About ThingummyJig

ThingummyJig is one of the most popular Ceilidh Bands in the South East! Foot tapping music, dances and songs from Scotland, England, Ireland and America, played on a fascinating variety of instruments. A Ceilidh or Barn Dance never fails to get everyone involved and makes a success of any event. You can leave it to ThingummyJig to get everyone joining in, and make the night go with a swing! John and Liz use radio mics to get down amongst the dancers, demonstrating and encouraging everyone, and call the dances from the floor.

The multi instrumental musicians include Ollie Boorman on drums and virtuoso flautist Phillippe Barnes, both finalists in the BBC Radio 2 young folk awards : Pete and Mannie McClelland who have been involved in the folk music world for over 25 years as founders of Hobgoblin Music : Liz and John Scholey, both experienced dancers and teachers of dance and fitness : together with David Sheldon on Keyboard and Tom Phelan on Bass.


Repertoire

English Traditional Music is the basis of ThingummyJig's standard set, but they delve into a bit of Irish, Scottish and American stuff on the way as well. They are usually willing to learn something new for an event, so if you have a favourite, don't hesitate to ask. They have a big repertoire, and regularly perform a complete evening's entertainment in one style of music and dances - i.e a Scottish Ceilidh, English Barn Dance, Irish Night, or American Square and Line dance, with all your favourite dances and tunes. If you don't have a specific theme, their normal performance draws from all these sources to give you an exiting and varied event.


Testimonials

April 2006
Hi Pete, just to say a massive thank you to you and the rest of the band for last night's performance. We were amazed at how many people got up and danced, but the music was irresistable and I'm not sure what the caller's power was over everyone, but it worked! We had a riot - a truly enjoyable time was had by all. Thanks again and I really hope to be booking you again some day!

March 2006
Dear All, thank you kindly for your support at the Slackers Charity Ceilidh in the BAC on March 25th. by all accounts everyone seemed to have a stunning time we drank through 454 bottles of wine, and £1000 at the bar we raised £12500 overall (with £2000 raised from the raffle on the night)."

January 2006
"Dear Pete, thank you to ThingummyJig for once again providing such a full and good evening's entertainment at our recent Burns supper - 'par excellence' as usual. Liz made the dancing so achievable by nearly everyone; Joe's piping was as ever vibrant and stirring, while the playing and vocals were varied, blending in so well with the total evening's programme, and really appreciated. We have had so many compliments, which is gratifying to say the least."

January 2006
"Dear ThingummyJigs, you were all just great. A very big thank you to all of you and I am sorry for our rudeness in not catching all your names. Will you please make sure the thanks get through to everyone because everyone so enjoyed your music and the dancing. Both the music and the calling were brilliant. We would just like a rewind and to be able to do the dancing all over again! I hope your journeys home were easy. With a very big thank you from us all and our best wishes"