Stornoway Folk Club

Subject: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 08:26 AM

Last met c.1995

A few of us in the pub the other week decided it would be a good idea to try a revival.

The relaunch will take place with a sing-around at Stornoway Golf Club on Wednesday 17 September at 8:00pm and hopefully will become a regular session.

All welcome particularly any "catters" visiting the Outer Hebrides.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 09 Sep 08 - 07:04 PM

Don't forget to make a website or Myspace page.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 25 Sep 08 - 03:10 PM

Last night was our second meeting with double the number turning up!
(now a dozen of us)

We are changing venue as from next Wednesday to the Lounge of the Lewis Bar in Stornoway town centre - maybe we'll double our numbers again!!!!

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 19 May 10 - 10:51 AM

Update

Still going (strong??) after 18 months.

Singaround format - usually about a dozen singers/musicians plus one or two "audience" and occasional visitors. A wide variety of styles and genres.

Now meeting monthly on the 3rd Thursday at 8:00 pm in the British Legion in Stornoway.

Next session tomorrow (Thursday 20th)

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 20 May 10 - 12:25 AM

Cum suas e!

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: stallion
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:19 AM

Me and my dearest are planning atrip to Stornoway 3rd week in June, when i was 18 i courted a young lass from Tong, not far down the down the road (Norma MacMillen), my mate Ronnie was seeing a girl called Dina Mitchell from Showbost, Dina and I recently conversed via friends re-united 40 years on! Whoa the power of the net! Anyway might get a sing in.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:45 AM

thanks for the support, Sandy

look forward to seeing you, stallion

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: FairEllender
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:02 PM

Good for you! So glad that someone is being proactive and keeping an important tradition (that of singing in good company!) alive. I have been to Stornoway a few times on holiday but have sadly never found much going on in the way of music - next time I will try and make it to this session!

Leis gach durachdan,

Fair Ellender

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: stallion
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:59 PM

Norma sang a song to me a couple of times, "The maid I adore", it is the only song I sort of collected, I would love to know if i sing the gaelic bits right!

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,Northern Lass
Date: 20 May 10 - 06:59 PM

Do you have anything planned for the festival week. We are ther from the 10th July till the 19th.
We have been up for the festival the last 3 years but this time we are bringing instruments, be good to know if there is anything on, folk club/session wise?!

Rebekah

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 21 May 10 - 05:09 AM

There were just 10 of us last night but with 2 new faces and Ali produced the guitar that he has been building for 13 years!

FairEllender - look forward to seeing you on your next visit.

stallion - I don't have the Gaelic but I'm sure someone will put you right.

Rebekah - as I am involved as a driver for the festival I (selfishly) organised the folk club for the week before last year and have suggested the same for this year (Thursday 8th). Unfortunately I will miss most of the festival this year as it clashes with my son's graduation in Aberdeen. There are usually sessions in MacNeil's pub at lunchtime and evenings during the festival and we (in the folk club) have talked of having a session on the Monday or Tuesday. If you pm me with your e-mail address I will add you to the folk club contacts.
to identify me when you come to Stornoway see:-

http://www.hebceltfest.com/backstage/tshirt/

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,donald
Date: 21 May 10 - 07:36 AM

see also
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/2560

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,donald
Date: 21 May 10 - 07:37 AM

or even here:
http://www.thesession.org/sessions/display/2560

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 21 May 10 - 01:46 PM

Hi Donald

Yes, there is the Fiddle & Accordion Club for aficionados of those instruments (of which I am one).

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 25 May 10 - 05:19 PM

I will be visiting Stornoway for a couple of days, right at the end of June/beginning of July, along with a wonderful singer who now lives in Australia (her mother lives in Stornoway , hence the visit).

Obviously we will miss the Folk Club night, but is there anywhere else where there might be a singaround taking place around that time ?

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:24 PM

Murray

There are no other singarounds as such (to the best of my knowledge).

However there is live music at several pubs Thur/Fri/Sat which can sometimes have a traditional/folk flavour.

There are weekly formal meetings of the Fiddle & Accordian Club and Lewis Fiddlers.

There's a regular music session at Barvas (20 minutes by car from Stornoway) and "open mic" in MacNeil's pub in Stornoway on Thursdays.

Also ad hoc ceilidhs and concerts - check out what's on at An Lanntair Arts Centre.

If you PM me your address I can arrange for a copy of "Events" a monthly free paper with what's ons.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 28 May 10 - 05:33 AM

thanks Don, the open mic sounds interesting, and I will be there on the Thursday night, what is the flavour likely to be ?

traditional? singer/songwriter ?

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 29 May 10 - 10:19 AM

Murray

I have only been once or twice - from my experience it's usually singer songwriter/pop/rock but you could get the odd trad tune or gaelic song.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 06:05 AM

This Thursday at 8:00 pm in the British Legion - all welcome.

Arrangements for the July club night to be decided this week.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 01:46 PM

July club will be held on Tuesday 13th (not the usual 3rd Thursday)

8:00 pm in the British Legion for a pre-Hebridean Celtic Festival session/sing-around.

All welcome to join us to sing, play or just listen.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 22 Jun 10 - 06:06 PM

Travelling up on June 29th, flying back on the 2nd July, looks like the singaround is the only option ...

If you happen to be there, Don, look forward to meeting up.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 23 Jun 10 - 05:26 AM

Murray

I have PM'd you

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 10:04 AM

a wee reminder for next Tuesday:-

July club will be held on Tuesday 13th (not the usual 3rd Thursday)

8:00 pm in the British Legion for a pre-Hebridean Celtic Festival session/sing-around.

All welcome to join us to sing, play or just listen

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 09:14 AM

This Thursday (19 August) British Legion, Stornoway - all welcome to join us to sing, play or just listen.

Great session last month - let's hope it continues!!

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: flush
Date: 08 Jan 11 - 11:20 AM

To Don Cattarall
Hi Don
Fiddlynmandoris will be up for the festival again this year I am contacting the Legion to see if he can give us a gig while we are there, will the Folk Club be running during the festival week

Best regards
Iain Glover

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 05:25 AM

I hope to spend a week on the islands in the third week of May this year. We thought we would tour North to South with a car.

Can any local recommend any must see / must do things that are not in the tourists guides? If you had to do one thing what would it be? + low/medium cost accomodation for 2 couples?

I'll bring my fiddle and hope to catch a session.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 03:19 PM

Iain

Good to hear from you - let Rebekah know that I've passed her CD on to Alex MacDonald at An Lanntair arts centre.

Festival this year is from 13th to 16th July so it won't clash with our regular night which will be the following week. However we will have a session on the Tuesday of festival week as last year and hopefully get this in the programme as a "fringe" event.

Good luck with your attempt to get a booking at the Legion but you may also want to try contacting the Star, the Carlton or the Sea Angling Club as they regularly book bands/singers.

Look forward to seeing you all in July

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 04:01 PM

FloraG

We meet on the third Thursday of the month so our May session will be on 19th (8:00pm in the public bar of the British Legion).

As regards accommodation I don't have any recommendations but there are lots of B&Bs, self catering places, hostels and bunk-houses - contact the Tourist Board on Cromwell Street, Stornoway. They will also have info on things to see.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: flush
Date: 17 Jan 11 - 04:45 PM

Hi Don
Thanks for the info, biggest problem is we would have to be acoustic as we won't have room to bring a PA, any thoughts on this?

If you could make any enquiries to see if they might be interested I would appreciate it, you can e mail me at
[e-mail]
see you in July

Iain

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 08:40 AM

Thanks Doncatterall.   

So far were looking at going to the Shetland festival at the start of may, having a look at orkney before we go to the Outer islands. A good way of spending most of my retirement lump sum. The actual timing of when we are on each island depends upon the friends who I hope are going to join us.

i've read the tourist info books - I just wondered if a local person could give any insights into the ' must see/ do things. For example in Kent in May we get the apple blossom, and one of the best ways to see it is to drive down the M2 motorway. No guide book would explain that. Do you have the equivalent for May on the islands?
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 18 Jan 11 - 06:36 PM

FloraG

Yes, I know Kent well having lived there from 1979 to 1990 (ex foreman & fool of Wadard Morris who I still try to dance with most years).

I'm not a local but have been here over 20 years.

If you want to blow lots of dosh you could do worse than taking a day trip to St Kilda - I got round to doing it last August and although expensive it was worth every penny.

Most sites of interest on Lewis are on the west side and are (from north to south):-

Butt of Lewis & lighthouse
St Moluag's church, Eoropaidh
Dun Eistean fort, Ness
Trussel Stone, Ballantrushal
Black House, Arnol
Whalebone Arch, Shawbost
Norse Mill, Shawbost
Black House Village, Garranin
Broch, Dun Carloway
Callanish Stones
Pictish Settlement, Bosta Beach, Great Bernera

May & June are usually the best months weather-wise.
Dramatic scenery in Harris - if you're feeling energetic (and have the right gear) you could climb the Clisham which is the highest mountain in the Western Isles. Also Rodel church in the south of Harris is worth seeing.

Hope this gives you some ideas and that you are in Stornoway for our session in May.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: Vin2
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 08:28 AM

Anyone know my old mate Len Townsend and daugter Annabel? Lives in Uig - singer, guitar player pa excellance (and teaches guitar too)

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 09:06 AM

to Doncatterall

Thanks for all that helpful advice. I'll try to get accomodation on the west side of lewis. How difficult is Clisham? We are used to hill climing in Austria but not mountaineering.

It looks as though a week wont be long enough. I'm just hoping for a few nice days of weather.

I expect I know you by sight Don as I was the main musician for the kids side for 20 years with Bishop Gundulf. We got to know and played a lot with Pete Hicks and Blossom.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 02:03 PM

Vin2

Len is one of our regulars - if you pm me with your details I'll pass them on to him when I see him tomorrow.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 19 Jan 11 - 02:17 PM

FloraG

I'm not a climber myself - the Clisham is what I would call a steep hill walk with some rock scrambling (depending on which route is used).

Pete was a great - bloke he and Blossom were two of the founder members of Wadard.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 20 Jan 11 - 05:37 AM

Thanks Don.
FloraG.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 23 Jun 11 - 02:39 PM

There will be a "pre-Hebridean Celtic Festival" sing-around/session on Tuesday 12 July in Stornoway British Legion at 8:00 pm - all welcome.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,FloraG
Date: 24 Jun 11 - 04:06 AM

Don - we didn't make the folk club but had a great time on the islands. One of our hosts daughters played the pipes for us one evening and we caught a bit of a session on Barra.

Hope your festival goes well

Flora.

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,Guest : Northern Lass, who's lost login info
Date: 04 Aug 11 - 12:01 PM

Hi Don can you tell me when the club will be running in September, will be popping back up and would love to come to the club again!

Rebekah
AKA - Fidd From FiddLyn Man Doris

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,GUEST,Guest : Northern Lass, who's lost logi
Date: 11 Aug 11 - 11:00 AM

bump!

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 02:12 AM

Rebekah

Great to hear from you - sorry I've not responded before but I haven't been on Mudcat for a few weeks.
Hope you've recovered from the Heb Celt Fest.
The September club will be on Thursday 15th (8:00 pm in the Legion as usual) - hope this fits in with your visit but if you are here later in the month it would be good to meet up for a pint and a blether.
Not sure if I'll be at the September club myself as I will have only returned back to Lewis the day before after my bike ride.

Best wishes to you and the rest of FiddLyn Man Doris.

Don

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: GUEST,Northern Lass, who's lost login info!
Date: 24 Aug 11 - 05:21 PM

Hi Don,

We are coming to Stornoway the week after by the looks of things so will miss the club night. I think Iain is going to organise a session or two in the Crit and meeting up with a few other people we met this year. Will keep you informed.
Hopefully see you there!
Cheers

Becks

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: stallion
Date: 20 Sep 11 - 06:01 AM

hiya beks probably be in stornaway around 22nd
Peter

Subject: RE: Stornoway Folk Club
From: doncatterall
Date: 04 Aug 20 - 10:44 AM

Club has been meeting via Zoom since lockdown.
First and third Thursday of the month at 8:00 pm.
PM me with e-mail address for invite.