Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?

Subject: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:36 PM

New legisation comes into force soon [Disabled acsess to public buildings act?].
I was just wondering if the club you run/attend is whhechair friendly?
ie, downstairs room, disabled toilets, wide doors, good parking near the pub/club you use etc.

I got an email this morning =
"Hi John, I'd like to use your club, but I use a wheelchir, will i have problems? if not, no worries, I'll stay home"

Unfotunately Hull Folk Club is not whhechair friendly, as the room used is upstairs, this got me thinking, that every folk club that has existed in Hull has used upstairs room, and Beverley and Driffield also use upstairs rooms.

Though Cottingham Folk Club, [Northern Foods Social Club, Off Northgate, Cottingham] IS disabled friendly, it has wide doors, a car park with plenty of spaces right outside the club, uses a downstirs room, and plenty of space around the tables to manouver a wheelchair or mobilty scooter.

Any other places like this about?

There must be plenty of disabled folk that would like to go to clubs, but cant get about too well.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Rasener
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:52 PM

Market Rasen Folk Club is Disability Friendly.

http://www.marketrasenfolkclub.co.uk

Anybody that wants to attend, needs to e-mail from the above website, if they are using a wheelchair and I will reserve them a place on the small carpark for their car.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: breezy
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 02:56 PM

and the Friday venue in St Albans at the Duke of Marlborough


and we have wide doors too.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Ross
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 03:13 PM

Breezy can pick up a wheelchair and occupant & move it single handed

over the tops of chairs

It's true - I've seen it

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Peter from Essex
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:04 PM

I can't think of a fully wheelchair friendly folk venue between Colchester and London at all. A few have level access but I can't think of one with fully accessible toilets.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: breezy
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:21 PM

just a small step into the gents at the Duke, havent been to the ladies yet!

come to that I cant even think of a friendly club between Colchester and London


We are just too friendly Peter from Essex

Waltham Abbey thats all flat, like their beer.

everyone gets to sing too

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:23 PM

Gainsborough can accommodate people in wheelchairs.
Best wishes

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Santa
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 04:52 PM

Clarence in Blackpool has wheelchair regular(s).

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Sep 04 - 07:21 PM

Don't forget it's not just those in wheelchairs who may find some places difficult. Unless there is a lift available (not likely in most places?) some people with not so apprarent disablities may have trouble making it to an upstairs venue.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 04:46 AM

The Jingling Gate at Pitsea has a lift and wheelchair accessible toilets and of course a very friendly welcome (no I not a member, Just an occasional visitor)

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: GUEST,Jess A
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 05:54 AM

The singing session at the Kelham Island Tavern in Sheffield (4th Sunday of every month) is on the flat and the disabled loo even opens on to the (non-smoking) room that the session happens in. It's not quite a folk club mind you - less formal than that - but ideal for anybody who likes a good sing cos it basically consists of a whole evening of unaccompanied chorus type songs that everybody can join in with. (Plus the pub is really friendly and has a range of about 9 real ales at any point in time)

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Folkien
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 12:00 PM

Sadly none of the four folk/accoustic clubs that I go to are wheelchair friendly.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 05:02 PM

The Vernon Arms at Spondon Derby is accessible - Tuesdays

so is the Countryman at Kirkby in Ashfield-various nights

Ruth Coopers club in Nottingham is - I forget the name

The Royal Forresters at Sutton in Ashfield (tues nights)is accessible

The Musician in Leicester is accessible

The village hall at Diseworth

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 01 Oct 04 - 06:09 PM

My local folk club is VERY accessable!

www.windsorfolk.org

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Rt Revd Sir jOhn from Hull
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 08:16 AM

Good point there from Katlaughing, my dad was unable to visit upstairs clubs due to severe respiratory problems.

Seems a shame that so many clubs use upstairs rooms.
I'm not sure, but I think that all new buildings have to have ramps/lifts etc fitted.

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 03:05 PM

In light of this current thread I thought I'd reopen this old thread.

Have things moved on since 2004 so far as folk clubs recognising that access for wheelchairs should be a priority?

Subject: RE: Wheelchair Friendly Folk Clubs?
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 05:59 PM

We have excellent access for wheelchair users and even offer a wheelchair free if anybody needs one for the night. We have a Toilet that is wheelchair accessible. We reserve car parking spaces for Blue Badge Holders.

That is at Faldingworth Live