WHEN Sheffield folk musician John Bowden visited Upton Pyne near Exeter four years ago to trace his ancestors he promised to come back and put on a concert in aid of the village church.

John and his wife, singer Vic Shepherd, will be performing an evening of English and North American folk songs in the recently restored Grade 1 Listed church on Wednesday, August 22, starting at 7pm.

John’s family used to farm at Star Barton, near Upton Pyne. Two sons went off to fight in the First World War and looked after the war horses.

Walter Bowden died in July 1916 at the age of 32 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Frederick Bowden died in November the same year, aged 23, and is buried at Contay.

Both men are named on the Upton Pyne War Memorial and John will be singing “Home Lads Home”, a poem written in 1916 by Cecily Fox Smith and put to music recently, in their memory.

He and Vic sing in unaccompanied harmony or with concertina, elodeon and jew’s harp.

For many years they had a dance band, Nine Daies Wonder, and were members of Sheafknot, Sheffield’s one and only shanty and maritime group.

Their two CDs, “A Motty Down” and “Still Waters”, have been receiving enthusiastic reviews. 

Linda Findlay, of Friends of Upton Pyne, which raises money to help maintain the church and its grounds, said: “We are thrilled that John and Vic are keeping their promise to come back and put on a concert in the village.

“John sang ‘Home Lads Home’ to great acclaim during events here to mark the start of the First World War during his first visit.”

There will be a bar and interval refreshments. All proceeds will go towards the maintenance of the village church. Everyone is welcome. Tickets cost £7.50 from Linda Findlay 01392 841402 or email: [email protected] .