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Manchester Neglected....
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Subject: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 27 Nov 01 - 07:53 PM Does anyone care out there? Okay...I've been away from the folk scene for a while...from '85 to '99 as a matter of fact(except for playing bass with various ceilidh bands for hard cash, which doesn't really count does it?)...and I remember Mike billington's programmme on Radio Manchester, or was it G.M.R. even then? I remember a full folk column in the Manchester Evening News and not just a few scrappy lines...and a healthy attendance in the clubs (maybe these things are related). Radio Merseyside...shunted to Sundays at 6p.m. but there's a folk programme there...and Leeds, Cumbria, Shropshire catered for and then.....Manchester...nothing! Zilch! Zero! What the hell has happened? Why have things been allowed to slip so much fro media attention? What is to be done sweet Manchester mudkitties? Any ideas? P.S. My absence from the general folk scene was for personal reasons so please don't hit me with: "And where were you when things went wrong?"....I'll only cry.... All the best |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Llanfair Date: 28 Nov 01 - 04:18 AM Can't help you, Harry. I haven't lived around Manchester since 1975, and I remember all the folk stuff that was happening then. I used to go to MSG and ran a club in Altrincham for a while. Cheers, Bron. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,JohnB Date: 28 Nov 01 - 12:41 PM Ok, it's all my fault, I left Newton Heath for Smithy Bridge, Littleborough in 1971 and left there for Canada in 1977. I'm sorry. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: John J Date: 28 Nov 01 - 12:55 PM We don't even have a national radio folk programme anymore. R. Lancashire has a good show on Thursdays @ 20.00 local time. 95.5mhz. I do worry that it may be replaced by a blues programme though. Keep flying the flag Harry, perhaps the Manchester Evening News will get Don Frame to run his very successful folk column. The column we have now certainly ain't folk! John |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST Date: 28 Nov 01 - 02:18 PM Manchester neglected?...with good reason! |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 28 Nov 01 - 03:27 PM Hmmm.......think I'll ignore our previous correspondent. Listening to the Mike Harding Country Music Show as I write. I know what you mean about Lancashire Drift, John....take out the advertisements for the blues programmes on Sunday, the many jingles and the 55 minute show begins to disappear before our very ears...having said which when on form it's a damn good show and we adverise the Open Door regularly on the Diary Dates so I ain't levelling too much criticism. Perhasps if we harangue G.M.R. ..............? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: NtWkFiddle01 Date: 28 Nov 01 - 05:54 PM good on yer harry! keep pluggin'! |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Dave Wynn Date: 28 Nov 01 - 06:33 PM Swinton Folk Club at the White Lion is still going after nearly 20 years (notice I didn't say "strong")....we must all do what we can..... Spot |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 29 Nov 01 - 10:07 AM Indeed we must, my canine friend...the Open Door has trundled along in its many incarnations for about 15 years but my main point is still why do we have no local folk radio programme? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,JohnB Date: 29 Nov 01 - 12:54 PM Well Harryoldham, I think the reason is because you haven't got around to doing one, yet. When you do, make sure it gets an internet broadcast and I will listen. JohnB |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,Les/ Manchester uk Date: 29 Nov 01 - 03:54 PM It's true, nothing much on the Radio, I think their is an Irish programme with some good tunes, is it 'Into the Parlour'? Clubs have been thin on the ground since Annie Morris moved to Harrogate. I believe she has since moved to Stoke. Her club moved from Fallowfield to Chorlton to Didsbury then finished. A number if websites list sessions and clubs in South Manchester and even a session on a Monday night here in Chorlton at the Marble Beer House, near the Library. Lots of musicians live here abouts but can anyone face the comittment or the financial risk of a club with guests often enough to drag people away from Sky? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Alio Date: 30 Nov 01 - 05:35 AM There are 2 good clubs in Uppermill, Saddleworth, both at the Cross Keys (unfortunately the pub is 1 mile up in the hills!) The Wednesday club is a guest night and features local, national and international artists - it's run by Jim Schofield (I ran it years ago). The Sunday night one is a Singers, Musicians etc. Night, run by the Hometowners, and is really well supported. Stanley Accrington often turns up, John Howarth from the Oldham Tinkers comes every week, and is hilarious, and the local artists who go there are excellent. Clive Gregson turned up 3 weeks ago to do a floor spot. Only problem is that the room is so small - it's in the barn, but the landlord is happy to keep the bar open for anyone who wants more drinks!! ( Not that that's why I go of course!) |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 30 Nov 01 - 09:42 AM Hello Alio...if you're the lady I'm thinking of, long time - no see. I did a stand in residency at the Keys for a while as part of the Tim Bobbin folk group with Denis Clarke and Neil Goulding...fond memories of Buckley's Kitchen. We're deviating a bit from the point here...I'm not talking specifically about folk clubs...there are quite a few of us still taking a financial gamble on booking "big name " acts to give people a chance of experiencing them in a more intimate atmosphere...we've got the likes of Allcock and Halpin and Martin Carthy lined up for next year at the Open Door...the main point of this thread is the fact that the Manchester area has no local folk radio programme! I'm waiting to hear from GMR regarding an e-mail query on this matter...anybody else fancy tackling Radio Manchester along the same lines? All the best....Harry Basnett. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Dave the Gnome Date: 30 Nov 01 - 06:44 PM Know what you mean, Harry (Did someone else used to say that? Oh well....) There is an super bit of advertising provided by Mudcats very own Joan from Wigan which publicises all the North West folk scene. Doesn't seem to have been picked up by the radio or TV though - more's the pity. What can we do to to force their hand? I'm happy to support (or even start!) any canpaign to get us noticed. Lets get something done! Who's for co-ordinationg the effort? Cheers DtG |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Roughyed Date: 01 Dec 01 - 04:42 AM There's definitely enough people around here to provide an audience. How do you go about this though? I imagine that if we write letters they will just be ignored unless they are in the hundreds and thousands (unlikely in my experience. Lots of people intend to write but well you know, I didn't quite have the time etc.) Does it need someone, or more than one person to send in sample tape, make a pitch or what. How did Lancashire Drift come about? There's no point in lots of effort if it's misdirected. Anyone with any successful experience they'd like to share? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: John J Date: 01 Dec 01 - 06:20 AM I don't know how Lancashire Drift came about, but I came across it a few years ago when it was a 3 hour show on a Sunday evening, now that was a real treat! I regularly attend the singers nights on Thursdays at the Railway in Heatley, near Lymm. (Excellent beer!) The singers nights are ALWAYS well attended. OK the audience isn't strictly Manchester, but most of the attendees are close enough to come under BBC R Manchester's coverage. I know from discussions at the club that a half decent Folk programme would be most welcome. Presently I listen to RTE 567khz, BBC R Scotland 810khz (often poor reception unless you've got a decent receiver AND aerial) R Lancashire 95.5mhz, R Maldwyn (746khz I think, Bron will confirm that I'm sure). Many years ago both Piccadilly Radio ran a superb folk programme, but this deteriorated badly towards the end of it's life. BBC R Manchester ran a programme, but it was a very amateurish affair that the BBC should have been ashamed of. It's a shame that we now have to struggle to hear distant radio stations providing the music and singing we like to listen to. Surely a large area and population deserve their own folk programme. With regard to clubs, well I think we're fairly well catered for. I've already mentioned the Railway. There's the Open Door at Failsworth, the White Lion in Swinton, the Jolly Angler and the Ducie in Manchester. This list goes on. I read the Manchester Evening News Folk / Roots column last night. It struck me as being anything but folk. No mention at all of the many clubs / sessions in the area. More of a list of concert venues for music and song that is more pop / country than folk. Ah well. Guest JohnB's suggestion that a folk proramme should be broadcast on the internet is good, but couldn't that be a dangerous road to go down? If our kind of music is 'minority appeal' isn't there a danger that all such 'minority appeal' subjects get put on the internet to shut us up, and not on real radio? I suppose it's ok if you're on the internet and you happen to be near a computer, but surely real radio is the only acceptable way to broadcast? The BBC World Service recently announced that they were chopping some of their broadcasts because so many people listen on the internet now. I'm sure plenty do listen on the internet, but what about those in remote parts of the world without internet access? I've been to India / Nepal recently where data transmission rates are painfully slow. A music radio programme just wouldn't work in such circumstances. Anyway, time to get off my high horse and get some work done. It's Saturday morning and I've come into work to catch up with the jobs that should have been done during the week! See loads of you at the gathering next week I hope. Cheers, John |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: John Routledge Date: 01 Dec 01 - 08:50 AM JohnJ - If we all put our thinking caps on before the Gathering something positive may emerge from a discussion next weekend. Cheers Geordie |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 03 Dec 02 - 03:36 PM I've revived this thread because I've just recieved and e-mail from Mike Shaft, the Assistant Editor at Radio Manchester GMR. In it he states that GMR would love to have a folk music programme and it has been discussed. Whether there is one depends on the availability of a suitable time slot. I am asking for the support of local 'catters and friends to support a campaign for a radio programme on GMR by contacting Mike at mike.shaft@bbc.co.uk or by contacting him at: Mike Shaft, Assistant Editor, BBC GMR. P.O. Box 951 - Manchester, M60 1SD Thanks in anticipation..... By the way....if you haven't done so already check out Mark Dowdings very worthy 'Ballad of the North-West' thread. Cheers.........Harry Basnett. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Alio Date: 04 Dec 02 - 08:28 AM I'm writing to him now, as we speak! It would be great if it actually happened! |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 04 Dec 02 - 03:31 PM Cheers, Ali...it'd be somewhere else to ring with diary dates as well as Lancashire Drift!! All the best.....Harry. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,Robbie Date: 04 Dec 02 - 03:41 PM Nice to see Manchester wasn't neglected in Germany. Liam with no teeth and physically unable to sing let alone his usual inability. Possibly the first time the mafia did something worth while. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,Les in Chorlton, Manchester Date: 04 Dec 02 - 03:46 PM Great idea Harry. All power to Mike Shaft. Manchester has many strands of Folk, Community, World music or whatever. Some communities put their music on community programmes so much is possible. As to the original post. Folk Clubs are thin on the ground. A new one has opened at the South West Manchester Cricket Club, Ellesmere Road, Chorlton. The Irish session has moved back to the Beach on Beach road A great Barn Dance will happen this Friday 6 December at the Irish Club on High Lane, supporting the Friends of Longford Park International Day of Dance May 2003. Folk Clubs cab be a bit restrictive if you want to talk to your friends. Perhaps a Barn Dance in one room, a session in another and a sing around in a third would please more people? Anybody in Manchester up for it? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 04 Dec 02 - 04:26 PM Hi, Les....nice to see you're still not missing a chance to plug the Chorlton activites...and if you're going to e-mail Mike Shaft for Gods sake don't mention World Music...there's quite enough of that as it is... Cheers..............Harry. |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: John J Date: 05 Dec 02 - 12:12 PM Thanks for the info Harry. I'll right to the Beeb right away. Anybody interested in the possibility of a trad sing around SW Manchester on Tuesday evenings? Still researching the market place, but if there's enough interest... John |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Harry Basnett Date: 06 Dec 02 - 03:42 PM *refresh* |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,Les in Chorlton, Manchester Date: 07 Dec 02 - 12:42 PM That new one has that I mentioned at the South West Manchester Cricket Club, Ellesmere Road, Chorlton is on a Thursday. The Irish session is still at the Beach on Beach road A great Barn Dance happened last Friday 6 December at the Irish Club on High Lane, supporting the Friends of Longford Park International Day of Dance May 2003. Music by Madcap, calling by Steve, a brilliant night of music and dance. Best of luck to that thread asking for a trad sing around in South Manchester but Lymmn is out a bit and Tuesday mmmmm. Folk Clubs cab be a bit restrictive if you want to talk to your friends. Perhaps a Barn Dance in one room, a session in another and a sing around in a third would please more people? Anybody in Manchester up for it? |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: GUEST,Les in Chorlton, Manchester Date: 07 Dec 02 - 12:46 PM OK so I am relpying to my own post but we have another Barn Dance Saturday 8 February St Matthew's Hall Stretford, Bar, Band and Caller. All towards the International Festival of Dance and all things friendly, Sunday May 4 2003, Longford Park between Stretford and Chorlton. Wassail! As some daft old sod used to say |
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Subject: RE: Manchester Neglected.... From: Rebec Date: 10 Dec 02 - 01:53 PM Well, I've been put on to this thread by an old school chum who said my programme on Radio Manchester/GMR had received a mention. (I also play in the ceilidh band that performed at the Irish Centre last Friday mentioned by Les; I still get around after all these years!) I rather take exception to the "amateurish" label levelled at the show. I assume it was my show he was referring to rather than the previous show back in the 70's. Of course it was "amateurish"; it was done by an amateur! Me! I was never a professional broadcaster but I received loads of positive mail during the run of the show from 1984-1989 about my support for local folk music as well as reflecting the national and even world tastes in folk and world music. You can't please all the people etc....The station liked what I did for five years and the prog. was only rested when Martin Henfield took the reins and took the "local" out of "local radio"! Incidentally, I spoke to the station manager a few months ago and in passing mentioned the lack of a folk show on GMR and he didn't seem to enamoured with the prospect. Still, keep lobbying all! Mike Billington. ex.broadcaster, ex.actor, ex.civil servant, ex.morris dancer, ex.writer, ex.folk club organiser and ex.Rebec! |
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