A TOUR OF THE FOLK CLUBS - CLEVELAND AREA

By Dave Verrill (1932-2016) 

Many of you will remember Dave and Betty Verrill from their days of running folk events at  Tocketts Mill and the folk club at the Top House (Zetland Hotel) … and singing and playing, of course. Dave died a few years ago, but while Betty was sorting through some old papers recently she came across a page written by Dave some 40 years ago, and she kindly sent a copy to Folk Roundabout (which Brian & Su reproduced below).

The song/poem takes us around Cleveland on a tour of folk clubs and venues, referring to folk singers, MCs and other folk characters of the day.  Have a look and see how many of the references you can recognise!

Stockton can boast a proud place in the Sun 
With Angels attending - who could it shun? 
No man drinks Porter, fine beards are worn 
And there is no risk of a lamb being Sean
And all around Cleveland we’ll go

(Chorus)
Sing a song … Sing an old song
And Bob play on your fiddle
And all around Cleveland we’ll go

The Smith and his workshop may often be seen
Upon Sunday evenings on Billingham Green
His skill comes in handy on Tuesdays, of course
For that’s when Roy runs his snorting Black Horse

(Chorus)

3 Hanging a monkey was Hartlepool’s crime
Now they recall it in Nursery rhyme
Lazenby club is still new to the field
Spence is no rover, but his policy’s bold
(Chorus)

4 Redcar’s the place where the Wren sings best
Every Thursday, a Taylor made guest
The King of that town has no Royal abode
He’s found in the Saltscar along Station Road
(Chorus)

5 Marske is well-known for its pubs, one - two - three
The Ship’s at the bottom … but not of the sea
The Clarendon sits in the middle quite well
And for the Top House … seek out the Zetland Hotel
(Chorus)

6 Below Eston Hills stands the old Cleveland Bay
Every Wednesday … Fred leads the way
If you hear a tune on a whistle of tin
You may like to take Betts … but it’s sure to be Vin
(Chorus)

7 If you like riddles, how does this sound?
Where will the Pied Piper and Anchor be found?
Oh, there’s a Bond for all men to see
On most Sunday evenings, near Osmotherley
(Chorus)

8 Guisborough welcomes you, but give a thought …
Only fortnightly you’ll find them in port.
Skippered by Graham, with Paul the chief mate,
The Galleon is laden with musical freight
(Chorus)

9 Over the Moors live Jim and Mu
They have a small farm … plough an acre or two
But, come Wednesday night, Jim you will find
Speeding a Plough of a different kind
(Chorus)

10 Most nights of the week I could take you to hear
Folk music and song … whilst you sup your beer
There’s many more venues I’d like to recall …
… If I only had time to mention them all!
(Chorus)

From Folk Roundabout 194 (Dec 2019)