The Horsley Band's roots are buried somewhere in the heart of the Gloucestershire village of (you guessed it) Horsley. Launched on an unknown date in the mid-eighties - a time when John had a lot more hair, Kate wasn't old enough to order her own pint, and Pete still had all his own teeth - the band started life as a local ceilidh outfit designed to raise funds for the village hall extension amongst other local charitable ventures. The village hall has long since been extended, and most of the band members have moved out of the village to far flung fields such as Bristol and Cirencester, but the band plays on.

The Horsley Band plays a variety of European folk music but has a penchant for French styles. The band currently comprises of stalwart John Wilshaw on melodeons, vocals, and hurdy gurdy, Pete Fletcher on guitar and percussion, Kate Fletcher on fiddle and vocals, Rachael Austin also on fiddle and vocals, and Luke Macfadyen on cello. We also welcome occasional guest members Rod Nelson on keyboards, bagpipes, saxophone and whistles, and Jaye Gryspeerdt on the piano accordion. John and Kate also call for dances. The band basks in the warm glow of assistance from sound technician Chris Tazewell.

Over the years we've also chewed up and spat out many members, all of whom have introduced something new and exciting to the band. These include two German visitors Wolfi Schlick and Ecki Buhler, on Sax and guitar respectively, the rest of an irreverent brass department in the form of Fiona Cameron (sax) and John Taylor (trombone), Dave Wilson on percussion, Martin Brinsford on drum kit, John's son Max Wilshaw on sax and keyboards, regular caller Sue Johns, caller and pianist Richard Valentine, fiddler Matthew Gryspeerdt, and Paul Bianik, the fastest banjo player in the west.

In the future the band intends to produce and release a demo CD and develop a dance set with electronica DJ and composer Jack Fletcher.

The Horsley band is available for hire for ceilidhs, French dances, or concerts throughout the south west. Please contact us for further information.