BS: Severn Visits UK

Subject: BS: Severn To Visit UK
From: Severn
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 12:51 PM

I will be coming to the UK to participate in a canal trip that lasts from May 13-20, but will have open time during the weeks occurring on either side of the event. If any UK Catters have any suggestions for places to go and to stay, things to do, company to keep or just tips and cautions and advice of any sort, I, as a first time visitor would apprieciate them greatly. My exact arrival and departure times would depend on what I could tie into while on the three weeks over there.

I thank you for any friendly input, and I look forward to seeing some of you I've talked with, whether again or for the first time.


Severn

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: gnomad
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 01:45 PM

Don't know whether your week after the canals will extend to include the weekend, but if it does then Moor & Coast Festival is worth a visit.

Several catters in the lineup, and many more in attendance. If your party includes any non-folkies they will also find plenty of other amusements in the town and surrounding area. Whitby is a top-notch place to visit.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 02:54 PM

Well I know you hope to make the Yorkshire gathering even if only for the Sunday,although if you could get there Saturday night it would be better. You'd be welcome to stay on with us in Pontefract for a day or two if you like although at present I can't say how we'll be fixed for work etc. but that shouldn't be a problem. Also if you did decide to head on to Whitby we're on the way.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 22 Jan 06 - 06:39 PM

I am devastated.... we're off to Italy that week.

Enjoy your visit.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Rasener
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 01:08 AM

I am looking forward to Moor & Coast. Definately not to be missed.
Got the property booked from Thursday to Thursday.
However it looks like you are not in the UK for that Severn.

Here is a link to a useful website for finding folk clubs etc, however it is fairly new and not all clubs are on their yet, but quite a lot are. It is very good, becuase you can select the area of the country you are interested in. http://www.folkmap.co.uk/mappage.htm?forceload

Here is what is going on so far in May 2006 for Lincolnshire & East Yorkshire as per folktalk THis gets updated as we get nearer to the dates.

3 FRENCH MUSIC SESSION AT THE WATERFRONT INN, WEST STOCKWITH

5 FALDINGWORTH VILLAGE HALL, MARKET RASEN FOLK CLUB, JANE KITCHEN

8 DONCASTER, THE SALUTATION, "LIVE AT THE SAL" T.B.A.

10 SCANLON'S (NELTHORPE ARMS) BRIGG, SINGERS NIGHT

12 GAINSBOROUGH, MELROSE CLUB. DOUG EUNSON & SARAH MATTHEWS

15 DONCASTER, THE SALUTATION, "LIVE AT THE SAL" BOB FOX

17 SESSION, WATERFRONT INN, WEST STOCKWITH

19 FALDINGWORTH VILLAGE HALL, MARKET RASEN FOLK CLUB, PETE SMITH & JOHN BUCKLEY

20 CHERRY BURTON ARTS, WAKING THE WITCH

21 SCUNTHORPE, ROOTS TO MUSIC, THE PRIORY, ASHBY ROAD. SINGERS

22 DONCASTER, THE SALUTATION, "LIVE AT THE SAL" T.B.A.

24 POCKLINGTON ARTS CENTRE, SHOW OF HANDS

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:00 AM

Couple of tips - don't give money to beggars, they are not all what they seem.

Brothels display a blue light or lamp outside.

On entering a railway carriage, it is the custom to introduce yourself to your travelling companions.

Despite evidence to the contrary, tall red boxes on street corners are not pissoirs and privacy is not gained by turning round and grinning inanely.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Paul Burke
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:41 AM

Where is the canal trip going to be?

Here's one USEFUL tip: when you are getting off the boat at a bridge hole to work a lock, DON'T jump off. I saw a chap knock himself silly doing that, when he hit his head on the brickwork. Lucky not to fall in.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Mr Red
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:52 AM

Do I detect Severn is a clue? If you are looking at the area of the river

Have a look at cresby.com festivals there are a few possibilities. Not all festivals have posted this year's dates but follow any links. Right in the middle of the window is the Tredegar House Festival. And if you are notching-up canals the Mon-Brec is right in that area.

If it is clubs and session try my pages on that subject. I assume you have transport.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Paul Burke
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 09:01 AM

You won't get to the Mon & Brec by narrowboat, apart from the fact that it's not connected to the Severn, even if it were, that estuary there is serious water, even experienced boaters would think a few dozen times before trying it. You can get from Sharpness to the Bristol Avon, but that's another trip for the well equipped, experienced boater- with a pilot on board.

If Severn is a clue, it ought to be a trip round the Worcester and Birmingham, BCN, the Staffs and Worcester to Stourport, and complete via the Severn.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: gnomad
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 09:40 AM

Idiot that I am that link to Moor & Coast festival is for the wrong end of May, sorry.

One alternative is Cleethorpes Folk Festival, which might suit. I enjoyed living there, but have to admit that it isn't the same draw for folkies or non-folkies as a trip to Whitby would be.

I think we may be reading too much into the name Severn, which has been in use for at least 10 months. Maybe Severn could enlighten us?

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: GUEST,cats at work
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 10:44 AM

May 1st Padstow Obby Oss celebrations ~ not to be missed, May 6th Helston Flora day, both in Cornwall, May 12, 13, 14 Fox and Hounds weekend of singing in a pub on Dartmoor......

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: My guru always said
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 05:02 PM

There's a few festivals I know about either side of your canal trip Severn:

5th - 7th May Eurogather in Cork, Eire
5th - 7th May St Neots Festival (haven't found a website)

26th - 29th May Chippenham Folk Festival
26th - 28th May Off the Tracks Spring Festival
26th - 29th Chester Folk Festival
26th - 29th May Black Horse Festival

Hope to bump into you during your visit!

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Bill D
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 05:32 PM

Severn is a real name. He didn't have to invent it. He will no doubt explain why he got it.

(not to be promising anything FOR you, Severn...)

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 05:39 PM

Cry me a river!
G

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Severn
Date: 23 Jan 06 - 07:04 PM

For those not familiar with me, and to clear up confusion....

I'm Severn Savage, named for my Great Grandfather, who was also Severn Savage. I live in Maryland in the USA, home of the OTHER Severn River and of a town named Severn and of another town and another river named Savage, so if I had a nickel for every time in my life somebody asked me, "Like the river?", I could have retired comfortably a long time ago. But the name is a family one. I'll find out more about the original Severn's connection with the original river, on which I hope to be traveling at some point, by the time I get over there, as there is family geneology work underway at present.


Thanks to both friends and kind strangers for the help and information offered so far.


Severn


...And thanks to Bill D for covering until I got back to the thread.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 08:40 AM

Yes, BUT WHERE'S THE BOAT TRIP GOING???

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: The Admiral
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:03 AM

We haven't made up our minds yet but we're hiring a couple of boats from Alvechurch Boats from their yard at Alvechurch, filling them with 17 Folkies and heading down the Birmingham and Worcester Canal to the Severn and from there we might do the Worcester Ring or the Avon Ring but I'm still trying work out if we can get the Boats down Gloucester and do soemthing other than the Rings which we have done at least a couple of times before.

OK?

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:33 AM

Great! Just be careful with the pumpouts this time.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Morticia
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:38 AM

Sev, if you are looking for a bed in the West Country, we live in Bradford on Avon,which is.......ta da!!!... on the Avon Canal......lemme know if it's of any use to you.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Rasener
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 11:48 AM

Morticia
Is that circular Bed and Breakfast House still there. My wife and I stayed there many years ago. They had a room with a waterbed, and we chose that room. Not sure if that was a good idea, though :-)
Lovely place is Bradford on Avon.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Paul Burke
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 12:15 PM

Wrong Avon, Morticia!. Have to wait until the Thames and Severn and Wilts and Berks reopen to get there from Alvechurch, I don't think the boat's owners would be too happy about them taking it out on the estuary.

But the K&A is wonderful, I was there 2 years ago, did Caen Hill flight in Devices twice in a week!

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Emma B
Date: 24 Jan 06 - 12:19 PM

Paul I always knew you were a bit of a mosochist (who else learns medieval pipes) but strange Devices too?

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Morticia
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 05:50 AM

The circular place is still there, Villan, and you are right, this is a great place to live! Paul, there's no point apologising for my geography cos everyone knows it is pants but at least I have a passing semblance to sanity which anyone who does the flight of locks at Devizes cannot possibly claim :-)!

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Leadfingers
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 08:55 AM

The Caen Flight is indeed fun , but the first locks out of Alvechurch heading South is the Tardebigge - Forty Four Locks one after the other - now that IS fun !!

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: The Admiral
Date: 25 Jan 06 - 10:05 AM

Half before dinner and half before lunch! We like to follow Leadfingers down because they are usually a little wider than they had been!

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Severn
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 05:37 PM

I thought I'd revive the thread, knowing now my exact times of arrival and departure (having had to allow for a family wedding before I came over).I am arriving May 8 in London going canaling on the Avon ring from May 13-20, will be at the Yorkshire gathering Saturday night and Sunday.I am leaving from Manchester on Sunday morning. Any suggestions on further trouble to get into before or after the boat trip, any chances to see/hear/visit any Catters or any questions on when the boats will float into a town and pub near you will be appreciated, either on this thread, or by PM-ing me on the Cat. I'll fill in more details as I find things out.

Thanks,

Severn

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 01:36 PM

if you go past stratford theres a nice little acoustic venue nowadays just across the bridge from the butterfly farm -sod it forgotten the name - something yard - I'll check it out - but there are all kinds of folkies playing there including Pentangle

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Snuffy
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 04:05 PM

Cox's Yard is a concert venue, which features Rhythm & Blues, Salsa, comedy, local rock groups, and occasional folk acts (mostly 70s folk-rockers).

"Acoustic" is not a word that readily springs to mind at the mention of Cox's Yard

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Severn
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 06:34 PM

Refresh

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Severn
Date: 02 May 06 - 06:39 PM

One last refresh for travel advice, addresses, death threats, contacts, gig info or whatever before the UK has to deal with me in person from May 8-27.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Cats at Work
Date: 03 May 06 - 06:09 AM

A great pity you won't be visiting Cornwall on this visit. It's stunning.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 03 May 06 - 09:20 AM

Looking forward to seeing you again, Severn - have pmd our home phone number.

Subject: RE: BS: Severn Visits UK
From: Morticia
Date: 03 May 06 - 10:44 AM

see you in Yorkshire.......have a wonderful time on the rest of your trip.