FEATURED CLUBS
SHERBURN VILLAGE CLUB LOUNGE (7pm) 60 Front St, Sherburn Village DH6 1HB (1st & 3rd Tuesday)
POC 0191 3720274. Leave your egos at the door, come in, grab a drink and enjoy some laughs and music! All welcome, no cover charge, no pints for singers, no Bingo, no raffles no bagpipes...
Well, what can one say?
This club had been highly recommended to me by the amazing John Dickins, so, having a free Tuesday at last, I decided to pop along to see this club for myself.
I generally go to Folk Clubs so I was pleasantly surprised to see that this ‘Busker’s Night’ was actually a super lovely Open Mic Night. Jim Tait kept the night running like clockwork, and the band was awesome!
I was instantly greeted and made very welcome, and what a great atmosphere there.
The standard of performers was high, and the electric mixture of songs were a delight. The audience (and band) happily joined in too. Mainly songs from the 1960’s -1970’s, and a bit of Eric Clapton! As a ‘Contemporary’ Folk Singer/Songwriter, this really floated my boat. There was also a code of conduct, and a really appreciative and supportive audience.
The tambourine lady and Jim added some fairy dust to the sound, with gentle percussion. The band played for over 3 hours, and the whole evening was like sitting with pals that I had known for years. It was like sitting in someone’s lounge and having a jam session.
Having been on voice rest for over a week, it was nice to be back at the sing thing, knowing if it went belly up, that it wouldn’t matter, and that’s what matters most when performing at these clubs. As, according to another Club organiser, I am a ‘Digital Folk Singer’, (I use a tablet to read when playing guitar, some clubs hate people reading music). Lyrics I can remember, the chords just won’t stick in my head, so it was lovely to see sheets of paper being used, after all, if orchestras can do when playing instruments, so can we!
I really landed on my feet when I accidently moved to County Durham, and these amazing music nights are the reason why. I was asked if I would come back. YES!!!!!!!!!! Is the answer.
It ticked all the boxes for me, and obviously for the other people there. If you have not yet been, you really should! Thanks all for a brilliant night! Yours Aye, Sammi
DAVE & SUE'S "KEEP IT COUNTRY NIGHT"
Marske Cricket Club (7pm £1) Windy Hill Lane, Marske-by-the-sea TS11 7HB *COUNTRY NIGHT*
FRI (2nd)
NO LYRIC/CHORD SHEETS!
£1 entry fee includes raffle, all money goes to James Cook Cancer Unit, £9,000 donated so far.
Right (Pictured) The amazing Graham Brotton who is a memeber of band "Twighlight Surfers"
BRIDLINGTON FOLK CLUB (7.30pm) The Function Room @ The Telegraph, Quay Road, Bridlington YO16 4JB *SONG & MUSIC SESSION*
What can you do when the evenings draw close, dark nights encroach and the cooler weather is on its way? Come to Bridlington Folk Club, bring your singing voices and musical instruments, or simply come and listen. Bridlington Folk Club meets on alternate Tuesday nights in The Function Room at The Telegraph, Quay Road, Bridlington YO16 4JB.
The club opens it doors at 7.30pm for an 8.00pm start.
There’s a friendly bunch of local singers and musicians who create great music together, with solo singers, duos, groups and encouragement for the audience to join in the chorus!
Why not pen your own song! Guitars, ukulele, banjos, whistle and recorders, harmonicas, bodhrans – you name it! We play it! Visitors are very welcome! A spokesperson for the club reports, “I first came ten years ago, and have been coming ever since. I have found friendship as well as music, and thoroughly enjoy my evenings at Bridlington Folk Club! I can even park my car outside the pub!” Whether a beginner or a seasoned folk artist, the club will welcome you.
Drinks are at the bar, then on to the Function Room for a full night, including the traditional Raffle at the interval. So, after a swim in the sea, ice-cream on the beach, fish and chips at tea-time, finish the night with songs and tunes, and join in the fun! Check out our website at www.bridlingtonfolkclub.org.uk and find us on Facebook. Here were are below!
White Bear Hotel (7:30pm) 1, South End Bedale DL8 2BJ *ACOUSTIC SINGAROUND*
TUE (2nd & 4th)
A brilliant club, acoustic sing a round, and anything goes, literally, anything!
Lots of laughter and a great choice of songs, you should try this club, you'll love it!
Athenaeum Club (7pm) 19 Church St, Hartlepool TS24 7DH *ACOUSTIC SINGAROUND*
Upstairs in the Lounge. Every Wednesday (£2.00)
It was the actual name of this club that first piqued my interest. Foggy Furze… a name that could have been taken from a cuddly toy.
The building entrance tells of mightier days; indeed, The Athenaeum was built by public subscription in 1852 in Church Street from magnesium limestone, excavated in the building of the docks. I pressed the button, and the guardian of the front door let me in. Apparently, if you are holding a guitar or a pool cue, this is pretty automatic.
Up the stairs I went, listening for the sound of music. After a couple of flights of stairs, I saw a door labelled ‘Lounge’. Not having enough hands, once again, I made my usual quiet entrance… I fell through the door into this lovely club.
I crossed Kay De 'Ath’s palm with gold, ok, a £2 coin, and although being a stranger to all but two and a half people (David Walker & Pat, and a nice chap I had seen at Fat Club in Sedgefield), I felt very much at home with these wonderful, friendly people. The night was hosted by Bill Andrew, who had a superb voice and his 'Brothers in Arms' sang unaccompanied was incredible. He also provided supper. Good man:)
I started the night off with ‘The Three Ravens’, and also sang my song ‘Love Me for Just One Day’, and the famous song, written by the mighty John Wrightson, ‘Diary of a Northumberland Miner’
The acoustic music was wonderfully varied, everything from Singers, musicians, unaccompanied, and a lovely poem, which painted beautiful pictures in our heads, the styles were Trad to Contemporary.
This club felt like a warm hug, and like the others I have been to, a safe place, where there is no judgment, only kindness and acceptance.
I will definitely return to this lovely club, when I find the time, and can highly recommend that you pop along and see for yourself, what a lovely evening can be enjoyed.
One of my regular haunts. Why?
Plenty of parking (and a geocache there!)
It's a lovey old pub, and we sing in the large conservatory
Plug & play with superb sound and a high standard of performers. The lighting makes filming a joy.
Below are films & photos
Brian and Wendy run alternative weeks, and it’s lovely to see people from other clubs there too. Always a lovely night, and very friendly. And even better, it’s dog friendly!
Anything goes, and as a singer/songwriter, it's lovely to hear there stories from William Blyth singing his self- penned stories.
The club is on facebook, and I often upload films there, so please click on the Dun Cow Coustic Club link to see more.
**2023 SUPPORTER OF FOLK ROUNDABOUT**
T-N Studios Presents: (Filmed by Sammi)
William Blyth Performing "Pots & Pans" (The Cauld Lad (The Ghost of Hylton Castle) © William Blyth
T-N Studios Presents: (Filmed by Sammi)
William Blyth Performing "Chalet Girl Life" © William Blyth
South Shields Folk Club
South Tyneside Indoor Bowls and Social Club (7.15pm) Jack Clark Park, Horsley Hill Rd, South Shields NE33 3HE * PLUG & PLAY SINGAROUND*
Every Sunday
Having only recently moved to the North east of England, and not knowing a soul, I found this club on the interweb. It was the 2nd Club for me, and as I fell though the door whilst Ken was singing, he calmly stopped, and said “That must be Sammi”
Not only had I made a crashing entrance into the lives of these gentle people, I was also equipped with a small travel guitar, not realising that a lot of clubs are wired for sound. Ken kindly lent me his guitar, and that was it, a club that felt like a warm hug, much mirth, and I have been going back there whenever I can.
To me, it’s like going back in time with regards to the humour, the gentle fun with obviously long-standing friends.
To be accepted into this lovely group of people is the best thing that that has happened to me. And I have also found other clubs that a lot of these wonderful people migrate to, so, please come along to this lovely club.
The music here is a case of anything goes, whether it be unaccompanied Singers, Poets, Musicians, Accompanied Singers, or anyone who fancies a pint with friendly people.
The Club meets every week on Sunday evenings at 7pm for 7.30 start, and holds a Resident, singers and musicians’ night at least once per month but will always try to accommodate visiting singers or musicians even on guest nights (although a little advanced warning is always appreciated).
The folk club is held in the bowls club function room located on the ground floor with easy access from a large, free car park. Disabled parking bays adjacent to the entrance, wheelchair ramp into building, and disabled WC.
**2023 SUPPORTER OF FOLK ROUNDABOUT**
Trinity Folk Club
1719 Holy Trinity Church (1pm) Church Street, East Sunderland, SR1 2BB *ACOUSTIC SINGAROUND*
In the Church 2nd Thursday of the Month (Free)
These afternoon sessions are very popular, so, as my pal ‘Billiam’ had told me about this, I decided to rearrange a few other commitments and pop along.
I was amused to realise that I had already been to this Church twice before, in my other capacity as a geocacher as there is a geocache there and lab caches.
Plenty of parking available, and if the front door is shut, you can go in via the side door. Lovely clean toilets, and a café that sells spirits (as well as living folk) too!
This Church is a superb location for acoustic music, a stunningly beautiful setting, and the music flowed around with the wonderful natural reverb, and the haunting sound of violins was sublime.
Run by Ken Tonge, this was a lovely informal gathering, a mixture of people just popping in for a brew, singers, poets and musicians, and some, a mixture of all.
The music was in the main, Traditional, but also a good sprinkling of Contemporary was welcomed. The audience were very appreciative and sang along happily.
The second half began with a few songs from the band known for playing at the beamish Museum, the great ‘Hop, Skiffle & Jump’.
It is anticipated that this charming session will meet at 1pm, on the 2nd on the month the next is on the 8th June.
I would say that the first flight of this lovely gathering was a roaring success, and I hope that it keeps going.
Here is a short film from the 11th May 2023
For more information contact Ken at: clothcaptemperance@gmail.com
Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band
Newton Aycliffe Pipe Band, based in the North East of England, has been entertaining the public and promoting the cultural music of Scotland with the unique sound of bagpipes and drums since around 1961, at events such as Galas, Parades, Concerts, Birthday Parties, Weddings and lots of other types of events, both at home in the UK and abroad in countries all over Europe.
Although the Band is a registered member of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association it does not currently take part in the band competition scene, although it has in the past, and may again in the future.
At the heart of the band lies a team of men and women of varying levels of experience and ability, some of whom are from a mainly civilian background and some from a military background, but they all share a common love for their chosen hobby
and enjoy sharing it with others.
The band has a real ‘family’ atmosphere and with the recent addition of a couple of experienced players, the playing standard has been enhanced greatly. The band is looking to continue this improvement and would welcome more experienced players from around the region.
We are aware that there are a number of experienced pipers and drummers who have either moved to the area and are looking for a band to join or have been in one of a number of bands in the North East of England that have been discontinued. If this is you, please make contact and come along and see if we are the band for you.
The band is completely free to join, does not charge subscriptions or tuition fees and is open to learner pipers and drummers too. For further information, please contact the Band secretary on 07561 013 543 or via newtonaycliffepipeband1@gmail.com.
We look forward to meeting you soon.
https://www.facebook.com/newtonaycliffepipeband