The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK

Subject: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,A little song bird
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:28 AM

Why Folklore? Cos it's been at The Blundell Arms for over 30 years. Another little bird tells me it's moving. Watch this space.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:37 AM

These New Clubs - They come and go ! (I joined Uxbridge in 1967 and
Maidenhead in 1969).

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,NGONGE
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 09:39 AM

lost in cyber space, man.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Schantieman
Date: 16 Dec 03 - 02:42 PM

It started in 1965, but not at its current home, the Blundell Arms in Birkdale. Moved there after a year or two.

See this site

Steve

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 03:56 AM

Although for a time there were 2 Bothy Folksong clubs (the other in Liverpool began in 1964) the Southport Club began at the now-demolished "Railway Hotel" in Chapel Street in April 1965 but the room was too small to hold the hundreds (literally) of avid Folksters desperate for their fix of 'The Barnyards Of Delgaty' et al. After a few weeks a move was made to the more spacious upstairs room/s of the "Blundell Arms" in Birkdale, a suburb some 2 miles away and it's been there ever since.
Talk of a move eh? Must be something seismic happening to shift 'em after SUCH a length of time - if true of course! I'll be lookin' for clues but you know how these rumours start!

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:12 PM

Yes it's been in the same room for over 38 years. The greatest artist to appear there? Ewan McColl? Martin Carthy? Nick Jones? Kate Rusby! Carolyn Hester? Joanne Kelly? Well,I don't know about the greatest, BUT Hedy West was my favourite. I don't think she is very well known these days - more's the pity. A great artist.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,Rob
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 01:25 PM

I understand there is a vacant building on Meols Cop railway platform!

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 02:15 PM

Hedy West, I remember that night. Also Shirley Collins, Trevor Lucas, Magic Lantern with their Xmas show and in the last couple of weeks great nights with Anthony John Clarke & The Witches of Elswick.
And the rumours are true. Details will appear shortly on the href="http://www.bothyfolkclub.co.uk">Bothy website
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 03:06 PM

Let's also not forget the traditional singers the Club hosted in its early days - Davie Stewart and Jimmy McBeath (TRUE Bothy songsters) also Isla Cameron, Jeannie Robertson, Fred Jordan, Stan Hugill amongst others. Who can forget the young thrusters of their day/s as Bothy guests - Tim & Maddy,The Dransfields, oh and Christy Moore when he was living just down the road in Manchester. There are certainly some ghosts in that room - surely they couldn't leave all that heritage behind?

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 17 Dec 03 - 04:25 PM

I'ts a wrench I know, but when you have endured management that barely tolerate you, a bar with no decent beer, five tv screens, 3 pool tables, a disco at full blast and a clientele to match, and then be told that you will have to start paying for the use of the room which you have to clean and heat yourself. And then be told that they can't guaruntee that you can use the room every week. The time comes to move on to pastures new.
As it was put recently by a resident singer, "The club deserves better".
Still you can still see the best artists on the scene at the new venue when we move.
Bothy website Sorry about the link before, I boobed.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,Joe Moran
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 02:29 PM

I used to visit the Bothy Folk Club 30 odd years ago. It had a great range of resident performers: trad British, singer/songwriters, blues, instrumentalists. A great guest list, too. The first time that I ever saw Martin Simpson was there - purely acoustic, no mics or whatever. I hope the change of venue turns out to be a positive thing.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 07:05 PM

We still do have a good range of resident singers & guests. We are also hoping not to have to use a P.A. at the new venue. Can't afford Martin Simpson now though.
Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 04:59 AM

I could be wrong but I don't believe Martin Simpson was ever at the Bothy. Could it have been Southport's Coronation Folk Club? That had a fine history too, with a side trip into the "Corrie" at the Arts Centre and I once saw Roy Bailey at Woody's Tavern - and then there was the "Heritage" Club at the Albert Hotel for a while, so the Bothy's not always had a Southport monopoly on good music. Someone should do a media feature on the Bothy though - magazine, airwaves maybe (Spencer Leigh?)Will the place ever win Radio 2's Folk Club Of The Year though? Thought not!

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 11:44 AM

Yes it could have been at "The Coronation". Party night at the Bothy tomorrow night, also the very last night in the Blundell.(sigh)
Still out with the old on with the new. I'm off to see Waterson/Carthy at the Southport Art Center shortly, anyone else?
Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 22 Dec 03 - 03:15 AM

I was at the club last night and Yes, it does appear that they are finally leaving. A good party atmosphere tho' tinged with regret. I could sense that Clive was pretty brought down by it all - wonder if he'll keep on the resident/MC role in their new place? Poor lad looks as though he could do with a long rest! Still there's a good team of Residents and floor singers to carry it forward. Good luck Bothy - it'll be the same music in a different kitchen I suppose, to paraphrase the Buzzcocks!

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 22 Dec 03 - 01:36 PM

It can finally be revealed, as from 4th January the new venue will be The Shelbourne Hotel, Lord St West, Southport.

See new thread Bothy Southport moves after38 years

Cheers Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,Pete Rimmer
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 06:59 AM

Martin Simpson I will look out the date he Played At Corri ,£35 quid I think,maybe less.
Good move to Shelbourne Hotel,but without you it wont be.
Please come.
Bothyman give us a song.
Merry Christmas.
Pete Rimmer

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: GUEST,Pete Rimmer
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 07:10 AM

One of the Best Guests this year at Bothy was Bob Fox.Great singer and Nice Guy.
He impressed so much I wanted to book him for our Ormskirk Comes Alive Festival in July 2004, but he was booked elsewhere.
So instead of giving up we thought we would would book him in the area so he's playing at Aughton Village Hall 21st Feb 2004.
More details from Abacus Music 01695 585400(Office Hours)
Do come if you can
Pete Rimmer.

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 08:15 AM

I still find it all hard to believe - as a casual observer, I'm obviously not as embroiled in the whole hoopla of BothyWorld as some, but it will be quite an adjustment although I hear the hotel is a ** which might make a useful tie-in for those wanting to make a night of it. By the way, where IS Nev Grundy these days anyway?!
I was pleased this year with Peta Webb and Ken Hall's night - thought it a major triumph that so uncompromising an approach to traditional song should still go down well and be well-attended when, on the other hand Mike Silver can equally have 'em packing the place out. Will the new room hold as many? As for a song, well I'm strictly a shower man!

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: LesB
Date: 23 Dec 03 - 01:51 PM

Bothyman, does a** mean a 2 star Hotel or is this censorship?
Les

Subject: RE: Folklore: The Bothy Folk Song Club, Southport. UK
From: Bothyman
Date: 24 Dec 03 - 03:56 AM

Ha ha, yes I like that one! It's an AA (not Alc.Anon either) 2 star so this could mean a new posh image for the Club.