The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe

Subject: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: ifor
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 01:23 PM

Marilyn Middleton mixes blues and folk and is a fine singer.She will be appearing at the Valley Folk club in the Ivy Bush , Breacon Rd,Pontardawe on friday 17th March.The event starts at 8pm and all are welcome.See you there!
Ifor

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: My guru always said
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 03:57 PM

Sounds wonderful, but too far for me! MM's brill & you'll have a fine evening, hope she'll sing 'the weaver's four daughters' for you!

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Leadfingers
Date: 24 Feb 06 - 08:33 PM

Did you know that Steve Heap (Mrs Casey's Music) used to be in a group called The Valley Folk ??

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Susanne (skw)
Date: 25 Feb 06 - 06:46 PM

Ifor, should be a great night! Is the Ivy Bush anywhere near Cwmtawe school? 25 years ago we'd often have lunch in a nice pub on the main road but can't remember its name any more.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 09:57 AM

The Ivy Bush is straight up Brecon Road, about half a mile from Ponty traffic lights. Ah, how well I remember it - I used to be one of the committee of the Valley FC, and I cut my teeth on floor spots. Sadly, my Fridays are taken up with Dawnswyr Glanllwyd, who are based in Cwmbran - which is a long way from Pontardawe.

Nostalgia time - does anyone remember...

(a) Councillor Bryan Harries, who started the Valley Folk Club? (He died, aged 39);
(b) Mike James?
(c) The brothers, Stuart and Lyn?
(d) Kaity and Carter?
(e) Lynne Gent?
(f) Ruth Exell-Stevenson?
(g) John Howes?
(c) Mick Tems?

I'm proud to say that I still posess my debut LP, Max Boyce At The Valley Folk Club, which was on the Cambrian label. All the greats were there, including Hymns And Arias and Duw It's Hard. Max used to be a member of the Valley Folk Club, and I can still remember him coming down and giving a floor spot. Ah, memories...

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 10:28 AM

Who could forget you Mick,i have known you for 25 years now and i would not change our meeting for the world.
Take care.
Scooby.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 03:21 PM

I believe The Valley Folk Club started its life in the Cross Hotel now the Community Centre in 1968? It then moved to The Dynevor Arms. The club shifted around a bit before settling at its present HQ
at The Ivy Bush Hotel in the High Street.

Mick, Didn't you do a folk programme on Swansea Sound in the early days?
I revived the show in 1981 and it ran for 19 years!

I like to think that I qualify as a past regular of the club!

Mary Hopkin also frequented The Valley Folk Club along with the aforementioned Max Boyce.

Those were the days my friends!!

Dave R.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 05:33 PM

Alas, I was only a mere apprentice, only moving to the Swansea Valley in 1971 (I applied for a job as editor of the South Wales Voice - and I got it!) There were these posters for a concert, including Shirley and Dolly Collins, The Exiles, Bob Davenport and Fred Jordan, that caught my eye - so I went to the Mond Hall and fell in with the regulars in the Valley FC. In those days the club had just settled in the Ivy Bush, and the atmosphere was electric. I remember Brian presiding, a pillar of the Valley - he collected and revived Crwmpyn John, a mummer's play from the Swansea Valley, and I played Indian Dark. John Howes was Dr Brown, Mike James was Robin Hood, and brothers Lyn and Stuart played Crwmpyn John and Ching-a-ling the Chinaman (respectively).

Dave, belated congratulations on 19 years' folk flagwaving at Swansea Sound! And didn't you used to organise the White Swan Folk Club?

From a secret admirer...

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 26 Feb 06 - 05:42 PM

Scooby, I am truly touched. Llantrisant Folk Club would not be same if it weren't for your sparkling eyes, cheeky grin and radiance eminating all over the place!

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: pavane
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 08:32 AM

I still remember many of them, in fact I still have some cassettes recorded in the 1970s, featuring Lynne Gent, Ruth, Sandra, and a few words from Brian. Sadly, I never recorded any of his singing or playing. Haven't seen Mike since he decamped to France.

I too have participated in Crwmpyn John, but much more recently (1990's with the Men of Sweyn's Ey)

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 11:14 AM

Hi Mick,

Yes, I took over the running of the Swansea Folk Club at the White Swan, and continued during its moving from there to The Singleton Hotel, The Hafod Inn, and The Coach House in Wind Street and finally, the club ended its days at The Camelot Suite in 1983.

Many big names were featured at the Folk Club. These were some of the special guest that were booked during the years of the Swansea Fringe Festival:- The Oyster Band; Jake Thackeray; Patrick Street; Spirit of the West(USA); Gypsy Reel (Canada) and Tre Martelli (Italy).

Happy Days!

Dave R.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: ifor
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 04:02 PM

well Dave and Mick thanks for filling in my gaps about the Valley Folk Club.I first went there in about 1975 or 76 to see Vin Garbutt.He was brilliant and I have still got the album,The Old Tin Whistle Pest.
I hope a lot of Mudcat readers from the area can make it to the Ivy Bush on the 17th of March to see Marilyn Middleton as it promises to be a great evening and we welcome one and all.
aLSO This friday the 3rd March at 8pm sees a singers night at the Ivy and all are invited along to sing or play in a warm and informal and supportive environment!!
Ifor

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: pavane
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 02:32 AM

UNfortunately I am temporarily in Amsterdam, returning home too late on Friday to attend. Also, on the weekend of 17th, I am unable to get a flight back to Cardiff, due to the Rugby that weekend! Planes fully booked weeks ago.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Splott Man
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:03 AM

Mike James is back this coming weekend with Yves Leblanc at Cwlwm Celtaidd (the Celtic Festival of Wales) in Trecco Bay, Porthcawl.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 01:14 PM

Dr Price,
I never knew you cared about my twinkle!!!!!
Scooby.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: An Englishman Abroad
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 02:32 PM

Hi

Some old names I remember there.

I was a regular at one time did some MC ing as well
I remember Jake Thackeraye breaking into a sweat because he could not cope with the audience.

MMP is an old friend tell her John Locke Said hello.

Any see anything of Dave James these days and Lyn Gent, I see Dave Robinson is still contributing. How are things Dave me old pal. We had some good times together.

Although I have a good folk music thing going here I miss my Welsh pals so much it hurts.

all the best John

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:36 PM

Hi Ifor,

I'm sure that Marilyn Middleton will do a marvellous night. Mike James still comes over from Brittany, where he is involved in a duo with Yves LeBlanc. The two of them play in a fest noz group called Jacal, and Mike is a member of a Welsh/English/Breton twmpath sextet called Twm Twp. In fact, Mike and Yves are doing the Cwlwm Celtaidd festival at Trecco Bay this weekend, both as a duo and as members of Jacal.

I omitted to say about Brian Harries, collector of Crwmpyn John. Bryan played Crwmpyn John on several occasions, and really stood out with his bowler hat and hideous deformed hunch. After Bryan's death, Lyn (Martinson?) took over Crwmpyn John, and that that led to the Crwmpyn John photograph, taken in Mike James' garden.

How about a grand reunion of all the Crwmpyn John players, past and present?

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: ifor
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:03 PM

dear dr Price,
It would be great to have a reunion of the Crwmpyn John players.I dont remember it myself because I only started going to the folk club in 76 and then only intermittently because of lack of transport and children coming along etc.Why not get in touch with Lynne to see if something can be arranged??
I do remember the very first Pontardawe Folk Festival on the old steelworks site with mounds of old clinker scattered across the site and some great music and a wonderful atmosphere.It must have been 1977 or 78...my son was a new born babe...he is 28 now and lives in New York and loves the Ramones,Hank Williams and the Boys From The Hill [who are ,incidentally , fantastic!!].
Ifor

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 04:35 AM

Hi Ifor,

Why not kill two birds with one stone? Cas Smith ([e-mail])is organising a celebratory reunion/party/ceilidh on October 21st, so it would be really nice if we could combine it with a Crwmpyn John reunion. I don't think Cas is a Mudcatter, so I'll just relay her message:

"Plenty of warning so you can keep the date free.

"Quite a few of us in Pontardawe will be collecting our bus passes
in the few months surrounding October this year, SO we have decided to have a celebratory party on Saturday October 21st.

"There will be a ceilidh, some special entertainment and food.
If you qualify as one of the celebrants or if you know of anyone who does, please let me know as we need to have a rough idea of numbers.
All family and friends are welcome.

"Even if you are not "coming of age" be there to help us celebrate.
There will have to be a small charge to help cover the cost
of a decent ceilidh band and hiring a hall.

"Put the date in your diary and contact me soon."

As I said, it would be a nice gesture to have a combined party/reunion of Crwmpyn John mummers. I'll email Cas and see what she thinks.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Paul Nicholas
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 06:57 PM

I just picked up on this thread. I am researching for a book that I am writing on the rock and folk scene in Swansea in the 60s and 70s. I would be delighted to hear from any one who is happy to sit down and talk to me about the Adelphi and Valley Folk clubs, and the acts that played there.

Please e mail me at

[e-mail]

Many thanks, and I hope to hear from some of you.

I am already in contact with John Howes and Cas Smith who are helping me with my research,

Thanks

Paul

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Aug 06 - 02:50 PM

I played there twice ,once with Norman Western[later part of threadbare consort], and once with Sue Miles. What did/ i do.To Doctor Price[ I got paid for whitby], REGARDS TO OLLIE.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: GUEST,Dr Price
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 10:50 AM

I haven't been paid - but there's hope, isn't there?

Olly says Hi!

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Aug 06 - 12:20 PM

tO DR PRICE ,I would be optimistic, but I reckon HE GETS FUNDING FOR FOLK ON THE MOORS IN SEPTEMBER 11, SO ASK ABOUT BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER,BEST WISHES tricky dicky.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: pavane
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 05:51 AM

Surprised that no-one has mentioned the 40th anniversary party held a few weeks ago. At least 6 'catters there, maybe more?

An evening of fine performances from members past and present, some going back to at least 1970. Many thanks to the club for organising it.

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: SussexCarole
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 04:52 PM

It was a brilliant night & great to meet you there Pavane

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: SussexCarole
Date: 18 Sep 08 - 05:45 PM

So...a Catter inventory for the 40th Birthday bash!

Pavane
Dr Price
Dame Spoons (EPNS)
Splott Man
Crane Driver
SussexCarole
Albert
Gower El Bombero
Michael in Swansea

Must have been loads more...come on..own up!

Subject: RE: The Valley Folk Club,Pontardawe
From: pavane
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 03:21 AM

And those home-made cheese straws/pastries were REALLY tasty