Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 23 Dec 20 - 03:32 PM

Ta Dick
According to my records your first booking at the Bluebell was 10th June 1979 for which you received the princely sum of £22. I did the club on the 18th March and got £13.50. From 1988 to 1994 you did regular gigs at the club.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 23 Dec 20 - 02:53 PM

Cheers Dick
I'm on one of the new fangled diets where you cut down on variety.
Just hope beer and crisps works.
and by the way - are you on messenger?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Dec 20 - 10:46 AM

the first time i met steve was in 1976 at whitby festival and malcolm storey i met when he was running bluebll folk cl;ub , stout fellows all

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 22 Dec 20 - 08:54 AM

'King's College'. Yep, all familiar now.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 21 Dec 20 - 07:18 PM

Thanks Steve
That's another day in my lifelong diary filled in.
I have photos of the shows at York and a copy of myself singing at one of the show team does at Hornsea.
I am fairly certain Eric Mann capture me for posterior!
The York venue was not actually part of the University as it did not actually exist as such then - may have been Kings College.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Dec 20 - 02:12 PM

That's the one. I remember the name 'King's Manor' now.

Malcolm, I've found a note on that York booking at Noel's club. It was 11th October 74.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Joe G
Date: 21 Dec 20 - 11:44 AM

Ah found it - from the York Uni Website - the Kings Manor is a beautiful old building next to the Art Gallery in York city centre

The Cellar - York Uni

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 21 Dec 20 - 11:12 AM

Might be, Joe. I have checked the records and it was part of the University in the city centre and was actually called The Cellar. 18th Jan 1969 with the Grehan Sisters. The earliest ceili we had in York with the Watersons was April 67.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Joe G
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 07:09 PM

Steve - Lendal Cellars off Coney Street has an underground vaulted ceiling but I don't know if it ever hosted a folk club as only moved here four years ago!

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 02:07 PM

I vaguely remember Custer's Mufflers was an offshoot of Custer's Last Band or it might have been a merger between CLB and something with Mufflers in the name. Again only vague recollection from the early 70s but CLB could have been a musicians band with John Barnes involved, although I can remember Roy being involved. Yes, great times, Malcolm. I wish I could remember them all. I remember some great gigs with the whole of the Bluebell road show, mummers, dancers, singers, musicians. What was that place in York where we used to perform, a vaulted ceiling something like the Cavern in Liverpool?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 12:35 PM

un those days it was a good tradtional club with a good audience i played the other club in york too that eventually became the black swan , not the same atmosphere at all, ye sthey were happy days when trad songs were appreciated and clubs were generally full

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Malcolm Storey
Date: 20 Dec 20 - 06:36 AM

At one time Roy Atkinson (AKA Colonel Custard), Steve Gardham and myself were doing bookings under the name of Custer's Mufflers (Don't ask!).
We were invited to Noel's Club and did a 45 minute first spot. We then expected to do a similar set to round off the night.
Noel duly introduced us and off we went expecting to get the two more signal after half an hour or so.
After 90 minutes we asked if we could stop as we had run out of group material? Noel agreed if we could just finsh things off with a chorus song each!
After an hour driving back and dropping Roy and Steve off I finally got to bed at 2:45am.
Happy days.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: The Sandman
Date: 19 Dec 20 - 08:15 PM

I always enjoyed NOEL DOBSONS CLUB AT YORK.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Tony Bowman
Date: 19 Dec 20 - 05:06 PM

I ran the Ferrands Arms F. C. with Jon Rennard & Bob Clark an American. Every Wed for many years. Ewan Mcall & Peggy Seger were our top guests. Also Jeremy Taylor & Bernard Wrigley & Richard Digance, Maddy Prior & Tim Hart. Sadly Jon was killed in a car crash @ the height of his career. Tony Capstick let us down on one of our big celebration nights but we managed to get The Oldham Tinkers.Happy Days!

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Bridget
Date: 21 Jun 20 - 05:45 PM

I have just read this thread and have thoroughly enjoyed the references to David Harrison and my late father David Hopton. I too have fond memories of being a youngster and singing along side to two of these fantastic figures in my life. Long live their memories and their crazy antics. X

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Dennis the Elder
Date: 09 Dec 19 - 05:40 AM

It may have been another name for the Leeds Irish Centre

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Damian
Date: 08 Dec 19 - 10:06 AM

Hello.

Does anyone know about a pub called “Mcreadys” that was in Leeds in the 1960’s? Mcready may have been the name of the Landlord. Been in Leeds nearly 30 years and not heard of it.

Thanks in advance.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Nov 19 - 03:17 PM

on the subject of walter greaves, he once did a gig down in mildenhall suffolk cycled to the gig from yorkshire and then cycled back after the gig, the one armed champion cyclist

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Frances
Date: 17 Nov 19 - 12:28 PM

I have many happy memories of the folk scene in Halifax, Richard Collins - what a great guy! I think he will remember me . If you read this Richard I send you and yours very best wishes and good luck in all you do down under !
The Fleece in Addingham was a favourite haunt for me and my friends , very happy days .

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: JHW
Date: 24 Oct 19 - 06:21 AM

A lot to read here but Richmond doesn't seem to have had a mention.
Mid sixties at The Oak Tree, (which now is houses) my first FC and been going in Richmond ever since, sometimes called a FC sometimes just what happened on a Friday. Currently (2019) back at The Black Lion and usually in the best room upstairs (unless the landlord gets a better offer).

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Brian McCarthy
Date: 22 Oct 19 - 11:51 AM

I remember regularly joining a convoy of Folkies from the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon area. We would travel down the A61 to the Eagle on North Street ,Leeds on a sunday lunchtime.there were some great clubs in those days. including the borough Bailiff at Knaresborough, courtesy of john and Maggie Burrell et al . Harrogate theatre, Foster Beck, Grewelthorpe, Kirby Malzeard, The Blackamore at Ripon, where Roger Knowles was a regular. I was at sea a lot of the time so missed many great acts

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,GUEST: DaveA
Date: 09 Aug 17 - 07:51 AM

Just stumbled on this site, it takes me back. My favourite club was the informal Cherry Tree, run by "Geordie Tyke" (actually Sid was really a Macam). Even my wife felt so relaxed and comfortable that she sang with me.
Ray Padgett ran the first couple of clubs that we regularly attended and the first time I plucked up courage to sing was with Ray's blessing at a pub in Barnsley.
The Centenary Rooms at Barnsley was where we first saw Martin Carthy, The Watersons, Tony Rose, Tony Capstick, Magic Lantern (Shadow puppet group, brilliant); but Ray Padgett also got some great artists to headline at his clubs- Dave Burland, Wendy Grossman from USA and Roy Bailey spring to mind.
Glad I happened on this site. We moved to the North East after the strike and never got back onto the folk scene really after 1986.
Thanks for the memories you've all just triggered and to those who listened to us, entertained us and made us part of a vibrant, friendly and rewarding scene.
Dave (of Joy and Dave "fame")

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,padgett
Date: 28 Apr 17 - 03:01 AM

Sad to inform that Betsy ~ Pete Betts has passed on around a year ago!

Ray

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,folky
Date: 27 Apr 17 - 08:39 AM

hello strummer maybe betsy remembers val and husband

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,strummer
Date: 22 Mar 17 - 11:07 AM

what happened to val and husband who ran the Victoria club in Pudsey. I think they had a rhubarb farm

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,John Bates
Date: 11 Mar 17 - 12:52 PM

Nellies in Beverley (The White Horse) didn't become a folk club until after Nelly and family had departed. I am reasonably sure it started in 1974 or 5. I used to sing there and occasionally at Driffield and Holme-upon-Spalding Moor until I left the area. I also have memories of some of the other places mentioned in other threads especially Halifax and Huddersfield.

Great times.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: r.padgett
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 03:43 AM

The White Swan was it? where Beverley folk club continued till changes in management and licencing

This was great venue for the folk festival and Nellies, was the nickname as the old landlady dispensed beer by ladle or someother such means and was I was told a character, I got the impression the tables downstairs were wooden and big and had many a scrubbing down

Upstairs still lit by gaslight and wicks on the wall for many a year, late Geoff Turner did the door during folk festival and had help from Brenda and Norrie Spence (now in Leeds at the Grove fc!) and Chris Wade a festival director


ray

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: oggie
Date: 14 Apr 15 - 02:58 AM

"Somebody upthread mentioned Nellies in Beverley - I'm sure that was open before the mid-70s because I seem to remember going there in my late teens/early 20s."

I came to Hull in 1975 and it opened about a year later. Guest that first night (done as a favour to the organiser Ray Williams) was Mick Elliott. I think the first "proper" guest night a few weeks later was Pegleg Ferret.

In the early days it still had the old gas lamps in place and it was the first time the room had been used since the nineteen thirties. It also had the original bar (not the monstrosity that's there now) which was a marble table with a washing up bowl underneath. The beer pumps were set into the back wall.

Steve

PS It also had about the best acoustics of any room I've been in although the roaring fire behind the guests could play hell with tuning :)

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: r.padgett
Date: 13 Apr 15 - 11:27 AM

Yes Bretton Hall was a music college I think too and I remember being at the folk events on occasion up in the rafters a barn maybe?


Wakefield had contemporary folk with Gifford Rolfe and Andrew Mullins at a venue in a park building off Denby Dale rd Wakefield witha dedicated following who didnt go many other place

Woolpack was famous barn dance venue centre of Wakfield and had the Mathews Brothers semi resident for some time early 70s

ray

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,David Nuttall , Wakefield
Date: 13 Apr 15 - 07:45 AM

I was at Bretton Hall Teacher Training College from 1963 to 1966 and there was a lively weekly folk club held there .....both for the students and the general public . It was formed and run by Kevin Slater who is still very active in all forms of music in and around Telford. Mike Levon ( Holy Ground Records ) made many live recordings of the folk sessions there and some are used on later C.D s....see Holy Ground Records website . We also sang and played in the legendary MOODIE'S BAR in 9 Bread Street , Wakefield which was NOT a folk club as such but was a gem for live folk music. Here , too , Mike made many live recordings.

In the centre of Wakefield was the WOOLPACK hotel which housed a weekly folk club for a number of years and was run by Tony Foxworthy . I believe he is still very active in Folk Music.

The Folk scene is today extremely active in and around Wakefield ( see Fernandes Folk and Bull And Fair House Folk ).You are always very welcome.


David

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Stuart
Date: 12 Apr 15 - 05:18 PM

Just had a slow and nostalgic wander through all the above - could be a day or two before the smile wears off! So many familiar names/venues/clubs. I haven't scoured all the listings but one club seems to be without a mention - Wakefield Folk Club at the Green Dragon,(now Henry Boon's Westgate (fridays) ,late 60's/early 70's. I hope I'm not the "last man standing"

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Betsy
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 07:40 PM

Sorry about this glitch - I was trying to type - Graham and Dave Priestly were the Pudsey organisers. Thanks to "Just call me Al" - I couldn't remember Seacroft., and, there was also a folk "do" on a barge in Leeds

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Betsy
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 07:33 PM

Previous message - Dave ng GRAHAM PUDSY

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Betsy
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 07:04 PM

Dave and Graham Priestly lovely characters

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,gw
Date: 11 Dec 14 - 07:30 AM

dave and graham ran the Victoria at Pudsey. later Valerie and husband. anybody got any surnames ?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 May 14 - 03:11 AM

Was that run by two brothers around 1971/2?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 30 May 14 - 08:15 PM

Well the Topic was there of course in various venues - before my time - I came to Bradford in 1982 but a detailed venue & guest list is on the Topic website.

The club is still going strong and it would be good to see people at our lovely new venue Glyde House. We meet every Thursday with the first Thursday being a Singers & Musicians Night and remainder guest nights - a health mix of new and upcoming artists and old favourites!

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 May 14 - 08:09 AM

Was that run by two brothers?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,guest geoff w
Date: 30 May 14 - 05:49 AM

Victoria club at Pudsey. anybody with any memories ?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Peter Trout
Date: 06 Mar 14 - 03:13 PM

There was a thriving folk Club at The Bridge, the pub in Grinton, Swaledale during the early 70s. Primus motor was Carl Grossman who in his day wrote "Down the Dustpipe" which was a hit for Status Quo. I have Many happy memories from Nights playing there.

Peter

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Peter Trout
Date: 06 Mar 14 - 03:13 PM

There was a thriving folk Club at The Bridge, the pub in Grinton, Swaledale during the early 70s. Primus motor was Carl Grossman who in his day wrote "Down the Dustpipe" which was a hit for Status Quo. I have Many happy memories from Nights playing there.

Peter

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 06 Mar 14 - 10:53 AM

Geoff Ingham, now there's a name I remember very well from 71 - 72. Worked on the Ham on the Bone counter in Lewis's. If you went in for a chat he'd would slice you a bit which might contain a bit of his thumb. I ment him and a pile of others my first week end in Leeds - at The Grove, Brian and Keith (sadly gone) - brilliant. They invited me to a party - meeting in Whitelocks around 6 the next night - 2 buses to somewhere. Great party. Geoff and a few others ended up in a fish pond and Geoff claimed to have eaten a fish. Just before I left Leeds I asked him - did you eat a fish? He said no! Two. Got The Light Dragoon from Geoff.

Great crowd, great fun, Sunday at The Adelphi run by Bob (also sadly gone) and Hazel Sprey. Loads of other clubs. Sue Garth Mason - good singer, Dave Bulmer - accordian.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,hokum
Date: 06 Mar 14 - 08:18 AM

Geoff ingham last seen working as driving instructor in roundhay, leeds. Geoff ingram also went to the grove as did several other geoffs. any info on Victoria Pudsey?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Troutweaver
Date: 21 May 13 - 04:03 AM

Fantastic attack of nostalgia!
Thursday nights at the Fleece Addingham. Was run by a chap called Martin Johnston I think. From 78/9 to 82 I sat atop that piano at the back with my drinking buddy TC. On Sundays another of David's shouts was, "Shut up or I'll follow you home and talk while you perform!"

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: selby
Date: 05 Feb 13 - 09:51 AM

The Landlord of the Bay Horse Tadcaster 1963 to 1976 ish was a guy called John Gunning
who did indeed write the song The Sweet River Aire. Which incidentally occasionally pops up in threads about Walter Greaves
Keith

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Feb 13 - 07:42 AM

Does she still sing?

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Feb 13 - 03:49 PM

Sue Garth Mason

Lovely voice; knew her quite well in the early 70s but no idea what happened to her

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Just Call Me Al
Date: 03 May 12 - 11:24 AM

Re the above threads. I used to be around the Leeds Folkscene late sixties early seventies, and can remember quite a few clubs. Here goes:- Adelphi(Bob Spray), Irish National on Kirkgate, The Elden,The Cobourg, The Guildford (Johnnie Wall), The Royal Park another one of Johnnie Walls numorous ventures, The Grove of course, The Albion at Morley, The Brunswick and Angel at Morley, Black Bull at Birstall also Wine and Spirit Vaults, Black Swan at Yeadon, The Cottages at Boroughbridge, Borough Baillif at Knaresborough, Bay Horse at Tadcaster, Seacroft(Maypole Club) which moved from Barwick in Elmet, thats it for now. If I think of any more I'll let you know. It was great you could go to a different Folk Club seven nights a week. Don't ask me to name the performers who were all top notch, I'd be here forever.

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Just Call Me Al
Date: 25 Apr 12 - 08:44 AM

I used to floor sing in the 70s and the clubs were numerous. but I wonder who can help me. One of my favourite clubs was The Bay Horse at Tadcaster on Saturday nights. The landlord(who ran the club)was a great character himself and I believe he actually wrote the song "Sweet River Aire" which Walter Greaves used to sing. Can anyone remember his name?
Can anyone remember the words to that song. Happy memories!

Subject: RE: Yorkshire folk clubs 60's and 70's
From: GUEST,Judy
Date: 26 Mar 12 - 08:22 AM

I used to help organise The Grass Roots in Halifax when it was at the Plummet Line I could usually be found taking the moeny at the door.
The club was run by Gus Grenfell aka John Smith.
Many of the artists listed above performed at the Grass Roots and at the Singing Jenny, we often booked singers for the two clubs together.
Haven't noticed Pete Stanley or Nigel Denver mentioned, quite frequent visitors to the club.
a group of us would go to the Jenny, the Topic, was that where John Pashley operated? and the club where the Seven Hills resided in leeds.