It’s no surprise that the event was a sell-out. The combination of Ainsley Hamill’s angelic voice, the flawless musicianship of Sam Kelly and Toby Shaer, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere at The Froize made for an unforgettable evening. Those who were lucky enough to attend will surely remember it for years to come.

It didn’t take long to identify the first of the morning’s birds. A small squad of glossy blue House Martins, gliding effortlessly above the nearby houses. Common, but undeniably charming Blue and Great Tits peeped to each other in the overgrown Hawthorn tunnel we moved through.

Staverton Park is a 270 acre Site of Special Scientific Interest, with over 5200 trees including 4000 pollarded oaks, some over 400 years old, as well as some of the tallest holly trees in the country and some impressive birches.

Katie Spencer’s performance at Folk at The Froize was nothing short of magical, an enchanting evening that left the audience spellbound from start to finish.

A shared love of storytelling and sublime music brings together so many of the folk worlds incredible artists to share yet more ways to enjoy this wonderful musical genre.

Waiting for dusk to deepen, to reach the exact light level that triggers the Nightjar’s first unearthly ‘churrr’ is always a period in which to consider the passing of time. Time seems to pass slowly as the sun’s last lingering rays subside in the western sky.

With its winning combination of culinary delights and soul-stirring music, it’s no wonder that Blue Rose Code’s triumphant return was met with such enthusiasm and reverence.

Last night’s performance by Granny’s Attic at the Froize was nothing short of mesmerising. As they celebrated their 15th Anniversary Tour, it was evident that their years of collaboration had forged an extraordinary connection between them.

We were all greeted with some wonderfully sunny weather, along with a light breeze making for some excellent weather conditions for listening to birdsong. After a brief introduction, we made our way along the sandy track running south of Chillesford.

The star of the night was none other than the incredibly talented folk singer and songwriter, Will Page. Making his solo debut at The Froize, Will enchanted the audience from the moment he stepped onto the stage.

These species were simply regarded as ‘holiday’ birds – species you could once upon a time only hope to encounter on holidays in sunny southern Europe. Until, that is, they suddenly surged onto the British birding scene thanks to their northward range expansions, lured by our changing climate.

Fifteen eager birding enthusiasts joined fellow leader, David Walsh and myself at Froize for our usual coffee and chat before heading out into the field. This gave me the chance of two things… Firstly, to explain the plight of our sanderlings heathland and is world significance and then to introduce Harry Read

Short-eared Owl is an iconic species for birders and photographers. This autumn/winter has seen a significant arrival from Scandinavia into the east coast of the UK, and Suffolk has had its fair share.

We made the short drive to Hollesley Marshes RSPB reserve and began seeing wildlife of interest right from the start.

Folk at the Froize had been previously blessed with two visits from the man himself when he appeared with both Belshazzar’s Feast and Kelly Bayfield; a third visit with Faustus sadly never came to be, so it was our absolute pleasure and honour to welcome this talented young duo to our little corner of Suffolk

Our ‘churring, gwiking, wing-clapping evening’ began in style with a three-course supper of Froize culinary delights…. The table was adorned with fresh flowers from the garden and the starter was entirely made up of edible loveliness plucked from the kitchen garden only an hour before we feasted.

Tide – a unique seasonal seafood dining experience, founded by food writer and artisan fishmonger Mike Warner, flooded gently into the kitchen and dining room at the Froize at Chillesford and home to the inimitable and engaging David Grimwood, chef and patron of the beautiful, iconic old building, for the last 21 years. 

It was a Gnoss-talgic return to Suffolk last month for Aidan, Graham, Connor and Craig as they made their second appearance at Folk at the Froize in as many years, coinciding nicely on this occasion with Father’s Day.

Despite a chilly feel to the start of our day, the forecast wasn’t too gloomy so we hatched a plan deciding to explore local heathlands. Our focus was on summer birdsong, but we were also hopeful of getting views of those special birds that frequent this unique habitat.

Long time friends of Froize – Christina and Alex gave us an evening of blissful, enchanting, delightful musicianship – right from the opening track ‘Brooklyn’ through to a rousing acoustic encore version of ‘Blow boys blow’.

13 group members, including nine making their Froize debuts, met up with Steve Piotrowski and me for coffee at The Froize at the respectably early hour of 7am. The local roads were wet due to the overnight rain but, as predicted, the sandy footpath which we took to the south of The Froize was dry.

On April 23rd we welcomed Bristol based trio ‘Tarren’ to the Froize stage for the first time as part of their UK tour for debut album ‘Revel’.

Such had been the severity of the recent raging, relentless and Siberian-cold gales that had been brutally lashing east Suffolk, a full three hours on our local, exposed and shelterless coast was clearly out of the question. An entire morning in a wind tunnel is not recommended either for physical or mental wellbeing! A plan that would protect both was needed.

Making a welcome return a year after their debut on the Froize stage, Scottish trio Salthouse soothe our souls with their gentle and magnificently crafted music as part of their latest album tour.

No fewer than 18 group members, plus Steve Piotrowski and myself as guides and Froize media guru – Kelly Bayfield (to take notes and photographs) met for coffee at The Froize shortly after 8.30am. It was great to see such a large contingent of people looking forward to their day, and especially good to find so many first timers alongside the regulars.

Having made such an impression on us all back in the late summer of 2022, we were extremely keen to have them back; so much so in fact that we switched from our usual Sunday night to be able to accommodate them during their tour.

Last Thursday our nature leader, Steve Piotrowski, led the latest Froize Uncovered wildlife walk (with lunch of course!)

Our own media guru, Kelly Bayfield, joined the group and released her ‘inner birder’ while also taking some really great pictures that sum up the day a treat. 

Here is Steve’s delightful resume of the day: