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Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 25 Jun 01 - 07:34 AM While on a trip to the Peak District this weekend, I visited :
No Smoke Folk
The Commercial, Station Road, Chapeltown, Sheffield
Friendly crowd. Nice atmosphere in pub. Julie B |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: vectis Date: 04 Jun 01 - 06:49 PM If you're ever tempted to the south coast the Seaford Folk Club in East Sussex is a non-smoker with great beer (Green King and Harveys plus guest beers). It is on from 20.00 every Friday night apart from July and August at the Wellington on Steyne Road, near the beach. The club has a guest artist booked every week and welcomes floor singers. Maybe we'll see you there one day:-) |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST Date: 01 Jun 01 - 04:33 PM Driffield folk club is non-smoking.Last Thursday in the month.(www.driffieldfolkclub.co.uk) |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Lizzie Dripping Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:39 PM On behalf of nasty cigerette smoke - it is not only the smokers producing us but the fact that we can stay on the fabric of a good over-the-pub-room for many years and those with sensitive chests will still be affected despite the only smoke being months old. No smoking needs to be just that ! As lingering smoke me and my friends, fresh smoke and stale smoke near clear guidance on where we may hang out, if you clean up your act and make the WHOLE PLACE non smoking we will move on and settle elsewhere. By the way, those with asthma-like problems can see a doctor, the NHS has been providing this quaint little service since 1948 |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: SueH Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:40 AM We are also totally non-smoking, Julie; we are in Letchworth, Herts - around 5 miles from the border with South Bedfordshire - & have guest artiste(s) once a month, with the occasional singers' night as well. Our next guests, on March 23rd, are Steafan Hannigan (percussion, various others & all-england uilleann piper ) & Saskia Tomkins who plays fiddle. It's called the Mad Nanny! Folk Club. You can find our web site here I hope I remembered how to do the blue clicky thing OK, after all this time! SueH
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST Date: 04 Mar 01 - 02:40 PM Hi John, Many thanks for the information about Stirling. It's heartening to hear of clubs that are going 'non-smoking'; I'll keep my fingers crossed that the trend moves southward ASAP! I was really interested in the news about Iain Mackintosh, and am happy to hear that this very nice chap is feeling better. It's a real coincidence to hear from you that the his ill-health was caused by passive smoking. I've seen Iain singing twice (about March 1997 & 1998, I think) in lunchtime sessions at the small Cellar Bar at the main Open University campus in Milton Keynes, Bucks. Iain was due to return in March 1999, but we heard that he was very ill, and Scottish singer/songwriter James Malcolm came instead. (I must admit, my friends and I who enjoyed all these sessions were ashamed of the behaviour of some others in the bar, who occasionally continued loud conversations during songs, despite being sat only a few feet from the singer! They didn't know what they were missing.) Finally, I was talking to another acquaintance recently who said a folk singer friend of hers from Northampton had to give up her semi-professional career because of the effects of smoky venues on her voice. Sad as these stories are, it's reassuring to be reminded occasionally that I really am NOT the only one who finds smoke a problem. Bye for now, Julie B |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Dita (at work) Date: 03 Mar 01 - 11:30 AM Julie B, If you ever find yourself up in Scotland, the Stirling F.C. has had a non-smoking policy for the last 18 months. This decision was taken at an AGM and was supported by all members present, including the smokers. There has been no loss of audiences, the club continues to go from strength to strengh. Iain MacIntosh, Scottish folk singer, whom I'm sure a lot of you will know, has only recently recovered fron illness caused by passive smoking (including many years travelling in a car with Hamish Imlach), and has stopped touring. He will still be doing clubs in Scotland and festivals but no more one night stand tours of Europe. Good luck with finding someplace you can sing with clean lungs, love, john. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Mr Red Date: 03 Mar 01 - 11:05 AM White Horse FC in the Fox Highworth nr Swindon used to have no beer breaks, but two fire breaks per evening. I suspect the same policy holds now. Wed once or twice/month. See cresby.com for more details. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Julie B Date: 03 Mar 01 - 09:58 AM Thanks Bernard for the news about your club. Yes, your right, it's not in my area, but someone else may find the information of use. However, I personally am only really looking for clubs with a clear, and enforced, non-smoking policy. My tolerance to smoke used to be better than it is, but now my immune system has shouted 'enough'! and I find that singing in a room with even one person with a cigarette/cigar/pipe on the go is enough to cause me serious problems sometimes (asthmatic type reaction). The folk club I was going to has now attracted more smokers, and it now looks like the only option I have is to give up singing in public, until I can find a local non-smoking venue. Unfortunately, it's impossible to find "folk without the smoke", in Northants and Bedfordshire at least! |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Bernard Date: 03 Mar 01 - 06:52 AM Hi, Julie! Our club isn't specifically non-smoking, but few of us actually smoke, and the room is big enough for it not to be a problem. We don't have a jukebox problem, either! The only difficulty for you is the distance! Dunno when I'm on the Folk Train next - they haven't sent out the booking forms yet! B |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Julie B Date: 03 Mar 01 - 06:42 AM ...see also thread UK folk festivals, non-smoke singarounds. Contributions to this new thread gratefully accepted! |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,CraigS Date: 31 Jan 01 - 03:43 PM If you go to Chesham folk club you will be able to acquire The Unicorn and Shire Folk magazines for free / low cost, which list just about every folk event between Oxford and Cambridge. I'm going to sing "Tobacco is an Indian Weed" ... |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Mrs.Duck Date: 31 Jan 01 - 01:14 PM I was at Hull university too Julie from 1977 to 1981 but I lived in Auckland Avenue student houses. Never found any folk clubs while I was there but its one of the things I find annoying is that unless you know they exist there is often very littlte publicity. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 31 Jan 01 - 01:03 PM Thanks for the info about Cecil Sharpe House, London, Gervase. I didn't know about it before, but it has a good website at: |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Gervase Date: 31 Jan 01 - 12:26 PM Sharp's, at Cecil Sharp House in London on a Tuesday, is a non-smoking club. Smokers (like me) tend to hop outside in the interval, but inside the air is as fresh and clean as you could wish (for Central London, at any rate!). |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: InOBU Date: 31 Jan 01 - 09:03 AM Hi Richard Once again we have a different view on the law ;-0 ! One of New York's greatest judges, Learned Hand (great name isn't it) in the 1930's said, "one's right to wave one's hand ends at another's cheek..." Eating fat is not going to kill the person at the next table. On the other hand, I have never smoked, and yet growing up in a house filled with three smokers gave me childhood cronic asthma. If my parents poured whiskey down my throat and affected my health in the same way, would they not be charged with child abuse? Tobbaco, at least in the US is a controlled substance, a drug, not a food, not a right. If one needs to feed one's addiction, the law should alow that they do that without impact on another's health. There is a simple solution for people who like music and are addicted to smoking, miss a moment to go out side, and not kill the band or other listeners. This isn't puritainism, it is good ecconomic planing. Second hand smoking costs the health care system in both our contries a conciderable amount of money. Even discarding the pain of illness, there is a social expence. As ever in friendly dispute. Larry |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Dunc Date: 31 Jan 01 - 03:33 AM If you ever venture north of the border there are several great non smoking folk clubs such as....Glenfarg Village Folk Club in Perthshire, Stirling Folk Club, Crail Folk Club, Edinburgh Folk Club, Taybank Folk Club at Dunkeld. Three years ago I didn't know of any smoke free clubs - the trend is spreading. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Richard Bridge Date: 30 Jan 01 - 02:40 PM Larry I often agree with you but on this issue I do not. I am an ex-smoker and so is my trouble and strife, but I really find the puritanism of the non-smokers rather off-putting, and that's as politely as I can say it. We laugh at Baroness Young and her views on banning sex outside marriage. No-one would dream of banning the fat from eating unwisely. Please get tolerant of the foibles of others. By all means expect some consideration from smokers - but that does not mean ghettoising them - and give them some consideration too. Your way on this lies the Brave New World! |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 30 Jan 01 - 04:12 AM ..Ah, Cottingham; 20 years too late! I was a student at Hull University, and lived in 'The Lawns' accommodation in Cottingham for two years. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Guest Date: 29 Jan 01 - 05:32 PM Cottingham folk club (East Yorkshire)is non-smoking. Wed evenings.Excellent website at www.cottingham-live.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: InOBU Date: 29 Jan 01 - 11:07 AM PS He became an author and actor, so it was not the black lung that killed him, for those smokers who say, Ah a minor, it was the coal dust that did him in. - Larry |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: InOBU Date: 29 Jan 01 - 11:06 AM I don't mind at all Julie. In fact, the smoking industry, more than cotton brought slavery to the US. It now markets a deadly adictive drug to children here, and I long to see the day when the industry is hit with a one million dollar punitive fine for every instance of selling a child a cigarette. The sons of bitches who sell this weed are some of the richest folks on earth, and they make their money killing more people than wars do. Feel free to tell as many about my father as you can, he would have asked the same. In the end, he hated the industry which addicted a teenage old coal miner to the only thing worse for him then the job he was then doing. Stay well all, Larry |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Geoff the Duck Date: 29 Jan 01 - 08:43 AM I believe that the Topic Folk Club in Bradford, West Yorks is now a non-smoking venue. Currently at the Melborn on Whiteabbey Road. It is still the longest running club in Britain and must be coming up to 45 years old sometime around now. It's a few years since I last managed to get there. GtD
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 29 Jan 01 - 08:40 AM Thank you all for your e-mails. I must admit, I was starting to feel like the 'odd one out' in finding smoke such a problem! Thanks for sharing such, personal, sad news Larry; I hope you don't mind but I've made reference to your e-mail on the related thread "Smoking vs Non Smoking Venues". May New York go 'non-smoke' as soon as possible, and may the UK do the same…at some point in the future! |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: InOBU Date: 29 Jan 01 - 07:54 AM Dear Julie and also to Mark: I am very glad to see this thread. My father was a great singer who smoking killed a long lingering and painful death, which first robbed him of his voice. In the end, he was too week to keep from slipping down on the pillows. I would have to lift him back up, because the nurces where not careful enough to rupture his skin which had become so damaged that almost any touch would open serrious cuts. When smoking kills it is a violent and painful event. Making my living from playing in pubs, I (a non smoker) and my non smoking band, likely take in the equivelt of a pack a day, and that becomes a workers rights issue. Thank God, here in New York, the City Council is drafting a law to ban smoking in bars completely. If you wish to kill yourselfs, fine, but don't take the band with you, Last night I was visiting my cousin Gini, who just underwent an opperation for lung cancer. She was a heavy smoker. Mark, PLEASE get serrious about smoking now, because I tell you, the most cocky smokers get repentant when they find it is killing them. The folk music scene is getting small as it is, lets stay healthy. Larry |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Margaret Bradford Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:50 AM I sang in a few folk clubs in UK in '97 and was made to feel odd when I asked for a non-smoking venue. I was as diplomatic as possible in making this request but on a few ocassions the response was antagonistic. There were also a few people I met at clubs who agreed with me that smoke and singing just can't mix!! I run a very successful non-smoking club in south of Sydney Australia. In fact most folk clubs around us heer are non-smoking. I usuually ask if the venue is non-smoking before I accept a gig. Good to hear from so many other non-smoking singers. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:50 AM "My perception is that these days the whole world is going smoke free". Thanks Mark, Unfortunately, this doesn't seems to be the case in Northants or Bedforshire yet! Bedford Club recently moved, and the new venue is more smokey (with jukebox too, which can be distracting for performers and listeners). There are usually at least one or two people present who will some throughout the evening, meaning we all go home with stinking clothes and hair and (I often get sore throat too). When the smokers arrive, you can see all the poor non-smokers shrink in dread, afraid they'll sit near them for the night! I don't think the club is likely to go non-smoke (organiser smokes) even if the landloard was supportive. I hope you are right about the trend though, as existing non-smoke venues are not within easy travelling distance for me. |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Kernow Jon Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:16 AM It's a bit outside the area Julie but if ever you are down this way The St.Ives Folk Club meets on Saturdays and is non - smoking and has a retaurant attached (in another room) so you should get the Earl Grey. Regards KJ |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: GUEST,Mark. West Sussex. UK Date: 29 Jan 01 - 06:03 AM Gosh, Julie. My perception is that these days the whole world is going smoke free. In Folk Diaries and Web Sites clubs actually boast of their non-smoking policies. In fact it is getting increasingly difficult to find a decent club where you can have a quiet passive fag. As to the Earl Grey, most places that serve tea or coffee will oblige with a cup of hot water if you take your own tea bag. As a very occasional smoker, ex-drinker (1986) and darjeeling addict I manage in most clubs. I do notice in non-smoking clubs that there is a fair amount of nicotine gum-chewing going on! |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: English Jon Date: 29 Jan 01 - 05:53 AM Portland arms isn't non-smoking. Is it? It's not too smoky, but I don't think there's any rule about it, it's just that James Eisner makes a bit of a fuss. Jon |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 29 Jan 01 - 05:52 AM ...Thanks Kris. Here are another two, for those of you further north: Where: The Cow (formerly The Beech Tree), Middle Street, Beeston, Nottingham When: Saturday 8pm, Weekly - No Smoking Contact: Dave & Ruth Cooper 0115 939 9370 Where: Biddulph Arms, Congleton Road, Biddulph, Staffs When: Thursday, 8.00, First & third of the month. NO SMOKING Contact: Eric Cox 01782 514896 or e-mail mysterycox@biddulph-folk-club.fsnet.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: KingBrilliant Date: 29 Jan 01 - 05:20 AM Readifolk in Reading (The Lion, Gt Knolley's St) is non-smoking & the JB is not TOO intrusive. Generally its OK. Kris |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 29 Jan 01 - 03:49 AM Found another one: St Neots Folk Club The Club meets every Tuesday evening at 8.15pm (closed in August) The Coneygeare, Eynesbury, St Neots, Cambridgeshire St Neots Folk Festival, May 11th - 13th 2001 Home page http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/rjames/folkclub.htm "we have a no smoking policy except during the interval. That usually means that on or two only light up but that is not very often. Our festival is also non smoking!" |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 26 Jan 01 - 11:41 AM Just found this one on the web: Tudor Folk Club Chesham, Bucks, England "We meet on Monday nights, starting at 20.30hrs. We're usually pretty prompt. It's a non-smoking venue" home page at http://www.lombardy.clara.net/Tudor.htm "…tend to alternate guest nights with singers' nights ('Come All Ye's). All sorts of music, so long as it's acoustic based, and generally tending towards being 'in the tradition'. We're very encouraging towards new singers, and everyone gets a generous and supportive welcome." |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: AndyG Date: 26 Jan 01 - 10:50 AM Well, I think they have some sort of tea/coffee device behind the bar but I don't know about Earl Grey. It's a GK pub so only low-alcohol beer (Lowes) I'm afraid.
AndyG |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Steve Parkes Date: 26 Jan 01 - 09:41 AM ... and I'll bring some smaller alcohol-free beer! *BG* Steve |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Steve Parkes Date: 26 Jan 01 - 09:40 AM ... or in the West Midlands/South Staffs/Shropshire area? I'll give you a lift, Julie! Steve |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 26 Jan 01 - 08:58 AM ...Thanks Andy. As for 'other requirements', I don't suppose I could wish for much more ... except provision of alcohol-free beer (not larger) and Earl Grey tea?! :-) |
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Subject: RE: Non-smoking folk clubs in the UK From: AndyG Date: 26 Jan 01 - 08:27 AM The Mayflower Folk Club (Tue.) and The Cambridge Folk Club (Fri) share a venue, The Portland Arms, Mitchums Corner, Cambridge.
This venue is non-smoking, loud-ajoining-JB free, and has a recording studio and an internet bar.
Any other requirements ?
Andy "the beers OK too" G |
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Subject: Non-smoking Folk Clubs in the UK From: Julie B Date: 26 Jan 01 - 07:55 AM Following on from the recent 'non-smoking clubs' thread, I'm interested in finding some non-smoking (and preferably also non-"loud-jukebox-in-ajoining-room"!) clubs that are already running in the UK (particularly in Northants, Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire, Leicestershire area). Do you know of any? Thanks |
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