Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)

Subject: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: concertina ceol
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 06:18 PM

Hello Friends,

I feel in an odd position being on the border of kent and sussex and looking for a good folk session or sessions. I would prefer predominantly english songs with a smattering of english/irish/scots/welsh/breton tunes etc (but definietly not blues, nor old time nor eva cassidy wannabies).

I know of a good session at the Stag in Hastings and I have had many good evenings at the Lewes Arms Folk club and at the Trevor Arms at Glynde. But whenever I try to find anything in Kent to suit I draw a blank. And unfortunately these venues are too far away for regular trips.

"Travelling Folk" is good but not often in my "area" being too far west, eight bells at tenterden not really my cup of tea (no offence intended.)

Does anyone know of anything happening regularly south of Maidstone and on a line west as far as tonbridge and east as far as woodchurch.
I'm sorry to sound boring but traveling to north kent has little appeal after a days work. I'm not from round these parts but anything north of maidstone is north kent to me!

If there really is nothing regular in this area I might even try to set something up. Are there any others who would want to come to a regular session in this area say marden / staplehurst / cranbrook / goudhurst / hawkhurst?

thanks,

Peter

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: melodeonboy
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 07:51 PM

I can see from another thread that you already know about the Tudely Oak session on 20th May at midday. (This is actually an experimental one-off, but the landlord is very keen so more may come of it.)

What about the following?:

Nellie's, Tonbridge (1st Monday)
Beacon Folk Club, Tunbridge Wells (2nd and 4th Mondays)

A glance at Folk Orbit magazine tells me that you're probably right; there's a lot going on in what you would call North Kent but not so much further south.

If you were to set up a session in the area that you suggest, I would certainly be interested in coming, but with so much on closer to home and a barrel load of gigs coming up, I would only be an occasional visitor.

Provided your passport's up to date, I hope you'll be brave enough to venture to the far north and enjoy the sessions at The Sweeps Festival at Rochester (May Day Bank Holiday weekend)! If you make it to the Good Intent, I'll see you there.

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 11:53 PM

There might still be something at Bough Beech, and try the Pigs Ear website. Deal, Hastings, Dungeness where they glow in the dark, etc all used to have things

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: GUEST,Gadaffi
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 05:05 AM

I live in the Weald and have been pondering the same for nearly 21 years after moving to Marden! Travelling Folk has some good singers, but only come hereabouts once every two months and Romney Marsh once a year. The session at The Vine at Tenterden (second Tuesdays) is yet to attain the momentum it once had at The Eight Bells, and has a mind of its own. The Beacon at Rusthall is enjoyable, but it's really a club rather than a session. The Tonbridge club sometimes has decent performers, but again is not a session. There is a club at the Drum at Stanford (near Folkestone racecourse), and there used to be/still is stuff at Hythe. The Greyhound at Wadhurst might still run a bluegrass session, but the rest is a litany of closed folk clubs, pubs, and sessions that ran out of steam.

The new Morris dance season is almost on us, and it would be worthwhile to seek out teams who might have a post-dance sing-song or session: Rabble, Fezheads, Headcorn, Woodchurch, Dead Horse, etc.

For further information, try Vic Smith's (Sussex) Folk Diary, Folk in Kent, and/or What's On Folks.

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: GUEST,vectis at work
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:05 AM

A bit further but sounds right up your street would be the sessions at Elsie's on tuesday evenings. One sing and one session a month I believe. If no-one else has the exact dates PM me as vectis and I will put you in touch with a regular attender.

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: The Barden of England
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 07:15 AM

If you can get to Maidstone then there are sessions every second and fourth monday evening at The Greyhound, so you won't need to go over the hill to north Kent. Try this:
http://www.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&q=greyhound&near=Maidstone&radius=0.0&latlng=51270180,523856,17413807905158331118&sa=X&oi=loc
John Barden

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: Essex Girl
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 09:12 AM

There used to be a good session on Sunday evenings in The George in Speldhurst. Just once a month but I'm not sure if it's still running. A couple of the musicians from Ravensbourne Morris were involved so it may be worth contacting them

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: concertina ceol
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 04:58 PM

Very many thanks for all the input (so far?). There is loads happening that I didn't know about.

Thanks again,

Peter

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: concertina ceol
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 03:01 PM

refresh my Kentish or man/woman of Kent friends :-)

Subject: RE: Sessions Song and Tune (Mid/South Kent)
From: vectis
Date: 18 Apr 07 - 09:00 PM

I think the high Brooms Tavern near Tunbridge Wells has a monthly session/sing as well.