New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester

Subject: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 11:25 AM

Wednesday 5 December in the side room at the Beech on Beech Road in Cholrton, Manchester, we plan to hold a singaround.

Many of you will be familiar with this cunning plan because I have been running it around for a while.

The general idea is that we gather in the side room and sing mostly, but not exclusively, traditional folk songs. We will probably play a few tunes as well and people may recite poems. Card tricks have been known but the handling of ferrets is most unwelcome.

I don't think people will stand up and whilst we will be sociable and chat about this and that I trust singers etc. will be heard with something akin to er ... respect.

No charge will be made, I will probably "Chair" the fist night in that I will ask people if they want to sing. If two singers are present we will probably sing songs in turn until we run out of songs or time. If 6 singers turn up we will all sing one then go round again. I guess we will have a break and people can announce other events such as:

Chorlton Folk Club
Every Thursday at South West Manchester Cricket Club
Ellesmere Road Chorlton.

The Landlord is keen for us to use the room and I trust much beer will be drunk, of which more details later, but Timothy Taylor Landlord is excellent.

If we have a good time and the Landlord is willing we will perhaps meet a month later

How does this look then?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 12:09 PM

...you mean my ferrets won't be welcome?

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 12:16 PM

Welcome ................ difficult kind of word really, but in a PC and non-judgmental way probably er ........ no

Although my father kept ferrets ........ isn't that a song?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 03:05 PM

Is it still ok to lurk in the background and hum?

Nigel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 04:01 PM

Grrr! Wish I lived in Chorlton again.....

Mary

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 19 Nov 07 - 07:47 PM

We'll be there Les!

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 04:40 AM

This sounds a good place to be.Is that Sister Rosetta Tharpe coming? She used to sing in Chorlton a while back didn't she?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 06:02 AM

She certainly did Grag, along with Muddy Waters on Chorlton - Mauldeth Road Station near the junction with Alexandra Park Road and Mauldeth Road West. The station and the line have gone and the route is now a tarmacked cycle way. I did check the Blue Plaque thing but it didn't really lend itself!

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 09:56 AM

Sorry Greg, Grag is somebody else entirely.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: greg stephens
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 10:04 AM

Who is this Grag anyway?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Nov 07 - 10:33 AM

Could be one of the mystery singers collecting at the Beech on beech Road Cholrton on 5th December

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 21 Nov 07 - 08:35 AM

What Mary Humphreys said.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 10:47 AM

Great to read that this is now up and almost running. Well done Les.

See whoever is going there on 5 Dec.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Nov 07 - 11:13 AM

Well, good question John. I have a good response from your friends The Song Carriers in one form and another.

I trust that everybody can bring one friend each to fill out the choruses!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 10:01 AM

ok, for those who missed it earlier

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 11:35 AM

I will come along if JJ is allowed to handle his ferrets...!

The reviews of this pub at the Beer in the Evening website are very mixed, but it seems pipe-players and lycra-clad cyclists could be an interesting feature.

For those like me who have to travel from afar to get there the Google map for the Beech Inn, 72 Beech Road, M21 9EG may help.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 11:40 AM

Real ferrets might be considered, but of JJ is being metaphorical, their could be problems again.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 12:00 PM

Don't worry, I'll keep me ferrets covered up - you won't know they're there!

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 12:59 PM

"I'll keep me ferrets covered up - you won't know they're there!"

Isn't this a line from a hunting ballad?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Matthew Edwards
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 01:06 PM

>"I'll keep me ferrets covered up - you won't know they're there!"

>Isn't this a line from a hunting ballad?

Actually JJ and I are still working on the words to this one, but when we've finished it will be a 100% genuine old traditional hunting ballad!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 01:22 PM

Any more takers for the new Ferretaround Wednesday week?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 01:56 PM

I have heard that Seth and John and Mike are coming to collect songs

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 24 Nov 07 - 02:00 PM

My dad bred ferrets in Wexford, Eire in his youth and went out rabbiting with them. He sold the rabbits to the local butcher. He also "collected" golf balls off the local golf course and sold them back to the golfers. Being in a large family he didn't get pocket money and had to make his own.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 04:31 AM

Isn't it a small world? My Dad kept Ferrets in Ellesmere Port during and just after the war for the same rabbit bothering purposes. He might give us a song on the 5th, but since he died in 1949 the odds are against it.

Mike, are you the famous Chorlton Singer and footballer?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Helen Jocys
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 06:17 AM

Hope to see you on the 5th Les,

Cheers,


HelenJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 25 Nov 07 - 03:21 PM

Hello Mum.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Richard Spencer
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 12:40 PM

Hoping to get along to this - what sort of time are you thinking of getting started?

Richard

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 01:28 PM

I have just checked with the Jimmy the owner and we are still welcome on December 5th. This is a great relief as pubs can change preferences at the drop of a hat!

I will be there around 8.30 and I guess we will start when the mood takes us or around 9 ish. It is a public room so I don't know what we will do if it's full of a stag night or something.

Look forward to meeting you all and having a night of good singing

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 28 Nov 07 - 02:36 PM

It's alright, if there's a problem with anyone making a racket I'll just let me ferrets out....that'll get rid of the buggers.

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 03:48 AM

Ferrets as bouncers? Crowd control maybe - ah a number of songs concerning Ferrets by The Oldham Tinkers spring to mind

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 30 Nov 07 - 06:54 AM

Can someone be given special dispensation to sing "The day John Willy took his ferret to a Do"

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Dec 07 - 06:42 AM

No dispensation needed John! An excellent song from a wonderous group of musicians.

OK, now is the time to panic. Will I be sat in the Beech on my own?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 12:42 PM

Sorry I don't know the song myself but will still be at The Beech at 8.30 on Wed 5th

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 01:48 PM

Thanks John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 06:27 PM

I'll be there, but I can't sing. I'm just, erm, hovering.

Cheers

Nigel

PS I have memorised some words in case it's just me there

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 07:17 PM

Nigel,

a number of us will hum and mumble as one

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 02 Dec 07 - 09:09 PM

I'll be there and I can't sing either so you'll be in good company!

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 01:07 PM

Still quietly panicking

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 03 Dec 07 - 05:26 PM

Whatever you do, Les, don't panic!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 05:36 AM

Chances are we'll be there too, depending on Rachel's state of mind when she gets in from work, which from recent evidence is generally pretty positive, it being a new job & all...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 05:39 AM

Look forward to meeting you Sedayne,

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:09 PM

Will Sedayne be bringing that lovely stringed instrument we saw on that gorgeous You Tube clip? The one with the spring from the inside of a clock that he occasionally hit?
I may even pop in even though Everton are playing Zenit St Petersburg in the UEFA cup.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:10 PM

Is that an away match?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:13 PM

No it's at Goodison but I didn't buy tickets.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 01:29 PM

Then they won't let you in, just like last time, come to the Beech and build tension towards the match highlights on later

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:00 PM

I'll have the Citera, though the clock-gong isn't a permanent feature! Looking forward to seeing you all...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:28 PM

I'll bring the crumhorns! Any other requests? Keep them polite please!!!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:33 PM

What keys will you be playing in? Give me some likely drones & I'll bring some suitable Jew's Harps...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 03:39 PM

Crumhorns: Soprano in C, alto in F, tenor in C. Maybe even a bass in F.
Recorders similar and rauschpfeife in C.
Go on; bring the clock gong! You know you want to!!! Just leave the bluebell wood behind. The Beech is quite a small establishment!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 06:24 PM

Wow! I'm getting quite excited here! Les, what musicl beast have you unleashed?

Cheers

Nigel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Dec 07 - 07:11 PM

Who knows Nigel, I thought the human voice was what it was about but lets welcome it all!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 04:25 AM

I've got various Jew's Harps in D, E, B, A, G, a demonic lo-Ab and a passable C - & the clock-gong will be there, it resides in the citera box along with all the other essential 'accessories' - at least it was the last time I looked...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 05:35 AM

Never been to an orchestraound before :0)

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 09:13 AM

We'll bring the "bones"!

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 11:17 AM

I trust this isn't another reference to Ferrets?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: MikeRebec
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 01:23 PM

Actually my dad bred ferrets back in...Oh! I've told this story haven't I?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 01:49 PM

As the weather is a bit crap this evening I'll probably leave me ferrets at home.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:08 PM

Can I just say what a fantastic night that was and send a huge round of applause with extra helpings of whooping and hollering in Les's direction for making it happen.

There have to be few things in this word that can top supping a pint of Landlord whilst thirty-odd people belt out the chorus of 'Thousands or more'...

Thanks everyone for a wonderful night.

Nigel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:12 PM

Wow Nigel, you were quick off the mark!

But I second everything you said.

Roll on the 2nd January, 2008 for the next "Gathering".

Bob & Sue vG

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 07:41 PM

I'll third it! Excellent evening - well done Les and all who attended & took part.

Cheers,

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 05 Dec 07 - 08:01 PM

Just back in windy Lytham & still buzzing; a fine night - one of the finest in fact. See you all on January 2nd!

Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Bill of Burnage
Date: 06 Dec 07 - 12:22 PM

Could the person or persons who left the Ferrets tied to the Bar in the Beech last night please return and collect them as they have run out of money and are frightening the regulars. What a great night! Chorus singing at it's best. Oh, and a special thank you to the bloke on the musical Plank!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 01:28 PM

Thanks for the perfect strapline, Bill - the bloke on the musical plank - I think I'll put that on my myspace page...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 07 Dec 07 - 05:52 PM

What a wonderful varied night!! The thread gives no indication ?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 06:38 AM

I have to say it turned out well, in fact it was the best night of song I have been involved for a very long time.

Thanks to: Olga, Ken, Bob, especially for the small pipes, Sue, Dave, Matthew, Ann, John R, John J, Rachel, Sean, I think the Citera, Kate, Vicki, Phil, Mike, with a serious recorder and Martin, who turned up with his concertina, but couldn't get in the room, and everybody else who sang so well.

The beer was good the music was exceptional and the company the best!

I would like to make it a monthly event:

"The first Wednesday of the month singaround in the Beech in Chorlton" would be a snappy title or Tfwotmsitbic for short. I understand the staff were as pleased with our presence as we were with their beer so we are looking at Wednesday 2 January, around 8.30ish for a 9 ish start.

It's a bit odd following New Years Day but I would like to keep clear of other events in Manchester and north Cheshire. What ever day we pick will bump into something or other and I think First Wednesday is easy to remember.

So thanks again, I know we all had a good time and I think it says something about the power of the music we love!

Cheers

Les in Chorlton
ps don't forget to vote for Sustrans

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 07:21 AM

It is difficult to realise that Wednesday was the very first one.

At the start of the second "round" I felt it was already a long established event.

Many thanks to Les and indeed everyone for getting Tfwotmsitbic off to a stupendous start.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 07:31 AM

Interesting point John. I remember going to a Folk Club at the Millstone in Manchester sometime around 1970 or could have been 1974 and enjoying a not dissimilar experience. I wonder if any of Wednesday night's people went to the Millstone?

I first experience of a Folk Club was the Jug of Punch, the Princes Hotel, Ellesmere Port around '64, but my first experience of a Singer's Club was in a now demolished pub near the Tunnel Entrance in Liverpool, run by Tony Wilson around '66. The other was Jones's Ale in Chester from around '67 until I'm not sure.

I suppose the singarounds all go beack to "The Singers Club"?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:04 AM

Actually, Les, I was a resident at the Millstone (he said modestly).

I'm not sure if the 'Singers Club' was really the model for the sort of singaround we had on Wednesday night. My recollections of my youthful pilgrimages to that hallowed institution, near King's Cross, are that they mainly consisted of Ewan & Peggy doing most of the evening with a couple of 'floor spots' thrown in ( apparently other notable singers, like Bert Lloyd, did the nights when E & P weren't there). This format never bothered me (as it still appears to do some people) as I was mainly there to hear Ewan sing ballads, anyway.

The Manchester 'Song Carriers' club, at the Millstone, was certainly inspired by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger but was much more like a conventional folk club - with a group of residents and weekly guests.   

It's a pity that Terry Whelan (another Millstone resident) isn't still with us - I know that he would have enjoyed Wednesday night (although, knowing Terry, he would have also enjoyed finding something to moan about! If he's up there now - he knows it's true - it was part of his charm!).

What we both would have agreed about (after the usual furious argument) is that it's really great to have somewhere to sing traditional songs, on a regular basis, with all of your mates.

Thanks for organising it, Les!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:13 AM

I only went to the Millstone once so perhaps we rubbed shoulders on the night? I guess it was different to other clubs because I think it had themed nights - Songs of Agricultural workers, Songs of the Sea, Songs of women betrayed or something like that?

The later we went to Harry and Lesley Boardman's at the ..... was it the Unicorn? That was a great Harry led singaround as I remember

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 08 Dec 07 - 10:35 AM

I think they did run a club in the Unicorn, bit Sue and I also saw them in the Black Lion, Salford.

Bob vG (also went to the Millstone frequently)

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 11 Dec 07 - 01:34 PM

Harry certainly got around a bit. I first saw him in Ellesmere Port, actually The Travelers in Little Sutton, around the time Deep Lancashire came out. He was brilliant, a one off really, always put the songs first and with a nice touch of humour.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Flash Company
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:09 AM

Les- Congratulations on a great start, I may try to join you in the New Year, although I can't promise to sing!

FC

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 12 Dec 07 - 05:36 AM

Thanks FC, just one small song or maybe two and lots of people would help out with the Chorus

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 Dec 07 - 01:36 PM

Ok folks, I have just had another chat with the owners at the Beech and we will be most welcome for another evening of songs and such like on:

Wednesday 2 January and Wednesday 6 February

So with a bit of luck it will be the first Wednesday of each month!

Have a good Christmas and New Year

Les jones

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 Dec 07 - 01:37 PM

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 21 Dec 07 - 04:42 AM

We're looking forward to it, Les -

All the very best meanwhile...

Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Dec 07 - 04:42 AM

Thanks Sean & Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 06:56 AM

What time do you intend to "kick off" Les?

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 07:04 AM

Thanks Bob,

I guess we will gather around 8.30 to chat and fill the room a bit and start singing around 9.00. I trust you will be bringing your pipes again?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 01:33 PM

Will do - Northumbrian or Scottish Small Pipes?

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 30 Dec 07 - 03:55 PM

The SSPs were lovely last time, Bob; how about indulging an ex-pat Geordie with the Northumbrian??

That said, this time I'll be bringing the crwth & doing a wee seasonal tale & customary wassail seeing as it's still Christmas - the ninth day indeed. Also expect Child #32 for some pertinent spookiness! Oo-er...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 05:38 AM

SSP or NSP either would be most welcome.

Well, it's warming up for another exceptional evening. Perhaps John R will bring his Northumbrians? By the way what is a crwth? Is it welsh with lots of strings?

Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 06:14 AM

What's a crwth? Well, I'm sure there was a thread about this a while back, but here's a wee taste of me playing it, albeit improvising wildly with little regard for anything so much as resembling conventional musicality in the autumnal woodland:

Sedayne : Crwth Improvisation

Five strings / Welsh-ish; mine was made for me by Tim Hobrough back in 1987 before most of the current purist crwth-fadders had even been born. This doesn't made it right of course, just that back in those days we knew no better!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 Dec 07 - 07:09 AM

Sedayne,

I remember the thread. Your video is brilliant, what an amazing sound. Do you by any chance know "The Lament for Mary Humphreys, the remembered Bard of Chorlton"?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 01 Jan 08 - 08:27 AM

Will do Les. Can't guarantee that it will increase the attendance though.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 04:39 AM

It's a lovely sound John and might just squeeze another body in!

See you tonight

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:17 AM

See you all tonight! This time, let's drown out the telly!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 06:53 PM

Good show this evening - sadly we had to move to a pub just around the corner at the very last minute because of a football match on the pub box. An excellent sing none the less!

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John Routledge
Date: 02 Jan 08 - 08:18 PM

Some very smooth soft shoe shuffle by Les saved the day !!
We had an almost seamless move into The Horse and Jockey only 25 yards away and it proved very warm and welcoming and a good night was had by all.

Roll on next month.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:00 AM

Allow me to third that; every song a beauty and for an ex-pat Northumbrian the piping trio was simply sublime. I popped back over to The Beech a couple of times to see if there was anyone lurking, but as a Geordie in a Man City pub it didn't seem wise to hang around too long...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:05 AM

Thanks John. Football hey! Well at least City won. Sorry about the confusion. I had checked Sky and BBC/ ITV but some pubs are using a different satellite perhaps illicitly and I didn't know that the City match would be on in the Beech.

Still an excellent night of songs and tunes. Some songs I have never haerd. Three sets of smallpipes must be some kind of record and Sean playing his crwth was just amazing!

Thanks to all that sang. I will stalk the pubs of Chorlton and find a more reliable venue.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 04:26 AM

The Beech is excellent - just a shame about the football.

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 03 Jan 08 - 06:26 AM

Excellent night, Les.

And, as a bonus, the H&J was considerably less cramped than the Beech!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 12:13 PM

OK folks we a serious problem. First Wednesday in February is the 6th. England play Switzerland it what has been described as a game of football. It is on BBC 1 so I think all the pubs will ahve it on.

Hang on for further info.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 15 Jan 08 - 02:10 PM

How about the previous evening?

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 05:57 AM

Ok, sorry about the vow of silence, back to communicating.

I thought we might be ok for the day before until I checked the fine detail of Football on TV. On Tuesday 5 February England under 21s play the Republic of Ireland! This could be of interest in our part of Manchester that is dead keen on football and quite keen on the Republic of Ireland!

I honestly think that the Beech is the best place around here but that the football will make it an unreliable venue. The long and short of it is we need a more reliable place.

We are away in Cuba until Feb 12th so I don't have time to sort out another venue. I think I have no choice but to cancel the February singaround.

I have another venue in mind but I need time to check things with the owner.

"So, now you've called on me to sing
I'll see what I can do"

If we decide to stay in Cuba I trust you will come to a new singaround in Havana!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Rapunzel
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 07:55 AM

Les - I'm gutted as I'm on annual leave that week and was looking forward to the luxury of a lie in post singaround after the 60 mile drive home. Still, I appreciate the problems you're having with venues, and we'll make it in March whenever and wherever. I can still have my lie in - I just won't have had a good sing to justify it!

enjoy Cuba!
Rachel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:00 AM

Thanks Rachel,

I have wondered around bars and pubs, Oh what a life! They are either committed to football - 4 screens and big rooms or amplified music in big rooms. One local bar looks interesting so we will have to see.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:22 AM

Ever thought of approaching the 'Unicorn' (good in Harry's B's day) in Church St M/c or is that a bit far afield from Chorlton?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:38 AM

100

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Vin2
Date: 22 Jan 08 - 08:56 AM

Sorry, my membership had expired hence the From; GUEST tag. It was me re the Unicorn suggestion

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 04:11 AM

It would be a great re-birth to have a club at the Unicorn again. I am not sure if people will travel into town to a singers club. Irish sessions seem to do well so some people are prepared to travel and to be honest, although I am working the Chorlton thing many of the people who have sung or played at the 4 or 5 events I have organised have traveled, although I thing the audience is local.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Dave Bishop
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 04:29 AM

Our 'Song Carriers' singaround used to meet in the Unicorn, in the mid to late 90s. They installed a giant Sky Sports TV screen in the old club room and we were thrown out.

A few years later we heard that the sports TV had not been a great success and we went back for a few months. The new singaround wasn't a great success either - I forget exactly why, but it may have had something to do with the fact that, in the interim, the central Manchester one-way system had changed and it wasn't as easy to get, to from south Manchester, as it had been.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 08 - 05:06 AM

Perhaps we need to think global but act local?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Jan 08 - 03:11 AM

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 22 Feb 08 - 09:24 PM

Any confirmation yet that the next event will be 5th March at the Beech Tree?

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 10:39 AM

Thanks Bob, I have stalked the bars of Chorlton searching for an alternative but can find none. I am off to the Beech any minute. I don't think their is any footy on Wednesday 5th but who knows!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 01:58 PM

Just had a chat with the landlord of the Beech. We will be most welcome on Wednesday 5 March!

Apparently he gets his sport from an Albanian satellite! This explains why he could get Man City last time. I had searched Ski and everywhere else but new nothing of Albanian Satellites!

He is keen to have us, so we will be welcome, and it is the best room in Chorlton.

I would encourage everyone with an interest to surf for footy on TV just to make sure some other match doesn't rob us of this excellent venue.

Cheers, and fingers crossed

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 23 Feb 08 - 02:47 PM

Excellent news.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Nigel Spencer (cookieless)
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 05:29 AM

I like this idea of the snug at the lovely but scuzzy old Beech being the 'best room in Chorlton'... that will give all the yuppies and yummy mummies with their 'urban living spaces' and 'bijoux designer interiors' something to put in their pipes and smoke...

See y'all there on the 5th!

Nigel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: GUEST,Edmundo & Sigur Ros
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 11:08 AM

We'll be there, full of the joys of impending (or otherwise) spring; our clouts thus cast, we shall be garbed in fresh greenery, bedecked with daffodils & baring bunches of audaciously precocious May blossom and will give hearty good voice to eldritch ballads of seasonal rebirth, renewal & fecundity. So blessed be ye proud & fabulous folkies all - and if we can't raise the bastarding roof, we'll lower the fecking floor.

Sedayne & Rapunzel

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Feb 08 - 11:48 AM

Thanks S & R that sounds like something worth looking forward to!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Feb 08 - 10:31 AM

All are welcome, it is an excellent room with Timothy Taylor Landlord and other excellent beverages. Oh! and excellent voices

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 26 Feb 08 - 02:54 AM

I'll use the bicycle then.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 02:28 AM

I've checked with Beech and they are still saying all clear for Wednesday. So unless something surprising pops up from Albania we should be OK.

Cheers

Leson

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: 8_Pints
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:10 PM

Good work Les!

Bob

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 06:40 PM

Well done that man!

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 04 Mar 08 - 08:38 AM

Meanwhile: something surprising from Albania:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw7QZig1kRw

Now that's what I call music!

See you all tomorrow..

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 05 Mar 08 - 07:37 PM

Just wobbled home on the bicycle - what a tremendous bash, roll on the next one!

Thanks to all for making this happen - especially Les.

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 03:03 AM

John,

you are a star! Trust you observed the 30 mph zones in Sale.

Thanks to Ann, John, Sue, Dave, Rachel, Kate, Ruth, Ken, Mike(who I think turned up by chance and got carried away by the moment) for songs and Bob, small pipes, Richard, songs, uilleann pipes and whistles, Tony, songs and melodeon, Steve, melodeon, Sean, songs and Black Sea Fiddle (honest), other friends who generally joined in and that drunken bloke who joined in incoherently, left his pint, which I noted that nobody touched, and staggered off not to be seen again.

Thanks to John J for a rousing "Thousands or More" to finish the evening off.

Thanks to Jimmy, Landlord of the Beech and his excellent staff and my personal thanks to Timothy Taylor for oiling my neck.

Look forward to meeting you all on the first Wednesday of April which is the 2nd, if all is clear in Albania.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 05:08 AM

Sounds great. Sadly I was on call, stuck in A&E being a dutiful little social worker. Bah. Roll on April...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 05:22 AM

Sorry you missed ot Nigel. At one point last night you could have easily been professionally involved!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:50 AM

I received a nice email from Richard Sykes:

"John

Please could you thank the guys at the Beech for a lovely session. It was just what I needed and a lot of fun as well!

Richard (You know… the whistler/bagpiper/guitarist)"


I think that says it all!

JJ

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Rapunzel
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 07:55 AM

A fantastic night - well worth the 120 mile round trip. Although the late night is beginning to catch up with me now and I'm sleepily trying to hold it together at work...

See you all in April.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:01 AM

Me too - actually, I'm thinking of giving The Steamer a miss tonight - what do you reckon? A night in with Gene Hunt and the last few episodes of The Omega Factor...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 08:04 AM

Thank you for your wonderful music and your warm support which I will wear often!

Les

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Rapunzel
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 10:09 AM

Yes, let's have a night in - what do you want for tea?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 11:11 AM

We need some corn, salad, spinach - otherwise, maybe a korma, and trimmings?? Ultimately, the choice is yours of course...

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Rapunzel
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 11:58 AM

Right I'm off to Morrisons.
Apologies for abusing the thread for domestic matters, but it keeps the phone bill down. I won't let it happen again...

'Ale, thou art my darling...' - I can't get that song out of my head.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 12:03 PM

Though art my joy both night and morning.

Booths of Keswick have a great offer on Black Sheep, beer that is

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 12:27 PM

Booths! Good thinking, Les. They do that amazing Olive bread don't they? Greenhaulgh's or whatever... Rachel - if you're passing a Booths on your travels could you get some? And some soup maybe. I really can't be arsed with cooking tonight. And some chicken skin too, but not from Booths - Morrisons; bananas likewise.

Good Ale's all too rare a song; Ian McCulloch sings it up in Durham, and I'm sure yours is the only other one I've heard, Les. Thing is, most of these songs I've only ever heard in singarounds, so where they come from I've no idea. How's that for traditional folk-process?

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 12:54 PM

The Coppers have it so to speak

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Giant Folk Eyeball (inactive)
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 04:10 PM

On the 'Copper Family Of Rottingdean' CD on Topic.

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: John J
Date: 06 Mar 08 - 06:10 PM

We have a Booth's in Knutsford, I'm off there this weekend to stock up on beer.

John

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 04 May 08 - 04:59 PM

Oh... that Sedayne. What's the word for when you talk to someone on that Internet, & only later discover you've already met them in three-dimensional reality? 'Embarrassment', possibly.

Looking forward to Wednesday!

Subject: RE: New Singaround, Chorlton, Manchester
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 May 08 - 03:08 AM

Chorlton Arts Festival

Monday 19 May 8. 30pm
Upstairs at the Lloyds Hotel
Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, Manchester

An Evening of Folk Songs and Tunes mostly, but not exclusively, traditional.

With a collection of singers and musicians many of whom sing at the Beech on Beech Road, Chorlton, Manchester on the first Wednesday of the month.

Cheers

Les Jones