Bothy's new venue

Subject: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 06:35 PM

The Bothy Folk Club (est 1965), is on the move again. After 3yrs in our current location we are having to move & have found a nice new venue.
So from Sunday 7th January 2007 (re-launch night with lots of surprise guests), the Bothy Folk Club will be at...
The Park Golf Club, Park Rd West, Southport, PR98NP.
Full details on website Bothy Folk Club including a map. Also we now have the guest list for most of 2007 online.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 11 Dec 06 - 07:25 PM

Jolly good luck you all. Hope you settle in well and have as much fun as always.

Joy, health, love and peace, be all here in this place.

Sal

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Schantieman
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 11:28 AM

By your leave we will sing
Concerning our king

:-)

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Nev Grundy of the Lunchtime Legends
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 12:38 PM

Good luck to the Bothy at its new venue; still real ale and real music. I remember the Bothy's dark days in the Blundell Arms when the only ale was Tetley smoothflow (although the music was always good). Born to rock, drink to roll.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Chris Nelson
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 01:56 PM

Excellent news. The Shelbourne Hotel has been a great venue for the Bothy (easily one of the country's finest folk clubs!) but turned out not to be the permanent home the club needs. I'm confident that the club's stay at the Park Golf Club will be a long and successful one.

If you haven't experienced the Bothy before, or it's been a while since your last visit, why not join us at the "relaunch" on 7th January?

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:41 PM

The Bothy Folk Club ; a little history

The club opened in April 1965, in the Railway Hotel (now demolished), Chapel St, Southport. The first residents were the Bothy Folk Group -- Christine Jones, Tony Wilson (later known as Tony Molyneux), Stan Ambrose, Dave Boardman -- who already ran a club in the Cattle Market pub, Liverpool; the success of the Southport venture led them to concentrate all their efforts there.
The word 'bothy' comes from the Scots, and refers traditionally to the huts in which shepherds found shelter while out on the hills with their sheep; the vibrant culture in which they and other agricultural labourers moved also produced numerous 'bothy ballads' which celebrated work, love, death and so on. The first residents at the Southport venue chose the name to reflect their interest in traditional song, and to project the club as a haven for singers and musicians; ironically, it also came to reflect the club's somewhat itinerant beginnings, for within six weeks the Bothy, in search of a larger room, moved from the Railway Hotel to the Blundell Arms, Upper Aughton Rd, in the Spring of 1965.
The new venue appeared permanent, but in January 2004 the club moved again, this time to the Shelbourne Hotel, on Southport's famous Lord St. There the club celebrated its 40th birthday in April 2005. Then in the winter of 2006, with the Shelbourne being transformed into luxury flats, the Bothy negotiated a move to the other end of town, finding a new home at the Park Golf Club, Park Road West, Southport.

From the outset, the members of the Bothy Folk Group were committed not only to bringing the best national and international folk singers and musicians to the club, but also to encouraging local performers, thus establishing the pattern of alternate guest nights and singers nights which still operates. This policy has paid off, not least in that the resident panel has been regularly replenished from a pool of performers who first appeared as 'floor' singers. Attendances have fluctuated but the club has enjoyed good support not only from Southport but also from Lancashire in general and Liverpool in particular; the social life of the club has also led to the formation of the Southport Swords dance team and the Argarmeles Clog team, as well as to regular informal song and music sessions in various local pubs. The club will celebrate its 50th birthday in 2015; do come and visit before then! (KL)



Bothy residents past and present (in chronological order -- roughly!


The Bothy Folk Group
STAN AMBROSE
DAVE BOARDMAN (d. 2005)
CHRISTINE JONES
TONY WILSON (d. 2004)

The King's Shilling
JOHN DAVIES
JOHN CORNETT
FRANK McCALL (d. 2006)

RAPHAEL CALLAGHAN
JIM JAMES
SUSAN FOX
KEVIN LITTLEWOOD
FRANK SELLORS
CHRISTINE TAYLOR
CATHIE STUART
DAVE WHITEHEAD
RICK SCOTT (d. 2005)
PETE RIMMER
MICK RIMMER
CLIVE POWNCEBY
PETE MUNZ
ANN MAUDSLEY
KEITH PRICE
KEN DUNLOP
PAUL REID
BEV SANDERS
KEITH MANDLE
NEV GRUNDY
RAY ROONEY
BILL HACKNEY
ALISON YOUNGER
STEVE FREEDMAN
SIOBHAN NELSON
CHRIS NELSON

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 12 Dec 06 - 02:56 PM

I'm just taking a break from sticking little yellow "new venue, same quality"-type Able-labels on 2500 flyers! The roll call of 'surprise' guests for the relaunch night is growing and all in all, we face the future with optimism!To infinity and beyond eh?!
Visited Shelbourne today and already the building site perimeter boarding is being erected. We will be there though, this Sunday for the final Shelly night, featuring plenty of Hot and not a little Pot!
Cheers Kevin, for posting that historical record above. Btw, there's an absorbing feature on Bothy Ballad origins and recent developments in the genre, in the current issue of The Folk Music Journal.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 09:07 AM

Hi Clive - glad the club is still in good health.
All the very best for the relaunch - cheers- Duncan McF

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,george garside
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 10:18 AM

best wishes & seasons greetings to everybody. New venue sounds great although a bit too far from my new abode in Anglesey!

see you sometime somewhere
george

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Schantieman
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 11:18 AM

From Anglesey, once you're in Southport, the Park Golf Club is nobbut a good tee shot away.

Steve

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 11:43 AM

Kevin's list of residents, got me thinking as to the guests we have had over the years. So I have compiled this list from both memory & incomplete lists up to the fairly recent past.
It is by no means complete so if you can remember some that I have forgoten or missed out feel free to contribute...........

Ewan McColl & Peggy Seeger, A.L. Lloyd, Shirley Collins,(& Dolly), Hedy West, Caroline Hester, Trevor Lucas, Micheal Cooney, Peter Wood, Roy Harris, Sean Cannon, Canny Fettle, Sara Grey, Barbara Dickson, Nic Jones, Mike Harding, Mike Whelans & Ali Bain, Bernard Wrigley, Martin Carthy, (& Dave Swarbrick), John Doonan, Lean Rossleson, Alister Anderson, Tom Gilfellon, Johhny Handel, Colin Ross, High Level Ranters, Cyril Tawney, Bill Caddick, Watersons, Young Tradition, Pete Bellamy, The Dransfields, Magic Lantern, John Kirkpatrick, Strawhead, Bob Davenport, Archie Fisher, Chris Foster, John Howson & Barbara Bennion, Jo Ann Kelly, Bob & Carole Pegg, Sydney Carter, Swan Arcade, Harry Boardman, Gary & Vera, Tim Laycock, Fred Jordan, Dick Gaughan, Alison McMoreland, Steve Ashley, Hot Vultures, Bobby Eaglesham, Fiddlers Dram, Bob Cann, Roy Bailey, Tony Rose, Bob Fox, (& Stu Luckley), Peg Leg Ferret, Tufty Swift, Frankie Armstrong, Peter Bond, Dave Goulder, Pakie Byrne (& Bonnie Shaljean), Paul Downes & Phil Beer, Jimmy Crowley, Nick Dow, Donal Maguire, Dave Burland, Pete Coe (& Chris), Muckram Wakes, Dave Evans, Paul Metsers, Jez Lowe, Martin Wyndham Read, Jim Mageean & Johhy Collins, John James, Gerry Hallom, Pyewackett, Alan Bell Band, Bernie Parry, Graham & Eileen Pratt, Jim Couza, Allan Taylor, Stanley Accrington, English Tapestry, Cosmotheka, Rae Fisher, Bryony, The Kipper Family, Stormalong John, Dan ar Bras, Ashley Hutchings, Pete Morton, Johnny Chopppin, Duck Baker, Andy Irvine, Brian Peters, Janet Russel, Clive Gregson & Christine Collier, Mike Silver, Robib Dransfield, Paddy Tunney, Steve Tilston, The Wilsons, Maggie Boyle, Grace Notes, Roger Wilson , Steve Turner, Tom McConnville (& Pauline Cato), Keith Hancock, Gordon Tyrall, Sally Barker, Artisan, Chris Wood & Andy Cutting, John Pearson, Cockersdale, Huw & Tony Williams, Hughie Jones, Chris Smithers, Chris Newman & Mai re ni chathersaigh, Chris While (& Julie Mathews), Garva, Ken Nicol, Kelly While, Show of Hands, Tom Lewis, Pint & Dale, Bill Prince, Garva, Sisters Unlimited, Eddie Upton, Quartz, Robb Johnson, Kate Rusby & Kathryn Roberts, Coope Boyes & Simpson, Lester Simpson, Ben & Joe Broughton, Kevin & Ellen Mitchell, Helen Watson, Robin Laing, Damien Barber, Kieren Halpin, Tom & Barbara Brown, Bill Whalley & Dave Fletcher, Dave Webber & Annie Fentiman, John Connolly, Jane & Amanda Threlfall, Debbie McClatchy…………… The list goes on .
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 01:00 PM

This Guest List project is on-going - thanx for reminding me. I DID start a date by date list which was taking ages and somewhere in the mid-80s I lost momentum! WILL finish - promise. It's on file. Nag me!
To my eternal pride, in the early days we had real Bothy singers - Davie Stewart and Jimmy McBeath as guests plus the Stewarts Of Blair, Jeannie Robertson, Fred Jordan, Stan Hugill and well, you get the picture. There weren't many 'revivalists' around back then - and I think that brief names-check reflects the fact.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: HipflaskAndy
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 01:56 PM

I've been guest there Clive - hugs - D McF

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Leraud
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 06:09 PM

It's the people that make the club and there are plenty of audience and some excellent singers and musicians at the Bothy Club. The organsation is fantastic.

I wish you all the best.

Lynne Heraud

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 13 Dec 06 - 07:07 PM

Sorry Duncan, how could I forget? I was a little fazed typing all that. & sorry Lynne I forgot you as well. In fact I didn't do very well did I? & how could I forget "The Witches", sorry girls, you can get me back at either Whittlesea or D.E.R.T.
There is probably a few spelin mistkes ass wel.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Keith Giddens
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 06:06 AM

Always enjoy evenings at the Bothy. Reckon it's one of the friendliest and best run clubs I've been to anywhere in this country, during my nomadic existence.
All the best for the re-launch and many more years of success.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Brian Peters
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 07:02 AM

Excellent club, and I've played there in a few different guises, I can tell you. Good clubs usually have strong resident performers, and the Bothy is a fine example.

Following my first booking there - many years ago and in front of a sparse audience - Clive sent me a handwritten letter a few days later along the lines of: "Thanks for your performance at the Bothy; there may have been only twenty there, but you played like it was a hundred." I've never forgotten that - both the kind gesture and the implied advice.

Best of luck in the new venue (I hope to see it sometime!).

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 07:30 AM

Anymore of this and we'll have to look for bigger premises already - to encompass our collective swelled head!!!!
There's cask beer at the new homeplace incidentally, separate room, stage & curtains(ta-rah)and views on a Summer's evening over the rolling greens. I have to say too, that it's a 'Peoples' Golf Club - if such a thing there be, 'cos it's part of Southport's Municipal Links infrastructure, so don't run away with the idea that we've repositioned the brand TOO much!
Last night at the Shelbourne this Sunday - plenty of Hot and not a little Pot! Come on down and meet the folks!

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Mandoleer
Date: 14 Dec 06 - 02:49 PM

Does any other Folk Club meet at a golf club? And don't forget the stay the Club had at Our Lady of Lourdes Club while the room at the Blundell was repaired. I hesitate to say done up. Like the old Railway Hotel, OLOL has gone. The old part is a childminding place, and the bit that used to be a bank became a cafe, and despite the signs still being there hasn't been open all year. At least the Blundell is still up and running, or the new landlords might feel worried about their future....

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 04:35 AM

Pat Batty's Friday Club at Westhoughton has been "poshing" it up for years at a Golf Club since moving from the 'Red Lion.' Folk Club Of The Year (Radio 2 Folk Awards 2000) doncha know? One thing I've noticed over recent months, is the number of Clubs relocating to RAFA Clubs, Bowling Pavilions and the like. It must be a reflection on the few old-style pubs left with separate function rooms - and certainly pubs that you'd want to go to anyway. That was my discovery during this Autumn's search - it's all bars, Bacardi Breezers and Skysports wall to wall.
Sad really - should we go and drown our poor selves and have we really lost the last of England?

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Kevin
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 09:45 AM

Clive, for heaven's sake, get some sleep mate!

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,GingeryNutt
Date: 15 Dec 06 - 06:11 PM

Good Luck to all the Bothygoers in your new home. Real Ale, bus route, no stairs, almost in the town centre (ish) what more can you ask for ????

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 16 Dec 06 - 07:21 AM

How odd LesB, I can't see Sally and The Shot Dogs on that list anywhere. That must mean we haven't performed at The Bothy yet. What ARE you waiting for??? BOOK US!!!

www.myspace.com/shotdogs

Sal
;-)

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,jill and nigel fielding
Date: 21 Dec 06 - 08:03 AM

Have you tried the Bothy Experience   NO !!!!!!!!! well come along and join us Sundays 8pm   You have no idea what you are missing.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 22 Dec 06 - 06:20 AM

ALL FOLKIES SHOULD GO TO THE BOTHY. iT'S ONE OF THE GREAT CLUBS.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 22 Dec 06 - 12:31 PM

Sorry Sal, you'll have to take that up with Clive. Have a great Xmas maybe see you Boxing Day if you are up.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 08:07 AM

Hm,mm what is a Shot Dog, Sally apart from the obvious? Am I missing something? Where can I/we see you singing? I guess 'Schantieman' would endorse your merits?!
I'm looking at 2008 programme, March onwards at present. Thanks to one and all who made last Sunday night's Party such a good 'un. Closed now for 2 weeks (well are there any Clubs opening on Christmas and New Years Eves?)and then, to infinity and beyond!

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 10:41 AM

I don't know where you can 'see' us Clive, but if/when you're in this neck of the woods we can entertain you maybe? Wow that would be fun. Actually if you look at this is us you can see our gig list as it stands today.

If you take a look at the miskin festival site miskin folk festival


you can read all about us, well a bit anyway.

x Sal x Merry Christmas.

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 10:59 AM

Clive has sent me a copy of the archive project as far as he has got with it. So here are some more extracts of past guests to add to the post above…….
Jaquie & Bridie, Pete McGovern , The Taverners, Terry Gould, Isla Cameron, Jimmy Mc Beath, Louis Kileen, Mc Peake Family, Nigel Denver, The Yetties, Christy Moore, Dave & Toni Arthur, Tim Hart & Maddy Prior, The Clutha, Simon Prager & Steve Rye, Alan Taylor, Don Partridge, Jon Raven , New Deal String Band, Lea Nicholson, Gasworks, Rab Noakes, The Gaugers, Mr Fox, The McCalmans, Finbar & Eddie Furey, Jack Hudson, Decameron, Mick Maloney, Tom Anderson, Hanna Hutton, Royston Wood, English Tapestry, Tim Lyons, & more recently Tom Napper, Tom Bliss, Benji Kirkpatrick, Ed Rennie, Cloudstreet, Tanglefoot, Jon Brindley, Dana & Sue Robinson, The Witches of Elswick, Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner, Quicksilver, Judy Cook, Bryony, Mick Ryan & Pete Harris, Anthony John Clarke, & regular friends Blue C & John Pearson …………
It's ironic that we should have had such a great attendance (about 90), for the last night at the Shelbourne, maybe the last chance to have some of their super Hot Pot.
I'm sure the catering at the new venue will be as good when we require it.
It sounds like we are going to have a bumper night on the first night at the Park Golf Club on the 7th Jan. See the website for maps & details Bothy Folk Club
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 11:00 AM

Shot Dogs? - the inevitable result of serial sheep-worrying?!

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 11:05 AM

Sorry Duncan missed you off the list again (sob), ..Duncan McFarland... (& bl***y good he was too).
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 23 Dec 06 - 11:48 AM

Clive, it really is time you joined Mudcat. I could PM you then instead of you thread creeping and me using this as an advertising forum.

(John's wife works in a Nursery. One day when all the little tinies were sitting on the carpet she told them they could go out to play and they were "across the carpet like shot dogs" It's better than the first name we thought of which was Spindrift. "Sounds like a namby pamby 1960's folk band" to quote Tony Barratt from Brewood Folk Club.)

Sal






2

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 07:11 AM

Happy New Bothy Year, Only a few days now to our 1st night at the new venue. Lots of surprise guests, get the Bothy habit for 07'
Bothy Folk Club
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST
Date: 02 Jan 07 - 05:48 PM

This is a thread about the Bothy not about dogs. Try Crufts?

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,ms lemon in the library
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 05:41 AM

Excuse me, 'GUEST', but Clive (who runs the Bothy Folk Song Club) asked me a question. Before you get your fingers into motion, get your brain in gear.

s

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 08:26 AM

Hi Sal, I thought that post was a bit odd/off as well!
Happy New Year.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: BB
Date: 03 Jan 07 - 11:54 AM

Not only that, but Sal also had the grace to put her explanation in brackets.

As you're an unidentified 'GUEST', I really don't think you have a right to criticise how Mudcat members use their forum!

Barbara

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 05:06 AM

Tomorrow!!!!
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Schantieman
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 08:26 AM

...and tomorrow and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day.....

That's enough of that. Be there.    I'm bringing Alan Lloyd; Gwynneth and Dave are coming too. Hope the room is big enough

Steve

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 05:37 AM

Phew, well I've caught breath a bit now. That was quite a 'first night.' Over 100 of us in, and a happening atmosphere. (yes, I now know how to open the windows!) Sorry for the Summer swelter!
OK, OK I know there's some fine-tuning to be done re. acoustics, noise leakage, seating plan etc. but all in all, most of the feedback has been positive and constructive when it hasn't been. Our hosts were well pleased - with an additional £600 or so over the bar, who can blame 'em? See you all there on Sunday for our good friends, Scolds Bridle? I think we can maybe set the controls for infinity and beyond now, so if I've been stalling any bookings for 2008, all you prospective gigsters for 2008 can now form an orderly queue!
Life is a lark at the Park!

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Schantieman
Date: 11 Jan 07 - 02:31 PM

Yes, Clive, 'twas a grand night!   

Looking forward to this Sunday with Scold's Bridle - haven't seen them since the Mersey Shanty Festival in 2005.

Anyone fancy saving the planet a little by giving me a lift from Crosby? Or, more importantly, home again?


Steve

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 12 Jan 07 - 09:57 AM

So glad it all went well. I've heard good reports too.

Thanks for the comments in my defence by the way you guys.

Sal

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 05:22 AM

Passed our old 'home' - the Shelbourne today and the Garrick Suite part of the building is scaffolded, with rubble chutes in place etc. They didn't waste much time after we moved out. A depressing sight and site,- to think just a month ago, we had the Chrissy party in there! Funny old world innit?
See y'all tonite for the 'Bridle?'

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 16 Jan 07 - 01:51 PM

Our second night at the new venue & we were nearly full again. Scolds Bridle were on form & brought Dave Walmesly (ex Risky Buisness)with them, who did a couple of his own songs & played along with the girls.
It's going well so far.
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: Schantieman
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 06:54 AM

The acid test will be this weekend with our first Singers' Night there. Will it be full again?


Steve

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 17 Jan 07 - 10:14 AM

It will if we get plenty of singers?
Cheers
Les

Subject: RE: Bothy's new venue
From: LesB
Date: 22 Jan 07 - 12:54 PM

It was and we did! 65-70 audience inc about 10 floor singers + residents.
Bill Whalley & Dave Fletcher next week, standing room only?
Cheers
Les