Birtley Folk Club to close

Subject: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 03:34 AM

Received the sad news from Doreen and Brian Henderson last night that in December Birtley Folk Club will close after 52 years of continuous service. Birtley was an essential part of my growing up in the folk world from 1966 until moving away in 1978. In my early days Birtley was one of the folk clubs known Nationwide as was The Elliott Family who ran the club, Doreen and Brian being the last ones to keep it going.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Betsy
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 10:28 AM

Sad news indeed.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: ian1943
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 11:50 AM

It is sad news indeed that one of the oldest clubs in the north east is to close after 52 years. Well done to those who kept the flag flying for so long!

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,twerp
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 02:26 PM

It was a great club. Shame.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: JHW
Date: 21 Nov 14 - 05:17 PM

I'm sorry to hear but will admit I don't think I've been since the 50th party.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Wheatman
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 07:28 AM

I served my singing apprenticeship at the Three Tuns, Birtley at the ripe old age of 15. Sang there regularly until I moved south in '72. Pete and Pat came to my wedding and I have always tried to visit the club once or twice a year when I return north to do the tourist bit. The style and ethos of this club was unique, never repeated at any of the other clubs I have either visited or help run since '72. I am not surprised it will not continue in the new year as the average age of the attendees must be rather high (I think I must have been one of the youngest there on my visit this summer) and I am 64. Bless you Doreen and Brian for keeping it going for so long, I do hope your retirement is not due to anything sinister. Gan Canny Brian

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Wheatman
Date: 22 Nov 14 - 07:28 AM

I served my singing apprenticeship at the Three Tuns, Birtley at the ripe old age of 15. Sang there regularly until I moved south in '72. Pete and Pat came to my wedding and I have always tried to visit the club once or twice a year when I return north to do the tourist bit. The style and ethos of this club was unique, never repeated at any of the other clubs I have either visited or help run since '72. I am not surprised it will not continue in the new year as the average age of the attendees must be rather high (I think I must have been one of the youngest there on my visit this summer) and I am 64. Bless you Doreen and Brian for keeping it going for so long, I do hope your retirement is not due to anything sinister. Gan Canny Brian

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 24 Nov 14 - 11:11 AM

I have too often had to write a regretful note in a thread announcing the passing of an individual from our folk world, but how to write about an obit on a club? No entry in my gig diary was looked forward to more than a visit to Birtley. To me it was all that a folk club should be, and it was my joy to sing there many times.
Early in my pro singing career, so early I was still trying to play the guitar, I was offered a booking there. I can still remember the feeling I had then, that if a famous club like Birtley would book me I must be making some progress. The gig went well and I continued to be a guest there over the years,loving to be sharing the evening with all the Elliotts, Jock Purdon and friends.
Alas, nothing lasts forever, and so we reach the sad news of the closing of the club. I respect Brian and Doreen's decision that the time had come to bring down the curtain, and thank them and the rest of the family for keeping it going for so long. Goodbye Birtley Folk Club, and thanks for the memories. ROY.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 24 Nov 14 - 03:21 PM

Very sad to hear this - the club was nothing short of legendary when I was younger though I don't think I ever managed to make the trip up from Hartlepool

Well done to all for keeping it going so long - almost as long as the Topic!

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,Nigel H
Date: 25 Nov 14 - 04:07 AM

Incredible loss to the North East culture, Birtley was always THE folk club, where singers were just "people", regardless of ability or stature, which encouraged young / inexperienced singers to contribute.
Well done Brian and Doreen all these years, but I guess no-one could replace them

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: RiGGy
Date: 25 Nov 14 - 01:02 PM

Even I, across the pond on the other side of America, am saddened deeply by this. Pete and Pat were such kind and generous hosts, and had amazing guests. I was truly over-joyed to meet Bert Lloyd there during my extended visit in '72.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Wheatman
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 05:13 AM

Well said Nigel H

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 07:07 AM

Just booked my flight so that I can say goodbye in person. Birtley is where everything started for me back in 1967 or thereabouts.

Well done to the Elliott's for this magnificent club and its a huge achievements.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 26 Nov 14 - 12:40 PM

I have never been to Birtley, but it sounds to have been a great club from the comments this thread. I help run the Wath Folk Club in South Yorkshire and we too are struggling.
We have changed from a weekly club to once a month with our first once monthly meeting this Sunday. We are trying everything we can to keep going, but must admit it can be hard work and I hope our new venture will succeed..
Is there not someone in the Birtley Folk Club area that can help, it certainly sounds like a club well worth saving or have all avenues already been tried?

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,jim & francie bainbridge
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 11:00 AM

I'd like to add my thanks to the Elliotts who set up that amazing club over 50 years ago- an inspiration to us all, as Doreen & Bryan are still.
I wasn't there at the beginning but about 1964/65, the club ran a monthly 'ceili' dance in the 'Three Tuns'- the three local bands played in turn, the High Level Ranters, John Doonan's Tara Ceil Band and us- the 'Marsden Rattlers'- great times, the Rattlers travelled over from South Shields in Jim Irvine's Ford Prefect before he moved up to a mini.
Would love to be at the closing party especially for the face-to-face singing competition (!) but am otherwise engaged in Ireland- the end of the club is sad but inevitable really- we will both be there in spirit

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 27 Nov 14 - 04:31 PM

Sad to hear of the closure of any club, especially one which has been going for so long. If this is not a stupid question, what are the reasons for the club closing ?

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 06:26 AM

It's a good question Kenny, I was wondering the same, does anyone have an answer?

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 09:57 AM

Doreen and Brian being of advancing years may be a prime reason. I'm sure that they would have loved the club to continue but it seems that there is no one prepared to take it over.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Wheatman
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 10:34 AM

Is there going to be a final party?

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: JHW
Date: 29 Nov 14 - 05:41 PM

Somewhere I should still have an engraved glass trophy mug from the face to face singing contest. Had forgotten all about that.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 01:19 PM

For many years, the last practical Wednesday before Christmas has been the date for the Birtley Christmas party, featuring the hilarious Face to Face singing competition, which is an experience not to be missed and which is exactly that.
The final night of the club will be on 17 December at the regular club venue- the Catholic Club in Birtley- it's a big room & will be well attended.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Nov 14 - 04:14 PM

It is a very sad day when any folk club closes, but particularly a club with a history like Birtley.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,Hartlepool Folk Festival
Date: 07 Apr 15 - 05:21 PM

There will be an event to commemorate the legacy of Birtley Folk Club on 16 October at Hartlepool Folk Festival. Hosted by Doreen and Brian Henderson with festival patrons The Wilsons, it will feature many guests and friends of the club including Bob Davenport, Johnny Handle, Benny Graham and Pete Wood. Doc Rowe will provide historic archive films of the Elliotts.

The following day we will be Screening Death of a Miner, the 1967 film about Jack Elliott.

Tickets from 1 May from hartlepoolfolkfest.co.uk

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: John Routledge
Date: 07 Apr 15 - 05:59 PM

What an amazing centre piece for us of a certain age.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,patriot
Date: 08 Apr 15 - 04:51 AM

There's a great tribute to the club and its unique nature in the current issue (107) of the Living Tradition magazine

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST,Brian Williams
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 02:48 PM

Not surprised it’s closing
It’s been going downhill ever since that dwarfish hideous creep Henderson took over.
To watch him insulting and vulnerable members of the audience was
despicable.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 03:05 PM

A mere 4 years too late.

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 24 Feb 19 - 03:52 PM

Troll alert!

Subject: RE: Birtley Folk Club to close
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Feb 19 - 05:22 AM

you've got the wrong man & probably the wrong club- nobody ever 'took over' at Birtley- that was the whole point!