Sarah writes:
The clump of beeches depicted above are known to most folk down this way as “The Nearly Home Trees.” I took the photo out the window of the van on the 30th of November, the last day of my marathon three-month US and UK tour, as we drove over the border from Devon into Cornwall. I didn’t grow up in Cornwall, but it’s been my home for well over a dozen years now, and the sight of those trees always gives my heartstrings a tug. It was a great tour, on many levels the best one I’ve ever done, but I was so, so happy to spot them rising up on the hillside ahead of us and to know that it was nearly over.
And it’s been so good to be home. There’s been lots of music, but it’s been participatory rather than performance-oriented: within the space of just one very busy week, I hosted an open singaround/session at the King’s Arms in St Just, sang with the Pipers Choir (a community choir based in my village) at our annual Christmas Concert, sang Handel’s Messiah with the Duchy Singers, and sang with my local church choir at our Nine Lessons and Carols service. Needless to say, I also enjoyed spending time with my wonderful husband and kids and with the lovely friends I’ve made here.
But now it’s time to get back out onstage again, and I’m really glad to be kicking that off with a concert on home turf. On Thursday night I’ll be performing at The Acorn, a fantastic arts centre here in Penzance, for the seventh time. There’s lots more to follow – see the full list here.
I’m still booking shows for my tours this year and next, so if there’s a local music venue, theatre, arts centre, community hall, church or house concert where you’d like to see me, please do drop me a line with contact details and I’ll try to make it happen!