Pontardawe Folk Club

Subject: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 09:48 AM

Anne Lister,composer of the wonderful song Icarus will be performing at the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe,near Swansea on friday 19th January.
The venue is the "Ivy Bush" on Brecon Road ,Pontardawe and the event begins at 8.30pm.All welcome!
"Anne writes what are to me quite simply some of the most distinctive and beautiful songs I know..."
David Kidman

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,Belle
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 10:53 AM

Hi Does she sing in Welsh?

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 03:19 PM

Perhaps someone else can give a definite answer but i think she sings in english .Her songs draw from a wide range of traditional stories and legends.
albert

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: SussexCarole
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:07 PM

You'll have great night with Ann (Tabster) - sorry Ann that we can't be there...catch up with you soon. My favourite song is 'Seventh Angel'. Super evening yesterday at Pontardawe's singers night.

Carole

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Anne Lister
Date: 06 Jan 07 - 04:32 PM

I can give a definite answer ... no, I don't sing in Welsh. At least, not at this kind of gig. I'll be singing my own songs, some of the more recent of which are inspired by Welsh tales.   But thank you Carole and Albert for the kind remarks and it would be good to see lots of Mudcatters there!
We're also putting together a concert for Newbridge on January 27th (that's Newbridge near Blackwood) and I'm at the Blackwood 'Stute for a lunchtime concert on February 14th.

Anne

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,belle
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:05 AM

Hi Is there a programme or website for this very longstanding club? It is the Valley Folk Club I think.

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: SussexCarole
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:21 AM

I don't think the web site is up and running yet - but I'll pm you the email of the organiser so you can receive a newsletter
Carole

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: SussexCarole
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 06:22 AM

OOps sorry - just realised I can't pm you 'cos you are not a member...

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Mick Tems
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 07:59 AM

Pontardawe Folk Club, after travelling round the pubs of the town, still meets in the Ivy Bush in Brecon Road. I think I can safely say that it is the longest-running Welsh club, which is quite a feat. The club's programme is on the Listings, maintained by myself on behalf of the Llantrisant Folk Club website (www.folkwales.co.uk - sorry, can't do these clickies.)

Pontardawe FC was started by Bryan Harris, Labour councillor of the former Pontardawe Rural District Council. I came down to the Swansea Valley as Editor of the South Wales Voice in 1971, and I soon became immersed in an exciting little club. Bryan booked (for example) Muckram Wakes, Fred Jordan, Shirley and Dolly Collins, the Exiles, Nic Jones, Anne Briggs, Diz Disley and the Rev. Kenneth Loveless, to name just a few. Club performers were Bryan, 18-year-old Ruth Exell-Stevenson, Lynne Gent, Paul from Scunthorpe, Meryl and a host of singers. I (with Mike James and John Howes) was one the founder members of Swansea Jack. John left and was replaced by Peter Davies -we travelled to Brest Festival, which was the start of Ponty FC's and later Pontardawe Festival's love affair with Breton music and dance.

Bryan discovered the Crympyn John mummer's play, and he really whetted my reseacher's appetite (which took root in my still-unfinished South Wales Archive of English-language songs.) Bryan died suddenly of a brain haemorrhage, and I have a photograph of Mike, John, me (as Indian Dark) and the brothers Lyn and Stuart Martenson as the full Crympyn John cast, carrying on as Bryan would have wanted.

My fortunes took me away from the Swansea Valley, and the four of us started Llantrisant Folk Club, which celebrated its 25th birthday a while ago. Sorry this is rushed, but I'll have to go to a Tredegar House Festival meeting at Newport this afternoon. Congratulations, Anne, on appearing at the oldest folk club in Wales - give 'em hell!

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:25 AM

Thank you for the above information Dr Price! My first night in the Pontardawe Folk Club was in about 1976 when I went to see Vin Garbutt who was magnificent.
Could extend a warm welcome to one and all to come along and see Anne on the 19th of this month.It will be a good night and the Ivy Bush itself is a lovely unspoilt pub .Starts 8.30 but come a little earlier to get a good seat.
Albert

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: breezy
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 08:33 AM

Anne Lister played the Windward folk Club , so that should be and is recommendation enough.

Blwddyn newydd dda

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,heather
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 11:28 AM

Just found this thread, what a fantastic history for both the club at 37+ years old and the Ivy Bush Hotel which in it's present form is 100 years old this year.

There is a new website for the club at -
www.pontardawefolkclub.co.uk
We did have a good singers night last Friday complete with free Quality Street chocs.

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 11:32 AM

And a box of chocolate truffles!...mind you the singing was good too!
albert

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Anne Lister
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 01:16 PM

Mick, I wouldn't dream of "giving 'em hell" ... I was envisaging something more pleasant than that!   But does this mean we've missed the chocolate truffles?
Hey, Breezy - glad you remember my night at the Windward! Maybe do it again some time?

Anne

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 07 Jan 07 - 03:09 PM

I think Lynne ate the chocolate truffles...................

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Splott Man
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 04:20 AM

Here, have a clicky...

http://www.pontardawefolkclub.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,old girl
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 04:42 PM

Anne do we need to book for the gig at newbridge as we will be there.
Rose&Dave

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:14 PM

Come to Pontardwe as well!!
ifor

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,Old girl
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 05:24 PM

Just a bit far for us but thanks anyway we might make it when the summer arrives
rose

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Anne Lister
Date: 08 Jan 07 - 07:25 PM

Rose and Dave - I don't think so. I'm still waiting for the full details myself, but although I'd love to think the place will be packed to bursting point I doubt it, somehow! When I know more details I'll let you know. Be good to see you there!

Anne

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Anne Lister
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 06:33 AM

Finally got the details for Newbridge ... Saturday 27th January at Newbridge Memo, starting at 7.30 pm, featuring Jon Airdrie and the Shelleys, Gethin Pearson and me. Tix £5.00/£4.50, available from Newbridge Memo office.   Still not sure you'll need to book, but the office should know. Pass the word on!

Anne

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: breezy
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 09:15 AM

O K Tabby, but dont tell the man from the net !.

Windward club is hibernating now though, resis playing every 3rd Sunday at the Rose and Crown to rebuild audience numbers, apart from that it was a great 7 years with the cream of the folk world appearing, including you, so I hope you will be well received on the 27th

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,Old girl
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 06:15 PM

Thanks Anne will do I'll tell the Newport folk club this week. Rose

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: Anne Lister
Date: 14 Jan 07 - 06:17 PM

Thanks, Rose - I'll try to make a few fliers to put around the clubs, as well.

Anne

Subject: RE: Pontardawe Folk Club
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 04:37 PM

You can see Ann Lister this coming friday, the 19th January,at the Pontardawe Folk Club,in the Ivy Bush Hotel, Brecon Rd,Pontardawe . The evening starts at 8.30 but it would be a good idea to come a little earlier to get a good seat!
Floor singers get going from 8.30 and entrance is a snip at £5 .
All welcome and it would be great to see mudcatters there!!!!
Albert