'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling

Subject: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 11:46 AM

It's been reported in Simon Thoumire's "Hands Up For Trad" blog that the folk institution that is "Sandy Bell's" pub in Edinburgh is in serious financial straits at the moment. A funding campaign has been set up to help them through this crisis. See link to the article below :


https://handsupfortrad.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=69e821c9b61b5853558074d1c&id=9237296fef&e=4a67e794bc

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 01:53 PM

struggling?- so are a lot of pubs! how much was a pint of Deuchar's?

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 21 Apr 20 - 02:01 PM

There's not a pub in the whole of Scotland which has welcomed and supported folk and traditional music as much as Bells. If you want to make a similar appeal for the other pubs which are no doubt struggling, then there's no one stopping you. That's not a reason not to support them.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: GUEST,Cappuccino signing in as Guest
Date: 22 Apr 20 - 04:05 PM

Do you remember the folk magazine Sandy Bell's Broadsheet, from the early 1908s?

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Apr 20 - 04:06 PM

whoops, ...or possibly 198os !!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' struggling
From: Johnny J
Date: 22 Apr 20 - 04:31 PM

Seventies, mostly.

It became The Broadsheet in the early eighties and was produced "through the West" by Jack Foley.

Later, it became Broadbeat and was edited by Iain Macdonald originally from Stornoway who was based in Aberdeen. I believe Iain sadly passed away a year or so ago.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 22 Apr 20 - 04:53 PM

They did a one off souvenir edition last year. which was available through the Greentrax web site. I have a couple of copies of that

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: peteglasgow
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 02:50 PM

More sad news from Aberdeen bar and music venue - The Blue Lamp. the owner and fixture behind the bar for ever, Sandy Brown, has died from cancer. he was 74. Sandy did a great deal to promote new music - principally jazz and folk - at his venue.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 23 Apr 20 - 04:21 PM

Aye, Sandy will be sorely missed. There was an obituary in the "Press and Journal" today. A regular Monday night session which I've hosted for a good few years, Aberdeen Folk Club on Wednesday nights, jazz nights most Thursdays - all been happening courtesy of Sandy at the Blue Lamp. He's done more to promote "minority" music in Aberdeen than anyone I can think of in the last 50 years. There is speculation that his grandson would like to continue the family tradition. We can only hope - and he will certainly have our support.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 08:57 AM

maybe someone should set up a crowdfunding appeal?
It's a fine old pub, and a lot of eminent folkies owe a lot to its presence over the years- maybe time to pay back a little?- no names- you lnow who they are & not all Scottish.....

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: Johnny J
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 09:19 AM

Are you referring to Bells or The Lampie, guest?

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 24 Apr 20 - 12:04 PM

There is a crowdfunding appeal in the link I provided to begin with - that was the whole point of the thread.
This discussion is about Sandy Bells, not the Blue Lamp. That was an unfortunate, indeed tragic, aside to this discussion.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 03:25 PM

From Allan Johnston on Facebook:

Following the word that Sandy Bell's and other 365 days a year Trad/acoustic music venues are being excluded from Creative Scotland's "Grassroots Music Funding" that is being financed from lottery funds I have contacted them via their web-site and had my say. As far as I'm concerned nobody does more to support grassroots music in Edinburgh than pubs such as Sandy Bell's, The Captains, and the Royal Oak. They are the lifeblood of our Capital City's music scene and the fact that they are also great promoters of our Trad music culture should be strong reason to provide them with financial support through these difficult times, rather than something to be held against them. Please join me in contacting Creative Scotland via their web-site to shout it loud and clear! Even under their existing criteria, which puts emphasis on songwriting and newly created music, all three of these pubs should qualify for support. A list of the composers and songwriters who have come out of these three pubs and gone on to highly successful music careers is an endless one!

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: JHW
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 03:36 PM

Great pub. So many are struggling.

Last Deuchars I had pre 2020 lockdown was in perfect condition but nothing like Deuchar's. Either they gave me the wrong beer, flowery, or the beer has been changed totally.
First I had was in Edinburgh but in the Royal Oak, Infirmary Street.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 06:18 PM

Has Michael Gill still been playing at Sandy Bell's, Kenny? We sparred for years on The Session then become good online buddies. I've always wanted to get up there but the opportunity never arose, and now my bloody hearing is going...

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: Jack Campin
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 06:55 PM

He was not that long ago. I didn't get to hear him that often.

Discussions on TheSession were never the same after Jeremy sacked him. He knew his stuff.

Subject: RE: 'Sandy Bell's' Pub struggling
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 29 Jan 21 - 07:36 PM

Too right, Jack. He didn't take prisoners either. I used to be one of those prisoners he didn't take, but I saw the light... :-)