Fleetwood Folk Club has moved

Subject: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 08:57 AM

due to the closing of 'The Steamer', Fleetwood Folk Club's long time home, the club has now mover to 'The Mount Hotel' on the Esplanade, all other things remain the same i.e. thurs, at 08:30 p.m. everyone welcome.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:30 AM

Steamer closed for good Ron? Surely not. Historic pub, good beer, friendly management, and only recently refurbed. Another sad sign of the times if true.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:42 AM

Clive, well it's shut as of now. Landlord gave up the tenancy 'cause S&N demanded v.high rent, AND get all his beer through them [when he could get the same beer at 50% through a wholesaler!}. As of today no management company has moved in nor have any potential tennants been round. Aye a very sad time for real ale fans/folkies/and Fylde Festival goers. If it reopens I'll let you know.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 09:52 AM

Ron-

Alas! Sad news that The Steamer has been sunk in the depths of the recession. We certainly enjoyed the session we sang at last September. Our condolences to you all.

I think we may have also dined at the new place as well.

Does you still keep office hours at the new location?

Charley Noble and JudyB

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: breezy
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 10:21 AM

Forgive this 'shot in the dark' but is there an Angela Brennan , nurse, around those parts ?

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 10:30 AM

Charley, nothing else has changed either for the club or for myself!
Breezy, sorry can't recall her, not to say she's not around NW Lancs somewhere.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 10:36 AM

Of all the pubs we here of closing down the loss of The Steamer is probably the worst. We have spent so many happy hours there at the Festival and if it does not re-open then we shall realy miss it.

Joe and Maureen Nicholson

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: alex s
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 11:30 AM

From Burnley Folk Club - Sorry to hear this: we know the feeling. Best of luck in your new "home".

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 01:23 PM

Hopefully just a temporary loss for what has to be the best folk festival in England. the steamer with its proximity to the market and audience of shoppers, and the seafront and its backroom is a great part of the magic.

Missing you already.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 05:43 PM

Well at least the Mount's room is OK for a Club, and I'm sure you're welcomed but licensed premises open and close at the drop of hats now. We (Bothy) spent 38 years at the 'Blundell' in Birkdale through thick and thin and I thought we were there for life but alas no. Our new venue, and this seems to be a developing pattern, isn't a pub, it's an independent club which means we're not subject to the whims and vagaries of landlords, pub companies and the like.
All the same I shall miss the 'Steamer' if it doesn't refloat - ah, the hours I've put in for Alan Bell at Fylde Fests. there! The tension of trying to cram 2 dozen singers into a finite timeslot, the amusing banter with the indifferent but refreshed regulars, the PA malfunctions, (melting solder with a match) - and the large brandies needed afterwards before heading off to the Gasworkers Club to do it all again!

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 05 Apr 11 - 10:55 PM

Hopefully the Steamer closure will be temporary (alleged management oversight/lack of oversight by Scottish and Newcastle Breweries, who lease the pub from the Royal Bank of Scotland - wait a minute, don't WE own RBS? - does that mean WE own the Steamer?)

Sadly, another Festival venue, the Victoria ("Fleetwood's Oldest Pub") has finally closed its doors, rumours of conversion to flats. Further along Dock Street, the Fleetwood Arms is undergoing conversion to a dental surgery. The Ship closed some time back. Over the years the town lost the Cutty Sark, Gullivers and the Broadway.

On the "up" side, the Strawberry Gardens (scene of some of the very early "folk" events in Fleetwood - run by members of the Young Conservatives, would you believe?!) is about to be resuscitated by the transfer of Poulton-le-Fylde's Fuzzy Duck Brewery along with new management. Fuzzy Duck have already produced a special brew for Fleetwood's 175th Anniversary this year - I'll let you know when I've had a taste!

Meantime the Mount has Black Sheep Bitter and Adnam's (thanks, Dave, I owe you one!) and is also the venue for Fleetwood's Sunday night (mainly Irish, but all welcome) musician's session.

Ross

Subject: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Sailor Ron
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 11:49 AM

Due to the closure of The Steamer, Fleetwood Folk Club has moved to The Mount Hotel, The Esplanade, Fleetwood [another 'real ale' pub]. Still Thursdays at 08:30, and of course everyone is welcome

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: alex s
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:06 PM

Talk about deja vu... I've deja vued this, haven't I?

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 04:09 PM

Me too. Looks like Ron's been sleep-catting again... The Mount certainly looked busy earlier on though - more punters for their famous burgers...

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,AEOLA
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:23 PM

The Steamer closed!! Sign of the times. Sailor Ron your timing is out (0830?? ) I'll be at Fylde FF and have a chat. Good luck with the Mount Hotel, which area?

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Henryp
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 06:28 PM

It's just beside The Mount, which faces the Marine Hall.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 10:38 PM

This is the real Fleetwood Folk Club removal thread. Ignore all imitations.

And as somebody pointed out on the other thread, 08.30 is a bit early in the day (even Alan Bell doesn't expect Festival events to start then). I'd go for 20.30 myself.

Ross

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 06 Apr 11 - 10:43 PM

Guest Aeola (concertina player by any chance?) - agreed - 0830 doesn't exist for me most days. Better chance of the pub being open at 2030.

Ross (the Mount Hotel is just across the road from here, if that's any help!)

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 07 Apr 11 - 10:52 PM

And a good night was had by all. But who knows where we'll be next week? Watch this space.

Ross

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,AEOLA
Date: 08 Apr 11 - 02:26 PM

I GUESS I WASN'T QUITE CLEAR, WHAT I MEANT WAS -- WHICH AREA OF THE MOUNT HOTEL, IE THE DINING ROOM?

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 07:01 AM

Wherever you land up in the search for a permanent new room Ron, I wish you very good luck with it. I have fond memories of gigs at Fleetwood, always a fine atmosphere, which I'm sure you can re-create elsewhere. Sing On!.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: The Sandman
Date: 09 Apr 11 - 07:52 AM

Let me re echo Burls sentiments.
whose this nurse Breezy?and what relevance has the shot in the dark?, can we all play blind mans buff, or have a seance.

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Visitor
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 06:16 PM

Fleetwood Folk club venue:
We now meet every Thursday night at 8-30pm in The Strawberry Gardens, Poulton Road, Fleetwood FY7 6TF

Fleetwood Folk is a friendly gathering of enthusiasts who enjoy listening to and performing acoustic music in any style.

Caters for all types of acoustic music, from traditional English ballads, Irish jigs and reels, jazz, classical, blues, rock and roll, contemporary song writers  and many other forms of music. Tell a joke or story, read a poem you are sure to find a friendly audience. In addition we have guest artists featuring some of the best acts on the scene.

We welcome all performers and especially the complete novice. Everyone is welcome to come to the gathering either to perform or to simply listen and enjoy the various styles of music on offer.
About every 6 weeks or so a guest artist appears. These range from up and coming acts to the more established performers and represent a wide range of musical styles.

website: http://www.fleetwood-folk.com

Fleetwood Folk Club (Official website since 2006)

email: [e-mail]

Programme, correct venue details and contact links

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Charley Noble
Date: 21 Sep 11 - 10:43 PM

So when your crowd fetches up at the Blue Flamingo, be sure to send me a PM.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: LesB
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 05:56 AM

Thanks for your website link. I usually put you guest nights on my diary page, http://www.bothyfolkclub.co.uk
but I have never found a link to your website. So in future I will be able to link to you.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: Joe Nicholson
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:19 AM

Strawberry Gardens was used for the fylde Folk Festival its a great pub lots of real ale and the room upstairs is just grest to sing in.

Joe Nicholson

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Suibhne Astray
Date: 22 Sep 11 - 08:52 AM

I'm not so fond of the place myself; it lacks charm & humanity and looks like a bodged DIY job, although the beer's okay. I lament the loss of the lost old interiors of these great old pubs in which Folk Clubs and singarounds might thrive. There's even a brown carpet down in the club room! Still - it's good size room but not too big - and it warms up on a club-night in fine old style, and it isn't that The Steamer was exactly ideal, is it? We tried running a ballad session in there during the festival and lost it completely on account of the constant stream of ladies trooping through to use the back toilets as the others were blocked! Contrast that with the Poems and Pints in the same room the day before which was just blinding. When Cliff and Shirley had the Steamer it felt like a real pub - great food too. I was in there the other day with Ron and paid £2 for a crappy bun with half a slice of ham in it! In the old days you would have got crisps, salad garnish and a hefty barm stuffed with the finest filling for the same price. Hopefully the Strawberry Gardens will warm up once the plaster's dried, but one thing you can be sure of is a fine pint and a grand night, just a shame it's on a Thursday really which means our visits are few and far between.

If Jim Carroll's reading this, take note of that list of musical styles that pass as 'Folk Music' in the Famous Fleetwood Folk Club; it was this very issue that gave rise to my 1954 and All That thread. Might not be to my rarefied traddy tastes, but it makes for a jolly old club, what??

Subject: RE: Fleetwood Folk Club has moved
From: GUEST,Myrtle's cook
Date: 23 Sep 11 - 08:35 AM

Having eventually found the Strawberry during this year's Fylde I have to agree that its a good room, both for size and acoustically. Enjoyed a good Singer-Songwriter' session here follwed by a very good sing around run by Joe and Mo. The Steamer it is not, but have to agree that the catering at that establishment certainly left something to desired this year.

The Strwaberry's beer was excellent, pints topped up full, with CAMRA members getting a discount. I was even offered a couple of [small] samples of other beers they had on. Good customer service and always appreciated! The food looked and smelt good value (too full of cooked breakfast to partake).

Wishing the Fleetwood club all the best - we have always enjoyed the Thursday pre festival gathering, very friendly and excellent music.