Whitby Folk Club

Subject: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 07:53 AM

I'm going down to Whitby for my summer holidays and see that there is a folk club there with sessions on a Thursday evening. Does anyone have experience of this club? I was hoping to take the guitar along and join in. Wondered if they were found to be welcoming? I play a bit of everything from Scottish folk songs, modern acoustic music and Americana, through to my own songs some of which are kind of folk style. Does anyone know if this club has a preference just for the more traditional or is it a mixture? Comments welcomed

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:01 AM

That's the club run by Mick Haywood. I visit Whitby regularly and have been to that club; my husband has done floor spots there. I've always found it to be very welcoming and have seen a variety of styles.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: The Sandman
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:04 AM

I have,I guested there a year or so ago,the club is very welcoming,I sing a lot of traditional material as does Mick Haywood who is one of the organisers,my impression was that most forms of folk music are welcomehttp://www.dickmiles.com

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:37 AM

I think Derek Elliott runs a club night in The Station pub (opposite the railway station, funnily enough - used to be the Tap & Spile) on a Sunday.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Rasener
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 08:56 AM

First bin Last Out Pub has a folk club on a Tuesday.
I went there a few years ago and it was very good and inclusive. Mudcat Raggytash is a regular and can provide more info.

Mick Haywood's club is very inclusive with all forms of folk music encouraged.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 10:36 AM

Thanks for everyone's reply. It does sound like it is the kind of place I'd enjoy. I go to Kelso Folk & Live Music Club every week which is actually in two seperate venues. We start off in the Black Swan where there are open mic spots which are great especially for the quieter more reflective songs then we move over to the club's longer standing home at The Cobbles Inn for the more boisterous pub sessions. One can expect everything from traditional folk song, to fiddle sessions, to pop and rock, to jazz standards, to people's own songs, and we even have someone who regularly does George Formby songs. So I'm used to it being a bit eclectic though the Kelso club's name does more than hint at it being not just folk.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 07:16 PM

Folk & Live Music Club I suppose that name does rather imply that Folk is the music of the undead. That could actually be quite a favorable thing to imply these days...

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 11 Mar 10 - 07:31 PM

Allan

You would be welcome at all venues.

"The Station" on Sunday nights. (Open Session)
(Cant find a website)

"The First In Last Out" on Tuesday nights and every first Saturday of the month. (Open Session)
http://www.firstinlastoutpub.co.uk/

"Whitby Folk Club" on Thursday Nights in The Friendship Rowing Club
http://www.coblersmonday.co.uk/page6.html

If you make it i'll probably see you in the First In Last Out.

Chris

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 03:45 AM

If you are staying in the town but willing to travel up to 10 miles there are two more you might like to try: Bay Folk on Fridays or the White Hart FC on Saturdays. You would be welcome at either or both, I am sure.

There is, as you can see, quite a bit of folky stuff in the area, the regular events above are supplemented by the odd festival or two, occasional concerts and a few informal sessions that come and go.

No suggestions for Monday and Wednesday, maybe you will recover a bit on those nights. Have a good time.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 04:24 AM

"Folk & Live Music Club I suppose that name does rather imply that Folk is the music of the undead."

Aye well pointed out. I've never read it that way even in jest! It is just an attempt to let people know that although much of it is folk orientated it isn't exclusively folk. So no-one should arrive under false pretences expecting only folk music and thus be disappointed, and likewise people should know that they will be welcome playing any type of music. Maybe we should insert 'other' before the 'Live' :-)

Inevitably locally the name is shortened to the 'folk club' as the full name is more than a mouthfull. I have still seen people (one really good female jazz singer springs to mind) be initially hesitant to contribute because they think they wouldn't be appreciated if they don't do folk songs.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 04:27 AM

Thanks again for all the other suggestions from people. In truth I'll probably just end up going to the one night. I'd personally be happy to do the lot but I have to keep the good lady and a couple of grumpy teenagers occupied and one night is maybe all I'd get away with!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 05:23 AM

Chris (Commander Crabbe)

There used to be a session at a pub on the opposite side of the Harbour from the Co-Op. Can't remember the name of the pub. Is that still going?

Les Worrall

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: gnomad
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 05:37 AM

Les, you are probably thinking of either the Fleece or the Endeavour, both of which have been regular hosts to folk music in their time.

There isn't an organised session at either at the moment AFAIK, but Barry the Endeavour landlord does get some musicians in, and I understand he is currently promoting his house as a Friday evening informal venue. There have been small weekly informal sessions at both the Fleece and the Dolphin (by the bridge) during the last year, but I'm unsure whether they are current.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 06:02 AM

Gnomad
It was the Fleece I was thinking of. Again Raggytash probably knows, as he was the one who made me aware of it, and I know he used to attend them.
Les

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 06:09 AM

It was definately the fleece. Saw this and wondered if this is new or not!

http://www.businessesforsale.com/Leasehold-Whitby-Public-House-For-Sale.aspx

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Raggytash
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 07:10 AM

Allan

If you plan your holiday for the end of August, lets say the week before the bank holiday you would be just right for Whitby Folk Week, when it is actually very hard to avoid music and song, many of the pus will have something on Bottom House, Middle Earth, Fleece, Endeavour, Black Horse, Black Swan, Wellington etc and thats just the fringe, the festival itself has about 1100 hours of organised events in over 30 venues around town. At the moment there is some sort of session in the town on every night of the week, most have already been mentioned, as is always the case people have preferences, mine are the First In Last Out on a Tuesday and the Station on a Sunday.

Cheers

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Willa
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 02:26 PM

Hi Allan. Here's the info about the folk festival.

http://www.whitbyfolk.co.uk/guests.html

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 02:46 PM

Yes Raggy, I absolutely agree that the festival is wonderful, which is why I keep coming back, but accommodation is hard to come by in Folk Week, and I think it overlaps with the Regatta again this year, doesn't it? Probably not so good if you've got a non-folky family in tow? (See Allan's last post...)

Kitty

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 12 Mar 10 - 08:04 PM

Hi Les

As said, 'twas the Fleece. I've no idea if the leasehold is up for grabs at the mo. I have a look next time I drive past.

C

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 02:38 AM

Re Regatta, not sure whats happening as i do know that the clash has been reported a good bit in he Whitby Gazette

Maybe Raggy knows the low down?

Ray

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Allan Connochie
Date: 13 Mar 10 - 03:18 AM

Thanks for all the info on the Folk Festival it looks good and I had a good look on you-tube. However the holiday is already booked for early to mid-July. Even if it hadn't been the Scottish schools are back before the end of August so it wouldn't have fitted in for a week's holiday. To tell you the truth though we are just in the Borders so if we can pan the children off to the grand-parents for a couple of days you never know!

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Tufty363
Date: 15 Oct 11 - 04:51 PM

Are the clubs still going? I;m going in November this year.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Commander Crabbe
Date: 15 Oct 11 - 06:20 PM

Tufty363

Pretty much the same as before except for The First Inn Last Out which doesn't run any more. Though I think there is a Tuesday evening singaround in the Station now.

CC

CC

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 03:42 AM

I'm told there's a Wednesday night folk session in the Fleece, a mix of tunes and songs,from about 9pm onwards but I've not been to it so can't tell you any more :)

Might get down there this coming week, been given a friendly invite a few times so I should make the effort and go :)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Ann N
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 03:47 AM

The last 'Guest'post was me :) hadn't noticed I wasn't logged in :)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Tufty363
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 05:42 AM

Oh thank you, that's useful to know. We will be visiting midweek I think. Really looking forward to it :)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Raggytash
Date: 16 Oct 11 - 08:04 AM

Mon:- Fleece, 9ish session/sing-a-round

Tues:- Station, 9-9.30ish session/sing-a-round, on the one occasion I've been it seemed more of a practice session for a group of mates

Wed:- Fleece, 9ish session/song-a-round

Thurs:- Friendship Rowing Club 8.00 1st hour practice session from 9 folk club can run till 12, very occasional guest

Fri:- Dolphin Robin Hoods Bay, 9.00 folk club with guests every few weeks

Sat:- White Hart Mickleby, 8.30ish folk club with guests every few weeks

Sun:- Station, 8.30 ish but seldom starts before 9 sing-a-round

There's also a music session in the Ship on Sundays and some Friday, again never been to this, my guitar playing isn't up to a standard I would be happy playing in a music session.

From a personal point of view Fri/Sat/Sun are the best clubs/sessions.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Hoblander
Date: 17 Oct 11 - 08:17 AM

Got to agree with Raggy about Saturday night. The White Hart at Mickleby " The little club with a BIG atmosphere". This Saturday 22nd October the fabulous Hut People are the guests, so get there early for a seat. Garry Hammond on percussion and Sam Pirt on accordion.
If you haven't see these two you are in for a treat, great music and off the wall humour.
Starts about 8.30pm finishes when it finishes!!!
Kevin

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 06:18 AM

The Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday sessions are the same small group of people, not very friendly to outsiders

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Ann N
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 11:14 AM

:) the people at the one Tuesday session I've been to seemed quite welcoming :)

.... I'll find out what Wednesday's session is like ....... :D

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 02:06 PM

On my visits to Whitby I've gone into each of these nights on a few occasions, not once have I been welcomed or even acknowledged, the First Inn Last Out was the exception but that is no longer running, where do Stuart and the others go now

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Ann N
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 02:47 PM

The FILO folk have joined forces with the Whitby Folk Club at the Friendship
on Thursday nights :)

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: The Maverick
Date: 18 Oct 11 - 02:52 PM

There was a rumour that the FILO would restart this Autumn (change of landlord) - guess not?

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: Ann N
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 02:11 PM

:) went to the Fleece, friendly people, happy to have me join in and a nice little session even though most of the regulars weren't there :D

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: foggers
Date: 20 Oct 11 - 07:16 PM

We are going to be in the area from tomorrow for a week's hol; will have to sample a session. Thanks for the up to date list.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 05:21 AM

I have to agree with a prevous guest, the tuesday people were not very welcoming to me a visitor, they were bordering on rude.

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Oct 11 - 11:54 AM

Sam amd I are really looking forward to our visit to The White Hart, Mickleby on Saturday night (22.10.11). It will be our first time, we hope to see some friends there.
Cheers
Gary ( The Hut People )

Subject: RE: Whitby Folk Club
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 22 Oct 11 - 04:00 AM

Looking forward to tonight Gary, I'd wear asbestos shorts if I were you, there's talk of you being at the end with the fire !