Following being informed of the passing of club co founder Keef Jackman. His daughter Polly has informed us that Keith’s funeral will take place on Friday 10^th January at the Parndon Crematorium, Parndon Wood Road, Harlow. CM19 4SF commencing at 17:00.

There will be an opportunity to join the family at the Belgian Brewer 11, Links Business Centre, Bishop's Stortford CM23 5NZ to celebrate and remember the wonderful, funny, complicated and most definitely unique Keef Jackman and his life and achievements.

The history of live acoustic music in Bishops Stortford would not have reached its heights had it not been for the dedication and sheer hard work of Keef over many, many years.

His list of achievements is both long and distinguished. He was a prodigious performer as a member of many bands back in his younger days but as he grew older, his love for acoustic music and the attachment to the ukulele grew. He was a prolific songwriter in his own right producing many songs on contemporary subjects as well as the wishful fantasies that songwriters conjure from their imagination.

Along with Drew Bonnington, he founded the Acoustic Club at the Half Moon in 2002, initially as a monthly blues jam but this idea very quickly developed into the Acoustic Club as we know it today. Along with his partner Annie they developed the Club into one of the most prominent stages for players to perform. The format of allowing any age to play gave openings for so many performers. The list of those who took early steps at the Acoustic Club is impressive to say the very least! George Ezra, Sam Smith, John Gomm Dave Sutherland all came to The Half Moon and performed under the steady and encouraging eyes of Keith and Annie.

Of course we have a whole list of local players who took their first musical steps and remain local heroes today – Tom Ryder, Joe Hazel, Bella Chipperfield, Joe Chipperfield, Charlie Turner all took their first steps under Keef and Annies tutelage and continue to be such forces within music.

The Acoustic Club was not only his passion but it was the stage that created and developed The Bishops Stortford Ukulele Society (BSUS) one of the first community ukulele groups that encompassed every level of performer united in one passion – playing music.

Keef and Annie were so ingrained in almost every musical venture that was developed in and around Stortford. The Stortford Music Festival was founded as a day of live music and over the years this has developed into the pantechnicon that is now Bish Bash. Keith gave a huge amount of time to Woodfest, the weekend in Hatfield Forest where not only did he play but spent ages as MC and sound tech. His enthusiasm for music knew no bounds. Keef would be as happy doing a 1 hour Spot, a 2 song opener to start the evening or a whole night encouraging young players to “Give it a go”.

Over the past couple of years Keef had suffered from serious ill health. He had moved to Yorkshire a few years ago and the last contact we had with him was that he was playing ukulele on a narrow gauge, tourist railway in and around Hebden Bridge.

Keef was one of those rare people who did far more for others than for himself. His enthusiasm, drive and personality engaged with people and fostered a genuine love for the live music we honour today.

Keef passed away on 6^th December after a short illness and everyone who knew him was heartbroken by the news.

Rest well my friend, your legacy is assured, our memories are ingrained with your joy of music and our grief at your passing is immeasurable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

As from this week anyone using the car park at the South Mill Arts Centre will be required to enter their vehicle registration into the terminal provided. The car park is free if you register your vehicle on arrival but if you don’t a charge will be incurred.

Welcome to the Acoustic Club at the South Mill Arts Centre. We’re here to provide an acoustic platform for musicians wanting to play in front of a live audience. We are happy to accommodate every level of player from a young player taking their first step in live performance to the seasoned professional.

All players will find an attentive audience, irrespective of the genre, in a great venue for live music.

We a capacity of about 70 and we have a state-of-the-art amplification and sound system. Several visiting professional players have remarked that the sound achieved is equal to the best in many larger venues.

The onsite Sound Engineers are masters of their system and often get kidnapped to work on major tours headlined by household names.

COMING SOON

2025

Our full programme for 2025 has now been released. For full details go to

Next Week and Beyond

HOW TO GET TICKETS FOR OUR EVENINGS

SOUTH MILL ARTS CENTRE

The South Mill Arts Centre offer us the ability to sell tickets for each evening both On Line as well as on the door.

The benefits to all are obvious and the Online process could not be easier to use.

The first step is to contact the web site via this link.

Acoustic Club in the Live Lounge.

This link will take you to the SMA Website and from there you can select the date you wish to purchase. There is an obvious benefit in that not only can you see the future programme of the Acoustic Club but gives information on the extensive panorama of events held at the South Mill Arts that may interest you.

To find directions to the South Mill Arts Centre, please click the link Directions to the SMAC

EVENTS AT THE BELGIAN BREWER

We are trying to sort out On Line ticketing and this will be uploaded as soon as we have confirmed the details.

However, unless we have an absolutely massive response to any particular evening we are keen to offer “Tickets on the Door” at all events.

We will have no defined minimum age but 18’s attending must be accompanied by a responsible person and the young people attending should be of an age to understand the meaning of a music evening. There will be reduced prices for Under 18’s only on our dedicated Young Players Evenings.

To find direction to the Belgian Brewer, please click the link Directions to The Belgian Brewer

GEOFF AND BILL

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