Folklife's Updates ~ Keeping Folk In Touch
www.folklife.uk/updates for Folklife Traditions Journal & Folklife West magazines, & for our online Directory
Mainly Wales, West Country & West Midlands. All areas, UK & International, are most welcome!
➡️ To Send Your Updates : go to our SEND UPDATES ! webpage ⬅️
That webpage has forms (so we can quickly copy to this page)
Or simply email your update, with Subject: Updates (that may take longer to edit/process)
Updates arranged (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Folklife members' news
➡️ (1) Folklife Traditions Journal ~ Updates: research, inc. societies & publications. Open to all.
➡️ (2) Online Directory ~ Updates. Open to all.
➡️ (3) Folklife Members' folk news ~ Updates. News about our Folklife members (subscribers). Up to 150 words per item. ~ cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ for Folklife West print & online, and for your news in email Updates
➡️ (2) Online Directory ~ Updates. Open to all.
➡️ (3) Folklife Members' folk news ~ Updates. News about our Folklife members (subscribers). Up to 150 words per item. ~ cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ for Folklife West print & online, and for your news in email Updates
Note (2) Directory: arranged by category: Venues (areas); Performers (areas); Media; Services. Within each category, area order as below for folk news.
Cymru; Kernow; England West Country; W. Midlands; E. Midlands; East; S-E; London; N-W, N-E; Yorkshire; Scotland; Ireland; USA.
And then Festivals and Workshops 12-month Diary.
Note: in the Updates emails, lengthy material may refer to this Updates webpage rather than be quoted in full.
To speed up placing Updates, you can use our new UPDATES FORM, or head up your email UPDATES
• For Journal, & for Members' folk news, on www.folklife.uk/send-updates
• For Directory, for new entries & for Updates, on www.folklife.uk/get-listed
You can continue to send by email eg mailing lists — but emails take longer to process into our online format.
Inbetween these occasional emails, do check out this Updates webpage https://www.folklife.uk/updates
• For Directory, for new entries & for Updates, on www.folklife.uk/get-listed
You can continue to send by email eg mailing lists — but emails take longer to process into our online format.
Inbetween these occasional emails, do check out this Updates webpage https://www.folklife.uk/updates
I never have enough time to contact all the folk I'd like to, but when contacted I usually add along the lines of ~ if you would like to contribute to the Journal, that would be most welcome (articles or research news); if involved with any folk activity you'd like listing in our online Directory (musical gathering or as performer), that would be most welcome, I can draft something from your online information for your approval.
FUTURE OF FOLKLIFE.
We're very pleased with our print publications, made possible by the splendid team of volunteers, Folklife West correspondents and Journal research-authors.
Our website suffers from being mostly me (Sam); I'm a print editor, not a web expert.
And I do all the admin (accounts, sales, distribution, adverts, coordinate with printers, arrange posting, etc etc).
Ideally Folklife would be a team for all these roles,
We have a dedicated team of volunteers, Folklife West correspondents and Journal research-authors, what we don't have is any admin support.
We're pleased with our print publications, made possible by the splendid team of volunteers listed above.Our websites suffer from being mostly me (Sam), I'm a print editor, not a web expert. And I do all the admin (sales, distribution, adverts, coordinate with printers, arrange posting, etc etc).
Our website suffers from being mostly me (Sam); I'm a print editor, not a web expert.
And I do all the admin (accounts, sales, distribution, adverts, coordinate with printers, arrange posting, etc etc).
Ideally Folklife would be a team for all these roles,
We have a dedicated team of volunteers, Folklife West correspondents and Journal research-authors, what we don't have is any admin support.
We're pleased with our print publications, made possible by the splendid team of volunteers listed above.Our websites suffer from being mostly me (Sam), I'm a print editor, not a web expert. And I do all the admin (sales, distribution, adverts, coordinate with printers, arrange posting, etc etc).
If you can spare an hour or two, we welcome volunteer(s) to check Directory entries are up to date
The latest Updates
= since the Updates email 26/10/26
Deadlines: Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan. Journal 1 Feb for Mar.
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
Editorial
Folklife West deadline is 20 Nov for Jan.-April.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (researchers, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
(2a) Folklife Research (Folklife Studies & Institutions); Folklife Societies
Fs.1 FOLKLIFE STUDIES: RESEARCHERS AND AUTHORS on www.folklife.uk/directory-research
🄵 EARLY MUSIC MUSE http://earlymusicmuse.com
⇒Ian Pittaway. ian.emm-earlymusicmuse<at>yahoo.com
⊕ For both casual observers and specialists in mediaeval, renaissance and traditional music. The blog’s purpose: a starting point for those new to the subject; presenting new research and analysis; linking early and traditional music to its cultural and historical context. [new email Oct 2026]
🄵 EARLY MUSIC MUSE http://earlymusicmuse.com
⇒Ian Pittaway. ian.emm-earlymusicmuse<at>yahoo.com
⊕ For both casual observers and specialists in mediaeval, renaissance and traditional music. The blog’s purpose: a starting point for those new to the subject; presenting new research and analysis; linking early and traditional music to its cultural and historical context. [new email Oct 2026]
(2b) Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, live and free Zoom sessions listings, world-wide, welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
(2c) Performers, Media, Services
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
WEST COUNTRY
Wiltshire 🄵 Salisbury Folk Club has been running for about 18 months now and has a great mix of nationally known headliners and some fantastic local singers and players. We recently enjoyed Nadder Folk with a beautiful mix of tunes played with harp and Northumbrian pipes, followed by all women shanty group Catch of the Day singing songs from female perspectives with all the gusto we expect from shanties. We meet at Harnham Community Sports and Social Club, Parsonage Green SP2 8LA. More details from salisburyfolkclub@hotmail.com or find us on fakebookHere’s our programme for the next few months:11 November - Daria Kulesh9 December – Open floor, all welcome to sing, play and listen13 January 2027 – Jim Causley10 February 2027 – Claude Bourbon
Updates email 26/10/26
Deadlines: Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan. Journal 1 Feb for Mar.
Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
Editorial
New Journal: posted to UK & International on Friday 23 November. You can read online, and download ias a PDF to read or indeed print out. Contents summary see (1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates below. Read online on FTJ this issue.
We've added yet more resources to the website, with the last 2 Directory webpages from the old site added (Folklife Societies, and Research, as detailed last Updates), and now the Journal Index changed from a list into an Excel spreadsheet, which means a new index by title of article, and a new page for Performers: represented by Agents. So New & Updated webpages are:
- Performers: represented by Agents, NEW. Listing performers, by agency ~ details see below Directory Updates (2c) Performers, Media, Services. More welcome - UK & International !
- Index: Articles, by Author, UPDATED to include Nov. 2026. 240 articles to download, arranged by author, & then alphabetically.
- Index: Articles, by Title, NEW. 240 articles arranged alphabetically. From 'A Comical Tale I'll Tell unto Ye' to 'Y Ferch o'r Scer / The Maid of Sker, Welsh trad tune'.
- For Members only, we can forward the Excel spreadsheets for Index: Articles by Author and for Index: Articles by Title.
- FTJ this issue, UPDATED. FTJ 81, Nov 2026.
Now (before I start on the next Folklife West) would be a very good time to check your older Directory entries, & confirm that they're up to date, so I can add (confirmed Nov 2026) - or do they need changing (new start time? new band?).
New entries welcome, UK & International, ~ if your local club or session is on email, just let us know, and we can email them to ask if they'd like a free listing (which we can draft for them).
Next deadline: January Folklife West - deadline 20 November.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (researchers, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Updated Index: Articles, by Author; and new Index: Articles, by Title, as above.
2026 Nov - FTJ 81, 9 researched articles, uploaded Mon 26 Oct. Posted Fri 23 October.
- Carols from Ashton-under-Hill, by Charles Menteith: 1. All Hail and Praise. Trad, arr. Amy Robeson, p2
- Tunes from the Isle Of Man: Two Manx Tunes from Catherine Ann Lawson (1839–1917) of Jurby by Stephen Miller, p3
- Of Folk and Fishing (Part 2 of 2): The Authors, by Keith Gregson, pp4-5
- Press Gangs on the Tyne (Part 2 of 2), including various songs, by Jim Mageean, pp6-7
- Baring-Gould’s People. 5 – Thomas Cayzer, by Martin Graebe. Including song & music A Cup of Poison, pp8-9.
- “Crying the Neck”: A Cornish Harvest Tradition, including 1st verse & music The Barley Mow by Lamorna Spry, pp10-11
- The Unquiet Grave, or Cold Blows the Wind, sung by (1) Mrs Smitherd; (2) Mrs Timms by Veronica Lowe, pp12-13
- The Holly Bears a Beating ~ an elaborate hoax or did it really happen? By Rosie Upton, p14
- Mari Lwyd - Christmas & New Year, by Mick Tems, p15
- Pedlars Pack. Kennedy Grant Memorial Library (Halsway Manor) p7. ● Trac Cymru. p13.
- EFDSS & Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, including Folk Education Development Day. Traditional Song Forum: Zoom talk, Broadside Day, Spring Conference. Access Folk. p16.
- Melvyn Robinson Exhibition, Cecil Sharp House, London. Folklore Society. p17.
- Books: Coalfields of Song and Verse – North East Mining in the 20th Century; Songs Of The Shire – A Celebration of Herefordshire. Ballad Partners, incl. book launch and talk, Maud Karpeles and Newfoundland Folk Song. Saydisc: Roots of the Blues. p18
- The Mick Tems Archive. Folk Legacy Books. Cornish National Music Archive. In The Roud. p19.
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
(2a) Folklife Research (Folklife Studies & Institutions); Folklife Societies
Last time, we added Directory webpages Folklife: Research ~ Folklife Studies & Institutions; and Folklife Societies / Organisations, the final pages left on our old site. They are incomplete, as many entries may be out of date; also, weblinks when copied ceased to be live links.!
- Therefore, Volunteer list-checkers welcome ! Can you spare an hour or two to help us?
- no deadlines - if you can only spare an hour or two, that's helpful. Please contact sam@folklife.uk
(2b) Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, live and free Zoom sessions listings, world-wide, welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
CYMRU / WALES
Y Canolbarth • The Midlands - Mid-Wales
Ø Wednesday, 1st Ceredigion ABERYSTWYTH. "GWERIN ABER FOLK" (Aberystwyth Folk Club) www.facebook.com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/
→ Aberystwyth Silver Band's Band Room, Ystwyth Retail Park, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PB. 7:30pm to 10pm.
Ø Wednesday, 1st Ceredigion ABERYSTWYTH. "GWERIN ABER FOLK" (Aberystwyth Folk Club) www.facebook.com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/
→ Aberystwyth Silver Band's Band Room, Ystwyth Retail Park, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PB. 7:30pm to 10pm.
→ For NOVEMBER 4th, moving to White Horse Pub on Terrace Road in Aberystwyth (possibly also for other winter months).
⌂ Dave Price
⊕ "The Gathering". Play/sing-around, in circle, take turns proposing/singing/playing piece, all invited to join in, play, sing or listen. Specifically encouraging beginners, improvers or those wishing to try out new pieces as well as those wishing to ‘perform’. Audience very much invited. Free - donations welcome. (Nov. venue move, Oct. 2026)
⌂ Dave Price
⊕ "The Gathering". Play/sing-around, in circle, take turns proposing/singing/playing piece, all invited to join in, play, sing or listen. Specifically encouraging beginners, improvers or those wishing to try out new pieces as well as those wishing to ‘perform’. Audience very much invited. Free - donations welcome. (Nov. venue move, Oct. 2026)
Ø Thursday, 3rd Ceredigion ABERYSTWYTH. "GWERIN ABER FOLK" (Aberystwyth Folk Club) www.facebook.com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/
⌂ Dave Price
→ Bank Vault, 1, New Street , Aberystwyth SY23 2AT. 7.30pm to 10pm.
⊕ "Performers Night". See chat on www.facebook.com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/ to book a performer slot. Free. (Changed from Tue to Thu, Oct 2026)
⌂ Dave Price
→ Bank Vault, 1, New Street , Aberystwyth SY23 2AT. 7.30pm to 10pm.
⊕ "Performers Night". See chat on www.facebook.com/groups/GwerinAberFolk/ to book a performer slot. Free. (Changed from Tue to Thu, Oct 2026)
(2c) Performers, Media, Services
PERFORMERS represented by AGENTS.
This new webpage lists performers, by agency, on www.folklife.uk/p-agents
For each agent: we copy details from our SERVICES webpage, under S.2: Agents [& other], & add agency logo & a list of all their artists.
Ø CAPER MUSIC REPRESENTATION: for agency details see above webpage.
Artists: Jon Loomes, Banter, Oli Matthews Band, Guinea Lane, Pagoda Project, Lauren South, The Lost Notes, 🄵 Quantum Penguin, 🄵 Cobblers Child, Cartwright Mabbett Stewart, Benji Kirkpatrick & Saul Rose, Robb Johnson & Roger Watson, Kitching & Loomes, Chimera, Belver, Wet The Tea, Andrew Cadie, Martin Vogwell, Jack Hogsden, Bagas Fellyon, All My Trials, Benji Kirkpatrick, Weird Horses, Roger Watson, Boka Halat, Bolt & Geoghan, Debra Hannis.
Ø FRANKLIN AND FOLK: for agency details see above webpage.
Artists: Sam Kelly. Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys. Scottish Fish. Pons Aelius. Toby Shaer, Archie Moss & Jack Warnock. Filkin’s Ensemble. Ainsley Hamill. Grace Smith Trio. Common Ground. Archie Churchill-Moss.
🄵 JACEY BEDFORD AGENCY: for agency details see above webpage.
Artists: UK. John Watterson is Fake Thackray - the songs. life and times of Jake Thackray. Keith Donnelly & John Watterson present ‘Two Idiots and an Absent Friend - the Genius that was Les Barker’. Keith Donnelly. 🄵 Steve Turner. Huw Williams. The Hayes Sisters. Lee Collinson. Robb Johnson. Robb Johnson’s Acoustic Irregulars. Murder at the Grange featuring Robb Johnson & his Irregulars. Robb Johnson & Co: The Ghost of Love - the story of Mary, an unmarried teenage mum from Feltham, West London, whose son Jay gets born on Christmas Day 1990. Songs, spoken word & social realism (Theatrical). Australia / NZ, We Mavericks. Canada, Dan McKinnon. South Africa, Zulu Tradition. USA, Tania Opland & Mike Freeman. ➜ AGENTS. - to be added, add your listing to Services: S.2 Agents on Directory: GET LISTED ! on www.folklife.uk/get-listed, then send logo & list of artists.
Note: if you are a general agency, rather than specifically folk music, make sure you only list folk music artists - those who are happy to be listed under folk.
International overseas agencies welcome! Any queries - please contact sam@folklife.uk
PERFORMERS
Pf. 2c MUSIC & SONG - SOLO
⇒ instagram.com/brick_turpin, https://x.com/brick_turpin, https://brickturpin.bandcamp.com, www.youtube.com/@BrickTurpin, http://spotify.com,
⊕ Tradesman Folk musician and film maker with songs celebrating the spirit and traditions of working people. The music highwaymen would listen to if they actually built highways. The songs scaffolders would dance to if they heaved maypoles. [New member, Oct. 2026]
SERVICES
S.2 AGENTS, Managers, Promoters, MCs and Stage Management
S.2 AGENTS, Managers, Promoters, MCs and Stage Management
⇒ Contact lucy<at>franklinandfolk.com, Subscribe via website to our mailing list for artist tour dates & announcements. Facebook, www.instagram.com/Franklinandfolk
⊕ An artist booking agency dedicated to championing the best in folk music, working closely with artists. With a roster of fantastic musicians and strong connections within the industry, combining professional expertise with a personal, passionate approach to artist representation. [2026 October, new listing]
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
ENGLAND
WEST MIDLANDS - BIRMINGHAM
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵.
REVIEW. Oct 2nd, George Sansome and Matt Quinn,
George Sansome (Granny's Attic) and Matt Quinn (Culverake) filled the Black Diamond Folk Club with their powerful singing of ballads and traditional folk songs, accompanied on guitar and mandolin with lots of opportunities for audience involvement. Another night to remember. Val Comrey.
George Sansome (Granny's Attic) and Matt Quinn (Culverake) filled the Black Diamond Folk Club with their powerful singing of ballads and traditional folk songs, accompanied on guitar and mandolin with lots of opportunities for audience involvement. Another night to remember. Val Comrey.
REVIEW. Oct 16th, Damien Barber.
This was the 13th time that Damien Barber had been a guest at Black Diamond F.C. and a good reason for his popularity was his renditions of traditional folk songs accompanied on his concertina or guitar, interspersed with some humorous anecdotes, all being received enthusiastically by an appreciative audience. Val Comrey.Updates email 18/10/26
Deadlines: Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan. Journal 1 Feb for Mar.
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
Editorial
Another packed Journal heading for the printers! I'll email when posted & copies online.
FOLKLIFE AS A CHARITY ?. Folklife is an ‘unincorporated association’ ~ an organisation set up through an agreement between a group of people who come together for a reason other than to make a profit.
This has limitations, so we'd like to set up Folklife as a CIO, a UK 'Charitable Incorporated Organisation'.
If any readers are involved in a CIO, I'd like to briefly ask
(a) how long it took to set up.
(b) roughly how much time is needed to fulfil legal requirements such as annual report & accounts.
Separately, we'd welcome help from knowledgeable people in setting up Folklife as a CIO;
any reader who would have time to research CIOs for us, particularly what is required for accounts;
any reader who would like to help setting up a CIO and becoming a Trustee. sam@folklife.uk
TWO DIRECTORY WEBPAGES ADDED TO THIS SITE, see below under (2a) Online Directory: Updates
• Folklife: Research ~ Folklife Studies & Institutions(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (researchers, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
We welcome Updates news, from researchers & societies, and about appropriate publications.
Our July 2026 Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages! Read or download on FTJ THIS ISSUE
We welcome Journal Updates news: up to 200 words (possibly more if Members), from researchers and from research organisations, and about appropriate publications.
Our July 2026 Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages! Read or download on FTJ THIS ISSUE
We welcome Journal Updates news: up to 200 words (possibly more if Members), from researchers and from research organisations, and about appropriate publications.
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS MEMORIAL LIBRARY 🄵 : FOLK ARTS AS INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE CONFERENCE Saturday 24 Oct
9:30am-5:00pm, Cecil Sharp House, London £40 | £30 concession (tickets include buffet lunch). This one-day conference organised by the VWML (EFDSS), explores the current place of folk arts in England in relation to the UK-wide implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. An inspiring day for practitioners, educators, arts organisations and academics who are engaging, or want to engage, with Intangible Cultural Heritage/Living Heritage discussions in England. ---- Noting the lack of unified ICH initiatives in England, the conference will provide inspiration for future projects and engagement. Through our keynote, invited speakers and presentations, we will bring English perspectives into conversations with views and experiences from across the UK and beyond.
THE TRADITIONAL SONG FORUM (TSF) 🄵 A national organisation dedicated to the promotion, performance and publication of traditional folk song in the UK. TSF organises Zoom talks, these are very popular, attracting international visitors, limited to 100 places; so if interested, see www.tradsong.org sooner rather than later.
Videos of all the TSF Online meetings are available on the TSF YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/ty-Or2wGhkQ
Next Zoom is 15 Nov 2026, one paper: MacDara Yeates – The Brown and the Yellow Ale - Folk Song or Literary Invention? An exploration of the much misunderstood folk song, its traditional origins and its multiple authors by Dublin’s most iconic figures from James Joyce to Luke Kelly.
See forthcoming Journal for details of: Call for Papers, deadline: Tuesday 7 Dec. for Broadside Day Sat. 20 February 2026, and for Spring Conference, 20 March 2027, Lincoln.
The TSF website is a gateway to a number of useful resources for those interested in researching or performing traditional folk songs. There is a newsletter to sign up to. Latest details on www.tradsong.org Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary) 🄵 All enquiries to Richard at towerofsark<at>gmail.com
THE FOLKLORE SOCIETY 🄵 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT, 0203 915 3034. A learned society devoted to the study of traditional culture in all its forms. Our Library and Archives are at University College London Library and Special Collections, and publicly available for consultation. Many of our books can be loaned by FLS members.
Forthcoming Folklore Society Online Talks: tickets are £6 (£4 for FLS members with the Promo Code) via Eventbrite All on Tuesdays, 19:00-20:30. Booking via https://www.folklore-society.com/events/
• 20 Oct., Ann Schmiesing ‘The Brothers Grimm: A Biography’ • 3 Nov., David Keohan, ‘Stone Lifting: Unearthing a Lost Tradition’. Forthcoming Folklore Society Online Talks: tickets are £6 (£4 for FLS members with the Promo Code) via Eventbrite All on Tuesdays, 19:00-20:30. Booking via https://www.folklore-society.com/events/
• 17 Nov., Matthew Cheeseman, ‘Living Heritage’. • 15 Dec., Fiona-Jane Brown, ‘The Fishermen’s Luck: The Maritime Clavie & its Variants’.
• 12 Jan., Juliette Wood, ‘Pageants and Revels: Spectacle, Dance and the Folkloresque Past’.
See forthcoming Journal for details of: 10 November: The Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award 2026, at The Warburg Institute, London, and for Call For Papers: ‘Folklore and the Natural World’, The Folklore Society’s Annual Conference 2027, 11 -13 June 2027, Shrewsbury, deadline for proposals Sun. 13 December.
For more details for above, & for details of tickets, see www.folklore-society.com
§ the news items below will also appear in forthcoming Journal
§ SONGS OF THE SHIRE – A Celebration of Herefordshire by Thomas Hughes 🄵 is a collection of 65 poems celebrating the landscapes, wildlife, history and communities of Herefordshire and the Wye Valley. Nature runs throughout the book. Bluebells and wild garlic brighten woodland floors, kingfishers flash above the water, skylarks rise over open fields and curlews call across the countryside. Orchards, changing seasons and starlit skies capture the distinctive character of the Herefordshire landscape. Alongside the natural world are echoes of the county’s history, heritage and folklore, from ancient stones and old bridges to hill forts, quarries, traditional orchards and local legends. Warm and reflective, Songs of the Shire explores memory, belonging, preservation, creativity and our relationship with the places that shape us. Above all, it is a celebration of countryside and community, and of the enduring connection between landscape and home. Available at: www.tinyurl.com/songsoftheshire, Amazon.co.uk, tomhughesmusic.co.uk
§ COALFIELDS OF SONG AND VERSE – North East Mining in the Twentieth Century, by Johnny Handle. Folk Leads, 2026. 283pp. The history of coal mining in Durham and Northumberland up to the end of the 19th century has been told and retold on numerous occasions. This book, covering the last century, is different – and different in a couple of ways. Firstly, it is made up of 133 songs and poems written by a host of people with a mass of experience in the industry. This includes the author/collector himself, famed in the folk world, and an active and popular singer songwriter for well over 70 years. He worked for 13 years in the Northumberland pits. Just behind him are Ed Pickford and Jez Lowe – both from mining families and still involved in today’s folk scene. There are also poems by Edna Scott of Crook in County Durham. Secondly (and because of Johnny’s own work experience), there is full coverage of the language and terms used in the songs and poems. The book is carefully devoted to themes: Coal working; Transport; Home and Community; Leisure; Tragedy if; Conflict and Change; Humour. Celebrating his mining ancestry too, Barry Hyde of the Futureheads has put together an album of songs traditional and contemporary, under the title ‘Miners’ Ballads’. This can be accessed through Spotify and Apple Music, https://shorturl.at/cbf4N, and/or purchased on vinyl. For more details on the book see Books - The Common Room [https://thecommonroom.org.uk/shop/books]. Any problems/queries to them, or to me, Keith Gregson 🄵 Sunderland, www.keithgregson.com, keith.gregson<at>talk21.com
§ KENNEDY GRANT MEMORIAL LIBRARY, at the National Centre for Folk Arts Halsway Manor 🄵 in Somerset is home to the National Centre for Folk Arts, which hosts residential courses in music, dance, craft and more. The building also houses the Kennedy Grant Memorial Library, a unique collection of printed material on folk music and dance, and folklore in particular. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the folk arts of the United Kingdom, especially folk arts from the South West of England, and can be visited by appointment - usually on Mondays and Fridays. The library holds around 3000 items, including the music and book collection of folk song collector Peter Kennedy, the archives of Somerset folklorist Ruth Tongue and the mid-19th century William Winter manuscript of songs and tunes from the Quantocks. Anyone staying residentially on a course at Halsway enjoys unlimited access to the collection, and non-residents should email office<at>halswaymanor.org.uk to arrange a visit. Halsway also hosts an annual Open House retreat for those working professionally within the folk arts, and applications from researchers looking for extended access are favourably considered.
§ ENGLISH FOLK SONG & DANCE SOCIETY 🄵 : FOLK EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT DAY: INCLUSIVE MUSIC MAKING Wed 4 Nov, 10am - 4pm In person: at Entrust Music Service Staffordshire, in Stafford or online: via Zoom with Live to your Living Room Tickets: free - booking essential Join us for this lively informal conference and practitioner development day sharing practice in including disabled and neurodivergent people in folk music activity. www.efdss.org/whats-on/66-professional-development/16223-fedd-inclusive-music-making
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is required so we can keep in touch~ so for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing.
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
(2a) Folklife Research (Folklife Studies & Institutions); Folklife Societies
TWO DIRECTORY WEBPAGES ADDED TO THIS SITE: we've moved the last webpages from our old ('Weebly') website. Just as well, I've since received an email about Weebly closing down in some countries!
- Most weblinks need to be copied & pasted to your browser: I could only copy text of weblinks, not live weblinks.
- So website links are live only if in blue and underlined, when volunteers have checked entries, or if those listed confirm entries. We'll add date after new entries, & checked old entries, eg (new listing, Dec 2026) or (checked, Dec 2026).
DIRECTORY-CHECKERS NEEDED ! Can you spare an hour or two to help us?
Incomplete: I had time to move contents — but no more than that:
Incomplete: I had time to move contents — but no more than that:
- Many of these old entries are out of date.
- Therefore, volunteer list-checkers welcome, no deadlines - if you can only spare an hour or two, that's helpful. Please contact sam@folklife.uk
(2b) Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, live and free Zoom sessions listings, world-wide, welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
CYMRU / WALES
POWYS ~ RADNOR
🄵 Sunday, monthly Powys (Radnor) BLACK MOUNTAIN BALFOLK, band, workshop, dancing, and
POWYS ~ RADNOR
🄵 Sunday, monthly Powys (Radnor) BLACK MOUNTAIN BALFOLK, band, workshop, dancing, and
🄵 Saturday, occasional Powys (Radnor) BLACK MOUNTAIN BALFOLK, French Bal www.facebook.com/groups/670540084748885
→ Glasbury Village Hall, across the bridge from the garage, 2nd road on left. https://www.glasburyvillagehall.co.uk/
→ Glasbury Village Hall, across the bridge from the garage, 2nd road on left. https://www.glasburyvillagehall.co.uk/
Sundays: 3-4pm scratch band practice, 4-6pm dance workshop and dancing. Occasional Saturday evening: French Bal with guest musicians.
⇒ email jess.abrahams<at>gmail.com or text 07952 998320
⊕ Some exciting news for those who like to play or dance to French music. Check out dates on Facebook (Black Mountain Balfolk) or Whatsapp: Black Mountain Balfolk (new venue, Oct 2026)
⊕ Some exciting news for those who like to play or dance to French music. Check out dates on Facebook (Black Mountain Balfolk) or Whatsapp: Black Mountain Balfolk (new venue, Oct 2026)
IRELAND
ALL-IRELAND
🄵 SINGING CIRCLES IRELAND, a list of 120+ singing circles, by county.
Brendan Kennedy is kindly sending Folklife his list of singing circles, monthly. The October edition has been copied to Venues: Ireland. Five new sessions added this month in counties Tipperary and Waterford.
(2c) Performers, Media, Services
Pf.4 category now covers: Tutors, Teachers, Workshop-Organisers, Study Centres
Pf.4 Tutors, Teachers, Workshop-Organisers, Study Centres
Scotland
Ø North Lanarkshire DREVER GUITAR SCHOOL https://dreverguitar.co.uk
→ Online, and live lessons in Uddingston, Lanarkshire
⇒ Contact: stuart<at>dreverguitar.co.uk, 07895 211771, 56 East Ave, Uddingston, Glasgow G71 6LG.
www.facebook.com/dreverguitar, www.instagram.com/drever_guitar_school, www.youtube.com/@dreverguitarschool
⊕ Practical, self-paced guitar teaching from Stuart Drever in Uddingston, Scotland. Try a free House of the Rising Sun video lesson with guided practice and a printable handout. A sample from the paid online Guitar Club.
⊕ Practical, self-paced guitar teaching from Stuart Drever in Uddingston, Scotland. Try a free House of the Rising Sun video lesson with guided practice and a printable handout. A sample from the paid online Guitar Club.
S.4 DESIGN / WEBSITE SERVICES; print, illustration
ENGLAND SOUTH-EAST
⇒ Lee Ault, Dreamkatcha. Specialist service for musicians, performers, music organisations, see https://dreamkatcha.com/music-web-design/
Project example: https://dreamkatcha.com/marcella-woods-case-study/
⊕ Berkshire-based freelance web and graphic designer. I create bespoke WordPress websites, branding and graphics, including a specialist service for musicians, performers and music organisations. [new listing, Oct 2026]
Project example: https://dreamkatcha.com/marcella-woods-case-study/
⊕ Berkshire-based freelance web and graphic designer. I create bespoke WordPress websites, branding and graphics, including a specialist service for musicians, performers and music organisations. [new listing, Oct 2026]
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
CYMRU / WALES
POWYS ~ RADNOR
BLACK MOUNTAIN BALFOLK 🄵.
Here is an update on Black Mountain Balfolk which has moved to a lovely hall in Glasbury.
The dates are for the 2026/27 Sunday Sessions: Oct 11 4-6ish. Oct 25 4-8pm Bal with Jon and Kate and guest musicians.
Nov 8 & 22 4-6ish. Saturday 12 Dec Bal with Kantref and other guest musicians.
Jan 10 & 24 4-6ish. February 14 & 28 4-6ish. March 14 4-6ish. April 4 4-6ish. April 25 BAL tbc.
Our new venue is Glasbury Village Hall across the bridge from the garage, 2nd road on left. https://www.glasburyvillagehall.co.uk/
Thanks, Andrea Degen
ENGLAND
WEST COUNTRY ~ GLOUCESTERSHIRE
CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵, most 2nd & 4th Sundays. Autumn programme. See Facebook.
CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵, most 2nd & 4th Sundays. Autumn programme. See Facebook.
Hi, Thanks to everyone who came -- a great evening with the Blackthorn Buskers!
NEXT TIME, 8th November, we have the delightful music of SI BARRON + floor spots.
Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vacZa5s0h7s
Or check out his whole Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperBeanson
Please note there is no club evening at the end of October.
8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal open night.
NEXT TIME, 8th November, we have the delightful music of SI BARRON + floor spots.
Here's a sample: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vacZa5s0h7s
Or check out his whole Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperBeanson
Please note there is no club evening at the end of October.
8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal open night.
Of course, always time for floor spots!
See you in November! Judith
FOREST FOLK CLUB 🄵, 1st & 3rd Sundays. Sunday 18th October, special guest is A.D. Scruffs. This Americana, Folk & Roots Trio from Bristol, combine unique storytelling with a captivating stage presence bound to enthral any audience they stand before. With songs soaked in that old time feeling, yet ever relevant for these times, the three members bring them to life with instruments like the banjo, double bass, resonator guitar and a rich blending of vocal harmonies layered on top. Their show will find you entwined in the soundscape as you watch the band in their natural element, lost in the music. www.adscruffs.com Don’t miss what promises to be a lively evening of fabulous entertainment! Doors open in the function room of the Orepool Inn, Sling near Coleford, at 7.30, admission £8, cash on door only. https://forestfolkclub.com/
WEST MIDLANDS - BIRMINGHAM
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵.
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵.
REVIEW: Sept 18th. Hilary Spencer.
Hillary's first song was Dancing with Words and that epitomised the whole evening. Her diction is so clear every word in whichever genre she chooses to sing in makes an impression. The first set consisted of Songs penned by Brian Bedford for Artisan, such a talented songwriter, after the break we were treated to songs written by Grant Baynam and Les Barker, a truly magical evening with lots of audience participation concluded very fittingly with "Farewell" also written by Brian Bedford.
Val Comrey.
Hillary's first song was Dancing with Words and that epitomised the whole evening. Her diction is so clear every word in whichever genre she chooses to sing in makes an impression. The first set consisted of Songs penned by Brian Bedford for Artisan, such a talented songwriter, after the break we were treated to songs written by Grant Baynam and Les Barker, a truly magical evening with lots of audience participation concluded very fittingly with "Farewell" also written by Brian Bedford.
Val Comrey.
WEST MIDLANDS - HEREFORDSHIRE
The Homend Poets & Musicians 🄵. Stimulating poetry and song! Tuesday 27th October, Theme "Food and Seasons"
at Ledbury Community Hub, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, 8 New Street, Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 2DX. www.ledburycommunityhub.org.uk (hello<at>ledburycommunityhub.org.uk)
Contact Nick Halligan 01684 563281 Email nickh2009<at>btinternet.com, but phone preferred.
The Homend Poets & Musicians 🄵. Stimulating poetry and song! Tuesday 27th October, Theme "Food and Seasons"
at Ledbury Community Hub, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, 8 New Street, Ledbury Herefordshire HR8 2DX. www.ledburycommunityhub.org.uk (hello<at>ledburycommunityhub.org.uk)
Contact Nick Halligan 01684 563281 Email nickh2009<at>btinternet.com, but phone preferred.
SOUTH-EAST - WEST SUSSEX TOUR
Thur 15 Oct St Peters Church, Wisborough Green, BILLINGSHURST, RH14 0EA. 7.30pm. £15 on the door. Enquiries: : 07914 79 5823 Fri 16 Oct St Nicholas Church, Poling, ARUNDEL, BN18 9PT A Grade 1 listed building in the beautiful village of Poling. 7.30pm £12. Refreshments available. Tickets in advance from 07777647327 or on the door.
Sat 17 Oct St Symphorians Church, Durrington, WORTHING, BN13 3HU. 7.30pm £15 on the door. Reserve a seat at sandf@stsymphorians.co.uk.
ZOOM: USA 🇺🇸
Sundays, usually 1st but varies. ~ USA. Boston, Mass. ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN 🄵 2pm - 4pm EDT [= UK 7pm-9pm].
Ballad sings and tavern/chantey sings, often 1st Sunday, but varies for seasonal themes and concerts - join the mailing list.
Sunday November 1: Online Ballad Sing
Sunday December 6: Online Mermaid's Wassail
Sunday January 3: Online Burns Night (early this year)
Plus live events (day varies) as announced on https://digitalheritageconsulting.com/tavern/ Join the mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com
Updates email 30/09/26
Deadlines: Journal 1 Oct for Nov. Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan.
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
EDITORIAL
OUR BANK NAME HAS CHANGED
It is now FOLKLIFE instead of "FOLKLIFE WEST T/A FOLKLIFE".
Originally "Folklife West", we got cheques just to "Folklife", so bank suggested above.
But now some systems can't cope with longer names (Halifax for one), hence change.
All other details the same - sort code & account number, or if paying by card.
Standing orders - no action needed (apparently they go by sort code & account no., not name!)
Editorial rambles (or scroll to Updates!)
Bank technology ... at Bromyard Folk Festival, in Dave & Anni's session, Dave kindly made some remarks about our magazines when introducing me, I made the traditional reply ("Thanks for that, Dave, cheque's in the post"); voice from crowd "What's a cheque?" (laughter).
Travel these days is difficult for us, but fortunately we live 20-30 minutes from two splendid festivals, Upton and Bromyard, which means we get to hear performers, have a good sing, and meet folks.
We have lots of clubs and singarounds within 3/4 hour in Worcs/Herefs/Glos; and we enjoy annual-ish overnight visits to folk venues - each with their own style eg Llantristant FC (weekly Wed)(Pat's enthusiasm and with the unique raffle song) and The Crown session in Longtown, Herefs, in the Black Hills (3rd Tuesday)(at the height of summer, some late arrivals due to their chickens needing persuading to retire for the night!). Now we're adding to the list, so we recently enjoyed Jeff Blake's lovely Emborough traditional singaround in Somerset (also 3rd Tues); good company, fine singers (some previously met on Zoom but not in person) and chat (from bagpipe-making to cider-making). Near to wonderful medieval Bath.
If you have local clubs/singarounds not listed in Directory, we'd love to add them, just let us know.
It is now FOLKLIFE instead of "FOLKLIFE WEST T/A FOLKLIFE".
Originally "Folklife West", we got cheques just to "Folklife", so bank suggested above.
But now some systems can't cope with longer names (Halifax for one), hence change.
All other details the same - sort code & account number, or if paying by card.
Standing orders - no action needed (apparently they go by sort code & account no., not name!)
Editorial rambles (or scroll to Updates!)
Bank technology ... at Bromyard Folk Festival, in Dave & Anni's session, Dave kindly made some remarks about our magazines when introducing me, I made the traditional reply ("Thanks for that, Dave, cheque's in the post"); voice from crowd "What's a cheque?" (laughter).
Travel these days is difficult for us, but fortunately we live 20-30 minutes from two splendid festivals, Upton and Bromyard, which means we get to hear performers, have a good sing, and meet folks.
We have lots of clubs and singarounds within 3/4 hour in Worcs/Herefs/Glos; and we enjoy annual-ish overnight visits to folk venues - each with their own style eg Llantristant FC (weekly Wed)(Pat's enthusiasm and with the unique raffle song) and The Crown session in Longtown, Herefs, in the Black Hills (3rd Tuesday)(at the height of summer, some late arrivals due to their chickens needing persuading to retire for the night!). Now we're adding to the list, so we recently enjoyed Jeff Blake's lovely Emborough traditional singaround in Somerset (also 3rd Tues); good company, fine singers (some previously met on Zoom but not in person) and chat (from bagpipe-making to cider-making). Near to wonderful medieval Bath.
If you have local clubs/singarounds not listed in Directory, we'd love to add them, just let us know.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (researchers, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Our July 2026 Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages! Read or download on https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue
Next Journal deadline 1 Oct. for Nov. Also, we welcome Updates news, from researchers & research organisations, and about appropriate publications.
Folklore Society
Thursday 15 October: When Loud Rumour Speaks’: Informal communication in the modern online world. The 10th Folklore Society–Royal Anthropological Institute Joint Seminar. 10:00-17:00, at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT and online,
Online zoom talks, all on Tuesdays, 19:00: • 6 Oct: Jane Bonsall, The Seven Sages of Rome Database • 20 Oct: Ann Schmiesing, The Brothers Grimm: A Biography • 17 Nov: Matthew Cheeseman, Living Heritage • Booking via https://www.folklore-society.com/events/
10 November 2026: The Katharine Briggs Lecture and Book Award 2026, 18:30 - 20:30, at The Warburg Institute, Woburn Square, London, WC1H 0AB. Dr Yinka Olusoga's lecture is 'Carving, Mining, Weaving and Forging of Identities, Connection and Belonging: A personal exploration of children’s folklife and why it matters.' The Katharine Briggs Award for 2026 is for the entry judged to have made the most distinguished contribution to folklore studies over the last year.
More details for above on https://www.folklore-society.com/ The Folklore Society, 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT 0203 915 3034.
🄵 EFDSS: the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. 020 7485 2206 ext.229 / 020 7241 8959, vwml.org, Instagram @thevwml.
Reminder: Sat. 24 Oct: Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, see previous Updates,
🄵 Traditional Song Forum.
An organisation for those interested in researching and discussing traditional folk songs. We meet regularly, both in person and online, to present and discuss topics related to folk song, song collectors, singers and many other aspects of folk song research. See https://tradsong.org for details.
TSF Newsletter 145 - September 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary).
- TSF Online meetings: 15 November – MacDara Yeates. 13 December – Kara O’Brien, Stephen Miller, David Sutcliffe. 10 January - Jim Causley on wassailing. 14 February - tba. Details & joining the meeting, see https://tradsong.org/tsf-online-meetings-using-zoom
- Videos of all the TSF Online meetings are available on the TSF YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/ty-Or2wGhkQ
- 10th October: Autumn Conference - Folk Song in the North of England, as noted in earlier Updates, details in our latest issue of our FT Journal, p22. Updated details see https://tradsong.org/autumn-conference-2026
- Sat. 24 Oct: Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, see under VWML above.
- Sat, 20 Feb 2027: our next Broadside Day conference, at Cecil Sharp House in London. Details tba.
- 20th March 2027: Spring Conference 2027, Lincoln. One of our regular ‘no theme’ conferences in which we welcome papers on any aspect of traditional song – including the songs themselves, the tunes, singers, collectors, and social contexts, as well as allied folk fields and other vernacular musics which influenced traditional repertoires and styles. The conference is not concerned with revivals or artistic reinterpretations of traditional song. Britain and Ireland and the countries with close cultural ties with them will be our focus, but we would consider relevant contributions from elsewhere. We will send out the call for papers later in the year, but in the meantime get your thinking caps on!
Maypole Dancing, Watercolour
EXHIBITION: MELVYN ROBINSON, at CECIL SHARP HOUSE, LONDON, NW1 7AY. Till 11 January 2027.
Paintings inspired by the style and landscapes of chalk hill figures. A major body of work by Melvyn Robinson (1933–2019), a Barnsley-born artist who spent much of his later life in London. The first major exhibition of his Yorkshire landscapes, poetry and folk-inspired works, it brings together Robinson’s Hill Drawings series, a deeply personal body of work inspired by the South Yorkshire landscape of his childhood and homeland.
The Hill Drawings depict locations including Kine Moor, Woolley Farm, Fox Holes, the Hill Forts and Boggard Wood. Robinson’s landscapes draw on Britain’s ancient cultural heritage, taking inspiration from monumental hill figures such as the Cerne Abbas Giant and Uffington White Horse, alongside Celtic, Viking and Anglo-Saxon sources.
The paintings are accompanied by Robinson’s own poems and folk songs, bringing together landscape, visual art, folklore, music and personal memory.
London’s historic home of English folk music and dance provides a particularly fitting setting for Robinson’s work, with its connections to landscape, folk traditions and Britain’s cultural heritage.
Melvyn Robinson: Hill Drawings. Free entry. Open during CSH opening hours - 9am to 11pm most days.
See https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/15993-melvyn-robinson-hill-drawings
The paintings are accompanied by Robinson’s own poems and folk songs, bringing together landscape, visual art, folklore, music and personal memory.
London’s historic home of English folk music and dance provides a particularly fitting setting for Robinson’s work, with its connections to landscape, folk traditions and Britain’s cultural heritage.
Melvyn Robinson: Hill Drawings. Free entry. Open during CSH opening hours - 9am to 11pm most days.
See https://www.efdss.org/whats-on/15993-melvyn-robinson-hill-drawings
Rosetta Robinson, daughter of Melvyn Robinson.
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, live and free Zoom sessions listings, world-wide, welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
CYMRU / WALES ~ Gogledd-Ddwyrain • North-East
Denbighshire
🄵 Thursday, weekly Denbighshire RUTHIN. RUTHIN ALLSTYLES MUSIC CLUB http://ruthinallstyles.co.uk
→ The Old Courthouse (Y Hen Lys), St Peter's Square. Wheelchair accessible. Doors 7.30pm, music from 8.00pm, all year.
Denbighshire
🄵 Thursday, weekly Denbighshire RUTHIN. RUTHIN ALLSTYLES MUSIC CLUB http://ruthinallstyles.co.uk
→ The Old Courthouse (Y Hen Lys), St Peter's Square. Wheelchair accessible. Doors 7.30pm, music from 8.00pm, all year.
⇒ Chris/Jayne Birchall 01824 704844, mobile 07760 764441. chris<at>ruthinallstyles.co.uk
⊕ Come along and listen: a wide range of styles from Traditional Folk to Country, Folk Rock, R&B, Blues, Jazz. Mostly Singers Nights, performers doing two to four songs. All styles and abilities welcome. Visiting musicians and audience participation welcome! (Sept 2026, new venue)
⊕ Come along and listen: a wide range of styles from Traditional Folk to Country, Folk Rock, R&B, Blues, Jazz. Mostly Singers Nights, performers doing two to four songs. All styles and abilities welcome. Visiting musicians and audience participation welcome! (Sept 2026, new venue)
ENGLAND: WEST COUNTRY
Gloucestershire
🅄 Day varies*** Glos GLOUCESTER THE FOLK OF GLOUCESTER https://gloucestercivictrust.org/folk-events/
→ The Folk of Gloucester, 99-103 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG. *** Tue. – Sat. 10am – 4pm, plus evening events.
⇒ info<at>thefolkofgloucester.co.uk; 01452 207101; https://www.facebook.com/TheFolkofGloucester; https://www.instagram.com/thefolkofgloucester
⊕ Heritage Community & Arts Centre. A historic venue for exhibitions, events & activities, with a year-round programme of music, theatre, workshops, and kids’ events, including folk music sessions, concerts, talks, and storytelling. Available for private hire. [added 2026 Sept]
⇒ info<at>thefolkofgloucester.co.uk; 01452 207101; https://www.facebook.com/TheFolkofGloucester; https://www.instagram.com/thefolkofgloucester
⊕ Heritage Community & Arts Centre. A historic venue for exhibitions, events & activities, with a year-round programme of music, theatre, workshops, and kids’ events, including folk music sessions, concerts, talks, and storytelling. Available for private hire. [added 2026 Sept]
Gloucestershire
🅄 Wednesdays, weekly Glos GLOUCESTER GLOUCESTER FOLK CHOIR www.singyourselfin.co.uk
→ Gloucester Friends meeting house, Greyfriars. 7-9pm weekly.
⇒ Sorrel Wilde, 07583168902
⊕ Friendly inclusive community choir singing traditional and contemporary folk songs, songs from near and far and nature connection songs. We sing for pleasure and perform occasionally at local community events. Sorrel is an experienced and playful voice and song facilitator. [added 2026 Sept]
→ Gloucester Friends meeting house, Greyfriars. 7-9pm weekly.
⇒ Sorrel Wilde, 07583168902
⊕ Friendly inclusive community choir singing traditional and contemporary folk songs, songs from near and far and nature connection songs. We sing for pleasure and perform occasionally at local community events. Sorrel is an experienced and playful voice and song facilitator. [added 2026 Sept]
Gloucestershire
🄵 Thursdays, 3rd Glos GLOUCESTER THE FOLK MUSIC & SONG SESSION https://gloucestercivictrust.org/folk-events/
→ The Folk of Gloucester, 99-101 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG. 12 noon till 3 p.m.
⇒ info<at>thefolkofgloucester.co.uk; Bill Taylor 07787 713758, b111t<at>aol
⊕ Open to all singers and players. Informal sing around and music session. [Sept 2026, webpage changed]
→ The Folk of Gloucester, 99-101 Westgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 2PG. 12 noon till 3 p.m.
⇒ info<at>thefolkofgloucester.co.uk; Bill Taylor 07787 713758, b111t<at>aol
⊕ Open to all singers and players. Informal sing around and music session. [Sept 2026, webpage changed]
ENGLAND: LONDON
🄵 Saturday, 3rd London CAMDEN THE HARRISON SINGAROUND www.facebook.com/groups/harrisonsingaround/
⊕ Join us downstairs for this free and friendly singaround. Folk, blues, sea shanties, music hall or anything else you feel like singing. Bring a song, poem, tune or story, sing along or just come and listen. Instruments welcome. [August 2026, new listing]
- Sam's mistake: on previous Update, I put "most Sat.", not "3rd".
ENGLAND: NORTH-EAST, and also YORKSHIRE
local magazine & listings
ONLINE 🅄 Durham, Northumberland, Yorkshire ~ FOLK ROUNDABOUT www.folkroundabout.com
⇒ Contacts: Webmaster & Everything Else ~ sammi<at>folkroundabout.com
⊕ Folk music, song, dance and customs. What's On ~ Articles ~ Interviews & Music Videos ~ Club and Performer Promoting ~ and much, much more. (Sept 2027: Sammi now contact for everything)
⇒ Contacts: Webmaster & Everything Else ~ sammi<at>folkroundabout.com
⊕ Folk music, song, dance and customs. What's On ~ Articles ~ Interviews & Music Videos ~ Club and Performer Promoting ~ and much, much more. (Sept 2027: Sammi now contact for everything)
Performers, Media, Services
PERFORMERS
Pf.3c STORYTELLERS
⇒ Based in Hastings.
⊕ I am an experienced storyteller and musician - I love to bring traditional stories from all around the world with music, images and drama!
[New entry, Sep 2026]
⊕ I am an experienced storyteller and musician - I love to bring traditional stories from all around the world with music, images and drama!
[New entry, Sep 2026]
SERVICES
S.2 AGENTS, MANAGERS, PROMOTERS, MCS AND STAGE MANAGEMENT
ENGLAND WEST COUNTRY
⇒ Contact Debra Hannis, deb<at>capermusicrepresentation.com, https://www.facebook.com/debra.hannis/
⊕ Caper Music Representation is all about great people, great music and genuine relationships. We proudly represent talented artists, helping them find exciting opportunities, build lasting careers and connect with the right people across today’s ever-changing music industry. [2026 September, new listing]
S.6 SHOPS and other live/online SALES
ENGLAND WEST MIDLANDS
🄵 Birmingham HOBGOBLIN BIRMINGHAM https://hobgoblin.com/branches/birmingham
⇒ Shop 0121 212 9010. Hobgoblin Music, 4 Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS. birmingham<at>hobgoblinbirmingham.co.uk
⇒ Shop 0121 212 9010. Hobgoblin Music, 4 Priory Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BS. birmingham<at>hobgoblinbirmingham.co.uk
www.facebook.com/hobgoblinbrum , www.instagram.com/hobgoblinbirmingham/
⊕ Hobgoblin Birmingham - Britain’s leading Folk and Traditional musical instrument shop based in the heart of Birmingham. Open 10am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday, 11am - 4pm Sunday. [new address, Sept 2026]
⊕ Hobgoblin Birmingham - Britain’s leading Folk and Traditional musical instrument shop based in the heart of Birmingham. Open 10am - 6pm, Monday - Saturday, 11am - 4pm Sunday. [new address, Sept 2026]
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
CYMRU / WALES ~ Gogledd-Ddwyrain • North-East ~ DENBIGHSHIRE
Thursday, weekly Denbighshire RUTHIN. RUTHIN ALLSTYLES MUSIC CLUB 🄵 ~ see above (2) Online Directory: Updates 🎵 Bye Bye Roundhouse, Hello Courthouse 🎶 We were delighted to discover that The Old Courthouse was available. This magnificently restored 15th-century building, with its oak-panelled walls and beamed vaulted ceiling, is the most impressive venue in our 30-year history. Standing proudly on the beautifully remodelled St Peter’s Square, right in the centre of town, sympathetically refurbished as a community facility. We couldn’t ask for a more inspirational setting in which to meet and make music. It's wheelchair accessible. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate available, or bring your own cold drinks. Market Street car park is just beyond the Castle Hotel / Wetherspoons (two-minute walk); some nearby free on-street parking spaces. Map: https://ruthinallstyles.co.uk/how-to-find-us/ ****
We look forward to welcoming you to our Acoustic Thursday at The Old Courthouse, from 8.00pm until 10.45pm, with doors open from 7.30pm. 🎸 Bring an instrument, bring your voice, or just bring your ears! 👂 http://ruthinallstyles.co.uk
**** Access to Market Street Car Park. Due to roadworks for the new one-way system, the top end of Market Street may be closed off. The best access to the main car park is via the bottom end of Market Street from the roundabout near Tesco. Once complete, more parking spaces in St. Peter's Square.
WEST COUNTRY ~ KERNOW / CORNWALL-based
SARAH McQUAID 🄵 Here’s a list of gigs for Nov through Jan:
NOV 2026, JAN-FEB 2027 – UK Nov 19 OTTRINGHAM (HULL): The Beggar’s Folk Club. Nov 20 LLANIDLOES: The Hanging Gardens. Nov 21 LLANGOED Village Hall. Nov 22 MATLOCK: The Grand Pavilion Matlock Bath. Nov 25 BIDDULPH Up In Arms. Nov 26 ILKLEY Manor House, Jan 22 PENZANCE: The Acorn. Jan 23 CALSTOCK Arts. Jan 24 AXBRIDGE: Axe Vale Arts. Jan 27 SWINDON Arts Centre. Jan 28 ABERTILLERY: The MetJan . 29 LLANWRTYD & District Heritage and Arts Centre via Noson Allan/Night Out. Jan 30 SMETHWICK: Thimblemill Library. Feb 1 LYTHAM ST ANNES: The Lowther Pavilion (Chapman Studio). Feb 3 TOPSHAM: The Bridge Inn. Sarah x https://sarahmcquaid.com
WEST COUNTRY ~ GLOUCESTERSHIRE
CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵, most 2nd & 4th Sundays. Autumn programme.
Hi everyone, there has been a slight change this autumn, in October. Here is the revised programme:
11 October -- Open Night. 8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal night.
See you soon! Judith11 October -- Open Night. 8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal night.
WEST MIDLANDS ~ HEREFORDSHIRE
LEDBURY NEWS - Wednesday, weekly except some last Wed Herefds LEDBURY PRINCE OF WALES SESSION
Another good evening on 23rd - as usual there was an appreciative audience in the side alcove. Not next Weds (30th Sept), due to 'comedian' booked for pub, so see you on 7th October. On Monday (28th), Silurian will be dancing near the Market House from 7:30 (for 8-ish), probably followed by a session in the Prince. On the last Tuesday (29th), the Homend Poets will convene at the Ledbury Hub, 8 New Street (6:30 to 8:30), music is also permitted. The Lion will be open on Wednesday for those with ultra-thick eardrums.... Steve Steve Glennie-Smith, 07941-863562
Another good evening on 23rd - as usual there was an appreciative audience in the side alcove. Not next Weds (30th Sept), due to 'comedian' booked for pub, so see you on 7th October. On Monday (28th), Silurian will be dancing near the Market House from 7:30 (for 8-ish), probably followed by a session in the Prince. On the last Tuesday (29th), the Homend Poets will convene at the Ledbury Hub, 8 New Street (6:30 to 8:30), music is also permitted. The Lion will be open on Wednesday for those with ultra-thick eardrums.... Steve Steve Glennie-Smith, 07941-863562
MOONRAKERS 🄵
Watch us in the comfort of your home! Of course, the two-dimensional us is not quite as gorgeous as the real thing but at least you can curl up around the fire and we won't notice your odd socks. Our online concert hosted by Live to your Living Room is coming soon. It will be our first time using this medium and we're feeling a bit nervous, so do come and wave at us on the screen to reassure us that there are real people out there!
Thur 8 Oct. Performing a live streamed event with 'Live to Your Living Room'. All details, including tickets: Buy tickets – Moonrakers – Zoom
Best wishes, Jon, Jacqui, Sarah & Becki http://www.moonrakers.net
Watch us in the comfort of your home! Of course, the two-dimensional us is not quite as gorgeous as the real thing but at least you can curl up around the fire and we won't notice your odd socks. Our online concert hosted by Live to your Living Room is coming soon. It will be our first time using this medium and we're feeling a bit nervous, so do come and wave at us on the screen to reassure us that there are real people out there!
Thur 8 Oct. Performing a live streamed event with 'Live to Your Living Room'. All details, including tickets: Buy tickets – Moonrakers – Zoom
Best wishes, Jon, Jacqui, Sarah & Becki http://www.moonrakers.net
YORKSHIRE ~ WEST YORKSHIRE
TOPIC FOLK CLUB 🄵, The Castle 20, Grattan Road Bradford BD1 2 LU. Thursday, weekly. Doors 7pm, 7.30 pm start and a target time of 9.45 to finish.
£9 (£6 for members) on guest nights; £1 on singers & musicians nights.
October's programme 1st October, Singers & musicians. 8th October, Mossy Christian (https://wegottickets.com/f/24744; https://mossychristian.com/ )
15th October, Singers & musicians. 22nd October, Steve Jinski (https://wegottickets.com/f/24745; stevejinski.com). 29th October, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes (https://wegottickets.com/f/24747) NB. Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road (£1) just outside the pub, and there is a disabled parking slot (the Council may scrap street parking charges, but we don't yet know when). https://www.nawaller.com/topicfc/
£9 (£6 for members) on guest nights; £1 on singers & musicians nights.
October's programme 1st October, Singers & musicians. 8th October, Mossy Christian (https://wegottickets.com/f/24744; https://mossychristian.com/ )
15th October, Singers & musicians. 22nd October, Steve Jinski (https://wegottickets.com/f/24745; stevejinski.com). 29th October, Mick Ryan & Paul Downes (https://wegottickets.com/f/24747) NB. Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road (£1) just outside the pub, and there is a disabled parking slot (the Council may scrap street parking charges, but we don't yet know when). https://www.nawaller.com/topicfc/
TOPIC FOLK CLUB 🄵, BRADFORD - 70 YEARS EVENT!
On Saturday 3rd October, the Club's major 70th anniversary event ( a weekly club since 1956!) , will be taking place in the outdoor performance space of The Darley Street Market Courtyard, Bradford BD1 3HH, from 12 noon to 5 pm. Here are details of the line up of Guest Singers, all of whom have connections with the Topic, who will be performing. 1
2.00-12.55 Plumhall. 12.55-1.30 Hokum - skiffle set. 1.30-2.10 Bella Gaffney. 2.10-2.45 Henry Parker. 2.45-3.00 Mike the Busker. 3.00 -3.30 Paul Chand/ Anjaana. 3.30 - 4.00 Jenny Silurian. 4.00-4.30 Top Whack. 4.30-5.00 Lewis Pugh.
Additional Event to Celebrate our 70th year: Bradford Libraries have invited The Topic to present an evening of history and song to celebrate our 70th anniversary . This will be held on Friday 9th October, in Shipley Library, from 7-9 pm. The evening will consist of a brief history of the Topic’s foundation in 1956, and its subsequent development. This will be interspersed by songs sung by Topic members and friends. There will be no specific charge for entry: just pay as you feel – all proceeds will be going to the Topic.
Publicity and Club Newsletter, Tony Charnock, email tocharn<at>gmail.com www.topic-folk-club.org.uk www.facebook.com/groups/647289061950797/
Updates email 12/09/26
Deadlines: Journal 1 Oct for Nov.; Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan 2027
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
EDITORIAL
NEXT DEADLINE is 1 October for the 1 November FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS JOURNAL.
Researched articles, also news researchers & societies, and about appropriate publications
Not for folk news for Folklife West ! - but Members are welcome to send Updates for these emails.
** A note for new readers: both FW pages, & our online Directory webpages, are arranged by area, & sometimes also by county.
A list, with links, are on the "FW this issue" introductory page
Perhaps see some of you at Bromyard Folk Festival this Sunday - I'll be waving folk magazines around as usual!
As ever, Updates for (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Folklife West folk news.
Your Updates welcome for (1) and (2), and, if you're a paid-up Member, for (3). Up to 150 words. Best to allow 3 weeks for me to process.
Researched articles, also news researchers & societies, and about appropriate publications
Not for folk news for Folklife West ! - but Members are welcome to send Updates for these emails.
** A note for new readers: both FW pages, & our online Directory webpages, are arranged by area, & sometimes also by county.
A list, with links, are on the "FW this issue" introductory page
Perhaps see some of you at Bromyard Folk Festival this Sunday - I'll be waving folk magazines around as usual!
As ever, Updates for (1) Journal, (2) Directory, (3) Folklife West folk news.
Your Updates welcome for (1) and (2), and, if you're a paid-up Member, for (3). Up to 150 words. Best to allow 3 weeks for me to process.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (research, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Our July 2026 Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages! Read or download on https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue
Next Journal deadline 1 Oct. for Nov. Also, we welcome Updates news, from researchers & research organisations, and about appropriate publications.
Folklore Society
Tuesday 15 September: Presidential Address 2026: The Passion of the Flax, Continued, by Professor David Hopkin. 17:30-18:30 at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT and online.
Thursday 15 October: When Loud Rumour Speaks’: Informal communication in the modern online world. The 10th Folklore Society–Royal Anthropological Institute Joint Seminar. 10:00-17:00, at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT and online, Online zoom talks, all on Tuesdays, 19:00: 22 Sept: Julian Goodare: Scottish Peasants in the Magical Landscape • 6 Oct: Jane Bonsall: The Seven Sages of Rome Database • 20 Oct: Ann Schmiesing: The Brothers Grimm: A Biography. Booking via https://www.folklore-society.com/events/
More details for above on https://www.folklore-society.com/ The Folklore Society, 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT 0203 915 3034.
From 🄵 Steve Roud: our next Broadside Day conference will be on Saturday 20th February 2027 at Cecil Sharp House in London. Details tba.
🄵 The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. 020 7485 2206 ext.229 / 020 7241 8959, vwml.org, Instagram @thevwml.
Reminder: Sat. 24 Oct: Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, see previous Updates, and https://www.efdss.org/about-us/what-we-do/news/1616
🄵 Traditional Song Forum.
An organisation for those interested in researching and discussing traditional folk songs. We meet regularly, both in person and online, to present and discuss topics related to folk song, song collectors, singers and many other aspects of folk song research. See https://tradsong.org for details.
An organisation for those interested in researching and discussing traditional folk songs. We meet regularly, both in person and online, to present and discuss topics related to folk song, song collectors, singers and many other aspects of folk song research. See https://tradsong.org for details.
TSF Newsletter 145 - September 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary).
- 13th September: TSF Online meeting, will consist of two papers: David Stenton – The Forth Valley Songster; Ben Lang – The Rose in June. Details & joining the meeting, see https://tradsong.org/tsf-online-meetings-using-zoom
- 10th October: Autumn Conference - Folk Song in the North of England, as noted in earlier Updates, details in our latest issue of our FT Journal, p22. Updated details see https://tradsong.org/autumn-conference-2026
- 20th March 2027: Spring Conference 2027, Lincoln. One of our regular ‘no theme’ conferences in which we welcome papers on any aspect of traditional song – including the songs themselves, the tunes, singers, collectors, and social contexts, as well as allied folk fields and other vernacular musics which influenced traditional repertoires and styles. The conference is not concerned with revivals or artistic reinterpretations of traditional song. Britain and Ireland and the countries with close cultural ties with them will be our focus, but we would consider relevant contributions from elsewhere. We will send out the call for papers later in the year, but in the meantime get your thinking caps on!
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, live and free Zoom sessions listings, world-wide, welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
CYMRU / WALES
Gwent
Ø Friday, 1st Caerphilly borough CWMCARN. CWMCARN FOLK SINGAROUND. https://www.facebook.com/events/4470895479790664/
Ø Friday, 1st Caerphilly borough CWMCARN. CWMCARN FOLK SINGAROUND. https://www.facebook.com/events/4470895479790664/
→ Cwmcarn Village Hall and Institute, 128 Newport Road, Cwmcarn, NP11 7LZ. 7-9pm
⊕ Whether you play an instrument, want to sing, or simply want to listen, everyone is welcome! A casual acoustic singaround, and no one is required to be an expert. Tea & coffee provided or bring your own drinks. £2 requested donation. [Sept 2026, new listing]
⊕ Whether you play an instrument, want to sing, or simply want to listen, everyone is welcome! A casual acoustic singaround, and no one is required to be an expert. Tea & coffee provided or bring your own drinks. £2 requested donation. [Sept 2026, new listing]
ENGLAND: WEST COUNTRY (South-West)
Kernow • Cornwall
→ Veryan Sports & Social Club (with club bar), Elerkey Lane, Veryan TR2 5QS. Gigs 7.30pm, for 8 or 9 months of the year.
⇒ Call Dave Shepperson on 07736 065406 or by e-mail folkinveryan<at>btinternet.com. Tickets see https://www.visittruro.org.uk/whats-on or call 01872 274555
⇒ Call Dave Shepperson on 07736 065406 or by e-mail folkinveryan<at>btinternet.com. Tickets see https://www.visittruro.org.uk/whats-on or call 01872 274555
⊕ Great little club. Guest plus club singers: our aim is to bring the finest local/national folk musicians to the Roseland, a lovely part of Cornwall. Enthusiastic amateurs and artists welcome, get in touch, we have a very welcoming audience. [Sept 2026, club name changed (was Philleigh Folk) & other details changed]
Somerset
🄵 Saturday, 3rd (Sep-May) Somerset HUISH EPISCOPI ELI’S (ROSE & CROWN) TRADITIONAL SINGAROUND (no website)
→ Eli’s (The Rose & Crown), Huish Episcopi (near Langport) TA10 9QT, on the A372. September to May inclusive, 8.30pm.
⇒ Rod Harrington, 01823 481253, 07495702075, harrington.rod<at>gmail.com
⊕ “And on the 8th Day, He created Eli’s, and Lo! there was singing” - John Waltham. [Sept 2026, mobile number added]
🄵 Saturday, 3rd (Sep-May) Somerset HUISH EPISCOPI ELI’S (ROSE & CROWN) TRADITIONAL SINGAROUND (no website)
→ Eli’s (The Rose & Crown), Huish Episcopi (near Langport) TA10 9QT, on the A372. September to May inclusive, 8.30pm.
⇒ Rod Harrington, 01823 481253, 07495702075, harrington.rod<at>gmail.com
⊕ “And on the 8th Day, He created Eli’s, and Lo! there was singing” - John Waltham. [Sept 2026, mobile number added]
Wiltshire
Ø Tuesdays, weekly Wilts BRADFORD ON AVON BRADFORD ON AVON FOLK CLUB Facebook - Bradford on Avon Folk Club
→ The Function Room above the Stumble Inn, 29 Market St, Bradford-on-Avon, BA15 1LL. 7:30pm – 10:30pm every Tuesday).
⇒ Contact: Chris Arnold email: chrisatbradfordonavonfolkclub<at>talktalk.net
⇒ Contact: Chris Arnold email: chrisatbradfordonavonfolkclub<at>talktalk.net
⊕ The folk club has an admission fee of £3 to pay for our hire of the room, and a whip round on guest nights for thanking our guest performers for sharing their music
Guest performers once a month on the second Tuesday, except for Christmas. Facebook - Bradford on Avon Folk Club (Aug 2026, new listing)
Gloucestershire
🄵 Monday, 1st & 3rd Glos CHURCHDOWN FOLK AT THE CLUB http://liamtho.com/FolkAtTheClub
→ The Churchdown Club (http://churchdownclub.co.uk), Church Road, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2ER]. 8pm, all year
→ The Churchdown Club (http://churchdownclub.co.uk), Church Road, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2ER]. 8pm, all year
⇒ For more info please contact Will Craswell 07740 248785 – william.craswell<at>gmail.com
⊕ Although primarily a singers night, tunes and poetry are both welcome. The atmosphere is very relaxed – an ideal place to try a new song or even sing in public for the first time. Entry is free, so do join us. New: wheelchair ramp to entrance [2026 Sept., now back at usual venue, + ramp]
⊕ Although primarily a singers night, tunes and poetry are both welcome. The atmosphere is very relaxed – an ideal place to try a new song or even sing in public for the first time. Entry is free, so do join us. New: wheelchair ramp to entrance [2026 Sept., now back at usual venue, + ramp]
ENGLAND: WEST MIDLANDS
Coventry & Warwickshire
Mondays, most *** Warks WARWICK WARWICK FOLK CLUB www.warwickfolkclub.co.uk
→ *** Guest Nights monthly. Performers Nights Monthly, and Singarounds Monthly, with one week off per month.
→ Singarounds: The Ale Hub, 4 Chase Meadow Square, off Narrow Hall Meadow, Warwick CV34 6BT. 7pm - 9pm.
→ Performers' Nights: The Old Fourpenny Shop, 27-29 Crompton Street, Warwick CV34 6HJ. 7.30pm – 10pm (doors open 7.15pm).
→ Guest Nights: The Old Fourpenny Shop, as above, or The Racehorse, 34 Stratford Road, Warwick CV34 6AS. 7.30pm – 10pm (doors open 7.15pm).
⇒ For any questions about our programme or coming to visit, please send an email to folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com
⊕ Just come along and enjoy all kinds of acoustic music, details see www.warwickfolkclub.co.uk Singarounds: free, no need to book. Performers' Nights, £3, advisable to reserve your performance, folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com. Guest Nights, folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com to reserve. [2026 Sept., new listing]
→ *** Guest Nights monthly. Performers Nights Monthly, and Singarounds Monthly, with one week off per month.
→ Singarounds: The Ale Hub, 4 Chase Meadow Square, off Narrow Hall Meadow, Warwick CV34 6BT. 7pm - 9pm.
→ Performers' Nights: The Old Fourpenny Shop, 27-29 Crompton Street, Warwick CV34 6HJ. 7.30pm – 10pm (doors open 7.15pm).
→ Guest Nights: The Old Fourpenny Shop, as above, or The Racehorse, 34 Stratford Road, Warwick CV34 6AS. 7.30pm – 10pm (doors open 7.15pm).
⇒ For any questions about our programme or coming to visit, please send an email to folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com
⊕ Just come along and enjoy all kinds of acoustic music, details see www.warwickfolkclub.co.uk Singarounds: free, no need to book. Performers' Nights, £3, advisable to reserve your performance, folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com. Guest Nights, folkclub.warwick<at>gmail.com to reserve. [2026 Sept., new listing]
Herefordshire
🄵 Tuesday, 3rd [most months] Herefs LEDBURY A FISTFUL OF FOLKIES singaround & session (no website)
→ Ledbury Community Hub www.ledburycommunityhub.org.uk, 8 New St, Ledbury HR8 2DX.Starts 7.30pm.
→ Ledbury Community Hub www.ledburycommunityhub.org.uk, 8 New St, Ledbury HR8 2DX.Starts 7.30pm.
⇒ Contact: Bernie on bernieuptonfolk<at>gmail.com
⊕ Singaround & music session for folk and rural roots. Singers, poets, storytellers, and all types of acoustic instruments welcome. Free entry. Please check before coming, as not every month. [2026 Sept: venue change from Upton Bishop]
⊕ Singaround & music session for folk and rural roots. Singers, poets, storytellers, and all types of acoustic instruments welcome. Free entry. Please check before coming, as not every month. [2026 Sept: venue change from Upton Bishop]
ENGLAND: LONDON
🄵 Saturday, 3rd London CAMDEN THE HARRISON SINGAROUND www.facebook.com/groups/harrisonsingaround/
⊕ Join us downstairs (air-conditioned) for this free and friendly singaround. Folk, blues, sea shanties, music hall or anything else you feel like singing. Bring a song, poem, tune or story, sing along or just come and listen. Instruments welcome. [August 2026, new listing]
IRELAND
All-Ireland
🄵 SINGING CIRCLES IRELAND, a list of 120+ singing circles, by county.
Brendan Kennedy is kindly sending Folklife his list of singing circles, monthly. The September edition has been copied to Venues: Ireland
ZOOMS
Saturday
🄵 Saturday, most weeks. ~ England. London. SATURDAY SEA SONGS zoom
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️frequency updated by organiser 9/2026.
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️frequency updated by organiser 9/2026.
Performers, Media, Services
Pf.1 FOLK MUSIC & SONG: Pf.1a Bands/Groups (including Choirs, Quires, Community Bands),
ENGLAND: EAST MIDLANDS
⇒ Contact Peter Barnard, peter.barnard<at>me.com, 07919627270. www.demowbray.info, https://www.facebook.com/demowbray.info
⊕ de Mowbray's Musicke are a specialist group of musicians who work extensively throughout the country. They blend knowledge and musical abilities with a great sense of fun and entertainment. You’ll not find a better chance to immerse yourself back in the Middle Ages. (Sept. 2026, new listing)
MEDIA
M.4 Print & online folk magazine & listings.
M.4 Print & online folk magazine & listings.
⇒ Derby-based. Contact Kain Alden, Hello<at>trendng.com https://trendng.com/ , https://www.instagram.com/trendng_official/
⊕ Independent music and culture platform, covering emerging UK artists, releases, gigs, festivals, in all genres, including folk, roots, acoustic music, through interviews, reviews, previews, photography and original features. We welcome submissions for editorial coverage from artists, promoters, venues, festivals, publicists. [Sep 2026, new listing]
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
ENGLAND ~ WEST COUNTRY
Wiltshire
SALISBURY FOLK CLUB 🄵, Harnham Community Sports and Social Club, Parsonage Green, Salisbury SP2 8LA.2nd Wednesdays, 7.30pm
October at Salisbury Folk Club sees us welcome two brilliant local groups. Nadder Folk consists of Sean (Guitar), Reg (Harp and flute) and Sarah (Northumbrian pipes). The range of beautiful sounds is wide and deep and they’ll bring both songs and tunes. Catch of the Day is a female shanty group. They’ve performed at a range of festivals and varied venues and it’s great to welcome them to their home town folk club on 14 October. On 11 November we welcome Daria Kulesh and on 9 December it's ‘open floor’. Please book a slot beforehand if you’d like to play. Look out for news of Wassailing in January including a visit from Jim Causley!
Contact salisburyfolkclub<at>hotmail.com. Facebook: Salisbury Folk Club
October at Salisbury Folk Club sees us welcome two brilliant local groups. Nadder Folk consists of Sean (Guitar), Reg (Harp and flute) and Sarah (Northumbrian pipes). The range of beautiful sounds is wide and deep and they’ll bring both songs and tunes. Catch of the Day is a female shanty group. They’ve performed at a range of festivals and varied venues and it’s great to welcome them to their home town folk club on 14 October. On 11 November we welcome Daria Kulesh and on 9 December it's ‘open floor’. Please book a slot beforehand if you’d like to play. Look out for news of Wassailing in January including a visit from Jim Causley!
Contact salisburyfolkclub<at>hotmail.com. Facebook: Salisbury Folk Club
Gloucestershire
CHELTENHAM FOLK CLUB 🄵,-- next Sunday and autumn programme
We have an exciting programme this autumn, starting with MICK HOLDITCH next Sunday!
13 September -- Mick Holditch, 27 September -- Blackthorn Buskers
11 October -- Richard Whitehouse
8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal night
There is always time for floor spots. All evenings are at the Stanton Room, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR. To find this on Google maps, type in 'Stanton Suite'. You can then see where the car park and streets for parking are. Cash donations appreciated. Sorry, no dogs. Snacks, drinks etc from Coop opposite. See you soon! Judith
We have an exciting programme this autumn, starting with MICK HOLDITCH next Sunday!
13 September -- Mick Holditch, 27 September -- Blackthorn Buskers
11 October -- Richard Whitehouse
8 November -- Si Barron, 22 November -- Cobbler's Child, 13 December -- Seasonal night
There is always time for floor spots. All evenings are at the Stanton Room, Church St, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham GL53 8AR. To find this on Google maps, type in 'Stanton Suite'. You can then see where the car park and streets for parking are. Cash donations appreciated. Sorry, no dogs. Snacks, drinks etc from Coop opposite. See you soon! Judith
FOLK AT THE CLUB 🄵, Churchdown Monday, 1st & 3rd. Following the fire at the venue, the club moved out temporarily, but has now moved back. Access has been greatly improved by a ramp to the entrance, which is suitable for wheelchairs. Club details see Directory entry above.
ENGLAND ~ WEST MIDLANDS
Herefordshire
A FISTFUL OF FOLKIES 🄵, Ledbury
Hello everyone, We hope you had a good summer and have enjoyed the recent rain! Our singaround and session, now known as a Fistful of Folkies, will be back on Tuesday September 15th.We will be meeting at the Ledbury Community Hub in New Street, Ledbury. As before, we will meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7.30. There is street parking available and council car parking is free after 6pm.Bring your own refreshments - alcoholic or otherwise - if you wish, although you will be able to make tea or coffee at the venue.They are not charging us for use of the space, but would be grateful for donations. As before.....We are hoping to run a friendly and supportive evening of folk - mainly songs with some tunes. No electrical gizmos. Happy for people to just listen. Bernie and Annie will attempt to keep some kind of order! We hope to see familiar faces returning, but if you have friends who you think would enjoy the evening, please invite them along
Hope to see you on the 15th, Bernie and Annie
CONQUEST THEATRE, Bromyard
Next one in Bromyard (after this weekend's Folk Festival!) is at the end of November:
Friday 27 November, 7.30. £10.00.
CONQUEST THEATRE, Tenbury Rd, Bromyard HR7 4LL. Folk in the Foyer: FiddleBop plays Jazz-Folk
Hot Club Gypsy swing, jigs'n'reels, traditional folk songs, and jazz of all flavours... on violin, Spanish guitar, cello, and fretless bass. They sing too, with four passionate voices in harmony.
https://conquest-theatre.co.uk/ticketsource/, 01885 488575
Chris Barltop 🄵
Birmingham
Friday 27 November, 7.30. £10.00.
CONQUEST THEATRE, Tenbury Rd, Bromyard HR7 4LL. Folk in the Foyer: FiddleBop plays Jazz-Folk
Hot Club Gypsy swing, jigs'n'reels, traditional folk songs, and jazz of all flavours... on violin, Spanish guitar, cello, and fretless bass. They sing too, with four passionate voices in harmony.
https://conquest-theatre.co.uk/ticketsource/, 01885 488575
Chris Barltop 🄵
Birmingham
BALFOLK comes to Birmingham: Helen Gentile & Lewis Wood
Join us at The Hub Hazelwell on Wednesday 28 October for an evening of Balfolk dancing with live music from Helen Gentile & Lewis Wood, one of the UK’s leading Balfolk duos.
Balfolk brings together social folk dances from France and across Europe, from flowing mazurkas and waltzes to lively bourrées and Breton dances. Helen and Lewis bring fiddle and clarinet to the dance floor, combining traditional tunes, contemporary compositions and their own music. Their 2024 album Violet Sky was described by Songlines as “folk dance at its finest”.
Never danced Balfolk before? No problem. The evening begins with a friendly introductory workshop from 7–8pm, followed by the bal from 8–10pm. No previous experience or partner needed.
Tickets are £8 / £12 / £16, with a pay-less/pay-more system.
Join us at The Hub Hazelwell on Wednesday 28 October for an evening of Balfolk dancing with live music from Helen Gentile & Lewis Wood, one of the UK’s leading Balfolk duos.
Balfolk brings together social folk dances from France and across Europe, from flowing mazurkas and waltzes to lively bourrées and Breton dances. Helen and Lewis bring fiddle and clarinet to the dance floor, combining traditional tunes, contemporary compositions and their own music. Their 2024 album Violet Sky was described by Songlines as “folk dance at its finest”.
Never danced Balfolk before? No problem. The evening begins with a friendly introductory workshop from 7–8pm, followed by the bal from 8–10pm. No previous experience or partner needed.
Tickets are £8 / £12 / £16, with a pay-less/pay-more system.
Tickets and full details available at https://wegottickets.com/f/25644 and https://www.facebook.com/events/1059667699804869/
Cheers
Jim Durdin 🄵
Cheers
Jim Durdin 🄵
Birmingham
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵. REVIEW: Sept. 4th: PETE GRASSBY
Black Diamond Folk Club kicked off their 63rd season with Pete Grassby as their guest. Pete entertained the audience with a lovely mixture of softly sung ballads, rousing chorus songs, tunes on the melodeon and tales highlighting his long connections in the Folk world not just locally but world wide. A very nice, relaxed evening spent in good company. Val Comery.
ENGLAND ~ EAST MIDLANDS
Derbyshire
Thanks to our reader Paul Mansfield for notes on this club in Spondon (eastern edge of Derby):
The Vernon Arms Folk and Acoustic Club - Spondon www.facebook.com/vernonfolkandacoustic/
The Vernon Arms Folk and Acoustic Club, The Vernon Arms, Locko Road, Spondon, Derby DE21 7AL. Weekly in the back room, Tuesdays at 7.30. The last week of the month is always a singaround; the other weeks are usually open mic style with amplification. Mixed contemporary/traditional repertoire, mainly songs but the occasional tune or poem. Best wishes, Paul
ENGLAND ~ GREATER LONDON
🄵 Saturday, most weeks London CAMDEN THE HARRISON SINGAROUND www.facebook.com/groups/harrisonsingaround/
⊕ Join us downstairs (air-conditioned) for this free and friendly singaround. Folk, blues, sea shanties, music hall or anything else you feel like singing. Bring a song, poem, tune or story, sing along or just come and listen. Instruments welcome. [August 2026, new listing]
ZOOM: USA 🇺🇸
🄵 Sundays, usually 1st but varies. ~ USA. Boston, Mass. LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN 2-4 EDT [= UK 7pm-9pm].
Ballad sings and tavern/chantey sings, often 1st Sunday, but varies for seasonal themes and concerts - join the mailing list.
Forthcoming Zoom sessions, Ballad Sings Live From the Mermaid's Tavern.
Note change from as printed in Sept FW, "No Zoom in October" -- there is one now. Revised schedule:
Saturday 19 September: (live & online) Pirate and Robber Ballads for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Pity the fate! A.J. Wright
Sunday October 4: Online Chanty Sing 2-4pm Come join a chantey sing with a special guest host while Lynn is at the Getaway! Save the Date
Sunday November 1: Online Ballad Sing 2-4pm
Sunday December 6: Online Mermaid's Wassail 2-4pm
Plus live events (day varies) as announced on https://digitalheritageconsulting.com/tavern/ Join the mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com
DO JOIN US ~ what can you get for £9 ? two beers or two or three coffees or a whole year of Folklife . . .
- For just £9 a year world-wide, become a Folklife member & download Folklife West free from 🄵🅆 Prepaid PDF: https://folklife.uk/fw-prepaid-pdf
- That prepaid pdf is available to all Members (PDF-only or print, FW or Journal only or both publications).
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FOLKLIFE WEST: NEW MEMBERS' NEWS ITEMS, & NEW ADVERTISERS
~ added as inserts on webpages below; included (possibly revised) in Jan 2027 issue
• KERNOW / CORNWALL FOLK AT VERYAN 🄵
• LONDON SATURDAY SEA SONGS zoom 🄵; THE HARRISON SINGAROUND 🄵.
FOLKLIFE WEST: MEMBERS' NEW NEWS ITEMS, & NEW ADVERTISERS
added as inserts on webpages as below; to be included (possibly revised) in Jan 2027 issue
added as inserts on webpages as below; to be included (possibly revised) in Jan 2027 issue
THIS LIST IS INCOMPLETE
Folklife West ENGLAND: WEST MIDLANDS webpage
Folklife West ENGLAND: EAST MIDLANDS & EAST webpage
THIS LIST IS INCOMPLETE
West Country ~ Somerset
Forthcoming advert for Phil Beer,
appearing on Fri 25 Sept, at the Ilminster Arts Centre
(colour adverts for next issue usually appear on this Updates webpage)
From next (Sept) issue of Folklife West,
Cymru/Wales pages,
we've split De-Ddwyrain • South-East (Gwent; Glamorgan • Morgannwg)
into
Gwent (Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen)
and
Glamorgan • Morgannwg (former West Glamorgan, Mid Glamorgan, & South Glamorgan).
Updates email 30/8/26
Deadlines: Journal 1 Oct for Nov. Folklife West 20 Nov for Jan.
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
EDITORIAL
After publication ....
new members' news/dates (up to 150 words) can be added as inserts to this issue's online Folklife West area pages.
- 21-23 August: FW was posted to Folklife UK postal members.
- 24 August: Emailed Folklife Members, sending PDF password for all Folklife members (PDF-only or print subscriber; FW only or Journal only or both publications): to read / download free (non-Members can download free Folklife's Adverts to see how PDF is better to read onscreen than is possible with website images). Contents: gave details of 14 new news items, plus 4 new Folk Days/Festivals, and a new Shropshire Correspondent.
24 August: Emailed non-members with content details, & that free online about 1 September - 29 August: 🄵🅆 Folklife West, September 2026, now out ~ you can read online, free.
The magazine is growing slowly but steadily, 48 pages at a season when only 1 festival ad! So may be reaching our maximum possible size with the 2027 May (Festivals) issue! So admin volunteers most welcome ...
** A note for new readers:
both FW pages, & our online Directory webpages, are arranged by area, & sometimes also by county.
A list, with links, are on the "FW this issue" introductory page
And we have a new Shropshire Correspondent, Matt Woolley (and from January, Yorkshire news from Tony Charnock)
AI warning ! A suggestion for Festival organisers ... put next year's date as well as this one on your site, otherwise ..... When checking dates for 1 festival, Google automatically used AI, & gave 2027 with 2026 dates! and (based on that no doubt), so did "Visit ---shire", "----Hospital Radio" !
** A note for new readers:
both FW pages, & our online Directory webpages, are arranged by area, & sometimes also by county.
A list, with links, are on the "FW this issue" introductory page
And we have a new Shropshire Correspondent, Matt Woolley (and from January, Yorkshire news from Tony Charnock)
AI warning ! A suggestion for Festival organisers ... put next year's date as well as this one on your site, otherwise ..... When checking dates for 1 festival, Google automatically used AI, & gave 2027 with 2026 dates! and (based on that no doubt), so did "Visit ---shire", "----Hospital Radio" !
And we have a new Shropshire Correspondent, Matt Woolley (and from January, Yorkshire news from Tony Charnock)
After publication ....
new members' news/dates (up to 150 words) can be added as inserts to this issue's online Folklife West area pages.
And new advertisers likewise - just send your advert now!
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (research, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Our July 2026 Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages! Read or download on https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue
Next Journal deadline 1 Oct. for Nov., meanwhile we welcome research & organisations news for Updates.
Folklore Society
Online zoom talks, all on Tuesdays, 19:00: • 8 Sept: Tabitha Stanmore: Storytelling in the Fens • 22 Sept: Julian Goodare: Scottish Peasants in the Magical Landscape • 6 Oct: Jane Bonsall: The Seven Sages of Rome Database • 20 Oct: Ann Schmiesing: The Brothers Grimm: A Biography. Booking via https://www.folklore-society.com/events/
When Loud Rumour Speaks’: Informal communication in the modern online world. The 10th Folklore Society–Royal Anthropological Institute Joint Seminar. Thursday 15 October, 10:00-17:00, at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT and online,
Presidential Address 2026: The Passion of the Flax, Continued, by Professor David Hopkin, Tuesday 15 September, 17:30-18:30 at 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT and online.
More details for above on https://www.folklore-society.com/ The Folklore Society, 50 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 5BT 0203 915 3034.
From 🄵 Steve Roud: our next Broadside Day conference will be on Saturday 20th February 2027 at Cecil Sharp House in London.
🄵 The Vaughan Williams Memorial Library. 020 7485 2206 ext.229 / 020 7241 8959, vwml.org, Instagram @thevwml.
Folk Arts as Intangible Cultural Heritage Conference, Sat. 24 Oct., at Cecil Sharp House. This one-day conference explores the current place of folk arts in England in relation to the UK-wide implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It will be an inspiring day for practitioners, educators, arts organisations and academics who are engaging, or want to engage, with Intangible Cultural Heritage/Living Heritage discussions in England. Details: https://www.efdss.org/about-us/what-we-do/news/1616
🄵 Traditional Song Forum.
TSF Newsletter 144 - August 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary)
TSF Newsletter 144 - August 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary)
- Autumn Conference - Folk Song in the North of England, as noted in earlier Updates, details in our latest issue of our FT Journal, p22. Updated details see https://tradsong.org/autumn-conference-2026
- TSF Online meeting – 13th September, will consist of two papers: David Stenton – The Forth Valley Songster; Ben Lang – The Rose in June. Details &
joining the meeting, see https://tradsong.org/tsf-online-meetings-using-zoom - An organisation for those interested in researching and discussing traditional folk songs. We meet regularly, both in person and online, to present and discuss topics related to folk song, song collectors, singers and many other aspects of folk song research. See https://tradsong.org for details.
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Venues (starting with any local media updates)
Venues, Zoom, Performers, Media, Services listings welcome, contact sam@folklife.uk
Birmingham
→ The Red Lion (upstairs function room), Vicarage Road, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7LY. Weekly from September to May, door time 7:30pm, start time 8:00pm.
⇒ Contact & media: redlionfolkclub<at>gmail.com, subscribe to our mailing list, form on www.redlionfolkclub.uk Facebook Red Lion Folk Club Birmingham, www.facebook.com/redlionfolkclub; WeGotTickets https://wegottickets.com/RedLionFolkClub, Instagram www.instagram.com/redlionfolkclub
⇒ Contact & media: redlionfolkclub<at>gmail.com, subscribe to our mailing list, form on www.redlionfolkclub.uk Facebook Red Lion Folk Club Birmingham, www.facebook.com/redlionfolkclub; WeGotTickets https://wegottickets.com/RedLionFolkClub, Instagram www.instagram.com/redlionfolkclub
Dudley
Ø Saturday, Monthly Stourbridge NEXT LEVEL FOLK www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelfolk/
→ Singers' nights: Duke William, 25 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1EP.
→ Singers' nights: Duke William, 25 Coventry Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1EP.
Guest nights: generally at Duke William as above, or Garibaldi Inn, 19 Cross St, Stourbridge DY8 3XE.
Doors 7pm, 7.30pm start.
⇒ For more information, visit www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelfolk/ Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/nextlevelfolk
⊕ Our aim is to promote live performances that further the folk tradition and support touring and local artists. Monthly singers' nights, £3 spectators; £2 performers. Quarterly guest nights, £12 on the door or £10 in advance. (new listing, August 2026)
⇒ For more information, visit www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelfolk/ Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.com/nextlevelfolk
⊕ Our aim is to promote live performances that further the folk tradition and support touring and local artists. Monthly singers' nights, £3 spectators; £2 performers. Quarterly guest nights, £12 on the door or £10 in advance. (new listing, August 2026)
Sussex
Ø Monday, weekly Sussex CHICHESTER CHICHESTER FOLK SONG CLUB www.chifolksongclub.co.uk
→ The Chichester Inn, 38 West Street, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 1RP. 8:15pm to 11:00pm, music session 7:45pm until club starts
⇒ Contact: 01243 781866 or email via website form on www.chifolksongclub.co.uk/contactus.html Facebook: Chichester Folk Song Club
⊕ Over sixty years and still going strong, and the fun continues with guests, themes and singarounds to come. Singarounds £2, guest nights £5. (new listing, August 2026)
West Yorkshire
🄵 Thursday, weekly West Yorkshire BRADFORD THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB http://www.topic-folk-club.org.uk/
→ The Castle Pub, 20 Grattan Road, Bradford BD1 2LU. Doors open 7pm; start 7.30pm; 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. [2026 Aug, new venue, & now a member-club]
⇒ 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. [2026 Aug, new venue, & now a member-club]
🏴 ZOOMS ~ ENGLAND
🏴 🄵 Saturday, weekly, except 3rd. ~ England. London. SATURDAY SEA SONGS
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️updated by organiser 8/2026.
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️updated by organiser 8/2026.
Performers
WEST COUNTRY ~ Pf.2c Ceremonial & Display (Clog, Morris, Sword)
Devon-based → Practice night every Wednesday in Exeter area. 7pm - 9pm
⇒ Contact Richard 07900 588713. Email firestoneexeter<at>gmail.com Social media: https://www.facebook.com/FireStoneDance/
⊕ Modern Appalachian dance with line dance, Canadian, African, Irish stepping, tap. Regular classes for people of all ages and abilities. Absolute beginners welcome, no previous experience required. You just need a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new. [July 2026, new listing]
⇒ Contact Richard 07900 588713. Email firestoneexeter<at>gmail.com Social media: https://www.facebook.com/FireStoneDance/
⊕ Modern Appalachian dance with line dance, Canadian, African, Irish stepping, tap. Regular classes for people of all ages and abilities. Absolute beginners welcome, no previous experience required. You just need a positive attitude and a willingness to try something new. [July 2026, new listing]
WEST MIDLANDS ~ Pf.1a Music & Song - groups/bands
Herefordshire-based
🄵 Herefs ONEACHORD www.oneachord.co.uk
⇒ Please contact Peter by: email: peterwarner77<at>gmail.com, phone or text: 07811 953480
⊕ New line up: Nick on drums, Tony on accordion, & Jenny on whistle and tenor sax join Sue on fiddle, Glynn on bass and Peter on guitar and vocals. (updated email Aug 2026)
⇒ Please contact Peter by: email: peterwarner77<at>gmail.com, phone or text: 07811 953480
⊕ New line up: Nick on drums, Tony on accordion, & Jenny on whistle and tenor sax join Sue on fiddle, Glynn on bass and Peter on guitar and vocals. (updated email Aug 2026)
WEST MIDLANDS ~ Pf.1b Music & Song - duos
Herefordshire-based
🄵 Herefs DIMINISHEDACHORD www.oneachord.co.uk
⇒ Please contact Peter by: email: peterwarner77<at>gmail.com, phone or text: 07811 953480
⊕ Peter and Sue from OneAchord often perform as a duo 'DiminishedAchord'; Peter, Acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Sue, Fiddle.
(updated email Aug 2026)
⇒ Please contact Peter by: email: peterwarner77<at>gmail.com, phone or text: 07811 953480
⊕ Peter and Sue from OneAchord often perform as a duo 'DiminishedAchord'; Peter, Acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Sue, Fiddle.
(updated email Aug 2026)
WEST MIDLANDS ~ Pf.1c Music & Song - solo
Dudley-based
🅄 Dudley CHRISTOPHER COMPTON https://christophercrompton.com
⇒ For all enquiries, please email enquiries<AT>christophercrompton.com
https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherCromptonWordsandMusic/
https://www.youtube.com/@christophercrompton
https://www.instagram.com/christophercromptonmusic
⊕ Singer-songwriter, musician and poet based near Birmingham, UK. Organiser of Next Level Folk, Stourbridge [see Venues listings] . Presenter of The Acoustic Guitar Show on Black Country Radio Xtra. One half of duos Mountain Hares and Disney-Crompton. (new listing, August 2026)
🅄 Dudley CHRISTOPHER COMPTON https://christophercrompton.com
⇒ For all enquiries, please email enquiries<AT>christophercrompton.com
https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherCromptonWordsandMusic/
https://www.youtube.com/@christophercrompton
https://www.instagram.com/christophercromptonmusic
⊕ Singer-songwriter, musician and poet based near Birmingham, UK. Organiser of Next Level Folk, Stourbridge [see Venues listings] . Presenter of The Acoustic Guitar Show on Black Country Radio Xtra. One half of duos Mountain Hares and Disney-Crompton. (new listing, August 2026)
GREATER LONDON ~ Pf.1a Music & Song - groups/bands
⇒ Ross Robertson, 07786722820, https://linktr.ee/rossandthehailstones, https://www.instagram.com/hailstonesandross/, ross.robertson88<AT>gmail.com
⊕ Ross and the Hailstones are a south London-based trio blending folk with elements of Americana, alternative, and classical music. The band write original songs rich in harmony, exploring nature, folklore and a changing world. This year they released their EP, 'All Hail, The Land', available digitally on all platforms. (new listing, August 2026)
⊕ Ross and the Hailstones are a south London-based trio blending folk with elements of Americana, alternative, and classical music. The band write original songs rich in harmony, exploring nature, folklore and a changing world. This year they released their EP, 'All Hail, The Land', available digitally on all platforms. (new listing, August 2026)
USA ~ Pf.1a Music & Song - groups/bands
Massachusetts-based
⇒ Contact: floydsrow<at>gmail.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/floyds.row/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0B7Q1lpfoNlhu2PxSITbF4
Feature: https://www.popularhustle.com/an-oxford-collective-is-rethinking-what-happens-when-genres-collide/
⊕ Folk collective exploring the connections among early, classical, folk, newgrass, and world genres. The ensemble has performed throughout the UK and the US.
New album, The Carlisle Sessions (Big Round Records/PARMA Recordings), released 21 August 2026. (2027 August, new listing)
Feature: https://www.popularhustle.com/an-oxford-collective-is-rethinking-what-happens-when-genres-collide/
⊕ Folk collective exploring the connections among early, classical, folk, newgrass, and world genres. The ensemble has performed throughout the UK and the US.
New album, The Carlisle Sessions (Big Round Records/PARMA Recordings), released 21 August 2026. (2027 August, new listing)
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
CYMRU•WALES, t.6/p.6
🄵 Gwynedd NEVER MIND THE BOCS acoustic band https://www.neilandmeg.com/NMTB.shtml, and BAND Y BRAICHMELYN, ceilidh/twmpath band, https://www.neilandmeg.com/BYB.htm: Neil & Meg Browning's contact email is neilbrowning26<at>gmail.com, and not as stated in print. The Directory entries are correct.
ENGLAND ~ WEST COUNTRY
Wiltshire
WHITE HORSE FOLK CLUB 🄵, p11.
Next on Wednesday 2nd September, we welcome Mansfield Smith, a great duo offering americana, country and folk. We will give a money back guarantee if you don't find yourself foot tapping along to their music. Plenty of floorspots too. It's in the Main Church again, 7.30 start. £2 with usual tea and coffee provided. If it's your first time, the venue is St Michael's Church in the High Street with a walkway through or via the footpath in Sheep Street thro the churchyard. Use post code SN6 7NA. Note: the Club is currently trialing the Main Church as a venue. Details see https://www.facebook.com/whitehorsefolkclub/
Next on Wednesday 2nd September, we welcome Mansfield Smith, a great duo offering americana, country and folk. We will give a money back guarantee if you don't find yourself foot tapping along to their music. Plenty of floorspots too. It's in the Main Church again, 7.30 start. £2 with usual tea and coffee provided. If it's your first time, the venue is St Michael's Church in the High Street with a walkway through or via the footpath in Sheep Street thro the churchyard. Use post code SN6 7NA. Note: the Club is currently trialing the Main Church as a venue. Details see https://www.facebook.com/whitehorsefolkclub/
From ROSIE UPTON 🄵 p12
Crowd funding for a CD album of The Innocent - the story of ThomasHelliker
White Horse Trades Council is currently undertaking a project to raise funds for a CD album recording of the critically acclaimed "The Innocent" - the tragic story of Thomas Hellliker's unjust death told in words and song. We aim to raise £2,000 to cover the recording and production costs. We want to ensure that his story is told and that he is remembered in this poignant tale.
Any amount people can afford whether it is £5 or £50 will help to bring this project to fruition. Those who donate £40 or more will receive a free CD.
The Trowbridge Martyr, Thomas Helliker was unjustly hanged in Salisbury on his 19th birthday, 22 March 1803, for a crime he did not commit during the industrial unrest that followed the introduction of machines in the wool industry. His story is told in words and song written by well respected and popular musicians Mick Ryan and Steven Faux and they are joined by folk singers Bob and Gill Berry, Dave Bordeway, Bryony McGinty, Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, and Rosie Upton.
The link to the Crowdfunding page is https://tinyurl.com/4jaky53e
Best regards, Rosie
White Horse Trades Council is currently undertaking a project to raise funds for a CD album recording of the critically acclaimed "The Innocent" - the tragic story of Thomas Hellliker's unjust death told in words and song. We aim to raise £2,000 to cover the recording and production costs. We want to ensure that his story is told and that he is remembered in this poignant tale.
Any amount people can afford whether it is £5 or £50 will help to bring this project to fruition. Those who donate £40 or more will receive a free CD.
The Trowbridge Martyr, Thomas Helliker was unjustly hanged in Salisbury on his 19th birthday, 22 March 1803, for a crime he did not commit during the industrial unrest that followed the introduction of machines in the wool industry. His story is told in words and song written by well respected and popular musicians Mick Ryan and Steven Faux and they are joined by folk singers Bob and Gill Berry, Dave Bordeway, Bryony McGinty, Dave Webber and Anni Fentiman, and Rosie Upton.
The link to the Crowdfunding page is https://tinyurl.com/4jaky53e
Best regards, Rosie
WEST MIDLANDS
Birmingham
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵. REVIEW by Val Comery. [summary in Sept FW, p22]
BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB 🄵. REVIEW by Val Comery. [summary in Sept FW, p22]
July 3rd 2026. Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom.
Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom opened the evening with a version of "Roll the Old Chariot Along", the chorus being picked up enthusiastically by the audience as were all the other "joining in songs" which followed. Many of the songs came from the fishing villages on the East Coast, Mossy and Megan briefly explained the stories about them and who had collected them. The first set Mossy and Megan gave individual renditions of songs ( a bonus I think) - the second set they worked well together as a duo, singing lovely harmonies, and playing a series of tunes. A great night at the Black Diamond and well worth the wait.
Mossy Christian and Megan Wisdom opened the evening with a version of "Roll the Old Chariot Along", the chorus being picked up enthusiastically by the audience as were all the other "joining in songs" which followed. Many of the songs came from the fishing villages on the East Coast, Mossy and Megan briefly explained the stories about them and who had collected them. The first set Mossy and Megan gave individual renditions of songs ( a bonus I think) - the second set they worked well together as a duo, singing lovely harmonies, and playing a series of tunes. A great night at the Black Diamond and well worth the wait.
Herefordshire
ONEACHORD group and DIMINISHEDACHORD duo 🄵 , www.oneachord.co.uk (p.26, & Directory update above) have a new email: peterwarner77<at>gmail.com
HOMEND POETS & MUSICIANS 🄵 Ledbury Tuesday, last www.folklife.uk/homend-poets [so webpage is on this site], p.27.
Tuesday 29th September, Theme for 1st round “Limits” (boundaries, hedges, frontiers, ….)
At the Ledbury Community Hub www.ledburycommunityhub.org.uk, 8 New St, Ledbury HR8 2DX. 6.30pm to 8pm.
Nick Halligan 01684 563281 Email nickh2009<at>btinternet.com, but phone preferred.
Nick Halligan 01684 563281 Email nickh2009<at>btinternet.com, but phone preferred.
------------------ "Overseas Readers" below here means non-UK/non-EU readers of our Updates mailing list who aren't Folklife members ------------------
News is from our members - those who support us world-wide by volunteering or by paying subscriptions.
Exceptionally, we may include news in Updates (not in FW) overseas readers (1) who kindly kept us going with their Zooms during Covid; or (2) touring UK.
• We're happy to list venues & performers, free, world-wide in our online Directory https://folklife.uk/directory - contact sam@folklife.uk
AUSTRALIA
🅄 BRUCE WATSON is in the middle of his UK tour. Clubs in bold underlined are Folklife members, see Folklife West for more details of club.
- SEPTEMBER: 3 Orpington FC Kent. 5 Cranfest Cranbrook Kent. 6 Bluebell Roots Arlington (E Sussex). 8 Focsle FC S’hampton. 10 Bideford FC. 11 Bodmin FC. 12 Veryan Folk, Truro. 13 Dreamers FC Redruth. 14 Brunny FC Wimborne.
- Details on www.brucewatsonmusic.com, see also blog brucewatsonmusic.wordpress.com, and www.facebook.com/brucewatsonmusic
about Folklife West emails 24/8/26
24/8/26 EMAIL to MEMBERS, sending password for September's Folklife West to read as Pdf and/or download.
24/8/26 EMAIL to NON-MEMBERS - notified that around 1 Sept, we'll upload (free) September's Folklife West to this website.
Notified in both Members & Non-Members emails that in this issue, we have ~
a new Shropshire Correspondent, Matt Woolley; 4 folk days / festivals added to our Festivals list, - and - lots of new contributors :
CYMRU/WALES pages Powys • FIDDLEBOP
ENGLAND ~ WEST COUNTRY pages Kernow/Cornwall • LAUNCESTON FOLK CLUB, Cornwall & Devon • WRECKERS RADIO listings, Somerset • EMBOROUGH SINGAROUND, Wiltshire • SALISBURY FOLK CLUB
WEST MIDLANDS pages Birmingham • RED LION FOLK CLUB, Worcs • VITAL SPARK; DUBLIN JACKS; THE POACHERS
SOUTH-EAST & GREATER LONDON pages Oxfordshire • FRIDAY FOLK, Kidlington, London • SIWAN CATRIN; FOLK LONDON’s CD SHOP
NORTH OF ENGLAND pages Yorkshire • THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB
INTERNATIONAL pages Ireland • THE SESSION Irish trad. music site
FESTIVALS & WORKSHOPS 12-months DIARY Sept: Crantock Free Music Festival, Sept: Compass Folk Festival, Oct.: Apple Day at the Folk of Gloucester, Jan: Wassail at the Folk of Gloucester
a new Shropshire Correspondent, Matt Woolley; 4 folk days / festivals added to our Festivals list, - and - lots of new contributors :
CYMRU/WALES pages Powys • FIDDLEBOP
ENGLAND ~ WEST COUNTRY pages Kernow/Cornwall • LAUNCESTON FOLK CLUB, Cornwall & Devon • WRECKERS RADIO listings, Somerset • EMBOROUGH SINGAROUND, Wiltshire • SALISBURY FOLK CLUB
WEST MIDLANDS pages Birmingham • RED LION FOLK CLUB, Worcs • VITAL SPARK; DUBLIN JACKS; THE POACHERS
SOUTH-EAST & GREATER LONDON pages Oxfordshire • FRIDAY FOLK, Kidlington, London • SIWAN CATRIN; FOLK LONDON’s CD SHOP
NORTH OF ENGLAND pages Yorkshire • THE TOPIC FOLK CLUB
INTERNATIONAL pages Ireland • THE SESSION Irish trad. music site
FESTIVALS & WORKSHOPS 12-months DIARY Sept: Crantock Free Music Festival, Sept: Compass Folk Festival, Oct.: Apple Day at the Folk of Gloucester, Jan: Wassail at the Folk of Gloucester
All free to read online — but not free to produce. Please support our work by subscribing ("Membership")
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DEADLINES for your Diary FOLKLIFE WEST
• 1 January 2027 (to April) ~ Deadline 20 November
• 1 May 2027 (to August) ~ Deadline 20 March
• 1 September 2027 (to December) ~ Deadline 20 July
Extracts from earlier Updates
Most have been deleted. A few Updates below, greatly edited to remove past-dated events.
( some items are just for the Editor's benefit, to follow up later! )
Updates email 12/7/26
Deadlines: Folklife West 20 July for Sept.; Journal 1 Oct for Nov.
Next Updates email will include items below, if still timely.
🏴 ZOOMS ~ ENGLAND
🏴 🄵 Saturday, most weeks. ~ England. London. SATURDAY SEA SONGS
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️frequency updated by organiser 9/2026.
→ 7 - 9pm UK time
⇒ Contact via email shanties<at>zohomail.eu to join. ✔️frequency updated by organiser 9/2026.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (research, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Ø IN THE ROUD - A Folk Song Podcast, produced by Matt Quinn and looks at folk songs (with the help of historians, folklorists and singers) from both an historical and modern perspective - see previous Update & note in latest Journal. Season 7.
S7/E3 – Roud 63: JOHNNY SCOTT. Historical Guest: Sheena Wellington. Singer guest: Emily Smith.
Please do support the podcast (if you can) and receive bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/InTheRoud Main podcast available from loads of podcast places but primarily: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-the-roud-a-folk-song-podcast/id1740614759;
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1e79f0f-2b36-46af-b2cf-b1b8f4128038/in-the-roud---a-folk-song-podcast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVElZTAyZuTyKzN6Hm72ejA Thanks, Matt Q.
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
ENGLAND ~ WEST MIDLANDS
Dudley
⚽️ MARKONICA 🄵 Mark Miskowicz and Monica Shepherd
⚽️ MARKONICA 🄵 Mark Miskowicz and Monica Shepherd
The event previously announced for Saturday 11th July has been postponed due to numerous clashes including the England match.
The event is now on Saturday 26th September, in the Garibaldi Inn (Function Room), 19 Cross Street, Stourbridge DY8 3XE,
'Next Level Folk' presents Steve and Julie Wigley, plus Dan Hadley + Ali Bann, and Markonica.
Advance tickets can be obtained at £10 through https://www.ticketsource.com/nextlevelfolk/
Advance tickets can be obtained at £10 through https://www.ticketsource.com/nextlevelfolk/
------------- "Overseas Readers" below here means non-Member, non-UK/non-EU readers of our Updates mailing list who aren't Folklife members -------------
News is from our members - those who support us world-wide by volunteering or by paying subscriptions.
Exceptionally, we may include in Updates (not in FW) overseas readers (1) who kindly kept us going with their Zooms during Covid; or (2) touring UK.
• We're happy to list venues & performers, free, world-wide in our online Directory https://folklife.uk/directory - contact sam@folklife.uk
USA
• FSGW Getaway, Oct 2 – Oct 5. West River, MD. Guests include Janie Meneely and Rob Van Sante, Bill Destler, Lynn Noel, George and Kathy Stephens, and Kevin Elam. https://www.fsgw.org/getaway
AUSTRALIA
🅄 BRUCE WATSON is touring UK. Clubs in bold underlined are Folklife members, see Folklife West for more details of club.
- JULY: 15 Atherstone FC. 16 Godiva Sessions Coventry. 17 Tamworth FC. 18 Glossop Labour Club Derbyshire. 20 Tonbridge FC Kent. 22 Romford Haverfolk. 24-6 July Herne Bay FF Kent.
- AUGUST: 1-2 Melton FF. 6 Crookes FC Sheffield. 7 First Friday FC Sheffield. 9 Barney’s Stroud. 13 Milford FC. 20 Bishops Stortford Acc Club. 25 Bere Regis FC. 27 Lyceum FC Newport.
- SEPTEMBER: 3 Orpington FC Kent. 5 Cranfest Cranbrook Kent. 6 Bluebell Roots Arlington (E Sussex). 8 Focsle FC S’hampton. 10 Bideford FC. 11 Bodmin FC. 12 Philleigh Folk Truro/Veryan. 13 Dreamers FC Redruth. 14 Brunny FC Wimborne.
- Details on www.brucewatsonmusic.com, see also blog brucewatsonmusic.wordpress.com, and www.facebook.com/brucewatsonmusic
Updates email 5/7/26
Deadlines: Folklife 20 July for Sept.; Journal 1 Oct for Nov.
Download a Word copy of this Updates (folklifeupdates5july2026.docx)
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (research, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
Our Journal has a record 11 articles / 24 pages for July! Read or download on https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue
S7/E1 – Roud 61: THE GAY GOSHAWK. Historical Guest: Steve Roud. Singer guest: Nancy Kerr.
S7/E2 – Roud 62: BROWN ROBIN. History and Singer guest: Helen Lindley
Please do support the podcast (if you can) and receive bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/InTheRoud
Main podcast availabe from loads of podcast places but primarily:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-the-roud-a-folk-song-podcast/id1740614759
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1e79f0f-2b36-46af-b2cf-b1b8f4128038/in-the-roud---a-folk-song-podcast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVElZTAyZuTyKzN6Hm72ejA
Please do support the podcast (if you can) and receive bonus episodes at www.patreon.com/InTheRoud
Main podcast availabe from loads of podcast places but primarily:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/in-the-roud-a-folk-song-podcast/id1740614759
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a1e79f0f-2b36-46af-b2cf-b1b8f4128038/in-the-roud---a-folk-song-podcast
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVElZTAyZuTyKzN6Hm72ejA
Thanks, Matt Q.
🄵 FOLKLORE SOCIETY Event details on https://www.folklore-society.com
Online talks on Zoom:
Online talks on Zoom:
- Jeremy Harte, 'Dragons and their Hoards' , Tuesday 7 July 2026, 19:00 BST
- James Wright, 'Historic Building Mythbusting – Uncovering Folklore, History & Archaeology', Tuesday 21 July 2026, 19:00 BST
🄵 TRADITIONAL SONG FORUM
TSF Newsletter 143 - July 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary)
TSF Newsletter 143 - July 2026, from Richard Spencer (TSF Secretary)
- We have no meetings now until September, but if you are going to Whitby Folk Week, don't forget the Roy Palmer Lecture on the 27th of August. Katie Howson will be giving a talk on “A Dove Among a Flock of Old Crows: Women Traditional Musicians in England”. Full details here: https://roypalmerlecture.org/new-2026/
- Autumn Conference - Folk Song in the North of England: see details in our Journal, p22
- News from The Ballad Partners: our latest two publications – Arthur Knevett’s history of the Folk Song Society, and Peter Snape’s biography of Anne Gilchrist, are both selling well, and are available on our website, https://theballadpartners.co.uk/new-store/ . We have several others in the pipeline, and the next to see the light of day will be Anna Guigne’s account of Maud Karpeles’ song collecting in Newfoundland in 1929 and 1930. Another book already in the system is Derek Schofield’s book on the folk dance revival between the wars. Books will also be available from Veteran at major festivals, and Peter and Barbara Snape will also be taking some to events. We have also gathered sufficient content to publish another in our series of Folk Song Studies (No.6), probably in the autumn. But there is room for more content, so if anyone out there has a paper they would like to submit, now would be an excellent moment. Steve Roud (steveroud<at>gmail.com) ~ List of BP books & general info in our Journal, p17.
- The Newsletter contains other interesting material - Blues in the Mississippi Night, landmark recordings by Alan Lomax; The Song Collector: Writings of Tom Munnelly (Irish Traditional Music Archive); Irish language TV archive - TG4 Cartlann; and more. Why not join the TSF - it's free, https://tradsong.org/joining-the-tsf
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
🄵 = Folklife Members, see Folklife West for news. Ø = other readers on our free Updates mailing list.
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Data Protection: for those listed, your email is so we can keep in touch (for our use; not passed on unless you want to add to Directory listing).
Your Directory listing contact details are optional (eg email, phone, via webpage - or indeed leaving out contact details!)
Venues (starting with any local media updates)
IRELAND
All-Ireland
🄵 SINGING CIRCLES IRELAND, a list of 120+ singing circles, by county.
Brendan Kennedy is kindly sending Folklife his list of singing circles, monthly. The July edition has just been copied to Venues: Ireland
--------------------------------------
USA ~ ZOOM
🇺🇸 Ø Sundays, usually 1st but varies. ~ USA. Boston, Mass. LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN 2-4 EDT [= UK 7pm-9pm].
Ballad sings and tavern/chantey sings, often 1st Sunday, but varies for seasonal themes and concerts - join the mailing list.
🇺🇸 Ø Sundays, usually 1st but varies. ~ USA. Boston, Mass. LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN 2-4 EDT [= UK 7pm-9pm].
Ballad sings and tavern/chantey sings, often 1st Sunday, but varies for seasonal themes and concerts - join the mailing list.
Forthcoming Zoom sessions, Ballad Sings Live From the Mermaid's Tavern (no August session)
Sunday 6 September, Online Ballad Sing; Saturday 19 September: Talk Like a Pirate Day! (hybrid event in the works).
Plus live events (day varies) as announced on https://digitalheritageconsulting.com/tavern/ Join the mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers) ** sub includes cheap publicity ~ from just £9 a year! ~ in Folklife West print & online, and in email Updates
West Midlands ~ Herefordshire
SINGAROUND & MUSIC SESSION, was in Bishops Frome 🄵, 3rd Tuesdays
Tuesday, 3rd [most months] The venue has just become not available, so a new venue is being sought. Updates on this page when known or contact Bernie on bernieuptonfolk<at>gmail.com
Updates email: 1 July 2026
Next deadlines: Folklife 20 July for Sept.; Journal 1 Oct for Nov.
Details of Journal just out, and of the FW deadline.
Updates follow in a day or two (so as to keep our emails short enough for Gmail not to cut them).
Also, a plug to support us by joining - bigger magazine, post & print rises, so we need more Members!
FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS JOURNAL, free to view or download
FTJ this issue https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue You can read online, or download an A4-size or US Letter size.
We're pleased to announce 2026 July, FTJ 80, the biggest yet, 24 A4 pages, a record 11 articles. FTJ was March & Nov., now 3x a year, this is the1st July FTJ
24 A4 print pages, all mono. Print cover (pp1,2,19,20) cream paper; rest white paper.
11 Researched Articles
FOLKLIFE WEST, folk news from our Folklife members The deadline is JULY 20, for FW Sept (to Dec) 2026
DO JOIN US What can you get for £9 ? two beers or two or three coffees or a whole year of Folklife....
For just £9 a year world-wide , you can become a Folklife member
and download Folklife West free from 🄵🅆 Prepaid PDF: https://folklife.uk/fw-prepaid-pdf
The prepaid pdf is available to all Members (PDF-only or print subscriber, FW only or Journal only or both publications). This gives you a better print-quality to read than reading online on the web; and you can also print it. Available as A4, or US/CAN letter-size. (for print-quality, see the 🄵🅆 Folklife's Adverts PDF download).
If you're a Member, you can send in your news for FW and for these Updates. (https://www.folklife.uk/updates) and as emailed (word limits apply).
For £25, all this plus 3 printed issues Folklife West and 3 printed issues of the Journal posted to the UK,
We publish our 2 magazines alternatively: 6 issues a year, each covers 4 months.
Updates follow in a day or two (so as to keep our emails short enough for Gmail not to cut them).
Also, a plug to support us by joining - bigger magazine, post & print rises, so we need more Members!
FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS JOURNAL, free to view or download
FTJ this issue https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue You can read online, or download an A4-size or US Letter size.
We're pleased to announce 2026 July, FTJ 80, the biggest yet, 24 A4 pages, a record 11 articles. FTJ was March & Nov., now 3x a year, this is the1st July FTJ
24 A4 print pages, all mono. Print cover (pp1,2,19,20) cream paper; rest white paper.
11 Researched Articles
- There were three Ravens; a song of sublime love, by Ian Pittaway, p2-4
- Baring-Gould’s People 4 – The Uglow Sisters, by Martin Graebe, p5-7. Includes song The Squire of Tamworth
- The Withy Tree Carol, a version from Evesham, by Charles Menteith, p8
- The Suicide Arms, by Charles Menteith, p9
- The Seeds of Love, Two versions in GlosTrad, Henry Thomas and Willian 'Daddy' Shepherd, by Veronica Lowe, p10-11
- Camborne’s Trevithick Day, by Lamorna Spry, pp12-13. Includes song Camborne Hill
- Of Folk and Fishing — Part 1 of 2: The Tunes, by Keith Gregson, p14-15
- No Bread and No Roses, by Rosie Upton, p16-17
- Press Gangs on the Tyne — Part 1 of 2, by Jim Mageean, including various songs, p18-19
- The Seven Wonders (Y Saith Rhyfeddod) by Mick Tems, p20
- Tunes from the Isle of Man: Three Tunes recorded from Thomas Kermode by Dr John Clague, by Stephen Miller, p21
- Pedlars Pack, p6 • Saydisc, p7 • Access Folk, p9
- The Folklore Society; The Archivist, a film about Doc Rowe; The Ballad Partners; all on p17
- The Mick Tems Archive, p20 • Cornish National Music Archive; Folk Legacy Books [Annie Jones], both p21
- and all on p22: EFDSS & Vaughan Williams Memorial Library; Trac Cymru; [Editorial] Renaming EFDSS; In The Roud podcasts; Traditional Song Forum
FOLKLIFE WEST, folk news from our Folklife members The deadline is JULY 20, for FW Sept (to Dec) 2026
DO JOIN US What can you get for £9 ? two beers or two or three coffees or a whole year of Folklife....
For just £9 a year world-wide , you can become a Folklife member
and download Folklife West free from 🄵🅆 Prepaid PDF: https://folklife.uk/fw-prepaid-pdf
The prepaid pdf is available to all Members (PDF-only or print subscriber, FW only or Journal only or both publications). This gives you a better print-quality to read than reading online on the web; and you can also print it. Available as A4, or US/CAN letter-size. (for print-quality, see the 🄵🅆 Folklife's Adverts PDF download).
If you're a Member, you can send in your news for FW and for these Updates. (https://www.folklife.uk/updates) and as emailed (word limits apply).
For £25, all this plus 3 printed issues Folklife West and 3 printed issues of the Journal posted to the UK,
We publish our 2 magazines alternatively: 6 issues a year, each covers 4 months.
- FOLKLIFE WEST (FW) Folk news magazine. Read online at https://www.folklife.uk/fw Next FOLKLIFE WEST out 1st Sept: deadline 20 July.
- FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS JOURNAL (FTJ) Researched articles, research news Read online at https://www.folklife.uk/ftj-this-issue Next FTJ out 1st November: deadline 1st October.
- DIRECTORY Read online at https://www.folklife.uk/directory. Free entries, available to all, UK & international
- UPDATES for Directory, FW, FTJ, Read online at https://www.folklife.uk/updates Plus: free occasional UPDATES EMAILS
Updates email: 18 June 2026
Next deadlines: Folklife 20 July for Sept.; Journal 1 Oct for Nov.
Download a Word copy of this Updates (folklifeupdates18june2026.docx)
EDITORIAL (17/6/2026) GOOD NEWS !
Journal. - I am delighted that we've 11 articles (a record) for July - now grown to 24 pages! This may be our limit so as to keep under 100g for postage.
Journal. - I am delighted that we've 11 articles (a record) for July - now grown to 24 pages! This may be our limit so as to keep under 100g for postage.
Folklife West. - and also delighted that we've a Shropshire correspondent, Matt Woolley; and that as of mid-June, we already have 7 new news items to appear regularly in FW, starting September — and before that as inserts on the Folklife West online pages, from: FiddleBop (Powys), Salisbury Folk Club (Wiltshire), Severn Folk Club (Shrewsbury), Dublin Jacks, The Poachers (both Worcs), Friday Folk (Oxfordshire), and Siwan Catrin (London). Also we'll have some notes on Derbyshire folk from Paul Mansfield.
And - just joined Launceston Folk Club and Wreckers Radio (both Cornwall), details to follow!
And also (groans), we've a 10% increase in print costs, and the now-usual semi-annual post increases .... but hey, the magazines are doing well!
ADMIN
'East & South' Webpages (for Venues; Performers; Folklife West), each page is now replaced by 2 pages, 'East Midlands & East' and 'South-East & London'.
To keep our emails short enough for Gmail (who clip email text over 102kb), lengthy material may refer back to this Updates webpage rather than quoting in full.
(1) Folklife Traditions Journal: Updates (research, societies, publications) ~ your contributions welcome
IN THE ROUD - A Folk Song Podcast is produced by Matt Quinn and looks at folk songs (with the help of historians, folklorists and singers) from both an historical and modern perspective. History guests so far include Steve Roud, Vic Gammon and Sandra Kerr); singer guests so far include Jon Boden, Maddy Prior and Emily Portman. In the Roud is available wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple, Amazon, Youtube, Castbox, Pocket Casts etc).
Some links availabe at: https://linktr.ee/intheroud
TRADITIONAL SONG FORUM 🄵 https://tradsong.org
10 October - Autumn Conference, Leeds Central Library. Traditional Folk Song in the North of England - Call for Papers
Frank Kidson (1855-1926) was a key player in the explosion of interest in traditional song and music in late Victorian and Edwardian England, and his pioneering book Traditional Tunes (1891) was one of the three founding works of what became the first Folk Song Revival. As well as collecting songs in the field, he amassed a huge collection of printed and manuscript material, and his knowledge of the history of traditional and popular tunes was unrivalled, and always available to others through the Folk-Song Society and other organisations. He was one of the few researchers who concentrated on the northern counties, and was particularly associated with his home-town of Leeds, so it is most fitting that this meeting, which commemorates the centenary of his death, and celebrates his legacy, is organised jointly by the Traditional Song Forum and Leeds Libraries. The conference will also form a small part in the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Leeds as a city.
Proposals for 20-minute papers are invited. This will be an in-person event, but pre-recorded remote papers will be considered. Please send title / short abstract / short biography to Richard Spencer, towerofsark<at>gmail.com, by 1st July.
The TSF offers a limited number of bursaries towards travel costs to enable younger people (under 30 and not in full-time work) to attend this conference.
Frank Kidson (1855-1926) was a key player in the explosion of interest in traditional song and music in late Victorian and Edwardian England, and his pioneering book Traditional Tunes (1891) was one of the three founding works of what became the first Folk Song Revival. As well as collecting songs in the field, he amassed a huge collection of printed and manuscript material, and his knowledge of the history of traditional and popular tunes was unrivalled, and always available to others through the Folk-Song Society and other organisations. He was one of the few researchers who concentrated on the northern counties, and was particularly associated with his home-town of Leeds, so it is most fitting that this meeting, which commemorates the centenary of his death, and celebrates his legacy, is organised jointly by the Traditional Song Forum and Leeds Libraries. The conference will also form a small part in the celebration of the 400th anniversary of Leeds as a city.
Proposals for 20-minute papers are invited. This will be an in-person event, but pre-recorded remote papers will be considered. Please send title / short abstract / short biography to Richard Spencer, towerofsark<at>gmail.com, by 1st July.
The TSF offers a limited number of bursaries towards travel costs to enable younger people (under 30 and not in full-time work) to attend this conference.
For conference details see https://tradsong.org/autumn-conference-2026
Rod Stradling's Musical Traditions Website: the TSF has, with permission from Rod's family, taken steps to reinstate Rod Stradling's remarkable website, which had disappeared from the internet shortly after his sad demise last year. The website is a collection of 25 years' worth of articles and reviews, and is an absolute mine of information. We have given it a (hopefully) temporary address of https://www.mustrad.co.uk. However, we are planning to acquire the previous address of www.mustrad.org.uk in the autumn when the domain name becomes available, so if you have references or links to the old website, please don't change them. We are currently discussing the possibility of opening the site up again as a repository for short papers and reviews.
Updates email: 14 May 2026
Next Journal deadline: 1 June for 1 July
Next Folklife West deadline: 20 July for 1 September
(2) Online Directory: Updates (your listings welcome, listings are free entry; no dates)
Venues & local media
WALES - VENUES
Gogledd-Orllewin • North-West
Ø GWYNEDD MUSIC SESSIONS: a list was compiled by The Travelling Sessions, formerly on their website, and copied each issue to Folklife West.
Ø GWYNEDD MUSIC SESSIONS: a list was compiled by The Travelling Sessions, formerly on their website, and copied each issue to Folklife West.
However, some sessions didn’t update The Travelling Sessions when there were changes, causing inconvenience, so they’ve stopped listings.
As of March 2026, we've included this list, for a while, on Directory/Venues: Wales on www.folklife.uk/v-cymru, but you will need to check.
A volunteer to contact these sessions would be most welcome, we don't have contact details for most.Otherwise, we may contact those who publicise an email address, and offer to list them here in our free-entry online Directory/Venues: Wales on www.folklife.uk/v-cymru (and also paid-for publicity in Folklife West).
(3) Folk News Updates: all from our Folklife members (subscribers)
ENGLAND ~ WEST COUNTRY VENUES
🄵 Thursdays, weekly Devon BIDEFORD BIDEFORD FOLK CLUB www.bidefordfolkclub.com
→ The Joiners Arms, 6 Market Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2DR.
→ The Joiners Arms, 6 Market Street, Bideford, Devon EX39 2DR.
Tunes & Singaround Nights. Summer (BST): tunes 7:30pm, singaround from 8 to about 10:30pm. Winter (GMT): open at 7pm; tunes & sing 7:30 until 10.
Guest Nights all year 7:30 for 8pm unless otherwise stated on the website.
⇒ Contact: John Purser – email: bidefolk<at>gmail.com or by telephone 01237 424286
⊕ Friendly singaround club welcoming all acoustic musicians, poets and storytellers. Occasional guests. [May 2026, revised Tunes & Singaround Nights times]
⊕ Friendly singaround club welcoming all acoustic musicians, poets and storytellers. Occasional guests. [May 2026, revised Tunes & Singaround Nights times]
Updates email: emailed Fri 13 March 2026
Text Editor needed If you can spare a few days, every 4 months, to extract dates & news for Folklife West from several folk club or workshop websites, to copy over and edit to word limits (150 words non-advertisers, 1/8 ads 200 words): you get free Folklife membership (posted UK, PDF non-UK).
NEW: Online forms set up, to speed things up. Existing form to opt-in to our email updates on our Home, Opt-In page.
New forms, for your Journal & Members' folk news Updates on SEND UPDATES ! page, & for Online Directory entries (new & updates) on GET LISTED ! page.
Updates email: emailed Tuesday 20 Jan 2026
FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS JOURNAL (FTJ), 1st MARCH
Your researched articles, and research news from societies etc is most welcome.
For folk club etc news - Updates, and the next Folklife West out in May, deadline 20 March.
Zooms updated, see (2) Directory updates below.
MORE MAGAZINES (continued) ~ as mentioned last time, will be 3 Journals a year!
To achieve this - prioritising FTJ - I need to save some admin time & reduce our costs, so in future:
As most subscriptions are for both magazines by post, we now call that "standard membership".
All who pay subs are Members - whether standard (both magazines), FW only, or Journal only.
✅ added 2026 Membership benefits -
✔️ ALL Members can send in news for Folklife West, and for the Updates' folk news. So (new) this includes "Journal-only" Members who can send in news for FW (but don't get it by post).
✔️ ALL Members can now access https://folklife.uk/fw-prepaid-pdf the PDF download of Folklife West.
Your researched articles, and research news from societies etc is most welcome.
For folk club etc news - Updates, and the next Folklife West out in May, deadline 20 March.
Zooms updated, see (2) Directory updates below.
MORE MAGAZINES (continued) ~ as mentioned last time, will be 3 Journals a year!
To achieve this - prioritising FTJ - I need to save some admin time & reduce our costs, so in future:
- annual subscriptions only - stopping single copies (posted, PDF), as time-consuming, costly
- BACS-only for subscriptions & adverts under £9 - card & cheques charges costly for under £9
- we'll post only to UK (other than existing non-UK sales) - due to customs 'sales' admin/costs+time
- International complimentary print copies to Journal contributors continue (as "gifts", not "sales")
- Updates & Folklife West folk news only from UK & International Members
- no longer including free news items from International non-members due to cost
- International non-members are welcome to support us by joining - only £9/year for PDFs
- no longer including free news items from International non-members due to cost
- We are committed to free Journal pdfs & free Directory entries for all, Membership not required
As most subscriptions are for both magazines by post, we now call that "standard membership".
All who pay subs are Members - whether standard (both magazines), FW only, or Journal only.
✅ added 2026 Membership benefits -
✔️ ALL Members can send in news for Folklife West, and for the Updates' folk news. So (new) this includes "Journal-only" Members who can send in news for FW (but don't get it by post).
✔️ ALL Members can now access https://folklife.uk/fw-prepaid-pdf the PDF download of Folklife West.
(2) Online Directory: Updates
ZOOM PAGE ALL UPDATED. We emailed all organisers with details earlier than Nov. 2025, most replied to confirm/amend their listings.
Paul Clarke, who used to run FOCSLE Music, compiled a list of 125+ active Zooms, which he passed on to the FolkLife team in April 2025..
Knowledgeable volunteers could make this perhaps the most comprehensive Zoom directory on the Net !
In the meantime, Paul has updated some, and David Kidman has confirmed others, as noted on the Zoom page.
Additionally, Jan. 2026, Storm has just kindly volunteered to go through Paul's list, and will gradually check out some more Zooms, from time to time.
Other volunteers welcome, you would receive free PDF membership: PDF download of Folklife West + your Member's news published in FW, & in Updates.
Updates email: 20 November 2025
David Harley; next FW; data protection; Updates
This email comes via EmailOctopus, so we've amended our Data Protection Policy on www.folklife.uk/data-page
— we've changed references to "MailChimp" & "MailerLite" to "Email Service Providers" or "ESPs", as we may need to change ESPs. MailChimp cut their free-up-to-X subscribers limit; so we moved to MailerLite 'up to 1000 subscribers'— now 'up to 500'. Today we reached 500! So today we trial EmailOctopus. Next email, we'll include here your details that we hold (meanwhile see last email for those details).
Updates email: 31 October 2025
A splendid new Folklife Traditions Journal (9 articles) was posted out Fri 24/10/2025. It is now also available online
Folklife West 1st January: deadline 20th November. For folk news / publicity in FW and in Updates, it's only £9 a year (that's just 75p a month!) and you can download a PDF for the current issue; or FW posted to you, along with the Journal, £21 UK. Bargain!
Thanks to Matt of Reforest Hosting (and Miserden Morris!) - now hosting all our behind-the-scenes domains & redirects from former websites (so if you type in folklife-traditions.uk, it now goes to folklife.uk/traditions, etc), at about half the previous webhost's costs (and thanks to Martin Graebe for suggesting Matt!). https://www.reforesthosting.com, details previous Update below.
The "donate" button on this site now links directly to PayPal, but all Ko-Fi links for payments remain as before.
I'm sorry that circumstances meant I had to stop sending Updates emails for a while - trying to sort out the incompetence of our bank and separately our landline / broadband (non-)provider. All fixed now after weeks on the phone / in branch.
1) Poor broadband since 3 Sept, then no landline as well.
2) So changed contact phone from landline on PayPal (card payments); technical problem; had to close account and reapply.
3) Santander bank threatened to block account access; sent a letter giving us 5 days to confirm (Folklife Chairman) Eric's ID at Malvern branch ~ just closed! Several phone calls (each with wait time of 40+ minutes). Even Worcester branch couldn't get through on the phone; they scanned the details. I rang Identity team ~ they didn't have Eric's details. They rang Eric (whose details they said they didn't have!), Eric back to to branch …
Updates email: emailed Saturday 20 September
We've now moved over half the old site to folklife.uk; it looks much better!
The initial page is FT Journal & Directory, and our old web-address "www.folklife-traditions.uk" now redirects to that page.
"Index to FT Journal webpages" on that page gives links to remaining material on the old site (now https://folklife-traditions.weebly.com)
Subpages: FTJ this issue, FTJ: contribute (and later, the FTJ Directory * will be copied from old site).
FT Archive, www.folklife.uk/ft-archive, is a separate header, with subpages including Articles Index, and (eventually *) all previous issues.
* The rest of the site will gradually be copied over (unless you'd like to volunteer, to speed things up....).
MailerLite have announced 'free up to 1000' subscribers will become 'free up to 500'. Therefore, we will use MailChimp as well, next time. Probably for all non-members not in UK, plus some others UK if MailerLite delivery problems.
From 23/7/2025 onwards: several virgin.net emails: not delivered "'mailbox unknown" (message from MailerLite, and when I sent directly).
Updates email: Wednesday 23 July 2025
Read online, as emailed https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/497993/emails/160574952340194375
MailChimp bounced emails are not immediately notified, so if you miss one, please check this page to see what's been sent.
MailChimp bounced emails are not immediately notified, so if you miss one, please check this page to see what's been sent.
Yippee - just bought and installed a new MacMini & wonderful Apple display, updating software, etc, and busy learning that.
Only trying to help, they say ...
(1) Santander Bank "Not-for-profit organisations play a crucial role in society, which is why we’re dedicated to helping them prosper" , they say, when announcing the non-profits' free banking goes up to £5/month - & 70p per cheque!
(2) The Post Office: "more reliable and sustainable service", they say, when announcing delivery will be only alternate days! and only Mon-Fri!
~ For September issue, no change to our charges; nor to our deadlines; but may change after that.
On a more positive note, I'm delighted we have more new Members, so more news / info for you in our Sept Folklife West. In particular, our first North-East report by Eileen Richardson.
Only trying to help, they say ...
(1) Santander Bank "Not-for-profit organisations play a crucial role in society, which is why we’re dedicated to helping them prosper" , they say, when announcing the non-profits' free banking goes up to £5/month - & 70p per cheque!
(2) The Post Office: "more reliable and sustainable service", they say, when announcing delivery will be only alternate days! and only Mon-Fri!
~ For September issue, no change to our charges; nor to our deadlines; but may change after that.
On a more positive note, I'm delighted we have more new Members, so more news / info for you in our Sept Folklife West. In particular, our first North-East report by Eileen Richardson.
SPECIAL EMAIL (not an Update)
about the future of the Folklife Traditions website Tuesday 1 July 2025
Folklife Traditions Journal will move websites
Why?
'Weebly' webhost stopped updating (+ large price increase)! Site still works / is readable, but problems editing old or new material - major layout problems (type size changes, unwanted bold, underline, italic, etc). We've already moved www.folklife.uk (Folklife West folk news site) from 'Weebly' to webhost 'WebMate". We could do the same with Folklife Traditions, but that's costly.
PLAN A.
Ideally... anyone like to volunteer, by Wednesday 16 July, ...as webmaster to manage the new WebMate-hosted site ?or as web designer / webmaster to set up a site on a different platform (not WebMate) ?We realise this is unlikely, but thought we'd ask, just in case...
PLAN B.
Otherwise ...
We'll copy over most* other webpages, including pdf downloads for all issues.
* Since we don't have the time, we'll omit the individual-issue webpages (the entire issue's print pages copied online).
Advice welcome from those more web-knowledgable than me (probably most of you).
Existing site has:
Existing site has:
- Archive of Journals, for all issues, now 2 Journals per year, so updated twice yearly.
- Each issue has: contents list; picture of the cover; PDF download link. We consider this is fine as it is.
- An index of Journal articles. Simply a list by author.
- Volunteer welcome, to convert to simple spreadsheet (Excel?) or small database
- A small directory see https://www.folklife-traditions.uk/ft-directory.html
- Volunteer welcome, to convert to small database
- Excellent support by phone and email, small team whom I know quite well.
- My limited webskills. I find WebMate far easier (and much better supported) than Wix, Wordpress, blogging, etc
- But if we had a webmaster, we'd consider any platform they could run.
Donations
A non-profit group, our folk magazines promoting folk music and folk traditions run at a healthy loss.
Additionally, we maintain this website for you ~ free-to-read, plus extensive resources.
So if you find this free website useful . . . you may wish to donate say just £3 as a 1-off, or once a year.
So if you find this free website useful . . . you may wish to donate say just £3 as a 1-off, or once a year.
For card donations, just click this link: Donations by card Thank you!
Or ⎯ you're welcome to subscribe: details foot of page (UK BACS or cheque; or world-wide by card).