Stony Stratford is noted in the South Midlands / East Anglia as a focus for musicians and live music. Part of the Bull Hotel located in Stony Stratford High Street, the Vaults Bar is a longtime gathering point for musicians. (See the SONG LOFT pages for how to get to Stony Stratford.)

Every Sunday lunchtime for more than twenty years singers, musicians, poets and others too diverse to mention have gathered here for an Open Session. It would be fascinating to trace how many local bands owe their origins or lineup changes to these sessions.

Informal it certainly is as songs get swapped, choruses are enthusiastically bellowed forth, jigs and reels rock the old ceiling. Then it all goes quiet for an unaccompanied lady.

The list of 'pop-inners' is like a Who's Who of British folk music - Martin Carthy, the Wilson Family, Dougie McLean, Hamish Imlach, the High Level Ranters, Cyril Tawney, Marie Little and so many more that nobody is even surprised any more.