Throughout the Band's history the line up has changed but the mix of instruments and the band's overall sound has still been maintained. To get a feel for what we sound like listen to the clips on the "Our Music" page.

John is the Band's Caller and plays Guitar and Banjo, yep that'll be multi-tasking most impressive.  He has musical influences ranging from Steeleye Span to The Darkness.  His membership of the Chelmsford Morris is a best kept secret.

John's light hearted, easy going style and unflappable approach to calling will ensure that the dance goes well and everyone will be able to get involved.  Though he's been known to give a detention" for repeatedly failing to Strip the willow correctly.

Sarah is the Band's violinist and adds a touch of elegance and style to the proceedings playing her trademark multi-coloured Violin.  Sarah is a classical convert and is renown for encouraging a bit of musicality to the Band's tunes.

Sarah also has the responsibility of ensuring that the we start and finish together along with the changing of the tune. Not an enviable task at all especially trying to keep the rhythm section in line.

You can also see Sarah playing in the 'Lotus String Quartet' which caters for all occasions ie weddings, garden and birthday parties etc.

Victor plays a multitude of wind instruments including whistles, flute and an electronic wind synth.  The addition of the synth gives Victor the chance to bring a host of new sounds and colours to the music.

Victor's temptation to fit in as many notes as possible in a production ending is well worth a listen. They usually leave the audience and the Band wondering quite how he managed it.

Martyn, is one of the Band's newer members joining in 2004.  He plays both Melodeon and Concertina, providing one of the lead lines as well as contributing to the rhythm section.  

The Concertina gives a different tonal colour to the music as well as indulging Martyn's passion for all things "squeeze box" related.

Mark has been associated with the Band for about 10 years, initially he was a stand in on drums until John found out that he played a bit of bass guitar.  Mark has since taken up the position of propping up the bottom end of the Band

Much to the delight of John, Mark is always game when it comes to adding a touch more rock to the music.

Dave has been in charge of Sound and Lighting for quite a few years.  He has seen many developments in the kit and techniques used.  He is usually found at the back of the Venue with the faders constantly tweaking the sound to ensure that the Band sounds its best.  

His passion for all things woodwork related has lead him to take the role of making the flight cases for the equipment and the neat gadgets that keep the umbilical tidy. 

Dave also chooses the music during the breaks usually his choices are influenced by "Tull".

Lyckerty Splyt has a 4-speaker, 600W P.A. system controlled by a 12 channel mixer via a 30 metre multi-core umbilical lead. This enables Dave, the sound engineer, to control the sound mix from the dance floor, ensuring that the balance between instruments is right. The four speakers provide a surround sound that can be heard clearly anywhere on the dance floor without being too loud in any one area. We have access to additional P.A. should the need arise.

The History

In 1982 Ken and John, two members of Chelmsford Morris, decided to form a band that played music for barn dances the way they liked to dance it. clear traditional melodies backed with the punch of a rock band rhythm section.

Other members were recruited and, after six months of intensive practice, Lyckerty Splyt Ceilidh Band was released on an unsuspecting public.

 Ken’s melodeon playing provided the melodic lead with Ann (violin) and Patrick (concertina) adding colour and variation.  John’s experience running an International Folk Dance Group whilst at Sussex University made him the obvious choice for caller, and he also plays guitar and banjo.  Alex (an ex rock group bass player), Pete (drums) and Zoe (sound engineer) completed the line up.

The fact that the band is still active and busy after more than twenty years and numerous changes in line-up is evidence that we continue to provide a very popular style of barn dance, for anyone from traditional ‘folkies’ to those whose previous experience is more disco-orientated.  We have played for weddings, Burn’s Night and St Patrick’s Night parties, birthday parties as well as fund raising events for school, clubs and charities.