Millom (UK) Folk Club

Subject: Miillom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Sep 26 - 03:09 PM

For over 40 years I have got to know a little corner of the Lake District, just above the Duddon estuary, containing the little town of Millom. A former iron mining centre now sadly run down but in beautiful part of the country known as the Lake District Peninsulas. I am holidaying in Haverigg, a village just outside Millom and I was on a nostalgia trip today. In the 80s, when we first started coming here, Millom had a very lively folk club in a pub called The Castle. It was a Hartley's pub and I somehow survived a few pints of Hartley's XB to make it back to our holiday home in one piece. I don't know when the folk club closed. Hartley's brewery was taken over and closed by Robinson's a long time back and the Castle is now private accommodation.

Did anyone here have anything to do with it or does anyone else remember it? I think Greg Stevens lived in the area once and, if you read this Greg, I am hoping to pop in the King Billy tomorrow:-)

DtG

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Sep 26 - 04:12 PM

Sounds like a lovely nostalgic vacation, Dave. I hope you get some answers regarding the folk clubs.

I've taken a look via Google Earth - and I have questions! With that big breakwater behind the seawall I wonder at the history - there is no break to get out of that bay, but was it at one time a fishing community? Do you go to the beach? Is there surf fishing or dinosaur bone collecting or anything else going on in the region? I remember seeing photos of hikes up onto a ridge or mountain that you posted years ago - is this the area where you have taken those hikes? I see some substantial peaks in the area.

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: DaveRo
Date: 20 Sep 26 - 04:54 PM

Hodbarrow RSPB reserve

(RSPB = Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 05:08 AM

There were 2 sea walls, Stilly, both built to help to keep water out of the iron mines. Thd inner one collapsed but the outer still stands and forms a lagoon now used for watersports. Hodbarrow, mentioned by Dave, above, has a beautiful secluded beach as well as the bird sanctuary. Can only be accessed by foot and is one of my favourite places ever. You do have to be careful with the times though as it forms part of the estuary and deep channels fill at an alarming pace!

Most of my walking is in the Yorkshire Dales but I have done my share of lakeland fells including Black Combe, just above Haverigg, and Scafell Pike, England's highest peak, above Wasdale about 25 miles north of here. 6 yearus back my daughter and I did a walk up Black Combe and I did post some pics on Facebook but I dunno if they ×ere the ones you refer too.

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 07:12 AM

Funnily enough it 6 years ago to the day when Catherine and I climbed Black Combe! Facebook reminded me :-)

Stilly, sent you a link on messenger but here is a direct one -

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Hw5PmCyaK/

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 11:20 AM

Yes - that is the excursion I remember viewing. Those are much older and worn down mountains than the range I grew up admiring and climbing in, but when you're up in any mountains looking at the plants and wildlife and the views it's a good use of your time and it soothes your soul.

I think I remember now reading something about those iron mines and flooding. I probably explored the region when you first took that trip.

Does no one fish there?

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 01:32 PM

I fished off the sea wall once and caught 2 flat fish which we ate for supper :-) No-one fishes into the lagoon because people of the water sports going on there.

We tried to get to the King Billy today by foot but sadly failed. Lanes for a mile. Hell of a rough path from about 1 mile out to 1.5 miles. Easy for another half mile then totally impassable for the last quarter mile! We came back a slightly easier route and drove back for a swift pint later :-)

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 01:43 PM

How has your search for live music in the region progressed?

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 03:45 PM

No good so far but we are here until Saturday

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 21 Sep 26 - 05:16 PM

A popular monthly FOLK & ACOUSTIC SESSION -songs and tunes welcome, at Dockray Hall Penrith. Running on every 4th Tuesday at 8pm.

Every Wednesday Appleby Acoustic at The Hub, Chapel Street, Appleby, CA16 6QR, 3-5pm, folk, blues, contemporary, pop, etc etc. Refreshments available. Organiser Brian Gaudet - [e-mail]

Folk Thursdays at The Kings Hotel, Ulverston: live Cumbrian folk, 50% off pizza and £4 Guinness every Thursday from open to close. Walk-ins welcome. Booking is recommended to guarantee seating.

Ullswater Ukulele Society meet at Glenridding Village Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 10am until 12noon. £1.50 per session. All welcome. For info [e-mail] or [e-mail].

Simon Rose hosts the monthly last Thursday mixed song & music session at The Punchbowl, Barrows Green.

The Lake District Folk & Acoustic Club extra night on Friday September 25th WE MAVERICKS in STAVELEY ROUNDHOUSE doors 7.30pm entry £10 No bar BYOB A Kiwi and an Australian, Victoria Vigenser & Lindsay Martin.
https://wegottickets.com/event/685621 or email [e-mail] for BACs payment details

Close Quarters and All at Sea are in concert at St Mark’s Church Natland on Saturday 26th September 7pm. Pay on the door £10. In aid of church funds and Paddlers for Life Windermere (breast cancer survivors dragonboat team) paddlersforlife.co.uk

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Sep 26 - 05:47 AM

Thanks Henry.

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 22 Sep 26 - 02:28 PM

Local info
Furness Tradition
https://furnesstradition.org.uk/whats-on/

locations
Folk Club Map
https://folkclubmapuk.wordpress.com/2024/06/17/open-the-map/
This is best on a tablet or something larger.
Scroll down to see alternative ways of opening the map.

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Sep 26 - 12:53 PM

Back home now. Didn't manage any folk music stuff but the area is outstanding for folklore. As well as a beautiful and pretty quiet part of the country. Didn't manage Swinside Stone Circle this time but did get to the Giants Grave at Kirksanton. The other thing that I had seem before but it seems more significant now is the memorial to "honour the heroic lives lost in sea rescues in the British Isles". Right near the Inshore rescue base at Haverigg and on the British coastal path.

Talking of the coastal path - Mondays aborted attempt to get to the King Billy would have been far easier using the coastal path. Hindsight is a wonderful thing init? :-)

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 26 Sep 26 - 12:57 PM

Shame no-one remembers Millom Folk Club though. Some time after the club closed I did go to see Gary and Vera Aspey at the Palladium in Millom. That building is now derelict too. Don't think it was Gary’s fault though :-D

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 26 Sep 26 - 02:56 PM

I'll should see Greg in November* and if I remember this thread I shall ask him about The Castle.


*Penkhull Mystery Singers
www.facebook.com/groups/316288245051240/

Subject: RE: Millom (UK) Folk Club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Sep 26 - 03:06 AM

Thanks Freddy