartan but it’s not obligatory. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Barnbuskers 