Simon Chantler, another ex Whisky Priest, drives the melody.  Professional by the age of seventeen, Simon's fiddle playing is very much sought-after,  and he plays with a variety of grateful acts ranging from concerts to ceilidhs with impeccable creativity and professionalism.  Simon is equally proficient on a range of other stringed instruments including the mandolin and mandola.  A key member of ‘Red Hippo’, ‘Kelly’s Heroes’ and ‘A Rookery’, amongst other bands, he was recommended by none other than living legend Gina Lefaux.  Simon plays with an imagination and fire that is inspirational.

Duncan Evans was a lucky find for the band: finding ourselves without the services of Hugh  for a string of gigs over the summer he was recommended to us as a player of substantial versatility on both electric and acoustic guitar.  Not only that, he also sings.  Despite making the rest of us look positively geriatric we have decided to let him stay!

Peadar Long, saxophonist and woodwind player, is something of a legend in folk circles: he began to play as a young lad in Ireland in show bands and has dedicated his life to music.  He has played with the most, if not all, of the great and good on the folk scene and has toured extensively in foreign parts, once returning from New York to fulfil an obligation in London.  Yorkshire folk enthusiasts with a long memory will fondly recall seminal Seventies folk band Kitsyke Will.  More recently he’s graced the stages of folk festivals up and down the country playing in Red Hippo with Simon.

Mal Siswick, as many of our audiences will have noticed, plays bass.  It is fair to say that he likes his bass to be heard.  Possibly uniquely in the ceilidh/folk dance world, Mal used to use a bass cabinet with four eighteen inch speakers in it.  Ever since we managed to convince him that this might be a touch of over-kill, Mal has looked a tad wistful.  This has not prevented him from laying down some of the most brilliant bass lines ever heard in the history of, well, bass lines.  He has been a musician, roadie and technician his whole life and has had more musical highs than most.

Stalwart sticksman and star, world-touring been there and done it musical hero and lifelong professional Pete Spencer lends a touch of glamour to the proceedings.  He has played with many of the world’s top musical artists including the Telecaster giant Jerry Donahue, international singing star Chris Norman and a veritable who’s who of pop and rock performers.  He is one of a select number of musicians currently working in the folk genre to have played on Top of the Pops during its golden years in the 1970’s.

And what can we say of mandola-picking caller Huw Evans?  Having cut his teeth with Holme Valley legendary song-band ‘Jigby” and working for many years as a member of the Holmfirth festival committee, he was recruited into calling for ceilidhs in the eighties.  He swiftly carved a niche as a popular and in-demand performer, working with some of Yorkshire’s best acts including ‘Heckety’, ‘Trinculo’, ‘The Rhythm Chaps’, Tom Napper, Gina Lefaux and ‘Hooke’s Law’.  Clients often comment on his clarity of explanation, his humour and his ability to pitch the dances fight for the audience.  He also proudly plays a pair of fine Paul Shippey mandolas and considers himself to be very lucky!