Folk trio to perform special gig in Lancaster Castle's former prison

Lancaster folk trio The Patterers will perform at a 'Music for the Mayor' gig inside an unusual location.

The gig will take place in A-Wing of the old Victorian prison at Lancaster Castle on November 2.

This special event will include songs and stories about people from distant history and more modern times who were held, transported, or hanged at Lancaster Castle.

The Patterers are Oliver Cross, (harmonica, whistles, hurdy-gurdy, melodicas, voice), Eleanor Servanté (fiddle and voice, writes songs) and Sean Poole (guitars, banjos, shruti box, voice).

Their repertoire includes both traditional and original arrangements of murder ballads, execution ballads, and songs of transportation. 

Ballads printed on single, broadside sheets of paper were sold outside the castle to the crowds attending public executions.

They were a very popular form of news and were written in verse to popular tunes.

Singer and songwriter Eleanor Servanté, who works as a tour guide at Lancaster Castle, researched some of these ballads in the castle archives.

These will be performed by the trio to traditional tunes alongside songs which Eleanor has written about the Pendle Witches and prisoners who were transported to Australia from Lancaster.

The concert will feature other songs relating to the Assizes Court, prison life capital punishment and injustice, with other traditional music and songs from the north west.

The Music for the Mayor is an initiative by Councillor Abi Mills, mayor of Lancaster.

"In my year as mayor I wanted to do something to showcase the incredible and diverse musical talent that we have in Lancaster and Morecambe -so Music for the Mayor was born," said Councillor Mills.

"I was so pleased when The Patterers got in touch and wanted to be a part of the project. Lancaster Castle will provide an atmospheric backdrop to their very special style of music.

"I'm hoping history will be brought to life - and all whilst raising vital funds for my chosen charity - Citizens Advice North Lancashire."

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost £20 and are available from HERE.