Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement

Subject: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Vic Smith
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 06:20 PM

ROYAL OAK
3 Station Street,
Lewes
BN7 2DA
Enquiries: - [phone] or 881316
Email [e-mail].
THURSDAYS 8.pm - PROMPT START

AN ANNOUNCEMENT
Vic celebrated his 70th birthday earlier this year. This year also marks the 50th year since he became involved in running folk clubs starting with the one at his college. Tina and Vic started running weekly folk clubs together in 1966 firstly in South London and then from 1968 in the Brighton and Lewes areas. For the last 23 years they have been the mainstays of this club at the Royal Oak.

Although the club continues to thrive and this year has seen some tremendous nights at the Royal Oak, the end of 2013 seems to them both to be a good time to call it a day. At the moment there would seem to be no obvious successors to take over from them.

For our part, we would like to thank the very many people who have supported us over the years.
Vic & Tina Smith

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Anne Neilson
Date: 01 Nov 13 - 06:56 PM

What a wonderful achievement!

Given that many of us are at this stage of life, it's hardly surprising that Vic and Tina would like a little more free time to pursue their own interests. But it's also not surprising that there are no obvious successors -- when organisers do such a great job over such a long time, the rest of us sit back and take it all for granted. And we rely on them to entertain us, without ever imagining the effort it takes.

But I'd like to believe that someone will step up, learn the ropes in the next couple of months, and carry on the proud traditions of the Royal Oak. (And I'll bet that the Smiths will be happy to advise in the transition.)

To clarify my response -- I've only been to Lewes once, but this chimes almost exactly with my experience of folk clubs north of the border. And I'm well aware from folk mafia connections of the wonderful reputation of Vic and Tina in promoting and providing quality traditional music over all this long time.

So, thanks to you both, and here's hoping for a continuation in Lewes!

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Will Fly
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 04:52 AM

There are already conversations going on locally - I'm sure that, one way or another, the Oak will continue...

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 05:14 AM

I just wanted to add my thanks to Vic and Tina for so many years of wonderful traditional music in Lewes, for your enthusiasm, your knowledge and understanding, and your huge organising abilities. The amount and quality of traditional music in this area never fails to amaze visitors, and it would be nothing like as strong as it is without all that you have done for it through the clubs you run.

On a personal level, I can't thank you enough for giving me among many others the chance to hear true traditional musicians while I was still at school, and the consequent understanding of what sets this music apart from other kinds.

Valmai (Lewes Saturday Folk Club)

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Alan Day
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 05:37 AM

Nicely put Valmai and also thanks for your hard work for Folk Music in Lewes.
Good news Will.
Al

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Vic Smith
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 06:29 AM

Will Fly wrote -

"There are already conversations going on locally - I'm sure that, one way or another, the Oak will continue... 

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 06:43 AM

Well done to Vic and Tina. I used to help (in a minor way) run the St. Neots FC and I know the largely-unheralded work that goes on behind the scenes.

Here's hoping the club continues.
Pete

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 07:32 AM

yes, well done vic and tina, a wonderful achievement. perhaps you could offer workshops on how to organise, to try and help younger people who wish to organise festivals and clubs

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: BrendanB
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 11:26 AM

Many congratulations on your 70th Vic, and to you and Tina for the enormous influence for good that you have had on the traditional music scene in Sussex. Will the ceilidh band keep going? We are rather proud to have been a small part of the history the Smith ceilidh collective!

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 11:34 AM

Hi Vic,

I'm very sorry to hear that you and Tina have decided to quit after all those years and I certainly hope that the Royal Oak will continue with somebody else at the helm for many long years to come.

But Vic Smith putting his feet up and doing nothing? Come off it, you'll be up to your armpits in something or other.

Oh and don't be surprised if some geezer with a scouse accent drops by some time and nails a blue plaque to the side of your house.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 11:35 AM

Sorry, did I say a blue plaque? I meant a red plaque of course.

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: TheSnail
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 12:02 PM

It must be forty years or more since I first went to the Lewes Arms under Vic and Tina's management. Look where that's got me (and many others).

Thank you for everything you've done.

Like Fred, I can't see Vic sitting in front of the fire in his carpet slippers.

Bryan Creer

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Kit Griffiths
Date: 02 Nov 13 - 12:23 PM

Vic, I find it hard to believe that you're 70. Surely you used to be 34?

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: Vic Smith
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 07:03 AM

One of the things that we hoped that this announcement might produce was that it just might produce a person or persons to take over form us.
After a meeting earlier this morning, it seems that there is the possibility that a person or a group of people may take over from us in January. If it does happen, it would take things at the Royal Oak in a very different direction, but at least it could, perhaps, be continuing.

All we can say at the moment is watch this space


And could we thank well over 100 people from 4 continents who have thanked us for our efforts and achievements in the years we have been running folk clubs including some messages from top performers that we really admire.

Oh! and those who have talked about our "retirement" are a bit premature. We will be keeping a close involvement in folk and traditional music - not organising a weekly club after 47 years of doing so will give us time to develop some ideas/schemes that we have up our sleeves.
Vic & Tina

Subject: RE: Royal Oak Lewes - An Announcement
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Nov 13 - 07:48 AM

vic has forgotten to mention that he and tina are also involved in the lewes festival, i hope your involvement in that will continue