The curse of Purbeck Folk Club struck again after one of their stars nearly missed a performance when her car broke down just as she was about to set off for the venue in Langton Matravers, Dorset.
Singer songwriter Millie Watson was getting ready for her gig at Langton Matravers village hall on Thursday 5th February 2026 when the cambelt snapped on her car and the engine, as she describes it, ‘blew up’, leaving her stranded in Bournemouth.
Millie Watson in action during the gig at Langton Matravers
Best newcomer at Dorset music awards
Millie, who spent summer 2025 touring London and the South, playing at Camp Bestival, Lulworth, and on the Solar Stage at Glastonbury Festival, eventually made it to Purbeck from her home in Bournemouth after a last minute Facebook plea for a lift – and then wowed a sellout crowd.
Previously, Holly Carter arrived at a Purbeck Folk Club gig before realising she had left her guitar back at her home in Bristol, to be rescued by local musicians Tony Gilmore and Malcolm Lageu who were in the audience and went back to their homes to get a choice of guitars for her.
On this occasion, Milloi’s friend Tom Jackson stepped up, even clearing enough space in his vehicle for support musician Jason Bowles – and his double bass!
Millie, voted best newcomer at the Dorset Music awards 2023 and whose new single Milk and Bread has been played on BBC radio, arrived just in time for the gig, where seating at the village hall had to be rearranged in order to accommodate everyone who wanted to enjoy the live music show.
There was a near sell-out for the monthly Purbeck Folk Club gig at Langton Matrevers village hall
“I think it’s irreparable”
Millie said:
“I am quite chaotic, so it is no surprise that my car has died, but I do have a bunch of wonderful friends who were there to pick up the pieces – thank you Tom!
“The timing belt just went, and I think it’s irreparable. It blew up, and I had to wait for the RAC, but there was nothing that could be done, the horsebox that I use to take to some gigs is in for an MoT and I didn’t know whether I would be able to get here.
“I put out a plea on Facebook for anyone who could give me a lift here for a ticket, loads of love and some petrol pennies, and fortunately Tom came through for me!
“And it is a real pleasure to be here tonight, it is absolutely amazing to see so many people have come out to support original, live music.”
Millie and Jason wowed the audience after making the gig thanks to a generous friend
“I was raised in the folk clubs”
Millie added:
“When I started out, I’d go into a lot of gigs and the background music would still be playing, with the horse racing on television and only one man drinking Guinness at the bar, so this is a real treat!
“There are many ups and downs to being a musician – which other job do they clap for you after every action? If we clapped the plumber after every action, he’d get a really big head!
“But there are also lots of downs, like when your car blows up before a gig, or you forget your equipment – fortunately my partner is really chaotic too, so if he’s forgotten something, I probably have too and we can’t be angry with each other.
“I was raised in the folk clubs and at the time it wasn’t very cool to be with a group of old men playing Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, but it obviously got to me as I’m a folk singer now and I love these spaces – looking back, it was a privilege to be around this type of music from such a young age.”
Pete Christie, Langton Matravers parish councillor and folk superstar
Passionate about quality of sound
Top of the bill for the night was Langton Matravers parish councillor Pete Christie, a fervent supporter of allotments and an avid birder, and also a nationally renowned musician who has been touring extensively for 40 years and only plays rare concerts on home territory in Purbeck.
Pete has been compared to many acclaimed musicians from Martin Simpson to Paul Weller, and was recently described as being ‘a cross between Pete Townsend, Mark Knopfler and Richard Thompson’, with a great voice, but without the fame.
Singer songwriter Pete has toured extensively in his long professional musical career, showcasing his combination of acoustic fingerstyle guitar playing and intense passionate vocals.
Described as playing from the heart and singing from the soul, Pete took inspiration from Paul Simon and Bob Dylan and is passionate about the quality of sound, using only hand made guitars and engineering his sound system to perfection.
Pete took requests from the audience before playing his highly praised song Waiting in the Wings
“It’s what keeps me on the road!”
Pete Christie said:
“I’ve supported a diverse array of acts such as Dave Pegg of Fairport Convention, Nick Harper, Jeff Lang, Glenn Tillbrook, Ezio, Ruby Turner, Hugh Cornwell, and frequently play with Derrin Nauendorf.
“Waiting in the Wings is one of my most frequently requested songs, and according to Minor 7th in the USA, it is reminiscent of the off the wall stuff of Brian Wilson and Sir Paul McCartney as produced by Sir George Martin. It was very kind of them to say that!
“I get a massive amount of fun walking on stage for the first time at a new venue knowing that not everyone is aware of what I do, and then watching their reaction!
“That’s all part of the fun of touring and being an itinerant balladeer, and it’s what keeps me on the road!
“But it is always lovely to play in front of friends, and there are a lot of people here tonight that I haven’t seen for a long time, so I’m thrilled to be playing in Langton.”
Mandy Woods is making a welcome return to Purbeck Folk Club in March 2026
“A real treat for our audience”
John Kirwin, of Purbeck Folk Club, said:
“We were very lucky to get both Pete and Millie on the same bill – it was a real treat for our audience and a fantastic concert.
“We are still setting up gigs for 2026, and so far we have some wonderful artists to look forward to, including Mandy Woods who makes a welcome return on Thursday 5th March 2026, following her much acclaimed gig last year, with the new Old Boy Band, Rinklies Inc, on the same bill.
“On Saturday 30th May 2026, we have a special concert featuring Winter Wilson who played at last year’s Swanage Folk Festival before they headed off to play in Canada, and on Thursday 2nd July 2026, The Well return for their first summer gig here.
“We are now booking great local musicians as well as those from further afield, we try to keep entry prices fair and provide some excellent music, and it would be lovely to see some more faces along to appreciate the musicians who support our club.”
Holly Carter arrived at Langton village hall to play a gig in July 2025 – but left her guitar at home in Bristol
Pop up cafe with legendary cake
No membership is needed to come along to the Purbeck Folk Club gigs, and tickets only cost £8 each.
Evenings at the spacious Langton Matravers village hall in the High Street also feature Collette and Richard’s pop-up cafe with its legendary cake.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own drinks, with glasses provided.
Further information
- More about the Purbeck Folk Club
