Regional British TV folk programmes

Subject: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 09:34 PM

Whilst folk music on TV these days is a rarity, at one time it had a higher profile with programmes featuring the Spinners, Mike Harding and The Fivepenny Piece and others on national TV.
The BBC had a regional "opt-out" facility where the various regions around the country used to put their own programmes on - some of which featured folk music.
BBC Northwest from Manchester made shows by The Houghton Weavers for a number of years in the late 70s and early 80s called "Sit Thee Deawn" and Harry Boardman appeared in a programme called "Ballad of the Northwest" which lasted for three series in the early 70's and featured a number of the groups and performers in the folk world from the area.

As someone who lived in the north west, I was unaware of other regions' output of this nature and so I'd like to ask if anybody remembers programmes from their own broadcast regions around the country (BBC or the ITV regions) - maybe you appeared in some of them!

As far as I know "Ballad of the North West doesn't exist except for a few cassettes that I was given of the soundtrack made by pointing a microphone at the TV speaker. "Sit thee deawn" fares better in the archives as I believe most if not all programmes made are in the archive. Anybody know what else might still exist?

Cheers
Mark

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Leadfingers
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 09:41 PM

I dont have any recordings , but Steve Benbow had a TV prgramme on BBC in (I think) 1967 !

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: BobKnight
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 10:14 PM

Grampian TV in Aberdeen used to have a programme back in the 60's called, "Silver City Folk," which featured amongst others a very young Barbara Dickson.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 14 Nov 09 - 11:32 PM

I have Freesat and in the evenings at the weekend there's a channel called Alba which is very much Scottish. In fact no English is spoken on it much at all. They have some wonderful folkie programs.
Sal

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: doc.tom
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 05:38 AM

Back in the late 60s, on dear old Westward Television, about 10 minutes to off-air time at the end of an evening, they used to finish the programmes with Charlie Bate and Bob Cann playing tunes in a pretty bare set in the studio. When I served on the Arts Advisory Board of Television South West (who won the franchise from Westward), we went through the archives and not a trace could be found - it had all been live. Great loss!
TomB

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Sue Allan
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 06:04 AM

Border TV (covers Cumbria and Scottish Borders) had a series called, I think, One Evening of Late in the late 1960s. I seem to remember Robin Hall and Jimmy MacGregor featured quite a lot, and in other Border programmes.

As part of my research into Cumbrian folk music I have uncovered scripts of TV programmes BBC north west produced in Manchester which featured, as well as Cumbrian dancers, artistes such as Jacqui and Bridie, The Spinners, Steve Benbow. The programmes were hosted by Brian Redhead and Frank Bough, amongst others.

And when it comes to radio programmes, I imagine most BBC local radio stations produced folk programmes in the past Radio Carlisle, forerunner of Radio Cumbria, had 'Folk Workshop'. In addition, an earlier version of regional broadcasting, BBC North, in the 1950s and early 1960s had Merry Neet, Barn Dance and other programmes.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Johnny R.
Date: 15 Nov 09 - 07:59 AM

I used to live in Lincolnshire, but rather than tune in the the local radio programme I'd head up to the attic and listen to a folk show from Humberside. It might have been called the Folk and Roots Show, but I don't remember very well.

It was hosted by Henry Ayrton, and reception wasn't great (hence listening in the attic) - but the music was wonderful. I ended up going to Beverley Folk Festival because of my interest in those broadcasts.

Chris Wade appeared on the show quite a lot, and she later went on to run a music agency called
Adastra.

The show was notable for having some interesting guest appearances by Roger Wilson, Richard Thompson (once only I think) and others.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:03 AM

Thanks for the replies everyone.
Radio is a better media for folk music as far as the logistics of being on-air is concerned although all the programmes take some planning to organise guests and decide what to play - I know, I've done part of one for Ali O' Brien's Sounds of Folk when I was involved with a programme about Harry Boardman.

TV shows are more expensive by a factor that I wouldn't like to guess at and are more in the public eye when it comes to ratings.
These days it isn't "fashionable" to have a variety programme like there used to be - Val Doonican, Cilla, Lulu, Rolf Harris etc where there might be a possibility of getting the bigger name folk artists on. Does anybody remember if any artists had their own show - maybe Cyril Tawney or the Yetties, Fred Wedlock, Richard Digence, Ralph McTell, Steeleye Span...
It could have been that the smaller stations had programmes featuring their local superstars that the rest of us never got to see.
Granada in the Northwest used to have a five minute programme at the end of the evening's viewing (in the days before you could watch 24 hour telly) called "Thank You and Goodnight" where concerts by the Oldham Tinkers, Blaster Bates, Mike Harding et al would be recorded and split up into individual songs/pieces would be shown each night.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Smedley
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 08:08 AM

Mark, there is a regional TV archive located at Manchester Metropolitan University - it's possible they have copies of the shows you're discussing.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,zalby
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 10:36 AM

There are some great folk sessions on BBC iplayer. Click on to iplayer on your tv, select music from the menu and you should get a list of music programmes. Mainly they come from ALBA the Scots channel.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Folkiedave
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 10:38 AM

There is a programme called Blas Ceoil.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Bonecruncher
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 12:29 PM

In early 1960's the Iam Campbell Folk Groop and Paddy Bell were frequently on TV early evening. I cannot remember whether it was BBC or ITV, which I would have seen as Southern Television.
Colyn.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 12:59 PM

I remember watching Roger Whittaker late at night. He had a 10 minute program once a week I think on BBC. That was many many many years ago.

Mark it is Richard Digance not Digence. I will have to ask him and Fred Wedlock when they come to Faldingworth :-)

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Mark Dowding
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 01:58 PM

Apologies to Richard for getting his name wrong. In my defence I was at work and rushing. I get all sorts of spellings of my name for some reason - Last week at a gig I was called Mark Darling - but that's another story!!

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Rasener
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 02:03 PM

LOL I will come clean. I did exactly the same on my website and Richard sent me an e-mail to inform me of the mispelling. He sure did put me in my place. :-(

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: bill\sables
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 04:37 PM

Way back in the 60s most regional TV companies featured visiting folk singers in their early evening news magazine programmes I remember Tyne Tees "Look North" with the likes of Barry Skinner, Roy Harris and Johnny Handle and I played at Yorkshire TV, Border TV, Westwood TV, ABC Birmingham, Granada, Anglea, Grampian, Tyne Tees Thames TV and regional BBC stations as well.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Effsee
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 04:50 PM

The Great Western Musical Thunderbox (IIRC) was on
HTV in SW England in the early '70s. Hosted by Fred Wedlock.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: BobKnight
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 07:29 PM

Ralph McTell used to be on a kids programme called, "Tickle-On-The-Tum."

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Dave Roberts
Date: 16 Nov 09 - 07:55 PM

I may be accused of slight thread drift here, but don't the British have a genius for throwing away (or allowing to be thrown away)some unique and cherishable institutions?
The original ITV network was a sort of federation of independent commercial companies (hence the 'I' for 'Independent' in the network's generic name), each broadcasting to distinct regions of the country, all responsible for their own programming to a certain extent and all, in theory at least, able to contribute programmes to the network. There were production centres in every region, down to the very smallest in the Channel Islands.
Of course, the system wasn't perfect and the large companies in London, the North and the Midlands, which had most of the advertising revenue and hence most of the clout, called the tune and made it difficult for the 'minnows' of ITV to get programmes onto the network. But it could be done. And all those independent companies were proud to make programmes for their own regions, such as the folk music shows mentioned above.
Deregulation, and the infamous 'franchise auction' put an end to all that (wild horses could not drag from me the name of Margaret Thatcher in this connection),and we are now left with the appalling ITV PLC which has, effectively, brought an end to regional commercial broadcasting in the UK and churns out lowest common denominator drivel for much of the day.
And I do realise that competition from new digital satellite, cable and terrestrial channels has been a factor, but so has the whittling away by toothless 'regulators' of the Public Service Requirements for ITV stations (currently requiring something like half an hour per week of non-news regional programming, and likely to be droppped altogether soon).
Sorry to have climbed on the old soapbox - something I don't do a lot, but the loss of these regional stations has been incredibly detrimental to the cultural life of this country.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: ard mhacha
Date: 17 Nov 09 - 09:54 AM

Listen to beautiful version of Peggy Gordon, sung by Malachi Cush and Deirdre Bonner, from BBC N Ireland,
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ntrhh/Blas_Ceoil_Series_3_Episode_4/

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 05:25 AM

Here are some from the 50's and 60's:

JIG TIME
STV (Scotland)
Period: 1958
Host(s): David Kinnaird
Known guests: The Reivers, Betty Robson


ALEX AWHILE
STV (Scotland)
Period: 1961-1965
Host(s): Alex McEwen
Known guests: Steve Benbow, Dolina MacLennan, Robin Gray


BARNDANCE
BBC Manchester
Period: 1962-1964
Host(s): The Spinners (1962), Ian Campbell (1963), Steve Benbow (1964)


HULLABALOO
ATV (Birmingham)
Period: 1963-
Host(s): Rory McEwen
Residents: Martin Carthy, Cyril Davies All Stars
Known guests: Clancy Bros, Davy Graham, Ian Campbell, Sonny Boy Williamson
Notes: Shown in most regions (not London). ALL TAPES SURVIVE.
Not to be confused with Hullabaloo, musical variety series on NBC (USA) 1965-1966.


HALLELUJAH!
ABC (Birmingham)
Period: 1963
Known guests: Bert Jansch, Martin Carthy, Nadia Cattouse
Note: Shown in most regions (not London)


PLECTRUM
STV (Scotland)
Period: 1963
Host(s): Steve Benbow


SINGALONG
BBC
Period: 1964
Known guests: Martin Carthy, Nadia Cattouse, The Corries


DANCE AND SKYLARK
BBC Manchester
Period: 1964
Host(s): The Spinners


ONCE MORE WITH FELIX
BBC
Period: 1967-69
Host(s): Julie Felix
Known guests: Tom Paxton

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 07:35 AM

Tyne Tees Television, in the late sixties, did two series of "Walk Right In" hosted by Wally Whyton and produced by Jim Lloyd. It featured most of the type of guests that you would hear on their "Country Meets Folk" radio programme:- The Spinners, The Campbells, Alex Campbell, Jerry Lockran, Cliff Aungier, The Johnstones plus the odd local name including The High Level Ranters, The Callies and Fred Lawson.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 18 Nov 09 - 01:43 PM

An important omission is that the co-presenter of 'Dance & Skylark' was Stan Hugill.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 12:53 PM

Back in the early 70s while I was working for BBC South in Southampton we produced a half hour folk programme, "Look What They've Done To My Song", using nearly all local performers, Jake Thakray being the exception.
They included Dave Williams, Mo Thomas and Rick Keeling and the show was introduced by Steve Race.
I invited members of the Cutty Wren and Fo'c's'le Folk Clubs to make up the audience.
The local press loved it, and here I quote from memory.."...BBC South has stepped out of the dark ages...lets have more".
In 1972 BBC South produced a half hour film of the Christchurch Festival, with names such as The High Level Ranters, Vin Garbutt, Johnny Collins, The Songwainers, etc.

Along the way I was able to coerce "them that decide" to feature a few locals such as, Mo Thomas of course, The Ragged Boys, Malcomb and Graham.
Since then....Hmmmmm??
I think in later years the easy going style of the average folk singer was not seen to be sophisticated enough for the new age.
Ho hum.

Andy

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Ptarmigan
Date: 08 Dec 09 - 03:43 PM

We've got a good one up here in Northern Ireland called 'Blas Ceoil' BBC 2 Northern Ireland.

On that you get a real mix of Trad, Folk, Singer/Songwriter etc etc.

In fact I was on it just last week. The show was from Fermanagh & this time it was very trad.

You can see the format for yourself in these two video clips.

Ciarán Kelly, Ciarán Curran, and Dick Glasgow play Joe Ryan's Waltz/ Jimí Bhidí Mhicís Waltz for Blas Ceoil series 3.

< http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p005hygs >

Ciarán Kelly, Ciarán Curran, and Dick Glasgow play The Cuilcagh Polkas/The Sliabh Lucan Polka for Blas Ceoil series 3.

Cheers,
Dick

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Wattsy
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:12 PM

Have come in on this late while looking for info on Hullabaloo. Sminky says that all tapes survive for this ITV Midlands series from the early 60s. Does Sminky or anyone else know where the tapes are and/or who owns them?
Thanks
Wattsy

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Leadfingers
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:18 PM

Interesting that No One mentioned The Hootenanny Show , which as I recall came from 'The Place' in Edinburg in 1964 ish ! Good old Anutie Beeb ran it early evening once a week , and it was my introduction to Folk , featuring The Dubliners , Corrie Folk Trio with Paddie Bell , Ian Campbell Folk Group , and many more !

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 04:11 PM

"Fiddles And Whistles An' A" - BBC Scotland in the 1980s. Remember "Ossian", "Silly Wizard", June Tabor & Martin Simpson, Allan Taylor, "Crannachan".
There was also a Channel 4 series with the ridiculous title of "How To Be Celtic", which featured "Ossian" at the Lorient festival, "Bucca" from Cornwall, the "Chieftains", Dick Gaughan, Jean Redpath, and Galician group Milladoiro" playing in the "Elbow Room" in Kirkcaldy! 4 one hour programmes, I think in that series.
The Corries had several programmes from Edinburgh as well, and I remember the Fureys, Loudon Wainwright III and Juan Rodriguez as guests.
I also have a recording of "De Danann" playing on a Saturday morning Gaelic kids programme.
Grampian TV here in Aberdeen had a programme in the 70s called "Marc Time" with Marc Ellington. I remember being in the audience to hear Sandy Denny at one of those programmes.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,andrew
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 03:35 AM

In 1982 YTV screend the Templenewsam folk festival ,the week after ,it had Moving haerts Steeley span and others over 5 nights each show had an hour of the same band

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 04:27 AM

Wattsy:

I'm pretty sure my source was Colin Harper's book 'Dazzling Stranger - Bert Jansch and the British Folk and Blues Revival'.

If so then Colin is certainly contactable and hopefully can give you the info on the tapes.

I'll double check my source and let you know (I'm at work right now).

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 05:21 AM

Someone mention Loudon Wainwright???

Here's two songs from his appearance on 'The Corries and other folk" in 1987 - posted on YouTube by myself. Paste the link into your browser if it is not clickable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zbn0j9nKKw

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 05:26 AM

Very atmospheric link in an era before the Smoking Ban. Just look at the thick clouds!!!!! You can just make out the singer through them. :-)

'Loudon Wainwright guests on 'The Corries and other folk'"

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 06:02 AM

Can't look at that at the moment, but I do remember him singing the "Golfer's" Song", and trying to get a group of elderly ladies to join in the chorus - "C'mon - get hostile !"

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 04:41 AM

Wattsy:

Yes, in the notes on page 331, Colin Harper states that there were thirteen episodes of Hullaballoo: two series, taped in June 63 and circa April 64. "Remarkably, all survive".

Colin is librarian at the City of Belfast College of Music.

This website has an email link (bottom of page).

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Anthony Harland
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 08:03 AM

I've just found this site and posted a thread concerning Davy Graham and a link to a show called Hullabaloo whch features him backing Carolyn Hester. Someone has posted a link to this thread saying you were discussing "lost" TV shows so I'm mentioning it here so that if you want to watch a 1963 episode of Hullabaloo, with Martin Carthy, Long John Baldry, Cyril Davies' All Stars, Tommy Makem & The Clancy Bros, and Carolyn Hester backed by Davy Graham then follow the link I posted.


Anthony

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 11:07 AM

Isla St Clair once hosted a TV programme called ' The Story And The Song ' featuring a traditional ballad and the story behind it, it was very good.

Dave H

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 Jun 10 - 11:14 AM

Anyone remember Songs from the Two Brewers Pretty sure it was Granada but the above link is all I can find!

DeG

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Ken Campbell......Yes! The man himself!
Date: 01 Nov 15 - 12:40 PM

I've just been going through your old threads for the FOLK MUSIC series on BBC North in the 1970S called Ballad of the North West in which i was involved.   It was produced by Douglas Boyd who is currently still about and a successful writer of historical novels and living in France.
I wrote several scripts for this for programs, including all three series. I think the first program was THE WRECKERS that featuring THE PENINE FOLK, then TROUBlE & STRIFE for the OLDHAM TINKERS; THE GREAT LEAD RUSH for the Stockport based BULLOCK SMITHY
A copy of that one might be still around but I understand the rest were
wiped by the BBC back in the 1970s; I also wrote THE WAY OF THE WITCH, again for BULLCK SMITHY; the ALAbama INCIDENT for THE PENINES (?) AND
THE PRIVATEER for a group in Buxton whose name can't recall...it must be my age!! Then of course there was THE PRVATEER, ALSO ONE OF MINE.
BEST WISHES!

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band"
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 05:18 AM

The late Simon Evans presented, for a number of years, a programme devoted to traditional and folk music on BBC Radio Kent from the Chatham studios. He was enthusiastic about showcasing local artists.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Jim Martin
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 06:35 AM

Grampian TV produced a Scottish fiddle music prog which is subsequently being repeated on BBC Alba:

http://www.tvguide.co.uk/detail/753126/100082377/ceol-aig-a-chaisteal-fiddle-music#.VjdHPW6SWVo

& Anglia TV have televised the Cambridge Folk Fest:

http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/136576

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Mark Dowding at work
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 09:05 AM

Hi Ken

You've been someone I've been wanting to get in touch with for years but I've never found anyone who knew where you were!

More information about Ballad of the Northwest is on here Ballad of the Northwest

Since I first put the thread on here I've found that the North West Film Archive have film clips that were made for the series and you can see a minute or so from "Narras and Flats" on the NWFA website.
I managed to get hold of a few scripts from various people who were in the series and Pat Ryan gave me quite a number of tapes of the soundtrack that she recorded by sticking a microphone in front of the telly. It's not brilliant but you can hear it.

I also managed to get in touch with Douglas Boyd to see if he would have had any video of the series but unfortunately he didn't.

All the best Ken

If you want to get in touch I'm at [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 09:25 AM

Mark - I think Ken moved from Hazel Grove many years ago to somewhere between the Lakes and Carlisle; no doubt he'll confirm if he wants to.

Ken - Long time ago those days at the Deanwater! Would the group from Buxton by any chance be the Peak Folk? (lead singer Judy Aucott as she was in those days - there's a thread about her somewhere on here under her new married name of "Hancock".)

Ray

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 10:31 AM

Was looking up "Freight Train" on YouTube the other day and came up with the clip I'll link to below: it mentions a series that Aly Bain had in 1985 called "Down Home":
Elizabeth Cotten and Freight Train

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 10:38 AM

I remember an afternoon programme in the seventies I think called Music Box, presented be Fred Wedlock, the

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 10 Feb 16 - 07:52 AM

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 02 Nov 15 - 10:31 AM

Was looking up "Freight Train" on YouTube the other day and came up with the clip I'll link to below: it mentions a series that Aly Bain had in 1985 called "Down Home":
Elizabeth Cotten and Freight Train

====

I have the complete series of 'Down Home' - all digitised and ready to go. Aha - but where to go .... that's the moot point.

CJB

====

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,John
Date: 13 Jun 17 - 07:50 PM

Does anybody know where you can view the tapes of Hullabaloo? I have told they were on utube but have since been taken down.

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 14 Jun 17 - 12:25 PM

What is or was Hullabaloo?

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 14 Jun 17 - 02:40 PM

HULLABALOO
ATV (Birmingham)
Period: 1963-
Host(s): Rory McEwen
Residents: Martin Carthy, Cyril Davies All Stars
Known guests: Clancy Bros, Davy Graham, Ian Campbell, Sonny Boy Williamson 
Notes: Shown in most regions (not London). ALL TAPES SURVIVE.
Not to be confused with Hullabaloo, musical variety series on NBC (USA) 1965-1966. 
thread.cfm?threadid=125052&messages=47#2768264 

& see link in
thread.cfm?threadid=125052&messages=47#2842738 

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 20 - 05:17 AM

Are there ANY such programmes these in ENGLAND as opposed to more enlightened parts of the UK? One- offs maybe but no ongoing series like the ones here?

Subject: RE: Regional British TV folk programmes
From: GUEST,patriot
Date: 02 Jan 20 - 05:22 AM

do you mean actually performing the music rather than analysing and talking about it- there's plenty of the latter!