Updates ~ Keeping Folk In Touch
www.folklife.uk/updates for Folklife West magazine, and for our online Directory
Mainly Wales, West Country & West Midlands; but all areas, UK & International, are most welcome!
Updates on this page emailed to you ~ every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)
Your Updates: please send as email text or Word (not pdf, jpg, etc)
Please email with Subject: 1 of the 3 "subjects" below ~ or it may get missed !
- "Journal Updates" for Folklife Traditions Journal magazine (researched articles).~ Open to all ~ societies, researchers; book publishers (up to 200 words).
- "Directory Updates" ~ Venues, Performers, Services. Open to all signed up for our “Updates” email. Free entries, see Get listed! page
- "Folk News Updates" ~ only from Folklife Members, or all overseas readers; up to 140 words; + title; and at end, contact, websites, media. See foot of page for Membership details
Next Updates email: approx. Sunday 6/4/2025
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)
~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
More details of 🄵 Folklife members (UK & International), Ø Associate members: see Folklife West.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors. ØØ International Updates-signups who aren't Members can send Updates news but not included in Folklife West.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors. ØØ International Updates-signups who aren't Members can send Updates news but not included in Folklife West.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates
Read & download free on https://www.folklife-traditions.uk/this-issue.html or contents see details on Update email: 11/3/2025.
Some comments on the latest Journal:
'We Shepherds Are The Best Of Men' , sung by Richard Chidlaw, by Veronica Lowe (pp7-8)
Comments from Charles Menteith:
Bob Arnold lived in Burford, Oxfordshire.
Blockley is in Gloucestershire, though at one time, before about 1930, it was a detached parish of Worcestershire.
Arnold mentions 'Blockley Hill' in verse 3. His version is very similar to the one in "English County Songs", arranged by Lucy Broadwood (p 82) (1), which also has Blockley Hill. Might this have been Bob Arnold's source, and maybe that of others as well? I learnt, from revivalist singers, a similar version at the Baker's Arms, Broad Camden, at the foot of Blockley Hill, on the other side from Blockley.
(1) English County Songs, Words and Music,Collected and edited by Lucy E. Broadwood and J.A.Fuller Maitland, London, J B Cramer
(1) English County Songs, Words and Music,Collected and edited by Lucy E. Broadwood and J.A.Fuller Maitland, London, J B Cramer
Folklife news: societies & organisations, researchers, publications
The Traditional Song Forum Spring Conference, in association with the Contemporary Folklore Research Centre, will take place on Saturday 26th April (9.30 am – 5.00 pm) in the Council Room, Firth Court, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN. We have ten speakers, presenting papers on Song and a Sense of Place, and it should be a very interesting day. We are hoping to organise a singing session locally in the evening.
Steve Gardham : Local Songs in East and North Yorkshire
Sue Allan : D’Ye Ken John Peel? The man, the song and Cumbrian Identity
John Baxter : A sense of place in songs from the British Music Hall 1850-1914
Elizabeth Bennett : Women in the Margins: A Place-Based Study
Abbi Flint : Songs for Ramblers: open-air singing, place, and citizenship in the early twentieth century.
Stephe Harrop : Northering: Song and Place in Storytelling Performance
Fionnuala Maxwell : The Shores of Lough Bran and Traditional Songs from County Leitrim
Kara O’Brien : Songs of Home: Place and Women in Irish song
Colleen Savage : In search of ‘The Boys of Mullaghbawn’
Hilary Warner-Evans : “Phippsburg Town’s in Sagadahoc”: Local Song and Levels of Place Attachment
Further details are available on our website https://tradsong.org/tsf-spring-conference. It would be great to see some of you there; please feel free to share with other people who may be interested. Admission is free, but prior booking is essential. To book your place(s) please follow link on that webpage. Richard Spencer
Steve Gardham : Local Songs in East and North Yorkshire
Sue Allan : D’Ye Ken John Peel? The man, the song and Cumbrian Identity
John Baxter : A sense of place in songs from the British Music Hall 1850-1914
Elizabeth Bennett : Women in the Margins: A Place-Based Study
Abbi Flint : Songs for Ramblers: open-air singing, place, and citizenship in the early twentieth century.
Stephe Harrop : Northering: Song and Place in Storytelling Performance
Fionnuala Maxwell : The Shores of Lough Bran and Traditional Songs from County Leitrim
Kara O’Brien : Songs of Home: Place and Women in Irish song
Colleen Savage : In search of ‘The Boys of Mullaghbawn’
Hilary Warner-Evans : “Phippsburg Town’s in Sagadahoc”: Local Song and Levels of Place Attachment
Further details are available on our website https://tradsong.org/tsf-spring-conference. It would be great to see some of you there; please feel free to share with other people who may be interested. Admission is free, but prior booking is essential. To book your place(s) please follow link on that webpage. Richard Spencer
🄵 The English Folk Dance and Song Society and Vaughan Williams Memorial Library.
Folk Uncovered, a new series of online library courses. A unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field.
The series will launch with 'Folk Song in England' on Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm (GMT) on zoom, and is a 6-week evening course on the social history of traditional song and singing in England up to about 1950, on Thursdays at 7.30pm until 5 June.
It is presented by Steve Roud, creator of the Roud Folk Song Index. Topics covered will include the changing definitions of ‘folk song’ over the last 200 years, the legacy of the early collectors such as Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams, and what the ‘folk’ themselves thought about their songs. There will be the chance to listen to archive recordings and examine printed broadsides, consider female sailors and murdered sweethearts, and much more. Suitable for beginners and those already interested in the subject - and no singing will be required!
Steve Roud is an expert on folklore and superstition, was formerly Croydon’s Local Studies Librarian, and is Honorary Librarian of the Folklore Society – and the creator of the Roud Folk Song Index. Tickets £70 | £40 concessions / 020 7485 2206https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/28-classes-and-courses/14825-folk-song-in-england-with-steve-roud
(2) Online Directory: Updates
VENUES, South-West
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
🅄 Monday, 1st & 3rd from noon. South Glos TORMARTON THE COMPASS INN SESSION
→ The Compass Inn, Tormarton, near Badminton, South Gloucestershire, GL9 1JB. 12 noon - 3pm (September to July).
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
🅄 Monday, 1st & 3rd from noon. South Glos TORMARTON THE COMPASS INN SESSION
→ The Compass Inn, Tormarton, near Badminton, South Gloucestershire, GL9 1JB. 12 noon - 3pm (September to July).
⇒ Contact Terry Helyar, helyarterry<at>gmail.com
⊕ A lunchtime folk session at The Compass Inn, Tormarton, 1st & 3rd Mondays. Free entry, and runs from 12 noon until about 3pm. (2025 March, new venue)
⊕ A lunchtime folk session at The Compass Inn, Tormarton, 1st & 3rd Mondays. Free entry, and runs from 12 noon until about 3pm. (2025 March, new venue)
(3) News Updates: from Folklife members, and from International readersCheap publicity (from £9/year!) in Folklife West print magazine and on this webpage + the fortnightly Updates emails
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
p16 🄵 FOREST FOLK CLUB on Sunday 6th April we welcome back the fabulous Folklaw!
Acrobatic fiddling and earthy vocals are interwoven with distinctive vocal harmonies, mandola and guitars, as FolkLaw deliver a reflective social commentary within a patchwork of inspirational songs and melodies. FolkLaw are well known for their crowd-surfing fiddle antics, engaging on-stage banter, and an energized stage performance across the U.K. and Europe. A genuine “not to miss” band who’ve previously performed at Costa Del Folk, Cropredy, Sidmouth, Great British Folk Festival as well as supporting many of the great bands and events over the last decade. This performance at Forest Folk Club features Nick Gibbs on vocals and fiddle, Bryn Williams on vocals, guitar, mandolin and bohran, and Martin Vogwell on vocals, guitar, mandolin and banjo. www.folklaw.co.uk
Doors open at 7.30,in the function room of the Orepool Inn, Sling near Coleford,admission £8 cash only please. forestfolkclub.com
Doors open at 7.30,in the function room of the Orepool Inn, Sling near Coleford,admission £8 cash only please. forestfolkclub.com
Staffordshire-based
p 19 🄵 PAUL WALKER & KAREN PFEIFFER
• Mon, Apr 7, 7:30pm, Stirling Folk Club at Stirling County R.F.C., Bridehaugh Park, Stirling FK9 5AP. http://www.stirlingfolkclub.co.uk/
• Fri, Apr 11, 7:30pm, Dalgety Bay Folk Club, Lodge St John, 17 Hope Street, Inverkeithing, Fife KY11 1LW. https://www.dbfolkclub.co.uk
• Sat, Apr 12, 7:00pm, A’ the Airts Community Art Centre and Café, Sanquhar, Upper Nithsdale Arts and Crafts Community Initiative, 8 – 16 High Street , Sanquhar Dumfriesshire DG4 6BL. https://atheairts.org.uk
• Sun, Apr 27, 8:30pm, The Bulls Head, Church Street, Warrington, WA12SX https://www.facebook.com/WarringtonSingersNight
• Sat, Apr 12, 7:00pm, A’ the Airts Community Art Centre and Café, Sanquhar, Upper Nithsdale Arts and Crafts Community Initiative, 8 – 16 High Street , Sanquhar Dumfriesshire DG4 6BL. https://atheairts.org.uk
• Sun, Apr 27, 8:30pm, The Bulls Head, Church Street, Warrington, WA12SX https://www.facebook.com/WarringtonSingersNight
Contact: Karen Pfeiffer 🄵, karen<at>paulwalkermusic.co.uk or mobile: 07772 006427. www.paulwalkermusic.co.uk, www.youtube.com/PaulWalkerKarenPfeiffer, www.facebook.com/paulwalkerandkarenpfeiffer, www.instagram.com/walkerpfeiffermusic
• Dates for May onwards for PAUL WALKER & KAREN PFEIFFER and for MICHELL, PFEIFFER & KULESH in FW May issue
Scotland - Zoom
p37 🄵 LINN PHIPPS on Zoom
POSTPONED: Themed Shanty Big Sing No 19 Leave her Johnny Leave Her”, Weds 26 March as announced in Updates email: 24/3 - POSTPONED to a date in April or May to be announced.Shanty Big Sing website http://shantyman.dk/ShantyBigSings/ Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ThemedShantyBigSings-rc9te
Festival adverts for May Folklife West :
will be included in Updates
Mentioned, but not included in (text-only) fortnightly emails.
Note for May Folklife West
- applies to all ads & news items
- our deadline is 28 March.
If received for FW by deadline: revisions can then accepted up to 6 Apr -- so long as same size ad. or same text length, as received by 28 March.
Revised listings
2025 May 2 - 5 UPTON UPON SEVERN FOLK FESTIVAL www.uptonfolk.org
→ UPTON UPON SEVERN, Worcs. Numerous venues around the town.
⌂ UPTON FOLK FESTIVAL, please see our website for further details or contact chairperson@uptonfolk.org for specific enquiries. ⊕ Concerts, Ceilidhs, over 50 Dance Teams, Huge Sunday Procession, Folk Clubs, Workshops, Music and Song Sessions, Acoustic Talent Contest, Musical Meander, and much much more. Artists include: Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton, Banter, Ben Matthews, Bordewey Young Gittens, Brian Peters, Caffrey McGurk and Madge, Close Quarters, Dave and Ann Reader, Dave Mason, Discovery, Gloucester Diamonds, Granny’s Attic, Jim Mageean and Graeme Knights, Kerr Fagan Van Eyken, The Laners, Martin Hughes, The Medlars, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Oxford Nags, Pat Smith and Ned Clamp, Patakas, Rod Penlington, Sawol, Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Shepherd’s Purse, Tim Van Eyken, Two Oak Sons, Stonesthrow, The Underground Sun, Vital Spark, Vocal High and many more…. Bernie Dennis, Ian Bradshaw
2025 Aug 21-25 CORNWALL FOLK FESTIVAL www.CornwallFolkFestival.com
→ WADEBRIDGE, North Cornwall
⌂ Email: info@cornwallfolkfestival.com. Online Ticket Shop www.CornwallFolkFestival.com/tickets For tickets and more details, visit www.CornwallFolkFestival.com; follow at facebook.com/CornwallFolkFestival
⊕ Cornwall Folk Festival is back in full over the August Bank Holiday with an intimate town-based festival in Wadebridge, North Cornwall. From Thursday evening to Monday, this compact town centre event brings a top line-up to Wadebridge Town Hall and The John Betjeman Centre and showcases local music at the outdoor FAR stage and in pubs and street locations. Merry Hell, The Henry Girls, The Magpies, Tim Edey, Jackie Oates and Mike Cosgrave, The Countrymen, Martha Woods, Wake the River, Humm, Nicole Tesseyman and 50+ acts from Cornwall and Southwest.
Beyond the Border International Storytelling Festival and Towersey Festival (both occasional advertisers) have left the stage, as have many others. As for our Member-festivals, Bromsgrove had to have a year off but plans to return, otherwise they're all on as before, including locally (to me) Bromyard & Upton which are certainly flourishing! Onwards!
Updates email: Monday 24/3/2025
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)
~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
More details of 🄵 Folklife members (UK & International), Ø Associate members: see Folklife West.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors. ØØ International Updates-signups who aren't Members can send Updates news but not included in Folklife West.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors. ØØ International Updates-signups who aren't Members can send Updates news but not included in Folklife West.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates
Read & download free on https://www.folklife-traditions.uk/this-issue.html or contents see details on Update email: 11/3/2025.
🄹 THE BALLAD PARTNERS
Outlandish Knights: Essays in the Aesthetics of Ballads and Folk Songs, by David Atkinson.
Folklife news: societies & organisations, researchers, publications
🄹 THE BALLAD PARTNERS
Outlandish Knights: Essays in the Aesthetics of Ballads and Folk Songs, by David Atkinson.
185pp. £15.00 (+£3.20 p+p). For overseas postage please contact before paying ISBN 978-1-0686406-1-2
It is well-nigh impossible to think about categories like ‘ballads’ and ‘folk songs’ without bringing to mind favourite examples. It is almost equally difficult to describe the sources of the value that we ascribe to those examples. Outlandish Knights explores these issues by drawing on methods and approaches from aesthetics, the branch of philosophy that deals with the feelings, concepts, and judgements that arise from the contemplation of the arts.Topics range across the voices heard in songs, the thorny issue of authenticity, the moral stance of ballads, the conjunction of language and music, the impossible idealism in studying songs from the past, the type/version paradigm of ballad scholarship, the formation of canons such as the Child ballads, and what is meant by the ballad as a genre. Running through all the chapters is the paradox of subjectivity and objectivity that was first posed in Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Judgement, the founding text of modern aesthetics.
It is well-nigh impossible to think about categories like ‘ballads’ and ‘folk songs’ without bringing to mind favourite examples. It is almost equally difficult to describe the sources of the value that we ascribe to those examples. Outlandish Knights explores these issues by drawing on methods and approaches from aesthetics, the branch of philosophy that deals with the feelings, concepts, and judgements that arise from the contemplation of the arts.Topics range across the voices heard in songs, the thorny issue of authenticity, the moral stance of ballads, the conjunction of language and music, the impossible idealism in studying songs from the past, the type/version paradigm of ballad scholarship, the formation of canons such as the Child ballads, and what is meant by the ballad as a genre. Running through all the chapters is the paradox of subjectivity and objectivity that was first posed in Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Judgement, the founding text of modern aesthetics.
🄵 Broadside etc Printers' Register From Steve Roud
For those of you who use my Printers' Register database, a provisional version is now available on the VWML website, along with my other indexes.
For those of you who use my Printers' Register database, a provisional version is now available on the VWML website, along with my other indexes.
Go to - https://archives.vwml.org/search/roud
Scroll down to see the search box 'Search Printers Register'.
Only the main fields are included at present, but enough to help with dating many printers.
Scroll down to see the search box 'Search Printers Register'.
Only the main fields are included at present, but enough to help with dating many printers.
If you want to see all the fields the old site is still available:
https://previous.vwml.org/#, click on Advanced Search, in Filter by Collection (on left), deselect all, click on Street Literature Indexes
https://previous.vwml.org/#, click on Advanced Search, in Filter by Collection (on left), deselect all, click on Street Literature Indexes
🄵 TRADITIONAL SONG FORUM Online meeting 72, 6 Apr 2025, 16:00 (GMT, UTC) There will be two presentations in this month's meeting.
1 ) An Evening at the Saracen’s Head
Sabine Baring-Gould collected many of his songs in public houses, once he realised that this was where he was most likely to meet working men after they had finished their days work. There are several instances of his staying overnight in small country pubs in Devon and Cornwall and hearing songs from the singers he met there. In this presentation Martin Graebe talks about some of these occasions, looking in greater depth at a visit to the Saracen’s Head, at Two Bridges in the middle of Dartmoor on a January night in 1890.
Martin Graebe is an independent researcher, writer, and singer, who has studied and written about a number of aspects of traditional song, with several scholarly articles published in Folk Music Journal. He has edited The Forgotten Songs of the Upper Thames: Folk Songs from the Alfred Williams Collection for the Ballad Partners. His book As I Walked Out: Sabine Baring-Gould and the Search for the Folk Songs of Devon and Cornwall (2017) received both the Folklore Society’s Katharine Briggs Award and the W. G. Hoskins Prize. He has been the Secretary of the Traditional Song Forum since its inception. Martin and his wife, Shan, sing traditional songs together, with a repertoire based mainly on the traditional songs of southern England and in particular those collected by Sabine Baring-Gould.
1 ) An Evening at the Saracen’s Head
Sabine Baring-Gould collected many of his songs in public houses, once he realised that this was where he was most likely to meet working men after they had finished their days work. There are several instances of his staying overnight in small country pubs in Devon and Cornwall and hearing songs from the singers he met there. In this presentation Martin Graebe talks about some of these occasions, looking in greater depth at a visit to the Saracen’s Head, at Two Bridges in the middle of Dartmoor on a January night in 1890.
Martin Graebe is an independent researcher, writer, and singer, who has studied and written about a number of aspects of traditional song, with several scholarly articles published in Folk Music Journal. He has edited The Forgotten Songs of the Upper Thames: Folk Songs from the Alfred Williams Collection for the Ballad Partners. His book As I Walked Out: Sabine Baring-Gould and the Search for the Folk Songs of Devon and Cornwall (2017) received both the Folklore Society’s Katharine Briggs Award and the W. G. Hoskins Prize. He has been the Secretary of the Traditional Song Forum since its inception. Martin and his wife, Shan, sing traditional songs together, with a repertoire based mainly on the traditional songs of southern England and in particular those collected by Sabine Baring-Gould.
And author of Baring-Gould’s People. 1 – James Parsons, incl. song & music The Forsaken Maiden, in our latest Folklife Traditions Journal. - Ed.
2) In Bruton Town: Some Context and History of the Ballad
This talk examines the details of the ballad ‘In Bruton Town’, some of the singers that carried it orally, and revisits Lucy Broadwood’s idea that the narrative was lifted from Boccacio’s Decameron.
Ella Paul is a singer of traditional songs, and works teaching poetry in prisons. She recently completed a masters of the arts in ancient and oral poetry at Dartington Arts School and lives in Devon.
How to attend the meeting See ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website – www.tradsong.org
2) In Bruton Town: Some Context and History of the Ballad
This talk examines the details of the ballad ‘In Bruton Town’, some of the singers that carried it orally, and revisits Lucy Broadwood’s idea that the narrative was lifted from Boccacio’s Decameron.
Ella Paul is a singer of traditional songs, and works teaching poetry in prisons. She recently completed a masters of the arts in ancient and oral poetry at Dartington Arts School and lives in Devon.
How to attend the meeting See ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website – www.tradsong.org
(2) Online Directory: Updates
A little more international news next issue, so we've split 'Alba•Scotland and International' directory pages into separate pages,
- Venues - Scotland & Ireland https://folklife.uk/v-alba , and Venues - International https://folklife.uk/v-international
- Performers - Scotland & Ireland https://folklife.uk/p-alba , and Performers - International https://folklife.uk/p-international
Free listings: We don't have time to contact all possible entries, but always happy to follow up suggestions.
Thanks to Simon Meeds, Dragon Folk Club, whom I asked for a list of Bristol clubs, to Paul Mansfield, who wrote in when he noticed we had no East Midlands venues, and to Keith Price, our new "Far West" Correspondent, for Toronto clubs. We've had a few E Mids & Canada replies, below.
If you want to suggest some clubs or sessions in your area to list in Directory - just names and websites and/or emails, I can follow up - that would be great. Or you can give them my email - sam@folklife.uk
VENUES, WEST MIDLANDS
Herefordshire
Herefordshire
🅄 Wednesday, weekly (now except odd months last Wed!) Herefordshire LEDBURY PRINCE OF WALES session, Church Lane, HR8 1DL. Around 9pm
Was every Wednesday, except ....
'Morning all,
Sadly the last Wednesday of odd-numbered months (March, May, etc) is now not available for the session, so not next Wednesday 26 March.
'Morning all,
Sadly the last Wednesday of odd-numbered months (March, May, etc) is now not available for the session, so not next Wednesday 26 March.
19th March was the 31st anniversary of the session (being the closest to Paddy's Night), a good time was had by all. Normality will resume 2nd April.
Hope to see you soon.
Wassail, Steve
VENUES, EAST MIDLANDS
Derbyshire
→ The Old King's Head, Days Lane, Belper DE56 1NP, 8pm. Venue parking limited but large free car park nearby, details see website.
⇒ Contact phone: 01246 865170, email: geoff.deighton<at>btinternet.com , or contact via Belper Folk Club Facebook
⊕ Every Tuesday is an open night where anyone is welcome to come along to sing, play instruments, recite poetry, or just to listen and be entertained.
(2025 March, new listing)
Leicestershire
🅄 Tuesday, 2nd Leicestershire LONG WHATTON TIGERFOLK TRADITIONAL FOLK CLUB
www.facebook.com/people/Tigerfolk-Formerly-Traditions-at-the-Tiger/100057181640833/
→ The Falcon Inn, Main Street, Long Whatton LE12 5DG (near East Midlands Airport), 7.30 pm start.
⇒ John & Sheila Bentham, phone 07982 254298, email: johnandsheilabentham<at>virginmedia.com
⊕ Tigerfolk, formerly Traditions at the Tiger, was founded in 1991 by Roy Harris as a venue to present and promote traditional folk song, music, storytelling. Mostly guest nights but floor singers welcome. (2025 March, new listing)
🅄 Tuesday, 2nd Leicestershire LONG WHATTON TIGERFOLK TRADITIONAL FOLK CLUB
www.facebook.com/people/Tigerfolk-Formerly-Traditions-at-the-Tiger/100057181640833/
→ The Falcon Inn, Main Street, Long Whatton LE12 5DG (near East Midlands Airport), 7.30 pm start.
⇒ John & Sheila Bentham, phone 07982 254298, email: johnandsheilabentham<at>virginmedia.com
⊕ Tigerfolk, formerly Traditions at the Tiger, was founded in 1991 by Roy Harris as a venue to present and promote traditional folk song, music, storytelling. Mostly guest nights but floor singers welcome. (2025 March, new listing)
VENUES, NORTH-EAST
Local Media (at foot of web page)
Online 🅄 NORTHUMBRIA FOLK MUSIC DIARY http://northumbriafolk.org.uk
⇒ For submissions, corrections or comments, contact Peter Burnham, peter.burnham<at>gmail.com
⊕ Diary of folk song and music events for Northumberland, North East England. (2025 March, new listing)
Online 🅄 NORTHUMBRIA FOLK MUSIC DIARY http://northumbriafolk.org.uk
⇒ For submissions, corrections or comments, contact Peter Burnham, peter.burnham<at>gmail.com
⊕ Diary of folk song and music events for Northumberland, North East England. (2025 March, new listing)
VENUES, CANADA
ONTARIO
🄵 Mon, usually 1st, Ontario. BRAMPTON FOLK CLUB www.bramptonfolk.ca
→ Snelgrove Community Centre, 11692 Hurontario St, Brampton, just S. of Mayfield Road on the west side. 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m
⇒ 647-BFF-FOLK (647-233-3655), info<at>bramptonfolk.ca, find us on Facebook
⊕ The atmosphere is informal and relaxed. We promote and encourage folk music, provide a forum for musicians to develop their skills in performing folk music, and provide as a resource a talent pool for entertaining at community and charitable functions. (2025 March, new listing)
→ Snelgrove Community Centre, 11692 Hurontario St, Brampton, just S. of Mayfield Road on the west side. 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m
⇒ 647-BFF-FOLK (647-233-3655), info<at>bramptonfolk.ca, find us on Facebook
⊕ The atmosphere is informal and relaxed. We promote and encourage folk music, provide a forum for musicians to develop their skills in performing folk music, and provide as a resource a talent pool for entertaining at community and charitable functions. (2025 March, new listing)
🄵 Fri, monthly Ontario. BRAMPTON FOLK CLUB FRIDAY FOLK NIGHT CONCERTS www.bramptonfolk.ca
→ Sanderson Hall at St. Paul's United Church, 30 Main St. South, Brampton (across from City Hall). Sept-May, 7:30 p.m
⇒ 647-BFF-FOLK (647-233-3655), info<at>bramptonfolk.ca, find us on Facebook
⊕ Ticketed coffee-house style events, featuring high profile folk artists with BFC artists as the opening act. The Club meets monthly on a Monday (entry above), and organises other concerts and other activities, see website. (2025 March, new listing)
→ Sanderson Hall at St. Paul's United Church, 30 Main St. South, Brampton (across from City Hall). Sept-May, 7:30 p.m
⇒ 647-BFF-FOLK (647-233-3655), info<at>bramptonfolk.ca, find us on Facebook
⊕ Ticketed coffee-house style events, featuring high profile folk artists with BFC artists as the opening act. The Club meets monthly on a Monday (entry above), and organises other concerts and other activities, see website. (2025 March, new listing)
(3) News Updates: from Folklife members, and from International readersCheap publicity (from £9/year!) in Folklife West print magazine and on this webpage + the fortnightly Updates emails
A little more international news next issue, so we're made 'Alba•Scotland and International' news page into 2 separate pages,
and 🄵🅆 International news page https://folklife.uk/international, which includes an Online Extra for you, a very detailed report on Toronto clubs, from Keith Price. Do have a read!
From May issue: Folklife West's (very) Far West Correspondent ... Toronto-based Keith Price reports."
Keith will start with by highlighting the main Toronto club, ABFC (Another Bloody Folk Club) in next issue. 20/3/2025: Keith says "I might even check on clubs in Buffalo, New York State. It is only about 2 hours from home." Watch this space!
Wales - Monmouthshire
🄵 NEWPORT FOLK CLUB
Apart from our regular weekly Club night, in the Fugies (see Folklife West folk news Wales ), we support various activities locally and some further away. Events at the Club in 2024 are shown below. These are in addition to this year’s guests.
LAST TUESDAY SING, 25 March, Graig Community Centre, Cowshed Lane, Bassaleg Newport NP10 8HZ.
Come along to our Last Tuesday Sing, starting at 8.30. The Hall is on the main Caerphilly Road, opposite the Ruperra Inn. There is no bar, so either bring your own drinks, or purchase them from the Ruperra opposite (bring a glass or tankard).
ONE DAY IN SPRING, 6 April. Another chance to enjoy a full Folk Club Concert in the Fugies. Headline Alice Jones supported by Dewdropper and regulars from the Club.
TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL, 9-11 May. This promises to be another brilliant weekend (whatever the weather!) See Festival Diary pages and https://www.tredegarhousefestival.org.uk
South-East Oxfordshire
🄵 MOONRAKERS
Sat 5 April St Mary's Church, CHILDREY, Oxon, OX12 9PQ. A return to this beautiful old church in Sarah's home village. 7.30pm. Bar provided. £14 in advance or on the door. Email stmaryschildreypcc@gmail.com
Fri 11 April Oxford Folk Festival. A double bill concert with The Oakstone Trio. Old Fire Station Theatre, OXFORD OX1 2AQ. £20 Old Fire Station, Oxford
Best wishes,
Jon, Becki, Jacqui and Sarah 01865 769206 www.moonrakers.net
Fri 11 April Oxford Folk Festival. A double bill concert with The Oakstone Trio. Old Fire Station Theatre, OXFORD OX1 2AQ. £20 Old Fire Station, Oxford
Best wishes,
Jon, Becki, Jacqui and Sarah 01865 769206 www.moonrakers.net
Scotland - Zoom
🄵 LINN PHIPPS on Zoom
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to let you know that the next Themed Shanty Big (no 19) will be on Weds 26 March, when we look forward to everyone joining us to sing / hear versions of the Shanty “Leave her Johnny Leave Her”, 8pm UK/ Ireland time (NB 4pm ET, 1pm PT as UK clocks have not yet changed, 9pm France time etc). Proper shanties please! To request to join as singers / audience and to get the Zoom event link (about 24 hours prior), pls email Linn direct at linnphipps<at>gmail.com or the contact page (now working) on Linn’s website.
The video for Named Ships and Shipping Lines 19 Feb 2025 is now up posted here on our own Big Sings Youtube channel: https://youtu.be/EgsnUSlFOO4
Thank you! Linn Phipps & Jim Lucas
Shanty Big Sing websitehttp://shantyman.dk/ShantyBigSings/ Youtube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@ThemedShantyBigSings-rc9te
Festivals and Workshops Diary ~ We've added live weblinks. Text listings in Festivals & Workshops Diary are now online text (rather than print-page copies), so you can have links. All images of headings & adverts are as in print. The prepaid PDF of this issue (£3) includes this Diary's pages as printed.
→ UPTON UPON SEVERN, Worcs. Numerous venues around the town.
⌂ UPTON FOLK FESTIVAL, please see our website for further details or contact chairperson@uptonfolk.org for specific enquiries.
⊕ Concerts, Ceilidhs, over 50 Dance Teams, Huge Sunday Procession, Folk Clubs, Workshops, Music and Song Sessions, Acoustic Talent Contest, Musical Meander, and much much more. Artists include: Andrew McKay and Carole Etherton, Banter, Ben Matthews, Bordewey Young Gittens, Brian Peters, Caffrey McGurk and Madge, Close Quarters, Dave and Ann Reader, Dave Mason, Discovery, Gloucester Diamonds, Granny’s Attic, Jim Mageean and Graeme Knights, Kerr Fagan Van Eyken, The Laners, Martin Hughes, The Medlars, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Oxford Nags, Pat Smith and Ned Clamp, Patakas, Rod Penlington, Sawol, Sherburn Bartley Sanders, Shepherd’s Purse, Tim Van Eyken, Two Oak Sons, Stonesthrow, The Underground Sun, Vital Spark, Vocal High and many more…. Bernie Dennis, Ian Bradshaw
Prepaid Festival adverts for May Folklife West :
will be included in Updates
Send as soon as you like; and they can be revised (see Note below)
They won't be included in the fortnightly emails which are text only.
Note for May Folklife West
- applies to all ads & news items
- our deadline is 28 March.
If received for FW by deadline: revisions can then accepted up to 6 Apr -- so long as same size ad. or same text length, as received by 20 March.
Updates email: Tuesday 11/3/2025
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday (or occasionally Mon or Tue after)
~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) News from Folklife members, & from International readers
More details of 🄵 Folklife members, Ø Associate members, ØØ International Updates-signups, who are included in Folklife West this issue.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates
Read & download free on https://www.folklife-traditions.uk/this-issue.html
16 A4 print pages, all mono. Print cover (pp1,2,15,16) cream paper; rest white paper.
6 Researched Articles
6 Researched Articles
- The Tradition of Cornish Hurling, by Lamorna Spry, including Silver Ball song & tune, pp2-4
- Hymey Hancock - anatomy of a song, by Keith Gregson, p5
- Hussars, by Charles Menteith, pp6-7
- We Shepherds are the Best of Men, sung by Richard Chidlaw; by Veronica Lowe, pp7-8
- New songs for old, or how the tradition informs songs today, by Rosie Upton, including song The Desert Rat, by Pete MacGregor and Traditional, p9
- Baring-Gould’s People. 1 – James Parsons, by Martin Graebe including song & music The Forsaken Maiden, p10-11
- The Cornish National Music Archive; Saydisc; p4.
- The City of Sunderland awarded Music City Status - Folk Music involvement, p5.
- Trac Cymru; Vaughan Williams Memorial Library; Folklore Society; Access Folk, p12.
- Pedlars Pack; Traditional Song Forum; The Ballad partners; p13.
- Exhibition: Un/Common People Exhibition: Folk Culture in Wessex (in Devizes Wiltshire, Poole & Salisbury Museums, p13
- Ceredigion Folk Song Map; our free Updates emails; p14.
- From Online FTJ Directory, detailed listings: Seasonal Local Celebrations, Nov-Mar list & photos, mostly by Doc Rowe, p15-16
- PDF free downloads. UK/EU: A4 size as printed US: letter size
(2) Online Directory: Updates
VENUES, South-West
Bristol & South Gloucestershire
🄵 Friday, weekly S. Glos SHORTWOOD DRAGON FOLK CLUB http://dragonfolkclub.blogspot.co.uk
Venue has reopened, Feb 2025. Details see News Updates below.
🄵 Friday, weekly S. Glos SHORTWOOD DRAGON FOLK CLUB http://dragonfolkclub.blogspot.co.uk
Venue has reopened, Feb 2025. Details see News Updates below.
Gloucestershire
🅄 Day Varies Glos VARIOUS VENUES VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk
→ Venues: various
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
🅄 Day Varies Glos VARIOUS VENUES VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk
→ Venues: various
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
VENUES, West Midlands
Staffordshire
→ The Albion, Shobnall Rd, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2BE. Meeting September7 to May, Doors 7.30pm for 8pm Guestnights, 8pm Singarounds.
⇒ Contact: info<at>burtonfolkclub.org.uk Social media: https://facebook.com/BurtonFolkClub/?locale=en_GB https://bsky.app/profile/burtonfolkclub.bsky.social
⊕ With a tradition stretching back almost 60 years, booking both new rising stars and old favourites to headline our fortnightly Guest nights, alternating with fortnightly Singarounds. Please email before attending Singarounds – all Floorsingers for Guestnights by prior arrangement. [2025 Feb, new listing]
Herefordshire
🅄 Day Varies Herefs VARIOUS VENUES incl. MUCH MARCLE VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk
→ Venues: include Hellens Manor, Much Marcle.
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
→ Venues: include Hellens Manor, Much Marcle.
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
Worcestershire
🅄 Day Varies Worcs VARIOUS VENUES incl. MALVERN VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk→ Venues: include the Cube, Malvern.
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Details as under Herefordshire above
⇒ Contact: email: info<at>versatilearts.co.uk Mobile: 07758 125 136
⊕ Details as under Herefordshire above
PERFORMERS England West Country
Pf.1a Music/Song - Bands/Groups
🄵 Gloucestershire COBBLERS CHILD https://cobblerschild.co.uk/
⇒ Emma Vogwell, 07789-997415, Email: contact<at>cobblerschild.co.uk www.facebook.com/cobblerschild, www.instagram.com/cobblerschild/ ,
⇒ Emma Vogwell, 07789-997415, Email: contact<at>cobblerschild.co.uk www.facebook.com/cobblerschild, www.instagram.com/cobblerschild/ ,
https://cobblerschild.bandcamp.com
⊕ Four friends cemented into a band between the pandemic lockdowns. Featuring the northumbrian pipes alongside guitar, whistles, melodeon and vocals. Serving up a mix of tunes and songs, old and new. Find recordings and video on our website and Bandcamp. [2025 March, new listing]
⊕ Four friends cemented into a band between the pandemic lockdowns. Featuring the northumbrian pipes alongside guitar, whistles, melodeon and vocals. Serving up a mix of tunes and songs, old and new. Find recordings and video on our website and Bandcamp. [2025 March, new listing]
SERVICES
S.2 Agents, Managers, Promoters, MCs and Stage Management
England West Midlands
🅄 Herefs, Worcs, Glos, nearby VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
🅄 Herefs, Worcs, Glos, nearby VERSATILE ARTS www.versatilearts.co.uk⊕ Versatile Arts have produced and promoted projects in performance since 2009, aiming to deliver exciting, vibrant, live performances for audiences in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire. Past events have included a variety of musical genres including folk, and spoken word events. [2025 March, new listing]
(3) News Updates: from Folklife members, and from International readersCheap publicity (from £9/year!) in Folklife West print magazine and on this webpage + the fortnightly Updates emails
International - Canada
On our Scotland & World news pages, www.folklife.uk/alba, we've added an Online Extra for you. From Canada ~ a very detailed report from Toronto, from Keith Price, one of our Canadian Folklife members (and founder of Rhyl Folk Club in N Wales). Do have a read!
🄵 Sunday, most 2nd, 4th Glos CHELTENHAM CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB, Stanton Suite, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR till end-March. Venue might vary, check. Now starts at 8pm Chris Beaumont 01242 571185; or Judith 01242 577506. machteltje<at>gmail.com
Some open nights for more floor spots, some guest nights. Next is Sunday 23rd March tba. All welcome. Prices vary according to guest/open night. Cash only. Do join our mailing list — just email machteltje<at>gmail.com
On our Scotland & World news pages, www.folklife.uk/alba, we've added an Online Extra for you. From Canada ~ a very detailed report from Toronto, from Keith Price, one of our Canadian Folklife members (and founder of Rhyl Folk Club in N Wales). Do have a read!
International - USA 4 not 5 hours difference for East Coast till British Summer Time starts
ØØ online only
ØØ online only
• Zoom ~ Boston, Mass ØØ LYNN NOEL https://sites.google.com/view/crosscurrents-musicand ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN
Zoom meeting links are MAILING LIST ONLY. Join this mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com
Monthly sessions usually on 1st Sundays 2-4pm ET, special events as the occasion requires.
APRIL 6 Chantey & Tavern Sing, MAY 1 SPECIAL Mayday at Dawn, JUNE 15 Ballad Sing (replaces June 1 event)
ZOOMS every Monday see Zooms page
LIVE - VALLEY FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS 144 Cedar Street Corning, NY (corner 1st St.) in the red brick Methodist Church. Buy tickets online on websiteor at the door. For more information visit our website, or contact us: (1) 607-962-4461, or info<at>valleyfolk.org
Sun April 6, 2pm - Hubby Jenkins (of The Carolina Chocolate Drops fame) music from his African American experience.
Thu May 1 , 7:30pm - Martin & Eliza Carthy from England Guitar & fiddle father & daughter singers from a very prominent family of English folk music
Thu May 1 , 7:30pm - Martin & Eliza Carthy from England Guitar & fiddle father & daughter singers from a very prominent family of English folk music
The next “live” sing-around is at 1pm on Sun March 23 at 1008 W. Water Street, Elmira, NY. Bring your songs, guitars or other folk instruments to accompany your folk songs. Songs with a chorus or refrain especially encouraged.
West Country: Cornwall-based
p 10 🄵 Rob Barratt's gig list (more in next issue)
March 15th - Rilla Mill Village Hall, Rilla Mill, near Callington, Cornwall. PL17 7NY. April 28th - Wrexham Carnival of Words. Poetry Live and Dangerous. Evening. April 29th - Words of Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove Library, Parkside, Market St, Bromsgrove B61 8DA, Worcestershire. 7.00pm. May 12th - Parracombe Arts and Literary Festival, Parracombe, near Lynton, North Devon. 7.30pm.
March 15th - Rilla Mill Village Hall, Rilla Mill, near Callington, Cornwall. PL17 7NY. April 28th - Wrexham Carnival of Words. Poetry Live and Dangerous. Evening. April 29th - Words of Bromsgrove, Bromsgrove Library, Parkside, Market St, Bromsgrove B61 8DA, Worcestershire. 7.00pm. May 12th - Parracombe Arts and Literary Festival, Parracombe, near Lynton, North Devon. 7.30pm.
West Country: Bristol & South Gloucestershire
p 14 🄵 Friday, weekly S. Glos SHORTWOOD DRAGON FOLK CLUB http://dragonfolkclub.blogspot.co.uk
Following a temporary closure (Updates 9/2/2025), after an enforced break of about two months, the Dragon Folk Club will be back on Friday 28th February. We are back to our accustomed venue of The Bridge Inn, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG and our usual start time of 8:15pm. As always you are welcome to join us whether to sing a song, play a tune, tell a story, recite a monologue, tell a joke, perform in any other way or indeed none but just be our audience, and as usual anything goes as long as it's acoustic. Yes, we have our feet firmly in the folk tradition "of these isles" as my old "friend" Mike Harding would say, but we are perfectly open to songs from other sources and even from your own pen.
Following a temporary closure (Updates 9/2/2025), after an enforced break of about two months, the Dragon Folk Club will be back on Friday 28th February. We are back to our accustomed venue of The Bridge Inn, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG and our usual start time of 8:15pm. As always you are welcome to join us whether to sing a song, play a tune, tell a story, recite a monologue, tell a joke, perform in any other way or indeed none but just be our audience, and as usual anything goes as long as it's acoustic. Yes, we have our feet firmly in the folk tradition "of these isles" as my old "friend" Mike Harding would say, but we are perfectly open to songs from other sources and even from your own pen.
Contacts: Colin Owen 0117 9600273, Email Simon Meeds, dragonfolk<at>rosma.co.uk [1/2/2025]
West Country: Gloucestershire
🄵 Sunday 16th March, special guests at Forest Folk Club are Wynford Jones and Geoff Cripps. These two fine musicians are the superduo product of two of Wales’s finest folk bands.Wynford, one of the most searingly perceptive songwriters of his generation, was leader of The Chartists whose song-cycles chronicled the hobnail-hard working-class struggle as never before. Multi-instrumentalist Geoff was the powerhouse at the heart of festival barnstormers Allan Yn Y Fan. Together they are a force of nature. Doors open in the function room of the Orepool Inn at 7.30. Admission £8 on the door. Details on https://forestfolkclub.com
🄵 Sunday, most 2nd, 4th Glos CHELTENHAM CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB, Stanton Suite, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR till end-March. Venue might vary, check. Now starts at 8pm Chris Beaumont 01242 571185; or Judith 01242 577506. machteltje<at>gmail.com
Some open nights for more floor spots, some guest nights. Next is Sunday 23rd March tba. All welcome. Prices vary according to guest/open night. Cash only. Do join our mailing list — just email machteltje<at>gmail.com
South-East: Oxfordshire-based
Fri 14th March St Michael's Church, Market Square, SOMERTON, Somerset TA11 7NB. 7.30pm. £12 on the door. Enquiries: 07483137623
Sat 15th March 10:30am - 4:00pm. Folk Orchestra Workshop run by Jon, Jacqui & Becki. All instruments welcome; intermediate standard (no absolute beginners). Music & videos sent in advance. Limited to 20. Book early - always sold out! £60 (including ticket for evening concert). St Mary's Church, BRIDPORT, DT6 3NW. Booking & information: MoonrakersCelticMusic<at>gmail.com 01865 769206.
Sat 15th March St Mary's Church, BRIDPORT, Dorset, DT6 3NW. Beautiful church over 800 years old. 7.30pm. £15 (incl.a free drink) on the door.
Fri 21st March Special guests at SWINDON Folk Club, 7:45-8pm start. The Hop Inn, Devizes Rd, Swindon SN1 4BH.
Mon 31st March Luton Music presents: "Vaughan Williams - Roots and Branches", Moonrakers with string quartet, OXUS - eight musicians on stage - to celebrate the music and folk song influences of Vaughan Williams. Sponsored by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. St Mary's Church, LUTON. £18 (+conc), all tickets on the door. Facebook @MoonrakersBand Instagram @MoonrakersOfficial BlueSky Moonrakers (@moonrakersband.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Keep well, Jon, Becki, Sarah and Jacqui https://www.moonrakers.net
Sat 15th March 10:30am - 4:00pm. Folk Orchestra Workshop run by Jon, Jacqui & Becki. All instruments welcome; intermediate standard (no absolute beginners). Music & videos sent in advance. Limited to 20. Book early - always sold out! £60 (including ticket for evening concert). St Mary's Church, BRIDPORT, DT6 3NW. Booking & information: MoonrakersCelticMusic<at>gmail.com 01865 769206.
Sat 15th March St Mary's Church, BRIDPORT, Dorset, DT6 3NW. Beautiful church over 800 years old. 7.30pm. £15 (incl.a free drink) on the door.
Fri 21st March Special guests at SWINDON Folk Club, 7:45-8pm start. The Hop Inn, Devizes Rd, Swindon SN1 4BH.
Mon 31st March Luton Music presents: "Vaughan Williams - Roots and Branches", Moonrakers with string quartet, OXUS - eight musicians on stage - to celebrate the music and folk song influences of Vaughan Williams. Sponsored by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. St Mary's Church, LUTON. £18 (+conc), all tickets on the door. Facebook @MoonrakersBand Instagram @MoonrakersOfficial BlueSky Moonrakers (@moonrakersband.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Keep well, Jon, Becki, Sarah and Jacqui https://www.moonrakers.net
Festivals and Workshops Diary ~ We've added live weblinks. Text listings in Festivals & Workshops Diary are now online text (rather than print-page copies), so you can have links. All images of headings & adverts are as in print. The prepaid PDF of this issue (£3) includes this Diary's pages as printed.
Updates email: Sunday 23/2/2025
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday. ~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Folklife members & International Folk News
Updates, email every 2 weeks, on a Sunday.
~ (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Folklife members & International Folk News
More details of 🄵 Folklife members, Ø Associate members, ØØ International Updates-signups in Folklife West this issue.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 other UK Updates-signups, 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal other subscribers/contributors.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal Updates
Folklife Traditions: folk studies and cultural traditions.
I've been talking to Owen Shiers, Welsh folk singer, researcher, grain grower and cultural historian, about his Cynefin project: we hope to have an article by Owen in the November Journal. Cynefin (pr. kuh-neh-vin’) is a word with no direct translation into English. This project is Owen's musical brainchild, grounded in years of research, collecting and absorbing the culture and traditions of his native Ceredigion, it aims to provide a window into the past, and in addition bringing present day issues into sharp focus. A personal dispatch from the struggle to maintain a language, culture and way of life – Cynefin is a unique musical project with a timely message. I recommend a visit to Owen's website, https://cynefinmusic.wales; on the About page, he talks about the forgotten folk songs of Ceredigion, the video starts with singing from Iwan Evans, Talgarreg, an 80-year farmer who still farms in the traditional ways, and was featured on TV's Cefn Gwlad (Countryside) - currently on www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0k57nxt/cefn-gwlad-cyfres-2024-iwan-evans
See also Folk News below, about Cynefin tour and a new CD.
🄵 TSF, Traditional Song Forum: Online meeting 71, 9 March 2025, 4pm (GMT, UTC)
Michael J. Bell: Mr. Child's Songster
Within months of the start of the Civil War, Francis James Child began to collect original songs from friends and colleagues in Boston/Cambridge for a songbook for Union soldiers. Eventually published in 1862, War-Songs for Freemen contained thirty songs, including three by Child himself. Focusing particularly on Child’s three contributions, this presentation will discuss Child’s “other collection” as a politically motivated protest by a community of folklore enthusiasts, poets, and musicians intended to provide a selection of pro-Union propaganda songs designed to help sustain a collective Northern cultural identity among young men at war over deeply contested ideas and values.
Hilary Warner-Evans: “I Dread the Wind and I Hate the Sea”: Localization in the Maine Songs of Bert Baily (1890–1972)
Albert “Bert” Baily (1890–1972) who write his own songs taking place in Phippsburg and on the Maine coast more generally. Although the stories in Bert’s songs are fictional and mostly comic, they contain a certain level of realism. And although Bert was a summer person, in many ways his songs accurately capture the attitude of the local residents. This presentation examines the strategies Bert used to localize his songs to the Phippsburg area: the use of real personal and topographic names, local history and folklore, and local knowledge about and attitudes toward the economy and natural environment.
How to attend the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84055876796?pwd=5XIEjkHcLU2ze3ud88ocbnDDGS9T7Q.1
Meeting ID: 840 5587 6796 Passcode: 493613 For more details, see the ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website – www.tradsong.org
Within months of the start of the Civil War, Francis James Child began to collect original songs from friends and colleagues in Boston/Cambridge for a songbook for Union soldiers. Eventually published in 1862, War-Songs for Freemen contained thirty songs, including three by Child himself. Focusing particularly on Child’s three contributions, this presentation will discuss Child’s “other collection” as a politically motivated protest by a community of folklore enthusiasts, poets, and musicians intended to provide a selection of pro-Union propaganda songs designed to help sustain a collective Northern cultural identity among young men at war over deeply contested ideas and values.
Hilary Warner-Evans: “I Dread the Wind and I Hate the Sea”: Localization in the Maine Songs of Bert Baily (1890–1972)
Albert “Bert” Baily (1890–1972) who write his own songs taking place in Phippsburg and on the Maine coast more generally. Although the stories in Bert’s songs are fictional and mostly comic, they contain a certain level of realism. And although Bert was a summer person, in many ways his songs accurately capture the attitude of the local residents. This presentation examines the strategies Bert used to localize his songs to the Phippsburg area: the use of real personal and topographic names, local history and folklore, and local knowledge about and attitudes toward the economy and natural environment.
How to attend the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84055876796?pwd=5XIEjkHcLU2ze3ud88ocbnDDGS9T7Q.1
Meeting ID: 840 5587 6796 Passcode: 493613 For more details, see the ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website – www.tradsong.org
(2) Online Directory Updates
VENUES
Cymru/Wales Media Online - National
🄵 TRAC CYMRU: Music Traditions Wales/Traddodiadau Cerdd Cymru https://trac.cymru
⇒ trac<at>trac-cymru.org
⊕ Wales’ Folk Development organisation; its rôle to promote and develop the music and dance traditions of Wales - both within Wales and beyond. trac provides an information service, and the website lists performers, events and contacts. [2025 Feb, updated new contact details]
⇒ trac<at>trac-cymru.org
⊕ Wales’ Folk Development organisation; its rôle to promote and develop the music and dance traditions of Wales - both within Wales and beyond. trac provides an information service, and the website lists performers, events and contacts. [2025 Feb, updated new contact details]
West Country
🄵 Thursday, 3rd Devon MORCHARD BISHOP THE PENNYMOOR SINGAROUND Facebook: Pennymoor Singaround
→ The London Inn, Morchard Bishop EX17 6NW. 7.30pm, all year.
⇒ Biddy 01271 373305, biddy.mallabone<at>outlook.com
⊕ A good pub session, all welcome, no guests. [Feb. 2025, has changed from 3rd Wed to 3rd Thu, and changed venue]
🄵 Thursday, 3rd Devon MORCHARD BISHOP THE PENNYMOOR SINGAROUND Facebook: Pennymoor Singaround
→ The London Inn, Morchard Bishop EX17 6NW. 7.30pm, all year.
⇒ Biddy 01271 373305, biddy.mallabone<at>outlook.com
⊕ A good pub session, all welcome, no guests. [Feb. 2025, has changed from 3rd Wed to 3rd Thu, and changed venue]
Yorkshire and the Humber
🅄 Thursday, weekly West Yorkshire SHIPLEY THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk/
→ Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, Bradford BD18 3QX. Doors open 7pm; start 7.30pm start; finish approx. 10pm
⇒ Publicity and Club Newsletter, Tony Charnock, email tocharn<at>gmail.com www.facebook.com/groups/647289061950797/
⊕ Bradford-based weekly live music club. Roughly alternating Guest nights and Singers' and Musicians' night - about 25 of each over the year. S/M sessions are held on the first and third Thursday of each month, and through most of August. [2025 Feb, new listing]
🅄 Thursday, weekly West Yorkshire SHIPLEY THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk/
→ Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, Bradford BD18 3QX. Doors open 7pm; start 7.30pm start; finish approx. 10pm
⇒ Publicity and Club Newsletter, Tony Charnock, email tocharn<at>gmail.com www.facebook.com/groups/647289061950797/
⊕ Bradford-based weekly live music club. Roughly alternating Guest nights and Singers' and Musicians' night - about 25 of each over the year. S/M sessions are held on the first and third Thursday of each month, and through most of August. [2025 Feb, new listing]
PERFORMERS
Pf.1a Music/Song - Bands/Groups
Pf.1a Music/Song - Bands/Groups
🅄 Somerset THE JAMESTOWN BROTHERS www.thejamestownbrothers.co.uk
⇒ thejamestownbrothers<at>gmail.com, bookings<at>thejamestownbrothers.co.uk. www.facebook.com/thejamestownbrothers, https://www.instagram.com/the_jamestown_brothers/, https://open.spotify.com/artist/5G8alXNo9hdQ4aJxew0LFh
⇒ thejamestownbrothers<at>gmail.com, bookings<at>thejamestownbrothers.co.uk. www.facebook.com/thejamestownbrothers, https://www.instagram.com/the_jamestown_brothers/, https://open.spotify.com/artist/5G8alXNo9hdQ4aJxew0LFh
⊕ An Indie-Folk Band with Attitude! Original songs that don't just 'tell the story' of our nation, they bring it shockingly alive. Strong lyrics and ear-worm tunes, inspiring you to join the fight for liberty and justice.
⇒ Contact: rossignolfolk<at>gmail.com or contact form on website; 07816 518351 or 07940 894604. https://rossignolfolk.wordpress.com/; Facebook rossignolfolkband; Instagram rossignolfolkband
⊕ Multi-instrumentalists Alan Wylie, Jane Hinks and David Barker, on fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, hammered dulcimer, guitar, diatonic accordion and concertina, present material from the rich musical traditions of England, Ireland, Scandinavia, France and Scotland. [2025 Feb, new listing]
Pf.2b Folk Dance Bands
⇒ Contact: davidbarker07<at>aol.com
⊕ Skimmity are a four-piece band, playing English country dance music for barn dances, ceilidhs, weddings, parties and other events. Line-up includes fiddle, melodeon, guitar and bass. [2025 Feb, new listing]
→ Practice. Mondays, 8-10pm, North End Community Centre, Holmcroft Rd, Stafford, ST16 1JG.
⇒ Contacts: Squire, Max Haynes - maxhaynesmorris<at>outlook.com; Bagperson (Events Management), Andy Chell - andychellmorris<at>gmail.com; or contact form on website.
⊕ Stafford Morris – keeping tradition alive since 1957. A mixed Cotswold Morris side performing in and around Staffordshire. Enjoy vibrant displays of traditional dance and music from May to August at local events, pubs, and festivals. [2025 Feb, new listing]
⊕ Stafford Morris – keeping tradition alive since 1957. A mixed Cotswold Morris side performing in and around Staffordshire. Enjoy vibrant displays of traditional dance and music from May to August at local events, pubs, and festivals. [2025 Feb, new listing]
🄵 Staffs UTTOXETER HEART OF OAK MORRIS DANCERS https://www.uttoxetermorris.co.uk
→ Practice: Thursdays (September to May), 8-10pm, United Reformed Church, 9-11 Carter Street, Uttoxeter, ST14 8HB.
⇒ Contacts: Squire, Sam Egerton, sam<at>uttoxetermorris.co.uk; Bagperson (Events Management), Rían Coleman, info<at>uttoxetermorris.co.uk; or contact form on website.
⊕ Uttoxeter Morris: a mixed Cotswold Morris side, keeping tradition alive in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire since 1954. Dancing and music at events in Uttoxeter and nearby towns and villages, with fortnightly pub dance-outs, from May to August. [2025 Feb, new listing]
⊕ Uttoxeter Morris: a mixed Cotswold Morris side, keeping tradition alive in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire since 1954. Dancing and music at events in Uttoxeter and nearby towns and villages, with fortnightly pub dance-outs, from May to August. [2025 Feb, new listing]
(3) Members' Folk News UpdatesCheap publicity (from £9/year!) in Folklife West print magazine and on this webpage + the fortnightly Updates emails
Cymru•Wales
🄵 CD: Shimli, by Cynefin [see Journal news above]
Shimli is the follow up to 2020’s Dilyn Afon by Welsh folk singer, researcher, grain grower and cultural historian Owen Shiers, aka ‘Cynefin’. Continuing in the vein of rooting his music firmly in the customs and cultural vernacular of Ceredigion, the album takes its title from the now obsolete West Walian practice of all night musical and poetic vigils which used to take place in mills and workshops. Drawing inspiration from folk song, the beirdd gwlad (folk poet) tradition – as well as living oral history and story, the album explores the intersection between music, poetry, food and the natural world. A personal dispatch from the struggle to maintain a language, culture and way of life, the album is a musical petition – a stake in the ground for the diverse and the disappearing in our age of homogenisation and mass amnesia.
Shimli is the follow up to 2020’s Dilyn Afon by Welsh folk singer, researcher, grain grower and cultural historian Owen Shiers, aka ‘Cynefin’. Continuing in the vein of rooting his music firmly in the customs and cultural vernacular of Ceredigion, the album takes its title from the now obsolete West Walian practice of all night musical and poetic vigils which used to take place in mills and workshops. Drawing inspiration from folk song, the beirdd gwlad (folk poet) tradition – as well as living oral history and story, the album explores the intersection between music, poetry, food and the natural world. A personal dispatch from the struggle to maintain a language, culture and way of life, the album is a musical petition – a stake in the ground for the diverse and the disappearing in our age of homogenisation and mass amnesia.
CD from https://cynefinmusic.wales website, or all the usual outlets. You can also pre-order a digital download from Bandcamp. Both physical and digital versions come with a full 35-page booklet detailing the history and background of all the songs on the album.
Shimli yw’r albwm newydd sbon gan y canwr gwerin, ymchwilydd, tyfwr grawn a hanesydd diwylliannol Owen Shiers, sef, Cynefin. Wrth barhau i wreiddio ei gerddoriaeth yn gadarn yn arferion a llen gwerin Ceredigion, mae’r albwm yn cymryd ei theitl o arferiad sydd bellach wedi darfod yng Ngorllewin Cymru o gynnal nosweithiau llawen mewn melinau a gweithdai. Gan dynnu ysbrydoliaeth o ganu gwerin, traddodiad y beirdd gwlad – yn ogystal â straeon a hanes cof byw, mae’r albwm yn archwilio’r groesffordd rhwng cerddoriaeth, barddoniaeth, bwyd a byd natur. Mae’r gwaith yn fryslythyr personol o’r ymdrech i gynnal iaith, diwylliant a ffordd o fyw – deiseb gerddorol sydd yn mynegi llais y i’r amrywiol a’r diflanedig yn ein hoes o homogeneiddio ac lled-amnesia.
🄵 Cynefin: Taith Band Tour 2025 [see above]
28/2 Caerdydd / Cardiff: The Gate Arts & Community Centre, 7pm. 1/3 Abertawe / Swansea: Gwyl Croeso Abertawe in St David’s Place, 3pm. 5/3 Llandysul: Neuadd Tysul Hall, 7pm. 6/3 Ystradgynlais: The Welfare, 7pm. 7/3 Pwllheli: Neuadd Dwyfor, 7pm. 8/3 Aberteifi: Theatr Byd Bychain / Small World Theatre, 7pm. 9/3 Machynlleth: Tabernacle Moma, 7pm
🄵 Cynefin: Taith Band Tour 2025 [see above]
28/2 Caerdydd / Cardiff: The Gate Arts & Community Centre, 7pm. 1/3 Abertawe / Swansea: Gwyl Croeso Abertawe in St David’s Place, 3pm. 5/3 Llandysul: Neuadd Tysul Hall, 7pm. 6/3 Ystradgynlais: The Welfare, 7pm. 7/3 Pwllheli: Neuadd Dwyfor, 7pm. 8/3 Aberteifi: Theatr Byd Bychain / Small World Theatre, 7pm. 9/3 Machynlleth: Tabernacle Moma, 7pm
page 7 🄵 Thursday, weekly Denbs RUTHIN RUTHIN ALLSTYLES MUSIC CLUB http://ruthinallstyles.co.uk, at The Feathers Inn / Tafarn Y Plu, in the function room, 52 Well Street, Ruthin, LL15 1AW. 7.30pm, all year. Chris/Jayne Birchall 01824 704844, mobile 07760 764441. chris<at>ruthinallstyles.co.uk
We have some great events coming up, including:
🎶 March 20th – “Big Spot” by The Neil Martin Freeloaders, featuring the brilliant Bewildered Brunettes trio.
🎤 Date TBC – Andy Connolly’s Showcase, which we sadly had to postpone due to last year’s bad weather. Watch this space for a confirmed date soon!
🎶 March 20th – “Big Spot” by The Neil Martin Freeloaders, featuring the brilliant Bewildered Brunettes trio.
🎤 Date TBC – Andy Connolly’s Showcase, which we sadly had to postpone due to last year’s bad weather. Watch this space for a confirmed date soon!
West Country
page 11 🄵 Thursdays, 2nd Devon TOTNES TOTNES FOLK SONG CLUB Facebook: Totnes Folk Club In a previous Update, we noted that the pub had shut temporarily. It's now reopened. The Dartmouth Inn, The Plains, Totnes. 7.30 pm, all year except August. We are able to hold our folk club again at The Dartmouth Inn, Totnes in March, on Thursday 13th March. Future dates will be 10th April, 8th May and 12th June.
Kind Regards, Anne
Anne Gill, 01803 290427, “Maleth”, 11 Cleveland Road, Torquay, Devon TQ2 5BD. annegill<at>btinternet.com Alternate contact Andy Clarke 01803 732312.
page 11 🄵 Pennymoor club began in the village of Pennymoor in Devon many moons ago. The closing of The Cruwys Arms a few years ago meant we have held our singarounds at The Lamb Inn, Sandford. Sadly, that pub is closing, so we had to move again! The club has held its Song and Ale at The London Inn in Morchard Bishop for many years, and the pub has offered us the skittle alley on 3rd Thursdays. Our inaugural singaround at the new venue in January was warm and well attended. We hope The London Inn will be our new home for many years. It would be lovely if you could add to the jovial crew if you are passing through. Just remember that it’s the third Thursday NOT the third Wednesday as it has been for the past forty years or so. Please see Directory: West Country venues for details of this & other Pennymoor singarounds & sessions.
West Midlands
page 25 🄵 Wednesday, 3rd Warks ATHERSTONE ATHERSTONE FOLK CLUB www.atherstonefolkclub.org.uk, at the Atherstone Red Lion, 99 Long Street, Atherstone CV9 1BB. 8.00 pm, all year. Contact Phillip Benson, 01827 711514, phil<at>atherstonefolkclub.org.uk
19 March and Hazjack will be coming to Atherstone as our guests, with Farefeld taking the lead on 16 April. Mean Mary James with her brother, Frank, are coming over from the USA and she will start her "Creature Tour" of just 5 venues in the UK at Atherstone on 30 April. 21 May will see the return to Atherstone of Daisybell. Always worth a listen.
page 8 🄵 Tuesday , 3rd Herefs Bishop’s Frome Singaround & Session, 7.30pm. The Chase Inn, Bishop’s Frome, Worcester WR6 5BP (postally Wuster but it's in Herefs). Contact Bernie, bernieuptonfolk<at>gmail.com
We had a great evening last month and now seem to be settled at the Chase. To help you become rather more organised than me, I am including the next few dates. These are… March 18th, April 15th, May 20th, June 17th, July 15th. Bernie
INTERNATIONAL : USA
Zoom ~ Boston, Mass ØØ LINN NOEL https://sites.google.com/view/crosscurrents-music and ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN Zoom meeting links are MAILING LIST ONLY. Join this mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com Monthly sessions usually on first Sundays 2-4pm ET. Special events as the occasion requires. MAR 2 Zoom: Irish/St. Pat's Sing
Live ~ New York state ØØ CORNING. VALLEY FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY www.valleyfolk.org
VALLEY FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS 144 Cedar Street Corning, NY (corner 1st St.) in the red brick Methodist Church. Buy tickets online at www.valleyfolk.org or at the door. For more information visit our website, or contact us: (1) 607-962-4461, or info<at>valleyfolk.org Sun, March 2, 2 pm. Kevin McKrell Band. Irish-flavored singer songwriter and two of his bandmates, Arlin Green and Frank Orsini.
The live sing in Elmira, NY, went very well and people seemed interested in doing it again someday. We will keep you posted about that.
Prepaid Festival adverts for May Folklife West :
will be included in Updates,
up to 20 March
Send as soon as you like; and they can be revised (see Note below)
They won't be included in the fortnightly emails which are text only.
Note for May Folklife West
- applies to all ads & news items
- our deadline is 20 March.
If received for FW by 6 March: revisions can then accepted up to 6 Apr -- so long as same size ad. or same text length, as received by 20 March.
Updates: (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Members & International Folk News~ Sun. 9/2/2025, and - new - will be every 2 weeks
~ Sun. 9/2/2025, and - new - will be every 2 weeks
For more details of those who are 🄵 Folklife members, Ø Associate members, ØØ International Updates-signups,
see Folklife West this issue.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 UK Updates-signups, and 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal subscribers/contributors.
We also list in Directory, free, 🅄 UK Updates-signups, and 🄹 Folklife Traditions Journal subscribers/contributors.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal Updates
ADMIN. Our admin (all done by Sam) takes as much time as editing. So we've more time for magazine development, we'd love to have some admin volunteers (invoicing or website editing, anyone?). And advice on websites for print editors welcome ...
🄵 The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library in partnership with 🄵 the Traditional Song Forum
Broadside Day 2025: Saturday 22 Feb 2025, 9:30am-5:00pm. Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regents Park Road, London, NW1 7AY
£25, tickets: https://www.efdss.org/choose-seats?EventInstanceId=11240
Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in Street Literature and Cheap Print in all its fascinating aspects – broadsides, chapbooks, songsters, woodcuts, engravings, last dying speeches, catchpennies, news (real and fake), almanacs, carol sheets, wonder tales, and all kinds of cheap printed ephemera sold or distributed to ordinary people in the streets and at fairs, from pedlars’ packs, and in back-street shops, up and down the country. Organised jointly by the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and the Traditional Song Forum, the 2025 Broadside Day will be an in-person event at Cecil Sharp House. Food will not be provided but refreshments will be available throughout the day from the onsite café.
Broadside Day is the annual one-day conference for people interested in Street Literature and Cheap Print in all its fascinating aspects – broadsides, chapbooks, songsters, woodcuts, engravings, last dying speeches, catchpennies, news (real and fake), almanacs, carol sheets, wonder tales, and all kinds of cheap printed ephemera sold or distributed to ordinary people in the streets and at fairs, from pedlars’ packs, and in back-street shops, up and down the country. Organised jointly by the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library and the Traditional Song Forum, the 2025 Broadside Day will be an in-person event at Cecil Sharp House. Food will not be provided but refreshments will be available throughout the day from the onsite café.
Talks will include: Jon Coley: ‘Diverting the minds of servants from their Masters business’: A more complex audience for broadsheet ballads Catherine Ann Cullen: Representation, Imitation, Appropriation? The Commodification of Dublin Street Life and Working-Class Print Culture in the Mid-Nineteenth Century Martin Graebe: ‘A Dreadful Tale We Have To Tell’, The Murder of Harriet Lane, 1874 Marie Hanzelková: Promised Land, Cursed Land. Czech Emigrant Ballads, 1780–1900 Gary Kelly: Street-cleansing in the Hungry Forties: ‘Penny Rubbish’, ‘Pure Literature’, and the Book-hawking Movement Abi Kingsnorth: Ballad Hawking: Sharing Soundscapes of the Early Modern World Rebecca Loughead: ‘Modern Ballads’ and the Irish antiquary: a curious collection of 19th-century Cork ballads at the Society of Antiquaries of London Martin Nail: Powell, printer, Spitalfields Bob Strom: Broadside Ballads of Salem, Massachusetts Jennifer Goodman Wollock: Robin Hood and the Printers
🄵 The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, Library Lectures 2025:
Jo Miller and Stuart Eydmann - Fiddling in Dumfries and Galloway Tuesday 11 February, 7:30pm Online
Broadside Day 2025, as above
Katie Howson - Up from the Sea, Up from Town Tuesday 11 March, 7:30pm Online
Mary Shannon - Finding Billy Waters Tuesday 08 April, 7:30pm Online
Katie Howson - Up from the Sea, Up from Town Tuesday 11 March, 7:30pm Online
Mary Shannon - Finding Billy Waters Tuesday 08 April, 7:30pm Online
🄵 We're very pleased to announce that Martin Graebe is preparing a short series of articles for us, about Baring-Gould’s singers - the story about them and SB-G and a song that they sang. There will be at least 6 articles in the series.
(2) Online Directory Updates
Venues, West Country
Bristol & S Glos
Temp. closure, see News below. Friday, weekly S. Glos SHORTWOOD DRAGON FOLK CLUB [1/2/2025]
Venues, West Midlands
Worcestershire
🅄 Day Varies Worcs WORCESTER WORCESTERSHIRE EARLY MUSIC https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
→ The Angel Centre, 14 Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN. 3.30pm.
⇒ Contact: via website form. Tickets are £20 and can be purchased through Eventbrite (booking fee applies) or at the door.
⊕ We aim to promote the enjoyment and understanding of music composed before 1800 through our annual season of concerts, (given by professional musicians) as well as through occasional workshops and outreach programmes. [new listing, Feb 2025]
Worcestershire
🅄 Day Varies Worcs WORCESTER WORCESTERSHIRE EARLY MUSIC https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
→ The Angel Centre, 14 Angel Place, Worcester WR1 3QN. 3.30pm.
⇒ Contact: via website form. Tickets are £20 and can be purchased through Eventbrite (booking fee applies) or at the door.
⊕ We aim to promote the enjoyment and understanding of music composed before 1800 through our annual season of concerts, (given by professional musicians) as well as through occasional workshops and outreach programmes. [new listing, Feb 2025]
(3) Members' Folk News UpdatesCheap publicity (from £9/year!) in Folklife West print magazine and this webpage + the fortnightly Updates emails
Up to 160 words: only £9/year PDF downloads, or £21/year post. 3 Folklife West, 2 Journals, + your news in Updates. Details foot of page.
Cymru•Wales: South-East
p 5 🄵 LYCEUM FOLK & ACOUSTIC CLUB, NEWPORT, every Thursday. http://www.lyceumfolknewport.org.uk
NEWS ~ UK page references are to Folklife West, Jan 2025
Cymru•Wales: South-East
p 5 🄵 LYCEUM FOLK & ACOUSTIC CLUB, NEWPORT, every Thursday. http://www.lyceumfolknewport.org.uk
These are our guests for 2025. We have had to alter April's guest as Dan McKinnon's tour this year has been cancelled.
Thurs 3rd April Keith Donnelly
Thurs 22nd May Mick Ryan & Pete Harris
Thurs 12th June Shake Me Up Sally
Thurs 10th July Hamish Currie
Thurs 21st August We Mavericks
Thurs 11th Sept Enda Kenny
Thurs 2nd Oct Brooks Williams, Aaron Catlow & Jon Short
Thurs 13th Nov Rory McLeod
Thurs 4th Dec TBC
Thanks both. Cheers Ruth
"The Innocent"
West Country: Bristol & S Gloucestershire
Thurs 3rd April Keith Donnelly
Thurs 22nd May Mick Ryan & Pete Harris
Thurs 12th June Shake Me Up Sally
Thurs 10th July Hamish Currie
Thurs 21st August We Mavericks
Thurs 11th Sept Enda Kenny
Thurs 2nd Oct Brooks Williams, Aaron Catlow & Jon Short
Thurs 13th Nov Rory McLeod
Thurs 4th Dec TBC
Thanks both. Cheers Ruth
West Country: Wiltshire
p 13 🄵 ROSIE UPTON. More details for this new show, previously mentioned by Rosie in January issue.
Saturday, 22 March, 7.30 - 10pm. The Cause, 42 The Causeway, Chippenham SN15 3DD. "The Innocent"
The Innocent, a story told in words and song to celebrate the short life of Thomas Helliker known as the Trowbridge Martyr who was hanged on his 19th birthday 22 March 1803. Local workers in Trowbridge feared the introduction of mechanical shearing frames to finish the cloth. The Shearmen’s Union whose motto was ‘Industry, Freedom and Friendship’ stood to lose the most from the introduction of machinery. They were well organised in the North of England and the West-Country in fighting mechanisation. When shearing frames were introduced at Littleton Mill it was burned almost to the ground on 22 July 1802.
See link below to Eventbrite to purchase tickets £10 plus £1.55 admin fee.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-innocent-a-story-told-in-song-by-mick-ryan-and-steven-faux-tickets-1202896749559?aff=oddtdtcreator [1/2/2025]
See link below to Eventbrite to purchase tickets £10 plus £1.55 admin fee.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-innocent-a-story-told-in-song-by-mick-ryan-and-steven-faux-tickets-1202896749559?aff=oddtdtcreator [1/2/2025]
p 14 🄵 Friday, weekly S. Glos SHORTWOOD DRAGON FOLK CLUB http://dragonfolkclub.blogspot.co.uk
Temporary closure. Looking for new/temporary home.
Temporary closure. Looking for new/temporary home.
Since Christmas the Dragon Folk Club, usually Friday nights at The Bridge Inn, Shortwood has been without a home. The pub's tenant moved out and the owner (Punch Pubs) is doing a lot of building work before presumably putting someone else in place. We hope to be able to return eventually, but that will depend on negotiations with the owner and/or new tenant. In the meantime we are looking for a new/temporary host location in BS15, BS16 or BS37.
Regards, Simon Colin Owen 0117 9600273 Email Simon Meeds, dragonfolk<at>rosma.co.uk [1/2/2025]
Regards, Simon Colin Owen 0117 9600273 Email Simon Meeds, dragonfolk<at>rosma.co.uk [1/2/2025]
West Country: Gloucestershire
p 16 🄵 Forest Folk Club https://forestfolkclub.com/ Sunday 16th February, Forest Folk Club welcomes back Pete Morton!
Pete is a singer and entertainer with a wealth of self penned songs that express everything from the highly personal to the truly international. Often referred to as an old time troubadour he delivers an unruly mix of humanism politics, love, social commentary and humour, all wrapping its way around the folk tradition. Originally from Leicester, England, Pete discovered the acoustic music scene at 16, and has been on the never-ending tour as a folk singer songwriter ever since. With his powerful, euphonious voice storytelling and compelling stage presence he continues his merry niche, singing songs, peace, justice, open global inclusion, with a fun, loving and approachable style. It’s going to be a great evening of entertainment, not to be missed! www.petemorton.com
Doors open in the function room of the Orepool Inn, Sling near Coleford, at 7.30. Admission £8 on the door, cash only please.
Doors open in the function room of the Orepool Inn, Sling near Coleford, at 7.30. Admission £8 on the door, cash only please.
Alba • Scotland
p37 🄵 Linn Phipps: on Zoom WORLD WHALE DAY 16 February 2025
Zoom Sing Invitation Following the great success of our two annual World Whale Day Sings to date, you are invited to join us for another special sing to mark World Whale Day 2025 on Sunday 16 February – 8pm UK, 3pm ET, noon PT. Songs that celebrate and treasure whales (there probably aren’t a lot…), and songs that remember mankind’s impact through whaling (ideally the less triumphalist ones!!). Event co-hosted by Linn Phipps and Jessica Dickens, President, Cetacean Society International. (Unfortunately Bonnie can’t join us this year!)
Please contact linnphipps<at>gmail.com to join the participants list – Zoom link to join will be sent 24 hours prior – singers, musicians and listeners all welcome.See you again soon!
Linn, Jessica and Bonnie Other links: https://www.csiwhalesalive.org Linn: https://linnphippsfolk.co.uk
In case anyone's interested I will also be hosting/ co-hosting shortly:
- Themed Shanty Big Sing zoom Weds 19 Feb tbc 8pm UK “Named Ships”
- Seachdain na Gàidhlig, Songs of Lewis, Songs of Longing, in person, An Taigh Ceilidh, Stornoway, 2pm Tuesday 25 February
- Jean Armour birthday zoom 630pm Tues 25 February
- Seachdain na Gàidhlig Learn an easy Gaelic Song workshop Sunday 2 March 6pm
- Seachdain na Gàidhlig zoom ceilidh Srùbag, Sunday 2 March 730pm
- EA Mackintosh commemorative zoom sing Tues 4 March
- Workshop at Online Spring Harmony - Learning a song in other-than-your-first language – free workshop, Sunday 9 March
- Railway 200 sing - online – any song to commemorate 200 years of Britain’s railways Thurs 13 March – with Geoff Convery
- Railway 200 sing – in person – any song to commemorate 200 years of Britain’s railways Sun 25 May – with Geoff Convery
NEWS ~ INTERNATIONAL currently, international (non-UK) news is open to all, for this Updates page.
News in printed Folklife West from Members only. - Sings, concerts, shops, festivals, media - up to 160 words per news item ( + small picture).
Membership just £9/year = PDFs of 3x Folklife West (Journal PDFs free). Or post £27 Europe, £33 world. Card: https://ko-fi.com/s/8624d72d04USA ~ Zoom ~ Boston, Mass ØØ LINN NOEL https://sites.google.com/view/crosscurrents-music and ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN
Zoom meeting links are MAILING LIST ONLY. Join this mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com Monthly sessions usually on first Sundays 2-4pm ET. Special events as the occasion requires.
- FEB 14-16 Live: Linn at Flurry Festival
- MAR 2 Zoom: Irish/St. Pat's Sing
- APRIL 6 Chantey Sing
- MAY 1 SPECIAL Mayday at Dawn
VALLEY FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS 144 Cedar Street Corning, NY (corner 1st St.) in the red brick Methodist Church. Buy tickets online at www.valleyfolk.org or at the door. For more information visit our website, or contact us: (1) 607-962-4461, or info<at>valleyfolk.org
Sun, March 2, 2 pm. Kevin McKrell Band. Irish-flavored singer songwriter and two of his bandmates , Arlin Green and Frank Orsini.
Sun, April 6, 2pm. Hubby Jenkins (of The Carolina Chocolate Drops fame) music from the African American experience.
*** Just added to the list Thu, May 1, 7:30pm. Martin & Eliza Carthy from England. Guitar and fiddle father and daughter singers from a very prominent family of English folk music
Sat, May 3, 7:30pm. Bruce Molsky - Expert on traditional fiddling styles and multi instrumental player with deep smooth vocals.
*** Just added to the list Thu, May 1, 7:30pm. Martin & Eliza Carthy from England. Guitar and fiddle father and daughter singers from a very prominent family of English folk music
Sat, May 3, 7:30pm. Bruce Molsky - Expert on traditional fiddling styles and multi instrumental player with deep smooth vocals.
Updates: (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Members' Folk News, emailed 28/1/2025
We are going to start Fortnightly Updates, on alternate Thursdays. [changed to Saturdays, see above]
Deadline will be 1 week before.
Deadline will be 1 week before.
A lot of information is sent in, which is great!, but we feel the Updates emails are getting too long. This is a trial, which we'll review later.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal Updates
Revised: later deadline 18 February for Journal, March 2025.
Folklife Traditions Journal 77, March 2025. To be published mid-March, delayed due to having to urgently move Directory website ....
Folklife Traditions Journal 77, March 2025. To be published mid-March, delayed due to having to urgently move Directory website ....
We seek to raise awareness of relevant Societies, Institutions, Researchers, Publications.
We welcome your learned articles for interested readers, but note we’re not a peer-reviewed journal.
We welcome your learned articles for interested readers, but note we’re not a peer-reviewed journal.
CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME for appropriate articles; contact us first, please.
• Articles up to 2500 words.
• News up to 200 words, we can usually fit in if received by deadline.
We welcome:
• Songs, tunes, dances, & stories collected
• Information about relevant Societies & Institutions & Researchers
• Relevant books announced (exceptionally CDs eg traditional singers) - up to 200 words, more words if advertising: 1/8 up to 220; 1/4 up to 240; 1/2 up to 280; A4 up to 360. Or at editor’s discretion
• Songs & tunes collected
• Seasonal Local Celebrations, mostly based on Doc Rowe’s listings, additions welcome
• Conferences & Talks
• Articles up to 2500 words.
• News up to 200 words, we can usually fit in if received by deadline.
We welcome:
• Songs, tunes, dances, & stories collected
• Information about relevant Societies & Institutions & Researchers
• Relevant books announced (exceptionally CDs eg traditional singers) - up to 200 words, more words if advertising: 1/8 up to 220; 1/4 up to 240; 1/2 up to 280; A4 up to 360. Or at editor’s discretion
• Songs & tunes collected
• Seasonal Local Celebrations, mostly based on Doc Rowe’s listings, additions welcome
• Conferences & Talks
TSF Online meetings
https://tradsong.org/tsf-online-meetings-using-zoom includes details of how to attend the meetings, next 9th February and 9th March, 16:00 (GMT, UTC) 9th February includes AGM, 15:30 (GMT/UTC) for 20 minutes, prior to the meeting,16:00.
• Steve Gardham Lining Out, the burlesque delivery of songs using the mock old preacher style. The hymn-singing practice of 'lining out' dates back to the seventeenth century Anglican Church. Some time in the nineteenth century it was parodied using popular songs and this soon became part of a burlesque folk tradition. It is closely related to the telling of parodies of Bible stories, using the same droll delivery and biblical language. A work in progress, this presentation is intended to provoke discussion and further study of the practice.
• Elaine Bradtke A new online index at the VWML. I've been working on cleaning up the Folk Song index at the VWML and preparing it for upload into the online indexes. This was originally intended as an index of songs that wouldn't be covered by the Roud index, for example, songs that were performed by contemporary musicians, recently composed, theatrical, or from a more diverse set of languages and geographic locations, but all held in the VWML. It will be a significant addition to the indexes (20143 entries and counting).
• Steve Gardham Lining Out, the burlesque delivery of songs using the mock old preacher style. The hymn-singing practice of 'lining out' dates back to the seventeenth century Anglican Church. Some time in the nineteenth century it was parodied using popular songs and this soon became part of a burlesque folk tradition. It is closely related to the telling of parodies of Bible stories, using the same droll delivery and biblical language. A work in progress, this presentation is intended to provoke discussion and further study of the practice.
• Elaine Bradtke A new online index at the VWML. I've been working on cleaning up the Folk Song index at the VWML and preparing it for upload into the online indexes. This was originally intended as an index of songs that wouldn't be covered by the Roud index, for example, songs that were performed by contemporary musicians, recently composed, theatrical, or from a more diverse set of languages and geographic locations, but all held in the VWML. It will be a significant addition to the indexes (20143 entries and counting).
• Discussion. In the good old days of in-person gatherings we always had a round-the-room session where people described what they were working on, or planning to work on, or asked for information, assistance, etc. members are invited to tell us about their current projects or concerns, ask questions or raise issues. If you wish to contribute please contact Steve (steveroud<at>gmail.com) before the meeting, or take a chance and raise your hand when prompted.
How to attend the meeting ~ log in to the Zoom meeting a few minutes before the start time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83604158715?pwd=Nkzv4zCrBhGZTCVahRhXmEbckJsi09.1
Meeting ID: 836 0415 8715 Passcode: 137504 (If you have problems with access contact tsf.zoom<at>gmail.com – we might be able to help, as long as the meeting is not oversubscribed). If you arrive later, you will be admitted as soon as practical (we are often busy in the early part of the meeting) and provided there is space remaining. There is a limit of 100 attendees and, while we will probably not exceed that limit, you should make sure you are there in good time. Details are also be available on the ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website –www.tradsong.org
How to attend the meeting ~ log in to the Zoom meeting a few minutes before the start time
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83604158715?pwd=Nkzv4zCrBhGZTCVahRhXmEbckJsi09.1
Meeting ID: 836 0415 8715 Passcode: 137504 (If you have problems with access contact tsf.zoom<at>gmail.com – we might be able to help, as long as the meeting is not oversubscribed). If you arrive later, you will be admitted as soon as practical (we are often busy in the early part of the meeting) and provided there is space remaining. There is a limit of 100 attendees and, while we will probably not exceed that limit, you should make sure you are there in good time. Details are also be available on the ‘Meetings’ page of the TSF website –www.tradsong.org
In-Person conferences :
22nd February – Broadside Day, London. Tickets and details available on website:
https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/61-conferences/14205-broadside-day-2025
26th April – Song and a Sense of Place, Sheffield. https://tradsong.org/tsf-autumn-conference
26th April – Song and a Sense of Place, Sheffield. https://tradsong.org/tsf-autumn-conference
(2) Online Directory Updates
1/2024: moved Directory to this site!
The new Directory looks much better! The old Directory website wasn't working properly (type size varying, bold/underline/italic ditto); so we paid £180 to new webhosts WebMate who moved pages, sorted type sizes, and reinserted live links etc (a very tedious job I didn't have time to do).
Next, I added local top-of-page buttons for areas, so for West Midlands Venues or West Midlands Performers pages, you can go to Birmingham or Worcestershire (etc), instead of scrolling. A lot of work, but had to be done as soon as possible. Hence March Journal delayed to mid-March.
We're still checking - please let us know if any links not working or any problems, thanks.
Venues
VENUES, WEST COUNTRY
Kernow•Cornwall
🄵 Sunday, weekly Cornwall FOUR LANES DREAMERS FOLK CLUB www.dreamersfolk.co.uk
→ Victoria Inn, Four Lanes, near Redruth. 7.30pm
⇒ Jonathan Ryan, jonathan<at>dreamersfolk.co.uk https://en-gb.facebook.com/MistOverFourLanes/
⊕ The “family” feel on our folk nights is widely admired. We extend a very warm welcome to one & all to experience that special atmosphere of friends in harmony raising the roof in song. (revised contact 1/2024). See also Venues Zoom webpage for CORNISH ZOOM FOLK CLUB (4th Sat)
→ Victoria Inn, Four Lanes, near Redruth. 7.30pm
⇒ Jonathan Ryan, jonathan<at>dreamersfolk.co.uk https://en-gb.facebook.com/MistOverFourLanes/
⊕ The “family” feel on our folk nights is widely admired. We extend a very warm welcome to one & all to experience that special atmosphere of friends in harmony raising the roof in song. (revised contact 1/2024). See also Venues Zoom webpage for CORNISH ZOOM FOLK CLUB (4th Sat)
Gloucestershire
***** CORRECTION - CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB - the day is SUNDAY (our mistake, we had said Monday)
🄵 Sunday, most 2nd, 4th Glos CHELTENHAM CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB
→ ¶ Stanton Suite, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR till end-March. Venue might vary, check. Now starts at 8pm
→ ¶ Stanton Suite, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR till end-March. Venue might vary, check. Now starts at 8pm
⇒ Chris Beaumont 01242 571185; or Judith 01242 577506. machteltje<at>gmail.com
⊕ Some open nights for more floor spots, some guest nights. All welcome. Prices vary according to guest/open night. Cash only. Do join our mailing list — just email machteltje<at>gmail.com
So: please join mailing list to keep up to date with current situation ( ¶ venue & times may vary), and/or check on GlosFolk facebook.
⊕ Some open nights for more floor spots, some guest nights. All welcome. Prices vary according to guest/open night. Cash only. Do join our mailing list — just email machteltje<at>gmail.com
So: please join mailing list to keep up to date with current situation ( ¶ venue & times may vary), and/or check on GlosFolk facebook.
VENUES, WEST MIDLANDS
Solihull
🅄 Tuesday, 4th Earlswood ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-blue-bell
→ The Blue Bell, Earlswood, B94 6PB. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
→ The Blue Bell, Earlswood, B94 6PB. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
Birmingham
🅄 The Traditional Arts Team have announced that the following in Birmingham have closed:
Sunday, 2nd, MOSELEY, SCANDI MUSIC SESSIONS; Wednesday, 1st, MOSELEY, TALES & ALES STORY SESSION;
Thursday, 2nd, 4th, MOSELEY, MOSELEY VILLAGE BAND; Thursday, 2nd, DIGBETH, POLITICAL SONG SESSION.
Sunday, 2nd, MOSELEY, SCANDI MUSIC SESSIONS; Wednesday, 1st, MOSELEY, TALES & ALES STORY SESSION;
Thursday, 2nd, 4th, MOSELEY, MOSELEY VILLAGE BAND; Thursday, 2nd, DIGBETH, POLITICAL SONG SESSION.
Note: other Team activities continue, including Birmingham KINGS HEATH BIRMINGHAM STORYTELLING CAFÉ, 3rd Wednesdays, details on Venues - West Midlands. See www.tradartsteam.co.uk for the Team’s many activities. (notified 27/1/25).
→ The Bull, Price Street, Birmingham, B4 6JU. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.organic
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 2nd Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-good-intent
→ The Good Intent, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham, B2 5HU. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 3rd Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-wellington
→ The Wellington, Bennetts Hill Birmingham B2 5SN. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 4th Earlswood ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM see SOLIHULL for details
🅄 Tuesday, 5th Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-wellington
→ The Wellington, Bennetts Hill Birmingham B2 5SN. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.organic
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 2nd Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-good-intent
→ The Good Intent, Great Western Arcade, Birmingham, B2 5HU. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 3rd Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-wellington
→ The Wellington, Bennetts Hill Birmingham B2 5SN. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
🅄 Tuesday, 4th Earlswood ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM see SOLIHULL for details
🅄 Tuesday, 5th Birmingham ROVING TUESDAY FOLK SESSIONS BIRMINGHAM https://rtfsb.techpr.org/the-wellington
→ The Wellington, Bennetts Hill Birmingham B2 5SN. From 7.30pm - generally playing & singing before 8pm
⇒ Organiser: Dave Hackney Email: rtfsb<at>techpr.org
⊕ We sit around a few tables in the pub and take turns to start a song or tune and others join in as willing and able. There’s absolutely no pressure. If Folk are singing in the pub, it's Folk Music. [2025 Jan, new listing]
VENUES, ZOOM
🄵 Saturday, 4th. England. Cornwall. CORNWALL ZOOM FOLK CLUB
→ From 7.15pm UK time⇒ Email Nigel Morson, ntmorson<at>aol.com https://en-gb.facebook.com/MistOverFourLanes/
⊕ Join our regular singers & musicians & guests from around the world! Nigel Morson. (Jan 2025, start time added)
See also Venues - South-West: Cornwall 🄵 Sunday, weekly DREAMERS FOLK CLUB
→ From 7.15pm UK time⇒ Email Nigel Morson, ntmorson<at>aol.com https://en-gb.facebook.com/MistOverFourLanes/
⊕ Join our regular singers & musicians & guests from around the world! Nigel Morson. (Jan 2025, start time added)
See also Venues - South-West: Cornwall 🄵 Sunday, weekly DREAMERS FOLK CLUB
(3) Members' Folk News Updates
NEWS ~ UK Page references are to Folklife West, Jan 2025
West Country: Devon
Thursdays, weekly, The Joiners Arms, 6 Market Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2DR. 7.30pm, all year.
We have added two bookings for the first half of the year
8th May Sherburn, Bartley, Sanders
5th June Winter Wilson
Cheers, John
5th June Winter Wilson
Cheers, John
Contact: John Purser – email: bidefolk<at>gmail.com or by telephone 01237 424286
West Country: Glos
p14 GLOS FOLK 🄵 www.glosfolk.org.ukGlos Folk Funding Appeal. For many years Glos Folk has worked hard to promote the traditional music, song, dance, and drama of the county and the rest of the British Isles, and has made real progress in raising the profile of Folk locally. We have done this by establishing a Folk Diary, a Directory of Performers, Regular Mailings, Lists of Resources, and lobbying MPs, Arts Organisations, Local Councils and others. We have done this without charging our members or supporters, relying on donations. So that we can continue this important work, can we ask for your help by making a modest donation to our funds? If your band or group has had paid gigs through their listing, or if your dance club, folk club, or morris side has had new members, or you would just like to support our work, could we ask you to send a few pounds to Gloucestershire Folk, Nat West Bank – sort code: 53-81-21, a/c: 83224521 (it is a ‘community account’). Thanks in advance! Peter Cripps, Glos Folk.
Diary Dates. The Glos Folk Online Diary, always available at Glos Folk, lists all the known traditional music events in the county.
***** CORRECTION to previous emailed Updates - CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB - the day is SUNDAY (our mistake, we had said Monday)
p17 CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵
p17 CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵
From January to March: now Sundays at Stanton Suite, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR. 8pm
Sundays 9 Feb, Rebil. 9 March Open Night. 23 March, Will Craswell. 8pm BYO drinks. Shop opposite for drinks and snacks too.
Please join our mailing list for up-to-date information: machteltje<at>gmail.com
Always check before travelling if you're not on the email list. Ring Chris on 01242 - 571185, or Judith on 01242 - 577506
West Midlands: Birmingham
Dave James, RIP
Eric and Eileen from Folk at the Fold (Worcs) write:
Hi all, Sorry to be the bearers of bad news......sadly we heard last night (26/1/2025) that one of the great characters of the local folk world, Dave James had passed away after a long illness. Dave has been a stalwart of the local folk scene for many years having run the Birmingham Trad. Folk Club, helped organise the Alcester Folk Festival and been a regular MC at Bromyard Folk Festival. He was well known for his sometimes irreverent banter and his recent insistence that Eric was his "Father!" He was a regular at Folk at the Fold and will be greatly missed by all our regulars and many more on the wider folk scene. Goodnight "Son !" Rest in Peace Dave. Eileen and Eric
South-East: Oxfordshire
Dear Friends
Sat 8 Feb A matinee performance of "Vaughan Williams - Roots and Branches", an exciting project which joins Moonrakers with string quartet, OXUS - eight musicians on stage - to celebrate the music and folk song influences of Vaughan Williams. The show was commissioned by the Vaughan Williams Festival in 2022 and is sponsored by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. 4pm. SJE Arts, Iffley Road, OXFORD, OX4 1EH. £20 (+conc.) Vaughan Williams: Roots & Branches | Tickets Oxford
Sat 15 Feb The Face Bar, 121 Chatham St, READING, Berkshire RG1 7JE. A special charity gig - "Raise the Folk Roof" - for the Royal Berks Cancer Centre; joined by two other acts. 7.00pm. Tickets are available to buy now from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/raze-the-roof with an early bird reduction from £15 down to £10.
Videos, and lots of extra stuff on our social media: Facebook - @MoonrakersBand Instagram - @MoonrakersOfficial
Sat 8 Feb A matinee performance of "Vaughan Williams - Roots and Branches", an exciting project which joins Moonrakers with string quartet, OXUS - eight musicians on stage - to celebrate the music and folk song influences of Vaughan Williams. The show was commissioned by the Vaughan Williams Festival in 2022 and is sponsored by the Vaughan Williams Foundation. 4pm. SJE Arts, Iffley Road, OXFORD, OX4 1EH. £20 (+conc.) Vaughan Williams: Roots & Branches | Tickets Oxford
Sat 15 Feb The Face Bar, 121 Chatham St, READING, Berkshire RG1 7JE. A special charity gig - "Raise the Folk Roof" - for the Royal Berks Cancer Centre; joined by two other acts. 7.00pm. Tickets are available to buy now from: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/raze-the-roof with an early bird reduction from £15 down to £10.
Videos, and lots of extra stuff on our social media: Facebook - @MoonrakersBand Instagram - @MoonrakersOfficial
BlueSky - Moonrakers (@moonrakersband.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Looking forward to seeing you soon! Jon, Becki, Sarah and Jacqui
Looking forward to seeing you soon! Jon, Becki, Sarah and Jacqui
NEWS ~ INTERNATIONAL currently, international (non-UK) news is open to all, for this Updates page.
USA ~ Zoom ~ Boston, Mass ØØ LINN NOEL https://sites.google.com/view/crosscurrents-music and ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN
Zoom meeting links are MAILING LIST ONLY. Join this mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com Monthly sessions usually on first Sundays 2-4pm ET. Special events as the occasion requires.
- FEB 2 Zoom: Child’s Birthday Ballad Sing ~ Bicentennial of Francis James Child is February 1, 2025. Please join us in celebrating his bicentennial by bringing your version of a ballad collected by Child, including modern versions that can be traced back to the Child classification system. We invite you to make note of the Child number given by the collector, so that we can see how many of the 305 Child ballads we can cover in two hours! Take a look at the Child Ballads Project to see how many songs you already know can trace back to themes categorized by Child.
- FEB 14-16 Live: Linn at Flurry Festival
- MAR 2 Zoom: Irish/St. Pat's Sing
Sun, Feb 2, 1pm. Potluck lunch & sing-around afternoon, at 1001 West Water St. Elmira NY (use parking lot & entrance in back). To respect the building's kosher rules: vegetarian please (no meats or poultry) fish with fins and scales OK, dairy & eggs OK). RSVP appreciated but not necessary. The new Rabbi has a guitar repertoire of 60, 70’s folk rock favorites we all know. You can lead folk songs, too. More info on website.
VALLEY FOLK MUSIC CONCERTS
Concerts are held at 144 Cedar Street Corning, NY (corner 1st St.) in the red brick Methodist Church. Buy tickets online at www.valleyfolk.org or at the door. For more information visit our website, or contact us: (1) 607-962-4461, or info<at>valleyfolk.org
Sun, March 2, 2 pm. Kevin McKrell Band. Irish-flavored singer songwriter and two of his bandmates , Arlin Green and Frank Orsini.
Sun, April 6, 2pm. Hubby Jenkins (of The Carolina Chocolate Drops fame) music from the African American experience.
Sat, May 3, 7:30pm. Bruce Molsky - Expert on traditional fiddling styles and multi instrumental player with deep smooth vocals.
(Also in May - watch this space for a very special bonus mid-week concert to be confirmed.).
Sat, May 3, 7:30pm. Bruce Molsky - Expert on traditional fiddling styles and multi instrumental player with deep smooth vocals.
(Also in May - watch this space for a very special bonus mid-week concert to be confirmed.).
"Buy a coffee [or a broadsheet ?]" for Folklife ?
We're a non-profit group, runs at a healthy loss. Plus these 3 free websites at £300 + per year . . .
So if you find this free website useful . . . you may wish to donate £3 once a year.
(UK) by BACS: Folklife West t/a Folklife, Sort Code 09-01-55, Account 18675181.
(UK and world-wide) Card: "Ko-Fi" link, on right.
(UK) by BACS: Folklife West t/a Folklife, Sort Code 09-01-55, Account 18675181.
(UK and world-wide) Card: "Ko-Fi" link, on right.
(UK) by BACS: Folklife West t/a Folklife, Sort Code 09-01-55, Account 18675181.
(UK and world-wide) Card: "Ko-Fi" link, on right.