Chester UK Session Shift

Subject: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 08:52 AM

Due to unforseen circumstances at the Union Vaults[Big Screen Footie], Mr Happy & fiends were prevented from their weakly sinaround & adjourned to the Royal Oak in Faulkener Street, Hoole, Chester, where the 'Come-All-Ye' took place.

The landlord was very welcoming & we'll be going there next Wednesday as well.

Not sure yet if this will be a permanent move, but will keep all concerned posted.

Meself & chums felt it was a pretty poor show on the part of the Vaults management not to have informed us that our session would be disrupted in this way, after all we'd only been there every Wednesday [inc Xmas & Boxing Day] for the last 7 years.

The previous licensee was folk inclined & always let us know of any changes well in advance, letting us use a different room etc.

I've seen similar tales of woe about shortsighted pub licencees abruptly ceasing long running regular acoustic events for no other reason than to satisfy 'flash in the pan' situations like this.

Anyone else got experiences like this?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Bru
Date: 13 Sep 07 - 06:20 PM

I'm sure there are plenty of them, Mr Happy. Widescreen football brings in the boozers.

I know where Faulkner Stret is - but which one's The Vaults? Is that somewhere behind the old leadworks. I did't even know there was a folk singaround in Chester currently. In days of yore a few of us used to meet in the Cross Foxes.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 07:35 AM

'Widescreen football brings in the boozers'

Yes, that's true, but with what sort've frequency?

Certainly, the landlady? could fil the room once in a blue moon when there's a big game on, but have an almost empty pub every other mid-week night, instead've being guaranteed regular multiple bums on seats every week.

********

Regarding folking in Chester, I was also a regular at the Black Diamonds FC in the Cross Foxes way back in the mists of time & am still active in the several sessions in the town & its environs.

Are you living around the area?

If so & you want to go any do's, have a squint here:http://www.chesterfolk.org.uk/events.htm

& here:http://myspace.virgin.net/h.armstrong/index.htm

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Jim I
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 12:31 PM

I've been 'seriously' considering coming down one Wednesday for the singaround for absolutely ages and yet I never seem to get organised enough to do it.

Now that you've changed it to a 'sinaround' I'll be there as soon as possible or even before!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Bru
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 03:00 PM

I'm not a football fan, and it wouldn't bother me all that much if it wasn't shown anywhere.

I do live in Chester, though - on the Wrexham side. I take one of my 12 stringers to a weekly singaround venue just outside Mold. Good fun, but I can't sing/don't sing until the landlord wants everone out at closing time.

I was going to post this one separately, but you might be able to help. Late 60's - even possibly 1970 or '71 - my wife or myself bought the Black Diamond Folk Group LP, presumaby from of the the folk meets. I can't remember buying it, but I've still got it. There are no sleeve notes on the LP, which has a Red Cover with white lettering. There is a picture of the Black Diamonds on the front cover, and that's about it.

Are they still about? I've not been in touch with the Folk Circuit for donkey's years until recently. Just wondering.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 03:38 PM

P.M. sent Bru re Black Diamonds

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 08:26 PM

Bru, where's the sesh near Mold? I live just up the hill.
Mr.H. Now that pubs have breathable air, all I have to do is get over my terminal apathy and get back to what I enjoy. Things have been a bit hectic lately but I'm not done for yet. Keep me posted if a move from the Vaults is likely. Hope to see you soon.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 08:35 PM

LOL terrier! - you've obviously never experienced the smokey fire in the Three Stags Head!

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 08:38 PM

Oh YES I have AND I avoided being shot by the lanlord after singing 'Fields of Athenry'

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Emma B
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 08:42 PM

Thanks terrier - that's cheered me up no end!
I always knew Graham had good taste in beer - glad it extends to music too:)

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 14 Sep 07 - 08:48 PM

Forwarned is forarmed for next year,eh! I won't risk singing that again in that pub. Target practice behind the bar was a bit worrying.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:45 AM

Bru,

I also have a copy of the Black Diamond Folk Group LP.

The sleeve notes were on a separate paper leaflet, will dig it out & post for your info.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 07:47 AM

Terrier,Emma B et al,

Re 3 Sags Heads, we may be off there again in the autumn, prob on the half term weakend.

Will keep y'all posted.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Bru
Date: 15 Sep 07 - 10:54 AM

You might well even know the venue, Terrier.
It's in The New Inn. Not actually Mold, but Pontblyddyn. Head out of Mold on the Wrexham road, and when you get to Pontblyddyn village, turn left towards Corwen & Pontybodkin. If you don't know the New Inn, it's a couple of hundred yards up the hill on the left hand side. Not very far from Mold.
Meetings are every Tuesday. Most people start arriving around 8.45 - 9.00 pm. but if you want the sort of seat you can sit in and play the guitar, it's worth getting there first. I've only been going for a few months, but it's a fun, friendly place.
Last couple of weeks there's only been five or six of us.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 05:00 AM

Bru,

Terrier is a frequent visitor to the Pontyblodwyn sesh at New Inn, so you may've seen him there.

Me & the fiends go occasionally too.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Bru
Date: 16 Sep 07 - 09:22 AM

Thanks, Mr Happy. You weren't along about a month ago where you? I remember a couple of visitors (possibly three) I hadn't seen before - one, I think, from Manchester. Had Martins. Probably had my old Epiphone 12 stringer with me that night.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 10:48 AM

No, not that recently.

We were there last around June.

My fiends Belfast Jim plays a Martin, & Barbie has a Tacoma.

Mine's a Yamaha + melodeon, whistles, & gob irons.

You'll spot us easy enough if we do pop in as Barby's hole is in an unusual place!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Sep 07 - 10:55 AM

For explanation of above, see here:


http://www.tacomaguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0381000721

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 05:42 AM

It's now OFFICIAL!

Mr Happy's Come All Ye (formerly at Union Vaults) has moved permanently to

The Royal Oak,
Faulkener Street,
Hoole,
Chester

Every Wednesday 8.30 til late!

Real Ales + Mystery Guest every week!

Come on down!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 10:38 AM

What's that near then?

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: stallion
Date: 04 Oct 07 - 10:46 AM

We once got turfed out of our room at the T&S for a wedding party, we were allocated a space under the big screen playing England V somebody in the world cup, England lost and telly was turned of, I then sang "Cheers Boys Cheers" with a line ".....Farewell England much as we may love thee......" went down a storm!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 06:42 AM

Here's location & directions for Royal Oak.

It's just a stone's throw from the main railway station.


http://www.pub-explorer.com/olpg/theroyal-oak/hoole/index.htm

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mo the caller
Date: 05 Oct 07 - 02:50 PM

chordin to that website you clash with the quiz night,
It didn't work in the Morris Dancer, Kelsall (to which we were warmly invited). That was why we moved up the hill to Farmers Arms for the 2nd Tues Session.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 08 Oct 07 - 10:59 AM

Mo,

The pub's changed hands since that website was put on.

Wednesdays are: Sinaround/Session in one of front rooms, poker in other front room, telly etc in main room.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mo the caller
Date: 09 Oct 07 - 08:56 AM

Anyone coming to The Farmer's Arms, Kelsall tonight? 8ish (maybe a bit later)
All sorts of singing and playing and joining in welcome.
Nice room too, with a TV in, but we turn it off.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: GUEST,David R Superstar)
Date: 22 Apr 08 - 07:00 PM

Hate to spoil the fun, but the session at the Union Vaults on 12 September went ahead withgout Mr Happy and friends - the football was just finishing when they peered through the window, and the football crowd stood up (as one) and left on the final whistle. The Union Vaults still hosts a session every Wednesday (now known as Craic n Blues) and we should be doing our best to support the ever diminishing number of licensees who are prepared to make the room available for singers and musicians of whatever level and provide a cracking pint of Deuchar's IPA plus 2 other real ales.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shifts Again!!
From: Mr Happy
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 11:52 AM

Hi Folk Fans!

Once again our weakly sinaround & tunes sesh has moved, due to the recent closure of the pub we'd been using since Sept 2007.


Mr Happy's Come-All-Ye has now settled into its new home at:

The Egerton Arms
Brook Street
Newtown
Chester

Every Wednesday 9pm

Led by Mr Happy & the Gloom Band

With Mysery Guest every week!!

All welcome!

Bring voices, instruments & your very good company!!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 09:49 AM

Latest News!!

Mr Happy's travelling roadshow has moved on once again!

For various reasons including very loud jukebox, we've now left the Egerton Arms & from next Wednesday 15th October 08, will be setting up shop at:

The Carlton Tavern,
Hartington Street,
Handbridge,
Chester

Every Wednesday 9pm

Led by Mr Happy & the Gloom Band

With Free Butties & Mysery Guest every week!!

All welcome!

Bring voices, instruments & your very good company!!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: johnadams
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 09:55 AM

Mysery Guest? Is that to balance out Mr Happy's presence? :-)

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 12 Oct 08 - 10:04 AM

Exactly!!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 07:49 AM

Here's a piccie of our new venue.

http://www.britishpubguide.com/cgi-bin/pub.cgi?results:Cheshire:100962


There's also a regular monthly sesh there, 2nd Fridays

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 13 Oct 08 - 04:45 PM

Every time I've been there, the mysery guest hasn't turned up.. a sort of mysery ghost! Now, it's not many sessions that can close a pub down in only a few weeks :) Sorry, only joking, mean to get along there soon, don't change venue 'till I get there.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mo the caller
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 08:58 AM

If you live near enough to Chester to be reading this thread pop into the Farmer's Arms at Kelsall for tonights session (second Tues of every month) and be OUR mystery guest.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 12:01 PM

Do you have to live near Chester to read this thread Mo ??? :D

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 14 Oct 08 - 03:30 PM

I'm close enough to write and read this thread from where I sit!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mo the caller
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 11:17 AM

Why would you bother if not? I don't read threads about sessions in Newcastle (or New York).

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Red
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 01:01 PM

is it the big white building at the north end of the road?

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 15 Oct 08 - 07:14 PM

It's nice to know where Mr Happy's Wrist-slashing Session is this week. The Union Vaults (just round the corner from Chester Station) is still going, and Charlie the barman hasn't stopped smiling since you walked out.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 04:48 AM

Mr Red,

Yes it is! Great link - Thanks!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 06:07 AM

........& Tom the Terrier!

Many thanks for being the mysery gust on our opening night at the Carlton - a super night * weren't the butties luvly!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: GUEST,Arnie at work
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 03:05 PM

My wife's from Chester - can't remember the name of the district but it's the bit over the bridge near a bakers shop called Weinholts. We live on the south coast now, but went to a folk club in a pub opposite Chester station about 20yrs ago - would that be the Union Vaults mentioned by Dave?? I still remember the session now, it was a friendly place and we were made very welcome by the regulars - can't remember what I sang though...

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: GUEST,Dave MacKenzie
Date: 16 Oct 08 - 07:58 PM

The bit over the bridge is called Handbridge, where you'll find the Carlton, which used to have a reputation for being the pub that everybody drank in that was barred from the other pubs in Handbidge, though it sems to have changed - still haven't worked out where the old regulars have gone.

Several pubs near the station have had sessions or folk clubs over the years and I wasn't in Chester 20 years ago, so I can't help.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 02:35 AM

I think the far famed Jones's Ale started around 68 in The Railway, near I believe, the station and moved to that pub by the race course around 71 or 2.

Chiz
Les

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 03:30 AM

The pub opposite the station where there was a session years ago is currently named 'The Town Crier'

When it hosted the sesh back in the late 70's, it was called 'The Albion Hotel' [not to be confused with 'The "Little" Albion' which is in another part of the city]

Jones's Ale was indeed in that pub by the race course; 'The Watergate Inn'

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 04:29 AM

Ah yes the Watergate. Many a brilliant evening of songs!

L in C

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 17 Oct 08 - 04:47 PM

cor!! Memories ay what. I've got a pic of some very young looking long haired folkies/hippies called Telfords something or other round about that time. Mandolin and accordeon feature strongly I think :)
Remember the lass who yous't to go to the Watergate sesh with her collection of pink hippos? Sadly a lot of Watergateons not with us any longer, but it's good to remember those times.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 04:15 AM

Wow, I am amazed that anyone remembers but you have outed me I was in Telford Basin with Lesley, Dave and Jen. So who are you Terrier?

Chiz
Les

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: GUEST,Cindy
Date: 18 Oct 08 - 06:36 AM

A really great opening night at the Carlton Mr Happy. I think its a long time since I enjoyed a session as much. Good to see some old friends too.

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: Mr Happy
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 08:17 AM

Handbridge pubs seem to be getting increasingly popular as folky venues.

Besides our weakly extravaganda in the Carlton each Wednesday [& don't forget it's monthly 2nd Friday bash!(this Friday 13th!!)], the Raven FC, hosted by Full House have moved to the Grosvenor Arms.

More luvly music, butties & comfort - Yee-hah!

Subject: RE: Chester UK Session Shift
From: terrier
Date: 10 Feb 09 - 11:03 AM

Didn't know about the second Friday bash? So who runs that?
Seems we got two Cheshire session threads going on now, it's getting complicated. How do we get them gelled into one???????