Best folkie area in britain?

Subject: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: MuddleC
Date: 19 May 06 - 02:54 PM

Hello folks, okay I'm thinking of selling-up and moving from the armpit that is the West Midlands, I won't mention the town for legal reasons.... so my folk buddies, where in this septic Isle should I go for the most clubs, biggest variety, friendliest people and best beer or cider???
I sing unaccomplished, want to destroy harmonious sessions with my whistle playing and enjiy myself in the best possible company..folkies!

answers on the head of a pin (mind the angels)

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: greg stephens
Date: 19 May 06 - 03:21 PM

N Shropshire/N Staffs/S Cheshire?
Cornwall?
Cumbria?
Those might be personal choices of mine. For sheer volume of music and musicians, though, I think it would have to be Edinburgh or Newcastle. But they might be a bit too instrumental for your taste.

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Cats
Date: 19 May 06 - 04:38 PM

Cornwall

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 May 06 - 06:44 PM

Are you looking for

1) The best area for finding folkies (of any standard)?

2) the area for finding the best folkies?

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From:
Date: 19 May 06 - 06:54 PM

Any singaround - anywhere!

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: gnomad
Date: 19 May 06 - 07:28 PM

Don't know much about a whole swathe of the country, so can't advise on "best", but I am v.glad I came to Whitby. Decent people & beer, plenty of music, almost a folkie-ghetto, visiting artists at the various festivals, nice hinterland, it is even picturesque.

OTOH,If you were sincere in para 2, one area is crying out for your talents (though it may be short on company) - Rockall 8-)

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Mr Red
Date: 20 May 06 - 05:40 AM

Exeter ain't too bad - mind you Pete the Heckler can be a bit of a handful - bless him. Have a look at cresby.com and look in my lists and follow links to the area generally. Use the map links. But I would check any details if you are making such a permanent move.
Go to Sidmouth in August and ask around- if you see a red man on Fri/Sat it may not be me, otherwise it isn't. Mr (other) Red lives in Sidmouth.

Trippet Lane in Sheffield used to be wall to wall music and mostly folk but things change. Always check.

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Mo the caller
Date: 20 May 06 - 06:34 AM

I was made very welcome in Beverley, the club that was at "Nellies" now called "Not the White Horse" has a great mix of varied talent (acoustic) most are really good, but very encouraging for people to have a go too. There seems to be a lot more in Hull and Beverley than we knew, sessions etc. Also some good dance clubs that we enjoyed.

The nice thing was, after an evening at Hull folk dance club, or in the White Horse, people would stop you in the street and say hello. Really cheering when I was wishing I could be at home instead of having to be there for family reasons.

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: GUEST,MC Fat
Date: 20 May 06 - 06:35 AM

Sheffield has sessions at Fagans (most nights) Dog and Partridge (every night) Hillsborough Hotel (Sundays) Kelham Island Tavern (Sundays) Freemasons Hillsborough (Wednesdays) New Barrack Tavern (First Mondays) Red Deer (Wednesdays and Raise the Roof on a Thursday monthly) Upperthorpe (Wednesday) plus others

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 20 May 06 - 02:45 PM

Try:- http://www.angelfire.com/folk/gainsboroughfolk/       also:-
http://www.folkroots.co.uk/venues_lincolnshire.html
Best wishes, Mike
PS cheap housing in the area also.

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 21 May 06 - 11:48 AM

Only a few years ago my late wife came back from visiting friends in the West country absolutely raving about Totnes - allegedly a time warp where they still had hippies and the folk revival: very 60s!

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Cats
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:03 PM

And Totnes is still like it today, closely followed by Calstock....

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Dave Earl
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:15 PM

Sussex.

Need I say more?

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Northerner
Date: 21 May 06 - 04:53 PM

Plenty of folk clubs in the Tees Valley, particularly if you are a car driver and willing to drive a few miles. Good for music and for singing. Cheap housing. Beautiful hiking country in the North York Moors nearby.

I go to folk clubs in Stockton-on-Tees, Guisborough, Skelton, Stokesley and Egglescliffe.

Otherwise, try Newcastle, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Crystal
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:16 AM

Aberdeen is good for dancing if you are female (all girl Rapper AND clog teams) although you have to be keen on Morris dance if you want to dance as a guy.
Musically I find it poor there is very little singing unless you can join the SCAT clique and if you are a very good musician you MIGHT be able to join in the million mile an hour sessions which go on up here!
Saying that Stonie FF is GREAT fun with loads of friendly sessions in nice pubs.
For me the best place for traditional music (outside Whitby) is Essex!

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: MairSea
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:39 AM

South Hampshire. Southampton, Titchfield, North Boarhunt, Bursledon, Langstone.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: GUEST,Rich
Date: 22 May 06 - 05:47 AM

I'd say Sheffield, there's at least two different sessions a night to go to. A good mix of song, tune or both sessions and a thriving english ceilidh series.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Marje
Date: 22 May 06 - 07:41 AM

Totnes (as mentioned above) is indeed a hippy enclave, but there's not a lot of folk activity at the moment. There's an Irish session once a week, and a new folk club is about to set up on a monthly basis, but as far as I know that's about it for regular sessions and clubs. There are quite frequent folk concerts nearby, plus the occasional pub gig by a folk band, but not as much going on in the town as you might expect. There are other sessions and clubs within 20 or 30 minutes' drive, and quite a bit of ceilidh dancing going on in the area.

Totnes is still a cracking place, full of interest and character. If you want any of the lifestyle stuff traditionally favoured by folkies (patchwork trousers, organic vegetables, sensible shoes, alternative therapies, etc.)then you'll soon feel at home in Totnes.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Ross
Date: 22 May 06 - 07:47 AM

Must be Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire

thread.cfm?threadid=91156&messages=50

We've even got John Breeze

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Santa
Date: 22 May 06 - 08:01 AM

I don't know how you'd define "best", but I live on the Fylde, in Lancashire, and there are active clubs/sessions/gatherings in Blackpool (2 off), Fleetwood, Poulton, St. Annes, and Preston. Moving further inland there are many more - try the list in Folk North West for a fuller idea.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: stallion
Date: 22 May 06 - 12:12 PM

York is a nice and expensive place to live, and quite a few different sessions around and about. try it

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 May 06 - 12:56 PM

Surprised at the suggestions re Cornwall - friend of mine who lives there keeps bemoaning the fact that there's little happening there, and that where there is is a long way away from anywhere else - similar comments from another person I know who moved down there, and is moving back to Kent as he wants more folk activity!

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: oombanjo
Date: 22 May 06 - 01:43 PM

Check out whats on where thread,I moved from Brighton to Beverley and have never regretted it, you can play every night of the week in Beverley, Hull, and cottingham,and there is usually more than one venue to choose from, cheers oombanjo.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Rockhen
Date: 22 May 06 - 03:15 PM

I'd echo Georgiansilver's suggestion that you check out Lincolnshire...there's loads of live music of different types in the Grimsby, Lincoln, Gainsborough area...Plus, for any lone female musicians, they seem to be, inmy experience, friendly places with non-threatening decent people in where it is possible to go on your own and feel comfortable and safe if your mates or partner can't make it. Great people and great music.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 May 06 - 06:52 PM

From my occasional visits to the area , Leeds / Bradford seems to have a fair few clubs and sessions , but so does North Lincs and Hull . If you hadnt mentioned cost I would suggest London area too ,but housing is horrendously expensive .

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: MuddleC
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:06 PM

Welllllllllllllllll,
that's a lot of places, Rockall sounds nice,,and strangely Totnes, being as I am a Somersetshire lad... it's close, and theres the sea, another plus point
lundun ew-aw, susesex ew-aw... tooo pricey, and as for cornwall, I did live and work at Helston for a while and.....v,quiet, went back after denmob to work at Porthcurno later on...still quiet!
Whitby, sounds interesting.. not too near them 'yuall rooight whack' types though..? will check map!!
I did visit york...and manged to park my Chevrolet!!!
was stationed at Lee-on-solent many moons ago, don't like the water.
Perhaps look at sidmuf this year..

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Northerner
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:44 PM

Whitby is extremely picturesque. I enjoy going there on day-trips from Middlesbrough. And yes, I believe it has an active folk scene. Derek and Dorothy Elliot live there - they run a jewellery shop I believe. Of course, it does have a brilliant folk week too. It seems to be pretty active throughout the year, though some of the tourist attractions do close down. You can get brilliant fish and chips there - and crab salad - yum yum yum.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: wigan
Date: 23 May 06 - 02:53 PM

second notherner. guisborough,stockton through to whitby. excellent friendly clubs, singers/musicians always welcome

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 24 May 06 - 11:30 AM

Sussex must take some beating, as Breton Cap points out. There is at least one song club nearly every night, about ten English tunes sessions a month, plenty of informal mixed song and tunes sessions, about twenty Morris sides in assorted flavours, and a good quality Irish scene in Brighton. There are the Lewes Arms all-day workshops for music and song as well - more than one a month these days. (I'm not counting festivals; they have their own merits, but wherever they take place they largely consist of bussed-in acts and rely more on an attractive venue than on local talent.)

Speaking personally, I have to make a conscious effort to stay at home on any night of the week.

Tootle pip,

Valmai (Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DL)

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: IanC
Date: 24 May 06 - 11:36 AM

I'm inclined to agree with Ross.

I live on the border of Herts/Beds/Cambs.

You can go to a session any night of the week, any week of the year, within 20 miles of here.

:-)
Ian

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Valmai Goodyear
Date: 24 May 06 - 11:49 AM

Try the Sussex Folk Guide http://whatson.brighton.co.uk/folk/ for the advertised local clubs and sessions: there are also a lot which don't take paid advertising because they are free, but flourish by word of mouth.

Tootle pip once more,

Valmai (Lewes, Sussex BN7 2DL)

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 May 06 - 07:17 PM

There's some good stuff in most regions. But as a rule of thumb, it's up North and out West.

Actually if you look at a map of the Civil war showing where the Royalists were in the ascendency, it's not a bad guide for where folk music tends to be most active. Curious. Rather similar to the pattern in the States I suspect. Perhaps it's something about being on the losing side in a Civil War.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 25 May 06 - 05:16 AM

We live near Worksop (just south of Sheffield) and, apart from the Sheffield events listed, there's a good deal in the surrounding area, e.g. Kiveton Park ('my' club); Mansfield; one on the Wentworth Estate but I can't remember the name of the pub off hand; Barnsley; folk events at Paddy's (Catholic club) in Wombwell to name but a few. There is an excellent folk circle here.

Loads of good festivals (including the wonderous Yorkshire Gathering last week) too.

Property is cheap.

Good luck in your choice and look us up if you head this way.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: MuddleC
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 07:46 PM

So it's Whitby or sussex, or huntingdon way, must look out my map, fortunately all in the right direction towards the sea, but any direction from coventry is nearer the sea!

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 08:10 PM

Great thread . I am always taken with how much music seems to be happening in the UK . Makes me very hungry to visit again !! All the best , guy

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Boab
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 01:36 AM

From a dyed-in-the-wool Scot---North East England, by a mile.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: alanww
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 06:55 AM

Well muddleC, so you are from Coventry, eh? I believe that it has plenty of folky activity but perhaps with too much of an Irish bias for me! It obviously depends what sort of stuff you are interested in.
I'd be more impressed with the various suggestions if (mostly?) people didn't vote for the area in which they currently live! So who has actually voted for somewhere else?
I live in Stratford-upon-Avon and the rural hinterland to the south is pretty good for informal English music sessions, particularly morris tunes, but its not so good for folk clubs or singarounds. Inevitably the formal folk clubs are in or close to large towns, eg Warwick, Banbury & Worcester.
For my own part, on my travels, the Whitby area and Devon have been very welcoming and friendly.
"For I be free to go abroad or take again my homeward road!"
Alan

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: GUEST,AS
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 08:50 AM

London isn't great for folk.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Fidjit
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 12:03 PM

Ther are two other threads you should perhaps look at, with simular info.
RE: How Far to Session or Jam?
RE: Q & A: What is a UK Folk Club?

also this
is worth looking at. Lot of dancing and singing. Looks like there is a lot going on.

Chas

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: vectis
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 12:12 PM

North East or Sussex seem to be the only two areas where you can club or session every night of the week.
Down here in Sussex we even get a choice of venues most nights.

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: Hopfolk
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 12:25 PM

Whitby I'd say.

Don't come to Ofordshire / Buckinghamshire / Hertfordshire because it's an uphil struggle getting folk "Done" here.

CamoJohn

PS: What am I saying... Come to Oxon / Bucks / Herts because we needs you :-)

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: IanC
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 12:39 PM

CamoJohn ... you must be talking about the other end of Herts. We're going great guns.

:-)

Subject: RE: Best folkie area in britain?
From: MuddleC
Date: 14 Jun 06 - 09:38 AM

Hullo Alan W.. it's me ..Tim, the one that starts fights in folk clubs.. remember the guy on his 65th in the Warks Singers Circle outing to Alcester..'can you play the whistle'..indeed!
I going to see if camojohn can entice me with money, and zany mouse has mentioned Barnsley, Kate Rusby country!!
-anyway, I've got to 'do' the kitchen before I even think of moving...