2015 Obit: Olga Nicholls-Giffard club wolverhamptn

Subject: Obit: OLGA NICHOLLS Giffard club wolverhamptn
From: GUEST,Dave Hunt
Date: 27 Feb 15 - 06:56 AM

Very sad news of the death of the wonderful Olga Nicholls at the age of ninety-five!   Olga was the secretary of the Giffard folk club which started in 1963 in Wolverhampton. I was a resident singer there and also a committee member, but it was Olga who booked such amazing guests. the list reads like a who's who of traditional music and song. A few examples ..Jeannie Robertson, The Stewarts of Blairgowrie, Norman Kennedy, the Stewarts of Fetterangus, Jimmy MacBeath and other Scots, Lots of Irish performers eg The MacPeakes, Maggie Barry and Michael Gorman, Packie Byrne (who is still alive and now 98!)Felix Doran, Tommy Dempsey and so on, and English performers like Fred Jordan, Johnny Doughty,Stan Hugill etc...plus the best of the Revival singers eg Louis Killen, Cyril Tawney, Tony Rose, McColl and Seeger,
Ali Anderson, too many to list..It was a great place to observe and learn form people who were masters of the job. Most weeks some of us would have the privilege of going back to the house of Olga and George for long sessions with the guests singing and telling stories,,,magical Thank you Olga RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: OLGA NICHOLLS Giffard club wolverhamptn
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 27 Feb 15 - 11:55 AM

So soon after the loss of Pearl O'Neill the folk scene loses another fine lady. I sang at the Giffard several times and was firmly impressed by how well run it was,and by the ambience generated
there. I always looked forward to my Giffard gigs, and to the kind
hospitality of Olga and George afterwards. Olga worked tirelessly for the club despite having a heart problem.It was this devotion
that helped make the Giffard one of the best clubs anywhere.
Rest in Peace dear Olga, and give my regards to George. It was a pleasure to know both of you. Sincere condolences to the rest of the family.

Subject: RE: Obit: OLGA NICHOLLS Giffard club wolverhamptn
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 27 Feb 15 - 01:01 PM

RIP. Went to the Giffard a few times. Particularly remember seeing the Dransfieds there. Good club.

Subject: RE: 2015 Obit: Olga Nicholls-Giffard club wolverhamptn
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 28 Feb 15 - 12:13 PM

Farewell Olga. I have added your name to the "In Memoriam" thread. A deserving recipient of the honour! My condolences to all who know and love her.

RIP

Peter

Subject: RE: 2015 Obit: Olga Nicholls-Giffard club wolverhamptn
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 01 Mar 15 - 07:06 AM

Dave, for a long time I've been looking for a Wolverhampton Folk Club mentioned in a book about the late Luke Kelly, In it he's quoted as saying he first heard the Song Pegg Gordon at a Wolverhampton Folk Club in 1967. Could this possibly have the Giffard? and if so can you tell me where in Wolves it was located, and if indeed Kelly did apper there?
Many thanks pleas reply to [e-mail]