The Rusty Buckets has seen musicians come and go since it started in the late 1980's.

The current musical talent includes:

Ivan Maynard

Melodeon player extraordinaire! Ivan has been playing melodeon since ..... and in all his years of playing has not once read a single tadpole to help him learn his tunes - they are all there in a vast library stored on the inside of his eyelids!!

Sally Maynard

Accordion, Washboard, Piano and Violin player! Multi-talented Sally has been playing Accordion since her 21st birthday when Ivan bought her first instrument, a massive Geraldo. She now plays a smaller machine, lighter for her to carry for long sessions of playing. She has played piano since she was a child, and has recently passed both her grade 5 theory paper and grade 6 practical exam, despite having convinced herself she would fail abyssmally! Sally also plays violin but not very often in public (though you may have seen her busking if you were in Taunton town centre on July 3rd 2010!) Washboard is a fairly recent addition to the instrumental collection and Sally uses this to great effect on some songs and tunes... but you need to watch out for flying thimbles as she has yet to find some to fit her small fingers securely!

Sally is a very talented watercolourist who now teaches this skill to willing Adult learners, rather than painting and exhibiting as she used to.

Vikki Nuttall

Vikki adds strings to the Rusty Buckets line up and not only plays guitar, dobro and banjo, but sings too. Many of the songs are her own material, often relating to the local area.

Born in Canada, learning to play instruments from a very early age and then having a good 20yrs off while Vikki felt she wasn't "up to scratch", there are more than just the Buckets who are really pleased she decided to pick up a guitar again!

You can read Vikki's full story on her own website - Song of Exmoor - where she showcases samples of some of her songs, as well as her photography which has been her business since the 70's!

The vast majority of the photos on this site have been provided by Vikki and remain her copyright.

John Lowday

John has returned to playing folk music after bringing up his 3 boys; now aged 19, 21 and 23yrs. Only one now remains at home. "It's Ireland, its culture and music, that has been a massive influence on my life. There is nothing more exhilerating than a set of reels or jigs. Polkas and hornpipes keep you happy. And those lovely slow Irish Airs give you the time and space to think your problems through."

"When I first saw a sugan chair, the way the legs, rails and back rests were joined together helped me join up a few thoughts about life and what was important. To see a thing of such beauty made from a field and a hedge, by people that were so poor, but had the ingenuity and determination to provide for their family always amazes me. These are values that we may yet return to; but lets hope without the poverty, austerity and hunger. I think it was the music that helped to get people through these awful times. "

John is not only a talented whistle-blower, but also a very skilled craftsman who earns a living from making Sugan Chairs

Alec Smith

Alec is also a whistle player as well as a very talented bagpipe and smallpipes player - he has also taken on the challenge of becoming the Rusty Buckets caller, and will guide you through the steps and moves for the dances in the Buckets repertoire with humour and lots of fun.

Alec's day job is making instruments which you can find out more about by checking out his website: Lauriebeck Instruments

Bex Smith

Bex often describes herself as a saxylady although she started learning flute in 1985 and only started seriously playing sax in 2006! She plays a stunning (in her eyes!) 1920's vintage C-melody Saxophone for many of the dances, and will play her much-loved 22yr old flute for others. She sings a little, is currently learning Suzuki method violin along with Sally, and her young daughter Freya; and the most recent addition to her instrument collection is a stunning 12 string 3/4 size guitar made by her husband Alec - it will be a while before she is playing that at gigs though!!

Bex is a qualified reflexologist, although she tends to do this more for fun than commercially. Bex is involved in helping organise Dulverton Folk Festival, and designs the odd website or 2! You can check out some of her websites at LauriebeckWebs. She is currently indulging her love of horses and helps out at a local riding stables - Pine Lodge Riding on Exmoor, in between looking after 3 fantastic children who will sometimes (when appropriate) accompany the band to gigs.