Sorry, I'm just cleaning up the herts & beds thread & wouldn't wish this debate to appear censored - it can continue or die - up to you

Re other threads passim on the demise of folk clubs.

The Great Eastern at Hertford has hosted sessions on and off for a number of years and the latest incarnation has been reasonably successful for a couple of years. The landlady and landlord are friendly and even provide sandwiches gratis. The beer's pretty good, too.

The fame of the session has spread, and attendances have been building this year. On 19th February, the last time we met, the total attendance by the end of the evening was well over 30, which was becoming uncomfortable in a fairly small bar. To add to the problems, some late comers dearly wanted to participate, but were not ready to start when their turn came, and wasted time getting their instruments and songsheets out, tuning up and finding the right song. This meant that some people didn't get a chance to do their bit before our normal finishing time at about 11.15. Those who, like myself, had work to do the next day, left, but there were others who decided to keep playing.

I gather this went on past 12.30, and that the landlord was not best pleased. If we lose the venue or even the goodwill of the establishment because of this over-run, it will be a pity, to say the least. A potential victim of its own success?

Alan Francis





Reply from James

Alan,

Sorry to hear that the evening at the Great Eastern didn't work out according to your wishes! I must say that it did seem to me that the majority of the 'outsiders' passed on more than one occasion so that the 'locals' could get their turn in before 11.15. So I feel that the comment that some people were unable to do their bit because of the few that took at most 25/30 seconds to find a sheet of music/tune up a bit far fetched! However, I do not think it fair to comment on those that also had work to do the next day (not every musician that stays out late in a pub is unemployed!), obviously those 'outsiders' that stayed a little later to do their bit did so once the locals had left.

Having spoken to the landlord at the end of the night, he certainly didn't seem that upset (especially as the time had not been mentioned once), in fact he even suggested an unplugged night of acoustic blues to embrace the diverse musical talent that had played in the pub that very evening.

In response to the issues you have raised, I can only assure you that I will not be making the trip to Hertford again due to personal circumstances beyond my control, not that that will make a dent in this very popular event.

Again please accept and pass on my apologies to those who didn't make an 80+ mile round-trip (and those that did!) that didn't get to fully do their bit due to the inconsiderate 'outsiders' like myself!


Alan again

I haven't spoken to the landlord myself, I was merely reporting what I had been told and comments that were made to me.

It's impossible for me to identify "GUEST" from his comments, but I do appreciate that visitors (not "outsiders") who make a 40-mile round trip in these straightened times hope to get a spot, and we always try to accommodate them (see earlier comments about this particular session) but I was not alone in feeling that the bar had exceeded its comfortable capacity last week and that visiting was beginning to feel rather like a takeover.

Anyway, I won't be there myself for a couple of months because of gigs and holidays, so that will make room for a few more performers. Keith A will take over the moderation/MC job in my absence.

As to developing into a Folk Club as opposed to a session, unfortunately the bar we use doesn't lend itself to a formal performance, not least because the Ladies loo can only be accessed through the bar itself! Blackmore/Writtle, however is another matter, but not in Herts or Beds, so not relevant here.

Alan






James Again

Apologies for that Alan, for some reason my work computer keeps logging me out! Obviously not wanting to hide behind the anonymity of the 'GUEST' tag, It was me!! (not that this tag is any more revealing!)

As an outsider to the Folk music scene, and a visitor to the Great Eastern, I just thought I would add my $0.02 to the comments you made, as there were others that had spoken to me about your comment (must be the confrontational streak in me! I really shouldn't listen to the voices in my head) . Please do not take them personally as I agree with the uncomfortably crowded issue, felt most welcomed by the crowd, and thoroughly enjoyed my evening.





New – John Dun

Hi Alan

You appear to be 'gathering' misinformation...

I was back at the Great Eastern the night after the session to collect some belongings a colleague had left behind and spent about half an hour chatting to the Landlord (Kevin).   He commented to me on the numbers in the room and how pleased he was with the evening.   He also asked me why it finished at 11:15 when he is open to 12:30.   I told him it was probably due to people wanting an early night before working next day.   

By the way, I did stay to the end and as usual last orders were called at 12:00 and time at 12:30.   There was no over-run...   but as you know, the landlord is a big Rhythm and Blues fan and he did spend an extra 10 mins discussing the possibility of organising an acoustic blues session with a couple of people.

With regard to the evenings 'problems'...      I have been attending the Great Eastern fairly regularly for several months now and witnessed performer numbers between 6 and 20+.   The last session was the busiest yet and I agree was becoming a bit uncomfortable re - numbers/size of room.   What do you do?   -   You may be back to 6 next month but if another 20+ arrive you deal with it using the experience of the last one.   

Even the professionals seem to spend long times tuning and announcing songs.   In the same way amateurs want to do their best.   Yes, the room temperature created some tuning problems and one young lady spent a short time looking for lyrics but as you said after hearing her sing "it was worth the wait".   Keith A has commented on my powers of observation in the past but even these didn't detect anyone being missed out, however, I did see 5 visitors 'pass' their turn and perform later.   It is worth adding most performers go to sessions to listen as well as sing and I for one would rather 'pass' and listen to somebody I haven't heard before.


Re other threads passim on the demise of folk clubs.   -   A potential victim of its own success?

Having spoken to the landlord your concern about his goodwill and/or loss of venue appears to be doubtful,   what publican in his right mind is going to get rid of a bar full of drinkers in the present economic climate?   What will make him think twice is if new customers stop arriving and numbers dwindle away...   promote the positives and deal with the negatives.

John Dun