(UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: YorkshireYankee
Date: 21 Jul 05 - 08:01 AM

Here you go, Andy: Kiveton Folk CLub Website

And wiltshirebob too: Wiltshire Folk Arts website

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: wiltshirebob
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 01:44 PM

Wiltshire Traditions folk club on Mondays throughout the year except all of August
check out the website www.wiltshirefolkarts.org.uk for some info lots being updated throughout August
Also if you are going to Sidmouth try checking the link about that very thing

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Andy
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 01:20 PM

Kiveton Park Folk Club near Sheffield is 35 years old this year. Held EVERY Tuesday without fail. Mainly trad-orientated but not exclusively so. EVERYONE is welcome! Singers nights mainly, with a guest about every six weeks, next three being Mick Ryan/Pete Harris (16th August) Dave Webber/Anni Fentiman (27th Sept) and Damien Barber (8th Nov).On singers nights there's a £1 ashtray collection and guest nights have never been more than £4 so far. Free snacks, free grub in the beer break, free tea and coffee for the non-imbibers and a really friendly crowd. Plenty of chorus singing and 'craic'. No smoking in the club room but those who need a fix go into the passage from where they can still see and hear performers. Website at [e-mail] Sorry, cant do the clicky bit!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: breezy
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 01:08 PM

meanwhile in the South east

The Windward and Spotlight clubs in St. Albans are closed for the summer, but have an evening featuring Alaska Mike on wed 10th Aug hosted by George papavgeris

then

Saturday 10th September

a day of music in the yard from 2.00 p.m. followed by a concert headlined by Mike Agranoff and supported by the Tindall family in the evening

both gigs are at the Duke of Marlborough, Holywell Hill.

www.folk4all.net

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 10:33 AM

gillo- this is a folk and blues site, and this thread is about folk clubs. If you want information about nightclubs you're probably looking in the wrong place- ask the North Wales tourist board, perhaps?

Some people here might know about good pubs in Rhyl, but you'd be more likely to be successful by looking in the Good Beer Guide or the Good Pub Guide- assuming that what YOU think of as a good pub is the same as what I think of as a good pub!

Good luck and have a good holiday!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Lowden Jameswright
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 10:04 AM

Without any shade of doubt the Wortley Arms Folk Club has to be one of (if not THE) best long-running clubs of all time. On the outskirts of Sheffield (A629 to Huddersfield road) in the beautiful village of Wortley, the Wortley Arms (opposite the church) runs it's club on the 3rd Saturday (excluding August) and boasts a top-notch guest list that stretches back as far as Martin Carthy in grey flannel shorts. Listing the names of those appearing at this club would only embarrass the rest so I'll spare them the blushes.

Floor singers are always very good, and with an early start to every club there's always opportunity for a healthy number of support performers. Audience behaviour (no smoke, no crisp packets, no background chat etc) is exemplary, as is their participation in chorus. This IS a proper folk club - often listed as favourite amongst guest performers.
NOT TO BE MISSED..........

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Mr Red
Date: 18 Jul 05 - 09:40 AM

In the Cotswolds the Minchinhampton FC near Stroud (Thurs) in the Crown is a good ffiendly club, but offer to sing because they can fill the night and may not ask you if it is full, and it usually is. Good standard. Martin Carthy turned-up on the first night and did a spot, but it is a singers/musicians type club.

Somers TFC Worcester, Fri in the Albion in Sidbury by the canal fairly central. Good standard, and friendly - mostly!

The Tunnel House Inn in Coates Cirencester is also a good 1st Wed - but if you want to go PM or webmail me for directions - it is impossible to find - but look for the Sapperton tunnel portal on an OS map.

see cresby.com (clubs &/or sessions) for more details.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,gillo
Date: 17 Jul 05 - 10:08 AM

is there any good nightclubs in rhyl or any good pubs
thanks
gillo
Dublin

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 15 May 04 - 06:36 AM

Llantrisant Folk Club in South Wales is a Non-Smoking folk club which has brilliant guests.Contact Mic Tems from Calennig on www.folkwales.org.uk

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Hugh Jampton
Date: 14 May 04 - 10:36 AM

"The ROYAL OAK" at Lewes and "ELSIE`S" at Cowden, Kent. To my reckoning Elsie`s is still going strong after 30 years and between the two just about every notable artist has been seen there. Also Elsie`s has the best leg of pork raffle!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 14 May 04 - 10:02 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Gin Crewe
Date: 13 May 04 - 01:02 PM

Mortification! Whilst defending`the local clubs, I neglected to remember the no smoking bit- no-one around me smokes so I just don't pay attention to it. Sorry! Bacup and Gregson Lane are not non-smoking- please remove them from your list because they don't meet the standard for nonsmoking.. They are still good clubs tho...

Thank you, Moorleyman!

The Wagon and Horses, Brierfield, Lancs is non-smoking in the club tho not the pub. That's a session!Wed nights

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 12 May 04 - 03:04 PM

Just come back and read the latest posts - thanks Joanna for the update on the Bacca Pipes, that's good news as it's a great club. I'll be back!

Betsy - sad to note the Killen/Waterson night at the Welly was postponed due to illnesses, unavoidable I know. That's another grand club, but very smoky indeed.

Fantum - agree with your comments about the Sun at Stockton, Ron runs a fine club there and as you say smoking is kept to a bare minimum by discreet request. If only more clubs did that.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 11 May 04 - 07:53 PM

Hi All,
have any of you tried Bridlington folk club, held at the Broadacres pub kingsgate. Definately smoke free, very friendly welcoming folks,
good singers and musicians nights regular guests (Johnny Silvo tonight 11th may) singers nights, admission £1 includes supper what a bargain, what a night out!!
guest nights, usually £3 including supper. We meet alternate tuesdays. Contact Kieth 01262 601413

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: joanna
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 05:03 PM

update for Moorleyman!!! Bacca pipes club in Kieghley IS A NON SMOKING club the entire building is smoke free its now at the Ukraine club 9 Henry street

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Fantum
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Here are two more definitely worth a visit
First the Folk club at Guisboruogh on Sun nights, run in the Rugby Club as against the Globe
Good bunch well organised with good local singers and reasonable line in guests. Always a bit of banter between floor and performers a good singing club and a nice freindly lot. Not non smoking but the level is low and it does not normally intrude.
They have a web site try http//www.guisboroughfolkclub.ukforum.com

The Sun Inn Stockton on Tees
Well organised with good singers and a good line in guests. Always a good singing club. They have the best scratch band in the area a nice freindly lot. Not non smoking but the level is low and it does not normally intrude.

Fantum

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Betsy
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 01:59 PM

Wolviston Village-The Wellington Inn Folk Club ( Residents the WILSON FAMILY ) presents MIKE WATERSON & LOUIS KILLEN 29th APRIL 2004 Admission £2-50.A rare treat I'm sure you will agree!

Wolviston is North of Stockton, in Co. Durham. Middlesbrough is south of the Tees in Yorkshire

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Ross
Date: 17 Apr 04 - 12:53 PM

And what a difficult birth she was, but we all now, go

AHHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Choose your own emphasis

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: The Unicorn Man
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 03:32 PM

Cheers Julie B, We are now a non smoking club as well, fortnightly sing a rounds with the odd special guest ( odd and special ) are both well chosen words. Spring Song Specials to celebrate spring are now coming up, May 10th George Papavgeris in the function room, still some floorspots left. Next Monday 19th April we have sing a round and special guests Steve Last and The Ashwell Mummers. We are a very friendly and encouraging club, we have song specials and Saturday Night Charity Mic Nights, and plans for other things coming up. We are Mudcat winners for the best Sing a Round,for the second year in a row, and if all that was not enough, the birth place of "My Guru"

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: SarahNash
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 12:59 PM

I'd like to nominate an informal session: The Red Lion and Sun, Highgate, London. It takes place on the last Thursday of every month and attracts a high standard of players. This is not to put off less confident people though - we will welcome everyone and we're a friendly bunch. It's billed as an Irish session but in reality we like traditional music from all over.

Unfortunately it doesn't come under the "no smoking" clause, but well worth a visit.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Julie B
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 09:33 AM

Correction to blue clicky link given above... www.session.musician.org.uk

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Julie B
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 09:08 AM

...ooops! And how could I forget to mention The Bull at Barton-le-clay with Ross and Martin!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Julie B
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 09:06 AM

I'd second Steve Parkes' recommendations. Bedford Folk Club is excellent - Mike Blair runs it so well (Thursday nights - Lincoln Arms). Such a nice crowd of people. It was where I started off and I'm not sure I'd have ever become a "folk singer" without it.

St Neots is another friendly supportive club, run by Roger and Patti. I haven't been across for about a year, and the venue has recently moved, but I'm sure the atmosphere will still be as it was as you get a nice crowd of people.

Finally the second Tuesday of the month unaccompanied singing session in the back room of the Fox and Hounds in Stony Stratford (Milton Keynes) is a good place for "beginner" folk singers to come and just listen, or join in choruses, and maybe work up to singing solo in a supportive encouraging atmosphere. There are some good singers there too but don't let that scare you if you are a beginner. We all started somewhere! :)

Also the many tune music sessions around milton keynes are peopled by a lot of very nice people too. (see website www.session.musician.org.uk ) The Irish Club sessions are particularly to be recommended for beginneres as they are more private and a bit more relaxed - There usually is time for a good chat as well as tune playing!

Julie B

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,georgiansilver
Date: 16 Apr 04 - 03:47 AM

O.K so there are quite a few functioning Folk Clubs!!! Have you all read the Market Rasen.27-30th August entry on Mudcat. Please do and perhaps make some attempt to help!!!I am sure any help whether singing, performing, helping with security etc would be appreciated....Come on Folks..we can't let something like this go by un-noticed.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 05:04 PM

Update for Gin (post of 6th) - point of info - sorry but neither of the Yorkshire clubs you mention (Skipton and Baccapipes in Keighley) qualify, purely cos they're not non-smoking. Sad to say, a large number of equally good clubs "oop north" are eliminated by virtue of allowing smoking within their club room/s. (OK I know this thread's not the place to air (sic!) views on smoking in clubs....)

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Bugs
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 04:40 PM

Right, first post to this site thought I may as well put on something useful as opposed to the usual Newbie message. Has the Waveney folk club in Crown St.Lowestoft been mentioned yet. No smoking signs, usually about 30 or 40 turn up on alternate Fridays at 08:00. Last event was 9/4/04. Went back for the first time in five or six years last Friday and still as friendly as ever. Roy Bailey, Sid Kipper and Martain Carthy have all appeared. Always starts first and second halves with local club singers and players. Bring your own alky-hol as no bar.Can't remember why I stopped going now.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: wigan
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 03:22 PM

nowt int north east? owabout globe in guisborough?
not officially non smoking,we ask people not to. no-one does.
guest night usually one/month.
all performers be it song/instrument welcome
mix of music sometimes includes country, allways includes trad and new folk,morris tunes etc.
one step only for access
good landlord/lady
guest beer every week

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 01:18 PM

Are you at the Moor and Coast this year? Nice comfortable beach at Whitby :-)

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 01:07 PM

There is always the beach to pitch you tent on.

Did that in 1969 or 1970 at Whitby, Of course I was younger then and Whitby was only a weekend festival.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Rasener
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:55 PM

There is always the beach to pitch you tent on.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 12:08 PM

Vectis wrote According to George's list we're damn nearly perfect; small but perfectly formed.

It seems the only thing missing is that you're not just around the corner :-)

Actually had a quick look at your web site and many names rang bells from the past. Give my regards to Clive Bennett and tell him that although I'm a Spurs season ticket holder I'll forgive his defection to Brighton and Hove Albion this time.

Looks worth a visit. Now what time's that last train from Seaford to London..........hmm 22.19 Oh well it's leave early or friends in Brighton.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: vectis
Date: 14 Apr 04 - 11:16 AM

I nominate the club I help to run. We're a small, friendly, smoke free, hat-take club on the south coast. We are good listeners who sing along lustily to almost anything. We have a ground floor room so disabled access is easy. We don't turn accompanied children or dogs away but make them welcome. We have a booked guest every week and fit in as many floor singers as we can. Every Friday fron September to June.
Visit our web site here Seaford Folk Club
visitors always welcome.
According to George's list we're damn nearly perfect; small but perfectly formed.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: The Borchester Echo
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 12:49 PM

Respectable? Certainly not! Not mentioned? Dunno why not.   Sorry Peta & Ken! It's great, when it happens. Which isn't nearly often enough.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 12:35 PM

Never been there (nor any others), know it only by it's program listings and having met Ken and Peta over here, it seems it would be respectable, but hasn't been mentioned -- perhaps it's not non-smoking? -- Musical Traditions Club, in London. Comments?

~ Becky in Tucson (that's Arizona)

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 11:03 AM

Of course you can Cllr! Tell us all about it and tempt us to come along.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Cllr
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 10:58 AM

I suppose I can't vote for my own club (Ampthill) but its nice to see another club I used to run, Uxbridge (for eight years) being mentioned. My favourite club at the moment is Bedford folk club Cllr

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Sooz
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 08:43 AM

Cheers Rozza! Wish I knew who you were!!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Rozza
Date: 13 Apr 04 - 05:22 AM

I have three to nominate- the Somers Traditional Club in Worcester on a Friday is very friendly and the number of excellent resident singers is amazing. They have a "chorus week" every other session which ensures everyone has a good sing! I also recommend the Durham Folk Clud at the Coalpitts Arms on tuesdays fortnightly which is a very good singaround club.

My main recommendation is the Gainsborough Club at the 8 Jolly Brewers by the Trent fortnightly on Fridays. An excellent (small) room, very good local singers with occasional guests, 8 real ales in good condition always on tap- what more could anyone want? And no-one was smoking when I last went.

Go yourself- but don't tell too many other people!

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 05:18 PM

Hey Yorkshire Yankee, I'd endorse the comments about the Red Deer in Sheffield, a great club (but only once a month). Raise the Roof, yippee. I'd also endorse the Ryburn 3Step club - high standard of residents and regulars (but again only once a month).
Point of info - the Barnsley Monday sing is definitely not no-smoking, more's the pity. But the Easter sing had less smoking folks and was a grand weekend.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 02:40 PM

Was going to do my duty and give Gainsborough a plug but it looks like nearly everything has been said already!.
Except:
El Greko, why not make your visit when we have the Festival weekend -it's 15th to 17th October and I'm sure we can fix up some accommodation too.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Ned Ludd
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 01:58 PM

Bugger! I can't include the General Ludd in Huddersfield As I won't exclude minority groups, even smokers. We fit the other conditions though! The furthest anyone has travelled to come is now Hongkong!(Thanks to Vin Garbutt the other week)

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 05:35 AM

Thanks for the comments about the OR&C RichardP, as I'm useless at working out who's who from these mudcat names I'm always surprised to find that there are mudcatters in the audience from time to time.

To follow up on a comment that Anahata made earlier in the thread, there is a strong possibility that we may change our night to Sundays after the summer. There has always been a strong tradition of Sunday clubs in the area going back to the Tower Folk Club in the sixties through to the Navvy Boot and Chestnuts in the seventies and eighties. In fact when our predecessor, The Hale End Club started, the Chestnuts was still going so Sundays wasn't an option.

So after 12 years we've decided it's silly clashing with Islington every week as we book similar people and attract people who go to both from time to time. Not that either club seems to have suffered as we are both going strong (at least I assume Islington is from comments, as I'm busy at OR&C myself) but it would be nice to get to Islington ourselves and maybe get some Islington singers and musicians along to us.

Will post here when/if it's sorted.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: chouxfleur
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 04:03 AM

Highly worth a look is The Harbour Sessions Folk, Blues and acoustic music club in Southwick, West Sussex. A no-smoking club, really nice atmosphere, monthly, starts on the dot of 8pm. With good range of beer upstairs in the bar, its purely acoustic, with no deafening PA or faffing around with mic's being adjusted up n down, and volume levels messed with in between songs, which also means that the audience shut up and listen to the music. Really friendly bunch of people and the emphasis is on fun and entertainment, not education. check out www.harboursessions.co.uk

Chouxfleur

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Rasener
Date: 12 Apr 04 - 12:43 AM

Thanks for the comments Georgiansilver, about Market rasen Folk Club.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: RichardP
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 07:15 PM

Firstly let me add my confirmation about the Old Rose and Crown as a worthy entry. I note that we are lacking venues South of the Thames, and then realise that two first class clubs we regularly attend have to be omitted under the no smoking requirement.

Faversham Folk Club meets every Wednesday at the Chimney Boy in Faversham. We have between 25 and 30 guest nights a year and all other weeks are singers nights. The venue is no smoking and drinks are served in the bar downstairs so there is no intrusive chatter. On guest nights the duty compere selects floor singers from regulars or visitors who volunteer. Similarly, singers nights attract a mixture of regulars and many visitors and operate more or less round the circle so that everyone who wishes to can contribute - although often visitors are given an extra turn as time runs out.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Fran
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 05:15 PM

I would recommend The Ride A Cock Horse Folk Club in Banbury.

Run by Mudcatters Derek and Mary it is very friendly and very well organised, it is relatively smoke free and has a great selection and a wide variety of guests. Every effort is made to make people feel welcome and go away having had a good night.

Also floor singers are always welcome and given lots of support and encouragement.

There is a loyalty card, go 5 times and get the sixth free, it is a lovely venue.

It is weekly on Wednesdays and has a break during the summer in which there is a bbq and mini festival and also a bigger festival in October.http://www.rideacockhorse.co.uk/

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST,Mark Newman
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 02:44 PM

As a performer, I've particularly enjoyed being invited to St Neots, Loughborough, Keyworth and Gainsborough. All have a vaery varied policy regarding guest which is good for audiences. Gainsborough was delightful, fairly small and intimate and great fun.

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 12:49 PM

The Botyh Folk Club in Southport meets every Sunday at the Shelbourne Hotel. Lord St West, Southport.
We alternate singers nights with guests. We don't have a resident group (although it was formed by the Bothy Folk Group back in the mists of time), but instead we have a panel of resident singers & musicians whose job it is to be the backbone of any evening.
We are not officialy no smoking, but the smokers usually go into the next room for a fag. We must be doing something right as it's our 40th anniversary next year.

Les

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: Sooz
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 11:18 AM

Near enough! (Many people around these parts spell it the same as you do)

Subject: RE: (UK) Which are the clubs to go to, then?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 10:24 AM

And the spllgin is crap too. Gainsborogu? How did I manage that?