So who is Nigel Hobbins? Well, firstly, he has a partner and two sons and has spent almost the last 20 years living in Whitstable, Kent UK. He was born in 1956 and was brought up in the village of Challock (pronounced Chollock) on the north downs in Kent. A rural upbringing that has had an enduring influence on him. He works mainly as a wood carver and adds to his income by turning his hand to gardening, general outside work, tutoring and music. Music has always had a big influence on him, right back to when his Granddad sang at family occasions.
His Grandparents moved to Challock in the late 1890’s, his Granddad worked most of his life for the local council, looking after a stretch of road between Challock and Boughton Aluph. He was a part time gardener and cobbler, he grew and cured his own tobacco and he is remembered for his singing in the two pubs in the village. His Grandmother earned money as a charlady and at weekends she sold posies of flowers (garden & wild) to the growing traffic of people who stopped off at the Halfway House Inn on their way to and from London and the coast. Nigel’s father, uncles and aunts all had a part to play in gathering flowers locally when they were children.
His father established himself as a carpenter and builder in Challock after the Second World War. His mother looked after the home and raised two other brothers and two sisters. During school holidays Nigel worked for his father for pocket money but spent most of his time playing where he should and shouldn’t have in and around Challock. Kings Wood, as far as Nigel was concerned, was his back garden. He also played football “Up The Lees” and on the “Cricket Ground”, built his own bikes from spares, which he used to cycle to the river Stour at Wye and Olantigh, and the gravel pits at Chilham and Chartham to go fishing. Sometime in between he went to school.
Nigel considers himself lucky (no matter how fine the thread) to have been able to keep links over three generations in the same corner of Kent. For him this is a history worth hanging on to and has always been a foundation that he refers back to.

The twelve tracks on this CD were recorded in Whitstable and Faversham, Kent, UK. between February and June 2004. Eight of my own songs, two traditional and two covers. A few years ago I invested in a new recording machine which fits easily under my arm, so a quick phone call to see who was up for it and by the time the tea was brewed and the cake was cut, I was ready to record. And that’s how it was. Many thanks to the following, both musicians and friends. Martin Elliott, Double Bass, Chris Wood, Violin, snare drum, piano, Robert Harbron, Concertina, bass drum, Robert Jarvis, Trombone, Justin Mitchell, Trumpet, congas, spoons, Piet Clark, extra vocals, Andrew Ling, some words & some lyrics.