Mark French
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medwinfrench.bsky.social
Mark French
@medwinfrench.bsky.social
Folk and roots music
Architecture and place
Natural environment
Climate challenge
'(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding' - Nic Lowe
Join me in celebrating 10 years of the fabulous #BlackDogRadio show this morning on #MixcloudLive 👇
@bdrandy.bsky.social has introduced me to so much great music through this show over the years. Thanks Andy 🙌
Good morning folks, welcome to our 10th Anniversary show, mucky outside today, with Claudia's back end still bringing rain.

I hope all is bright and well with yourselves.

Grab a brew, settle back and join us live at nine here, for three hours of fine music

www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
Black Dog Radio on Mixcloud Live
Broadcast live to your community of fans and tune in direct to creators from every genre
www.mixcloud.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Mark French
Good morning folks, we have a pleasant start to the day here in Belper, damp underfoot with patches of blue sky evident through some grey clouds.

I hope all is bright and well with yourselves too.

Grab a brew, settle back and join us live at nine here:

www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
Black Dog Radio on Mixcloud Live
Broadcast live to your community of fans and tune in direct to creators from every genre
www.mixcloud.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Reposted by Mark French
Good morning folks, we have a bright start to the first day of November here in Belper.

I hope all is bright and well with yourselves too.

Grab a brew, settle back and join us live at nine here, for three hours of fine music

www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
Black Dog Radio on Mixcloud Live
Broadcast live to your community of fans and tune in direct to creators from every genre
www.mixcloud.com
November 1, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Mark French
They asked me if I had any specific criticisms of the Ghost Train. I said nothing leapt out at me.
October 10, 2024 at 8:47 AM
Reposted by Mark French
Reject modernity, embrace tradition
October 31, 2025 at 9:55 AM
If you'd like to help Shirley on her #strideforgaza fundraising for the vital work of Medical Aid for Palestinians @medicalaidpal.bsky.social there's a link in her bio 👇
Day 11 #strideforgaza2025

13.4 km walk from Findhorn to Roseisle and back, along the beach. What a beautiful afternoon.

I’ve made it to Khan Yunis on the Stride map. 72.4 km in. If you’d like to support @medicalaidpal via my walk head to Linktree in my bio 🙏

🕊️🍉
October 19, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Mark French
As Spotify descends further into the gutter by allowing ICE recruitment ads on their platform, more music lovers should try out Bandcamp and other platforms who still seem to have standards. How to Support Independent Musicians Part 1:

www.johnreedmusic.com/some-really-...
October 15, 2025 at 5:29 AM
Folk On Foot 'In The City'👇
What a great lineup!
Watch unique performances exclusively filmed for Folk On Foot in the city, by Johnny Flynn, Richard Thompson, Jon Wilks, Jamie Webster, Stick In The Wheel, Frank Turner and Kerry Andrew.

Out now on our YouTube channel: youtu.be/0VN3pUm7MyI
October 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
This fab album 'Needless Alley' from @jonwilksmusic.bsky.social arrived yesterday.
A delight to sit and enjoy Jon's brilliant songwriting and musicality while reading the lyric book and admiring the
gorgeous artwork by @alexmerryart.bsky.social
Check it out here
jonwilks.bandcamp.com/album/needle...
October 12, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Another high tide covering the weir beside the Old Dee Bridge in Chester.
#newsfromnoweir
@welsh-dee-trust.bsky.social
October 10, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Great to see Brooks Williams & Vera Van Heeringen in Chester on their autumn Song Roots tour.
A mix of duo and solo sets showcasing their songwriting with wonderful harmonies and interplay of guitars and mandolin.
Thanks to independent promoter @sboxmusic.bsky.social for bringing us great live music
October 10, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Reposted by Mark French
@sboxmusic.bsky.social has some excellent music and song coming up before the end of 2025! Acoustic & Roots fans can look forward to a range of styles - take a look at who's coming to Chester at www.wegottickets.com/soundbox
WeGotTickets
Buy tickets for music, comedy, theatre, film, festivals and much more - with the best service in UK ticketing
www.wegottickets.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:32 AM
Looking forward to Vera Van Heeringen & Brooks Williams in Chester tomorrow Thur 9th Oct on their #SongRoots tour.
Playing in the beautiful St Mary's Creative Space.
Brought to you by #SoundboxChester @sboxmusic.bsky.social
@rpmmusic.bsky.social
Get your tickets from
wegottickets.com/event/654715/
October 8, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Thrilled to finally get to see #FrankieArcher play live at St Mary's Creative Space in Chester last night. An innovative musician, engaging performer, and creative interpreter of traditional songs.
Great opening set by #ClaraDay.
Thanks to @urbanroots.bsky.social for bringing us great live music.
October 7, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Reposted by Mark French
Our ‘Classic Album of the Week’ was chosen by our good friend and show stalwart @medwinfrench.bsky.social and is the iconic, “Solid Air” by John Martyn which was released in 1973.

www.mixcloud.com/blackdogradi...
A Few Tunes With Black Dog Radio #437 (04-10-25)
www.mixcloud.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:02 AM
Reposted by Mark French
#NowPlaying
#blackdogradio

The first track of our classic album of the week, chosen by @medwinfrench.bsky.social

Track: Solid Air
Artist: John Martyn
Album: Solid Air
Release Date: 1973

Web: johnmartyn.com
www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
John Martyn
Official website of the maverick singer and songwriter
johnmartyn.com
October 4, 2025 at 8:51 AM
Perfect soundtrack to our Saturday morning. Give it a listen on #MixloudLive 📻🎶👇
Good morning folks, it's a bit wild and woolly here in Belper today.

I hope all is well with yourselves and that you are getting through Storm Amy unscathed.

Grab a brew, settle back and join us live at nine here, for three hours of fine music

www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
Black Dog Radio on Mixcloud Live
Broadcast live to your community of fans and tune in direct to creators from every genre
www.mixcloud.com
October 4, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Today is #BandcampFriday when @bandcamp.com waive their fee. A good day to support independent musicians by buying music and merch, knowing what you pay all goes to the artist.
The next Bandcamp Friday is not until 5th Dec, so buying something today will help artists keep making the music you love 🎶
October 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Reposted by Mark French
A lot of period properties have suspended timber floors. When Will South was carrying out his #retrofit he decided to dig out the whole ground floor and put in a solid floor. He knew it was disruptive but reflecting on it thinks it was one of the best things he did.

www.houseplanninghelp.com/387
September 29, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Reposted by Mark French
Good morning folks, we have a bright but chilly start to the day here in Belper.

I hope all is bright with yourselves and that you are well.

Grab a brew, settle back and join us live at nine here, for three hours of fine music

www.mixcloud.com/live/blackdo...
Black Dog Radio on Mixcloud Live
Broadcast live to your community of fans and tune in direct to creators from every genre
www.mixcloud.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:56 AM
High tide on the River Dee in Chester this afternoon.
Time to repeat the pun...
'NO WEIR TO BE SEEN'
@welsh-dee-trust.bsky.social
September 25, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Mark French
Fascinating resource of songs about land rights, mostly in the UK, but also in Ireland and North America (note Willie Dunn's Ballad of Crowfoot included here). Thank you, @threeacresacow.bsky.social !
Songs
↩ back to resources *means song written at a later date. Some dates are approximate to aid navigation. Still to add – Baa baa black sheep
threeacresandacow.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 4:37 PM
An enjoyable and enlightening show from 'Three Acres And A Cow' in the beautiful setting of the Wesley Church in Chester.
'A History Of Land Rights And Protest In Folk Song And Story' it was fun to sing along.
Catch them on tour, if you can!
@threeacresacow.bsky.social
@cynefinmusic.bsky.social
September 19, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Sad to hear Nick Grimshaw has died.
"His architecture was never about surface or fashion, but always about structure, craft, and purpose - about creating buildings that endure because they are both useful and uplifting and, in Nick’s words, ‘bring some kind of joy.’”
grimshaw.global/news/article...
Sir Nicholas Grimshaw CBE PPRA, 1939-2025 / GRIMSHAW
grimshaw.global
September 15, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Mark French
🏛️ Building Spotlight!

👀 As part of our #LensOnLegacy exhibition, we’re highlighting some of the buildings featured in the exhibition - this week we’re taking a closer look at the iconic Met Tower.
August 29, 2025 at 7:30 AM