Archangel's church would not have paid a Pennyless for this majestic musicfest

Folk music fans living in Bourne, the Deepings and their surrounding villages are understandably proud of “our folk band” Pennyless.

Whether it is in Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Leicestershire that the band of four find themselves performing, Pennyless (Penny Stevens, Les Woods, Graham Dale and Colin Benton) always consider the south-eastern part of South Kesteven to be home.

St Michael and All Angels Church, Langtoft, therefore was the ideal setting for a night of music that took the best elements of Bob Dylan, Dire Straits, Judy Collins and Peter, Paul and Mary.

But Pennyless are more than just a folk group as edgy songs such as Hanging Moon, Road to Carnac, Will ‘O’ the Wisp, Norwegian Wood, Jabberwocky and Cripple Creek suggested.

Primarily aimed at promoting the group’s fifth album, In the Park, Saturday night’s concert in Langtoft was also about raising much-needed funds for the 13th century village church.

There was even room for a young cellist only known as Gabby to join the foursome on four songs, including In the Park, Dancing with Annabel and The Gathering.

At the end of the evening, one wondered why Pennyless aren’t singing on streets of gold by now, but there’s still time yet for that to happen.

Review by Winston Brown