John Bull - members of the folk dance, country dancing, ceilidh band providing superb dance music in an upbeat folk rock style.

Eddie Henderson (caller):
Eddie has been calling for more years than he cares to remember, and not just with John Bull. He specialises in making dances intelligible to audiences that have not done these dances before, enabling them to have a fun and enjoyable night on their own terms – helping dancers to get the dances almost right so that they can enjoy them more.

Neil Stuart (guitar, bass guitar, mandola):
Neil used to play bass and sing in Wirral folk group Brandywine when he was recruited into John Bull. With Matt, he now provides the band’s distinctive rhythm and beat that dancers can follow easily. In the North Derbyshire area where he lives, he is a member of - and calls at - two dance groups and has written several more advanced dances. He occasionally calls with John Bull as well.

Richard Stapledon (melodeons):
Richard’s contribution to John Bull has evolved from drums and accordion to that of an accomplished melodeon player, where his two-handed ‘driving’ style provides the second melody instrument in the band’s full sound. He is also a very experienced Morris dancer, and it was Richard’s experiences as a Primary school teacher teaching country dancing to young children that was the catalyst for the creation of our ‘Baskets and Bananaskins’ resource packs.

Robin Boyle (fiddles):
As the founder of John Bull, Robin was for many years the principal driving force behind the development and evolution of John Bull (although this is now shared by all). An excellent fiddle player, he and Richard provide the melodies that drive the music and dancers along. Now living in the Isle of Man (but NOT as a tax exile), Robin has brought some great Manx music into the band’s repertoire.

Matt Stapledon (drums):
As mentioned earlier, Matt is our newest recruit and brings some fresh blood into the band! Matt has played with a local 3-piece rock band (Coby) and his laid back style to drumming (the new Dave Mattacks??) belies the fabulous rhythm he lays down as the foundation of the band’s music. He is also a very experienced and accomplished Morris dancer.