Minor Birds from Warrington

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 02 Nov 23 - 11:58 AM

Here's another 1½ hrs of chat and music from Andy Green

Fascinating Folk #2: Norman & Jack Froggatt

Listen as the twins - co-founders of Warrington's legendary Minor Bird Folk-Song Club - recall many of the artists who performed there including Barry & Robin Dransfield, Finbar & Eddie Furey, Paul Simon, Belle Stewart, Jimmy McBeath, Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger, The Oldham Tinkers, The Liverpool Ceilidh Band, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, The Taverners, Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty and others.
https://m.mixcloud.com/AndyGreen990/fascinating-folk-2-norman-jack-froggatt

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 02:06 PM

Memories of the Minor Bird Folk-Song Club, Warrington, England.

Wonderful memories of the English folk club scene of the 1960s, 70s and beyond as recalled by brothers Norman and Jack Froggatt, co-founders of Warrington's Minor Bird Folk-Song Club in 1962.
Includes references to Lonnie Donegan, Paul Simon, Mike Harding, Woody Guthrie, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, Alex Campbell, Luke Kelly, Ewan MacColl and more.
Interview by Andy Green in Radio Warrington's studios on Thursday 4th August 2022.

https://mixcloud.com/AndyGreen990/memories-of-the-minor-bird-folk-song-club-warrington-england

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 02 Nov 23 - 11:58 AM

Here's another 1½ hrs of chat and music from Andy Green

Fascinating Folk #2: Norman & Jack Froggatt

Listen as the twins - co-founders of Warrington's legendary Minor Bird Folk-Song Club - recall many of the artists who performed there including Barry & Robin Dransfield, Finbar & Eddie Furey, Paul Simon, Belle Stewart, Jimmy McBeath, Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger, The Oldham Tinkers, The Liverpool Ceilidh Band, Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick, The Taverners, Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty and others.
https://m.mixcloud.com/AndyGreen990/fascinating-folk-2-norman-jack-froggatt

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 21 Sep 23 - 02:06 PM

Memories of the Minor Bird Folk-Song Club, Warrington, England.

Wonderful memories of the English folk club scene of the 1960s, 70s and beyond as recalled by brothers Norman and Jack Froggatt, co-founders of Warrington's Minor Bird Folk-Song Club in 1962.
Includes references to Lonnie Donegan, Paul Simon, Mike Harding, Woody Guthrie, Martin Carthy, The Watersons, Alex Campbell, Luke Kelly, Ewan MacColl and more.
Interview by Andy Green in Radio Warrington's studios on Thursday 4th August 2022.

https://mixcloud.com/AndyGreen990/memories-of-the-minor-bird-folk-song-club-warrington-england

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: FreddyHeadey
Date: 02 Aug 16 - 02:36 AM

Minor Birds - 2012 Reunion Videos www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxgme2DhFBBOmdt2quDmMBW1VEbvRC2M2 

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Sue Waywell
Date: 01 Aug 16 - 08:39 PM

How strange to see one or two people wondering who I was and what became of me! I left the Minor Birds in order to go down to London to study Graphic Design at Ravensbourne Art College. Worked for a bit as a designer, went on to teach drama for 17 years in Croydon then trained for ministry in the United Reformed Church and had a pastorate down in East Grinstead. I'm now back living in Warrington, working in Manchester as a lecturer in Hebrew Bible. It was great to get back together with the Minor Birds for their reunion in 2012 - some videos of the event are on YouTube.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Bryan Kelly
Date: 27 May 16 - 09:09 PM

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Susie
Date: 18 May 15 - 04:54 PM

I have a handwritten "Songs from the Salt Seams" by a Froggatt - Norman? I can't immediately lay my hands on it, but it's about and in mint condition.
I used to go to Maggie Goodall's club in Appleton Thorn - some wonderful nights there. I remember the very large and VERY talented singer Steve Mayne well - glorious voice. I believe he's no longer with us.
And if Geoff Bibby's son would please remember Susie Stockton to him, I'd be much obliged! "White Hart" were a seminal influence on me and I still sing their "Tarporley Hunt 1833".
Tell him to look up the Village Quire that I sing with - the harmony stuff is still going strong!
Cheers!

Subject: RE: Susan Waywell & Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Alastair Noble
Date: 18 May 15 - 02:31 PM

I was Susan's boyfriend in the early 1970s when we were students at Warrington College of Art together. I came to many of the Wednesday evening club nights at the Blue Bell we also went to another folk club on Friday' nights, I can not remember were. She introduced me to the whole world of folk music, it was incredible not only seeing her perform with the Minor Birds. The guest artists there were extraordinary such as Dick Gaughan, Mike Harding and many others. My love of traditional folk music has stayed with me ever since those days with her. What happened to Susan, did she go into the visual arts. I became artists and have been living New York for the last 40 years.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Apr 12 - 06:42 AM

I got a copy of their album on CD from my dad Geoff Bibby. I'll have to ask him where he got it.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Glynis Davies
Date: 11 Oct 11 - 05:25 PM

The Minor Birds from Warrington were absolutely brilliant. I went almost every Wednesday night at the Blue Bell to listen to them perform in the early 70's. Susan's voice is the one of the best female folk singers of all time. Wonder where she is now? I have their only LP but unfortunately it is very scratched, but I will never part with it!

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 30 May 11 - 02:46 AM

Please keep the subject alive.I do have a copy of the album which is in good condition (I will try to find a digitised copy which I made several years ago).It would be a great shame to let the music of this fine group be lost !I am busy at the moment but will search it
out eventually)
Geoff.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Chris Waywell
Date: 29 May 11 - 04:28 AM

Lancashire Lad her name at the time was Susan Waywell

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Chris Waywell
Date: 29 May 11 - 04:20 AM

My kid sister was the female folk singer and the Gibson Hummingbird Guitarist in the group. Check out Grey October and Parting Glass to hear how sweet her voice is. She puts Mary Hopkins to shame.

They basically made 1 outstanding album and appeared on local radio to promote it and sadly although they were the best folk group around if not in the country, they split up and moved on to new none musical ventures. Each successful in their own unique none musical fields.

Sadly the album was never put onto CD either and most of the existing copies are so well played that they have scratches on them so can't be converted to CD.

Some people believe that this is how it should be all except Martin Carthy who will surely perform and record until the day that he drops. Personally I feel that it was a shame that they didn't make far more albums and become the Number 1 Folk Group in the Country as they were by far the best who have ever performed. It is certainly a shame that their début album wasn't put onto CD.

But even the greatest of folk hero's fall, not many people these days have ever heard of Ralph McTell and if it wasn't for Street of London he'd be long forgotten about.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST
Date: 29 May 11 - 04:18 AM

My kid sister was the female folk singer and the Gibson Hummingbird Guitarist in the group. Check out Grey October and Parting Glass to hear how sweet her voice is. She puts Mary Hopkins to shame.

They basically made 1 outstanding album and appeared on local radio to promote it and sadly although they were the best folk group around if not in the country, they split up and moved on to new none musical ventures. Each successful in their own unique none musical fields.

Sadly the album was never put onto CD either and most of the existing copies are so well played that they have scratches on them so can't be converted to CD.

I feel that it was a shame that they didn't make far more albums and become the Number 1 Folk Group in the Country as they were by far the best who have ever performed. It is certainly a shame that their début album wasn't put onto CD.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Chris Waywell
Date: 29 May 11 - 04:16 AM

My kid sister was the female folk singer and the Gibson Hummingbird Guitarist in the group. Check out Grey October and Parting Glass to hear how sweet her voice is. She puts Mary Hopkins to shame.

They basically made 1 outstanding album and appeared on local radio to promote it and sadly although they were the best folk group around if not in the country, they split up and moved on to new none musical ventures. Each successful in their own unique none musical fields.

Sadly the album was never put onto CD either and most of the existing copies are so well played that they have scratches on them so can't be converted to CD.

Some people believe that this is how it should be all except Martin Carthy who will surely perform and record until the day that he drops. Personally I feel that it was a shame that they didn't make far more albums and become the Number 1 Folk Group in the Country as they were by far the best who have ever performed. It is certainly a shame that their début album wasn't put onto CD.

But even the greatest of folk hero's fall, not many people these days have ever heard of Ralph McTell and if it wasn't for Street of London he'd be long forgotten about.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Dave Clare
Date: 29 Jul 10 - 03:50 PM

A Minor Bird

   
by Robert Frost


I have wished a bird would fly away,
And not sing by my house all day;

Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed as if I could bear no more.

The fault must partly have been in me.
The bird was not to blame for his key.

And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Fred McCormick
Date: 27 May 10 - 01:16 PM

Burl (some years ago) "They were Jack and Norman Froggatt, twin brothers from Warrington. In the early 1960's they ran a folk club called the Minor Birds, taking it's name from a quote from a Robert Frost poem. I can't add any more, I haven't heard of them for years. Hope this is of some help.

I can't remember the name of the poem, but, as I remember it, a bird was annoying Frost as he was writing, and he wished it would shut up. He then regretted his annoyance, saying

"Of course there must be something wrong
In trying to silence any song".

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST
Date: 27 May 10 - 12:22 PM

My Grandad is Norman Froggatt from nthe minor birds and still sings his folk songs and occasionally teaches them to me and his other grandchildren!

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 06:59 AM

Hi, This is Norman Froggatt from the Minor Birds - really interesting to read about the above. If you want to contact me my email address is
[e-mail]

Kindest Regards
Norman

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,dave clare
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 03:46 PM

The club was on Wednesday nights at the Lion in Bridge St, and then moved to the Bluebell near the fish market. And anyone who was anyone played there during those years. (I remember seeing Paul Simon and not being greatly impressed. Then he teamed up with Garfunkel!) Apart from the excellent Froggatt twins (both great collectors of songs), other members around the mid-1960s were Carole Melia (lovely singer, with a slight lisp; did a great version of The Silkie; step-sister to the famed dress designer Ossie Clarke), Dave Head (fine singer and guitarist. who had been my sister's boyfriend, and who later moved to London and played for a short time with, and shared a flat in Richmond, with Johnny Silvo), Kenny Wilson (lovely guitarist and free spirit, who reputedly packed in when he took it on the lam to London without telling anyone at the end of one Wednesday session after his girlfriend had told him during the interval that she was pregnant; probably just scurrilous gossip, although I do know the girl/woman concerned!). Later, they were joined by a mate of mine, Nick Peake, and moved the to Ring O' Bells near the parish. Not sure what the line-up was later, as I'd moved to London in '68 and transferred my allegiance to the club at the Prince of Wales in Dalling Rd, Hammersmith.
One thing that's always intrigued me is that there was an older couple (can't remember their names) who used to sit in the centre of the front row every week and taped everything on a reel-to-reel (Grundig, I think) with a mic taped to a brush stave. Whatever happened to those tapes? They would now be a priceless archive from one of the finest clubs during the folk revival. Maybe Norman and Jack know. Have a feeling that Norman lives in Appleton, Cheshire.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 03 May 04 - 11:30 AM

Thank you all very much.
I've just emailed Alton so hope to have some background soon

Thanks again
LL

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 03 May 04 - 06:53 AM

Colin was their younger brother, a guitarist. I don't know about Susan. Norman Froggatt has a number of reminicences of skiffle days, before they went into folk clubs, in 'The Skiffle Craze' by Mike Dewe, Published in 1998 by Planet, PO Box 44 Aberystwyth, Ceridigion, SY23 3ZZ. Burl.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Mr Happy
Date: 03 May 04 - 02:04 AM

ALTON ALEXANDER now runs Frodsham Folk Club every Friday in stables rear of Queens Head pub, Frodsham [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 02 May 04 - 09:15 PM

Hi Burl
Thanks for that. I now have the following incomplete names for the group

ALTON ALEXANDER
NORMAN FROGGART
JACK FROGGART
COLIN ????
SUSAN ????

Can anyone fill any gaps or make suggestions to where the members went after making their only(?) LP

Thanks
LL

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 02 May 04 - 03:33 PM

They were Jack and Norman Froggatt, twin brothers from Warrington. In the early 1960's they ran a folk club called the Minor Birds, taking it's name from a quote from a Robert Frost poem. I can't add any more, I haven't heard of them for years. Hope this is of some help. Burl.

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 02 May 04 - 03:19 PM

Hi Geoff
Many thanks. ANY info would be appreciated

LL

Subject: RE: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: GUEST,Geoff
Date: 01 May 04 - 04:22 PM

Trying to locate some information regarding the group.Hopefully I will have some details for you in the next three or four days

Geoff

Subject: Minor Birds from Warrington
From: Lancashire Lad
Date: 01 May 04 - 11:07 AM

Can anyone pass on any info about a group called The Minor Birds. All I know is thaat they were from the Warrington area and made an album in the early 70s.