Some notes on The Bridport Songs by Wendy Wendle

Benji Wendle was known to oft go a-holidaying in Western Dorset as a child with his then family and he fell in love with the place from an early age. These songs have come about from spending times in and around the Bridport and the West Bay areas.

Now a father himself, Benji still holidays in Bridport, with his wife Wendy Wendle (me) and our children Penny Wendle and Henley Wendle. A winter's sledging trip led to a chance meeting with local storyteller Martin which in turn led to a firm friendship and song about him (Story Teller Martin).

Three songs were recorded live at the Woodman Inn's famous folk night and feature backing vocals by Alan Twelftree and the Cocksure Yeomen (AKA the West Bay Shanty Singers), along with Nutmeg stalwart and semi-member Orlando Pench. Clive's frustrations at having to partake in these songs can clearly be heard in these recordings.

Clive doesn't like Bridport and prefers the rugged granite Cornish coastline of Cornwall to the soft sandstone of Dorset. He was contractually obliged to appear on this album which he did under duress.

Other songs were recorded under the usual tense cirumstances that now surround all Nutmeg studio sessions.