The Band

Carol Warren-Smith

"I am one of the founder members of Pandemonium. Born in Preston, Lancashire, I moved to Grove, near Wantage, in December 1988.  I was warmly welcomed into the Parish Community of St John Vianney Church, Wantage and a few years later the musical friendships which I had made there resulted in the formation of Pandemonium.

I have always enjoyed singing and playing music. At school I played descant and treble recorders and sang in the school choir and madrigal group, regularly taking part in Music Festivals at Blackpool and Blackburn. I also learnt to play the piano.

I met my husband, Rodney, whilst studying Mathematics at Durham University. Having also gained my PGCE at Durham, I have taught Mathematics at secondary level ever since. My current teaching position is at Our Lady’s, Abingdon.

I have gradually added new instruments to my collection and currently play 5 different recorders, concertina and Church organ (and am learning – rather slowly – to play the piano accordion). I enjoy singing and researching new music for Pandemonium to play. Recently I joined Dave Townsend’s Village Band and Richard King’s Donkey House Players, both based in Oxford.

Through my music I have made so many friendships – I enjoy my music so much and I hope that I can share some of the joy which music brings to my life through our Pandemonium performances."

Wanda Oberman

"I bought my first Hohner melodeon purely on impulse whilst working in Switzerland - with absolutely no idea as to how to play it.  I had to shut myself in the bathroom, with all windows and doors firmly sealed, to try and fathom out what all the buttons meant.  My love for the sound of the squeeze box and squeeze box music was not only triggered by the traditional folk music of Switzerland and Germany where I was working, but was also re-inforced by dancing with various Scottish country dance groups in Scotland, East Africa,  Germany and Hampshire.

It was not until I came to live in the Wantage area that I dusted off my melodeon and piano accordion and started to play socially and rather nervously with Pandemonium.  As one of the “originals” I learned a whole new spectrum of music and gained enormous pleasure from the friendship and support of the group. I now have four melodeons, a piano accordion, an anglo concertina and a bass drum and I play and dance with the Vale Islanders Historical Dance Group based in Charney Bassett.

I also enjoy playing the recorder and crumhorn with Downwind, a locally-based early music consort and I am a member of St John Vianney Church Choir in Wantage.

When practising at home I have a very discerning and appreciative audience of two dogs and a cat."

Pam Hale

"I was born in Barrow in Furness, then Lancashire, now Cumbria, in 1938 – yes, I am THAT ancient! At school I enjoyed singing in the school Choral Society and with Barrow Girls Choir. I married Bernard in 1960 and we moved to Grove with our 3 sons in 1967, where children 4 & 5 were eventually born.

At 10 years of age I had piano lessons but gave them up soon after I went to the Grammar School – no time (or patience) to practise, I said. At the time my mother told me that I would regret it and, of course, as ever, mother was right! Be warned dear reader – always listen to your mother.

I am a long standing member of a local amateur drama group in Wantage and have acted in many plays & pantomimes (oh yes I have!) over the years and even done a bit of modelling (this was some years ago!). I am also a member of the local twinning association and hope to visit our twin town of Seesen in Germany for the second time next year.

As member of St John Vianney Church in Wantage, some years ago, I attended a church social evening at which other members of the Parish brought various musical instruments to entertain friends and relatives. They seemed to be having such a great time that I wanted to become involved. Unfortunately, a little problem presented itself - I didn’t play an instrument (Mother’s warning again) so I took myself off  to the nearest music shop to see what could be found. And what was found was a bodhran – the Irish drum, which I have been beating with great gusto ever since-  along with bells, rattles and other percussive things that help to make Pandemonium the great band it is. I also perform the occasional monologue and enjoy singing.

I have been having some lessons on the recorder recently but fear I will never be good enough to play in public. More recently I have bought an autoharp and am trying very hard to join with the others in the group in actually playing tunes rather than just rhythm.

I retired from full time work as an administrator almost 6 years ago and mistakenly thought that I would have trouble filling my days but find that between Pandemonium, the Church and various voluntary jobs, sometimes there doesn’t seem enough hours in the day. I wouldn’t have it any other way!"

Marta Divall

"I lived most of my childhood in the town of music, Kecskemet in Hungary (where Kodaly was born and worked). My mother planted folk music into my head even before I was born. At 5 years old I got my first violin, although I was not allowed to use a bow for another year.

I studied Mathematics and Physics at the University of Szeged, where I also joined the University Symphonic Orchestra. Whilst studying for her PhD in Laser Physics, I came to England and met my future husband Edwin.

I played in the Oxford Symphonic Orchestra for 2 years, then moved to Wantage and heard Pandemonium at a charity event. I liked their friendly and joyous style of making music and asked whether they need a fiddler. I was obviously mad enough, and so they kept me.

Currently, being at home bringing up our two lovely children Benjamin and Johanna, Pandemonium plays a huge role in my life. I also teach yoga and work as an editor for the local National Childbirth Trust."

Ruth Jenkins

"I am another of the original founders, and gave the group their name. Well it was a bit like Pandemonium in the early days. I always had a love of music, though as a child, I was encouraged by mum to practise the recorder in the garden. How nice for the neighbours.

When a school friend was selling a piano for £10 (and we won't tell you how many years ago that was) I pleaded with my parents, but now agree that there would not have been room. It would have also been a rather large instrument to take out into the garden.

Born in Switzerland to German parents, I spent most of my life in England, though I emigrated to Wales to get my Honours Degree in economics. There I found the love of my life; Jon. He needs a mention because I want to buy another instrument and this plug will help.

I played with a couple of other local bands, notably the Kings Shilling. Dave and Mirella Phillips used to run the Folk in the Barn at Hendred. Hi to them. Great friends! A plug is also needed for the Wantage Choral Society, St. John Vianney Folk and Church Choir, Wantage Stage Musical Company. Miss you all since moving to Dorset, but we have the Yetties on our doorstep, and the Amazing Mr. Smith.

I play guitar, mandolin, call at Barn Dances, sing and I am currently learning the whistle and banjo. I have written a few songs, one of which I sang at a friend’s daughter’s wedding. I know the A35, A31, M27, M3 and A34 quite well now ....... but what’s a few miles between friends?"

Howard Hill

"For some years I kept turning up to Pandemonium concerts, wearing my old prison shirt and insisting on playing along with the band, on bass, guitar, mandolin, tenor banjo and washboard. Unable to disuade me, the band decided that the safest option was to invite me to join, as I'm also pretty good at carrying stuff, websites and connecting wires together.

I love playing with Pandemonium and really appreciate the friendship and the variety of musical entertainment on offer. The standard of musicianship and the ability to entertain is very high and this makes playing in the band not only fun, but a real pleasure too."

Guest Musicians

Anne Churchill Stone

"I come from a singing family and played the flute and piano at school. I briefly dabbled with classical guitar and singing in musicals whilst at university (perhaps I should have concentrated more on the statistics I was meant to be studying).

After a short career in the Post Office and becoming a Management Accountant I happily  married Andrew and commenced family life. We have 3 young sons who keep me extremely busy. I sing with Kidlington Amateur Operatic Society when time allows and have enjoyed singing lead roles in their Autumn productions and continue to study with Rebecca Moseley-Morgan in Woodstock. I am a trustee and treasurer of Down's Syndrome Oxford (a parent support group for children and young adults with DS and their families).

I am very glad to continue playing and singing with Pandemonium whenever possible whose friendship and enthusiasm for life have supported me for the past 8 years."

Andrew Churchill Stone

Too busy to write anything at all.

Yikes - that is busy. Or maybe just a little shy (lol).

Sarah Bowen

"I learnt to play the guitar at primary school and received my first guitar as a 9th birthday present from my parents. Not being a natural actress, I was more than happy to be part of the band rather than on stage acting in the schools end of term plays.

I furthered my guitar skills by joining Ruth playing in the local Catholic church and at summer camps. It was at one of these that I realised that my birthday guitar was not as good as I thought it was and it was this realisation that sent me to the guitar shop during the first term at university where I spent most of my food money for that term on a new guitar. That guitar is still doing good work so in the long run, it was a good investment!

Music and guitar playing took a back seat after joining the RAF in 1991 and it was only on buying a house in Grove that I took it up again, playing with Ruth in Church and bullying my way into Pandemonium after hearing them play during a charity event.

The music and Pandemonium have to compete with work, overseas detachments, which tend to last for months, and my beloved horse Red, who is so keen on doing things with me that he even came to church with me (see picture!)"