The Tavern in Wigan have started running Unplugged nights on the second Saturday of the month in the downstairs bar, and are looking for solo acts, duos or bands: three acts per night and charging £2 entry (there’s a late bar). If you’re interested in performing there, contact Phil Jones, email pjonee_at_hotmail.co.uk or go through the myspace site. Again, venue details in Folkal Point.

Folkal Point can be found in the blog at http://www.myspace.com/wiganfolkclub

Joan

07833 301336

Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 14th July 2009

Very sad news: Johnny Collins died suddenly on 6th July. Further details on this Mudcat thread (and you can post your own comments if you wish, even if you’re not a registered member): http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=122086

Some time ago I also posted a thread on Mudcat about our 45th Birthday Celebrations. If you would like to post comments to that thread, go to: http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=121909

Swinton Folk Club (White Lion, Manchester Road, Swinton, M27 4TS) are having one of their Friday Specials this Friday, 17th July. Continuing the celebratory spirit of 25 years of live music at the White Lion, a promising double bill of Smooth’n’Blues and Folk, features two well-respected representatives of the local live music scene. Pete Ryder brings his easy but intriguing guitar style with mellow vocals, whilst Dave Wynn offers an eclectic mix drawn from the spectrum of contemorary, traditional and humorous folk music. The eagerly anticipated cameos when the two perform as a duo almost defy musical understanding. Pete has long-established connections with the Salford and North Manchester area whilst Dave is one of the founding Fathers of the White Lion Folk Club.

Last night’s AGM of the Leigh & Wigan Words Together Literary Festival Committee saw us committed to Words TwentyTen, which will take place from 5th to 17th April 2010. Wigan Day of Folk’n’Verse will once again be the festival’s lead event on Easter Monday 5th April. Please let me have your thoughts on a venue. Do you want me to book the Boulevard again, or would you prefer a different venue? I await your response.

Folkal Point has been updated and can still be found in the blog at http://www.myspace.com/wiganfolkclub

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 9 July 2009

Another year, another birthday ... we’re now officially forty-five years old, and the celebrations last weekend went very well indeed.

By some strange quirk of coincidence, or maybe even synchronicity, all three of the bands we’d booked were one member short - not that that lessened the enjoyment at all. Hard Times (Friday) were minus their bass player and played as a duo, Rare Ould Times (Saturday) were minus their banjo player and played as a duo, and Malt Loaf (Sunday) were minus their mandolin player but substituted another vocalist/guitarist, and also added a bass player for their second set. All three bands played brilliantly, we really could not have asked for better quality.

As the weather was dry on Friday and Saturday evenings, all the action took place in the Royal Oak’s beer garden. We started shortly after 9pm with a singaround, each of the bands played from 9.45-ish to 11-ish, a short interval, then the singaround resumed and carried on till about 1am, when our numbers had dwindled.

On Sunday, we were indoors at the Keepers, while the bouncy castles and barbecue were outside. There was a slight hitch when the PA was late arriving due to a misunderstanding as regards times. But once it had been set up, we were straight into our showcase spots from The Blackburns, Carole Mousdell, Andy Cantwell, Terry Kinney, Ron Lidgard, The Piecans, Linda Armstrong and Derek Docherty, all of whom did us proud. The showcase spots and Malt Loaf were filmed, and I await the results - hopefully we’ll be able to put at least some of that footage on the websites(s).

The following was mentioned in the previous Newsletter, but just in case someone else is interested, here’s a timely reminder:

Many of you will know that I take the minutes for the Words Festival committee (our Easter Monday Day of Folk’n’Verse being the lead event for that festival fortnight). There is an AGM coming up on Monday 13th July, and some of you may be interested in coming along and seeing how it operates. It’s in Leigh Library, starting at 7pm, and there’s free tea and biccies. All the officers have expressed willingness to stand for another year, so there’s no obligation to stand for office, but we’re always looking for people with new ideas to join the committee, which meets on the second Monday of each month. If you fancy coming along, let me know (so we can order enough tea & coffee).

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 31st May 2009

I saw the Sunday afternoon of the Crooke Festival of Boats, Beer & Folk (bank holiday weekend). The weather was glorious and I joined an unofficial singaround on the camping area before doing the “cold spot” at the open mic in the marquee. Loads of wonderful singers, a great atmosphere, and only sorry I wasn’t able to catch more of the weekend. Many thanks to Chris for the lift there and back.

And today’s still-glorious weather saw me at the Royal Oak for Blanket Apology’s gig (Jan Hough’s band). They did an excellent couple of sets, with a good mix of covers and original material. And their CD has now been added to the raffle prizes.

The last few meetings at Wigan Folk Club have been quieter than usual, with fewer people. Perhaps it’s the weather that’s to blame. Don’t forget our regular meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays! It would be lovely to see a few more faces and hear a few more voices.

I’m finally getting to grips with our myspace site. I’ve updated the basic details, added to the “Upcoming Shows”, deleted all the ancient blog entries, and added Folkal Point as a new blog entry. So rather than have the Newsletter cluttered up with an ever-growing Folkal Point, please go to www.myspace.com/wiganfolkclub and click through to the blog.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 20th April 2009

The piano accordion that was offered has now been taken. Thanks to all who expressed an interest.

It was good to see Angie out of hospital, and singing at the Day of Folk and on the Thursday before. She still has to have more tests, but hopefully she’s over the worst.

The Day of Folk'n'Verse went very well on the whole, with a few hiccups when the jukebox in the main bar started booming through the doors. However, the management did turn the volume down when requested, and although it could still be heard during our quieter moments, it was no longer as intrusive later on. Over the course of the afternoon and evening we hosted 58 visitors, from Bolton, Warrington, Fleetwood and Cornwall, as well as locals. We had a late start, as I hadn't realised the venue only opened at 2pm, and the cleaners were still busy in the function room at first. But shortly after 2.30pm we started the singaround and it carried through without a break until around midnight, with people going out for eats and then coming back. Many thanks to all who came and participated in any capacity. Thanks also to all those who completed the evaluation forms (as this event was part of the Words Festival). I took a sneak look at the comments before I passed the forms on to the official evaluator, and although there were some negative comments as regards the jukebox, most of the comments were very positive: “lovely warm atmosphere, nice folks”, “very friendly, relaxed & excellent music”, “brilliant collection of performers”, “superb event - we need more like this”. It’s good to have this sort of feedback - thanks again.

We still have another event as part of the Words Festival. This one didn’t make it into the official brochure because at the crucial deadline, we were without a Thursday venue. However, this Thursday, 23rd April, we will be celebrating St George’s Day at the Keepers Inn. Bring all your English songs for the singaround. After the interval, we will have a performance of a traditional mumming play by the Wigan Mummers. Don't forget your red rose.

And still another Words event: the Networking Event this Saturday 25th April, 10am till 12 noon, in the Derby Room at the Turnpike Centre, Leigh Library. This is an event for writers, publishers etc to network together. The folk club will have a “stall”, and the organisers have asked if we can perform during the event. So anyone who’s available and fancies having a do on Saturday morning, please come and support.

This Sunday afternoon, 26th April, in Rainford is the Annual General Meeting of the North West Federation of Folk Clubs (those nice people who produce Folk North West magazine). If anyone would like to come with me as a co-representative of Wigan Folk Club, let me know and I’ll pass on the details.

And finally, sad news has reached me that Eddie Crottie, founder member and much loved singer, songwriter and funny man of the group Five Penny Piece passed away peacefully over Easter weekend in Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, having been ill for some time. Comments can be left on the band’s website www.5pp.co.uk

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 17th April 2009

Welcome to all the new contacts who asked to be added to the list on Easter Monday. Sorry, no time to put together a proper Newsletter this week – I'm up to my ears in Words Festival stuff. Will send out a proper Newsletter within the next few days. Meanwhile here's the current Folkal Point (soon to be expanded, by request, to include Fleetwood area).

Joan
07833 301223



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter April 7th 2009

An ex-neighbour of mine is moving soon to smaller accommodation and is having to let some treasured possessions go because of lack of space. One of said possessions is a Hohner 120-bass piano-accordion. It’s an old model, in a leather case which has seen better days, but I’ve had a tinkle and all the notes seem to be okay. The leather strap which keeps the bellows in place has gone, but I’m sure that’s replaceable. She’s not asking a price for it, but would like it to go to a good home. Anyone interested please contact me in the first instance as she’s an elderly lady who would rather deal with me than a stranger. I can then arrange to go with you to view it.

The Thursday session this week at the Keepers clashes with a Very Important Rugby Match, and it is likely that the pub regulars will want to watch the match at the pub. I am therefore expecting not to be able to start the music until the match is over, around 9.45pm.

Don’t forget it’s our Day of Folk’n’Verse at the Boulevard next Monday from 2pm.

Our friend Angie Ball is in Hope Hospital, Manchester, and may be home for this weekend (but to go back next week). It was thought she would probably need an operation, but it now seems that may not be necessary. Fingers crossed, and get well soon Angie.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 23 March 2009

St Patrick�s Night went very well, with a full room and good fun. Don�t forget St George�s Day is coming up soon - Thursday 23rd April. The management at the Keepers are keen to have a special St George�s do, so start digging out those special English songs. Also, we�re hoping to have the Wigan Mummers on that night, and if anyone is hankering after a part in the mumming play, get in touch with me in the first instance and I�ll pass your details on.

And slightly before that is our Day of Folk�n�Verse on Easter Monday, 13th April. This is, as usual, the lead event for the Leigh & Wigan Words Together Festival, a fortnight of literary and associated events, some of which will be of interest to our membership. The brochure can be downloaded as a pdf file from the Words Together website at www.geocities.com/wordstogether

There�s a special concert coming up this Wednesday, 25th March, at the Hunters Lodge, Charnock Richard, with Jon Brindley plus band with support act. See below for details, also Jon�s website at www.jonbrindley.co.uk

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 14th March 2009

Thursday has often been Wigan Folk Club�s visitors� evening - when, much more so than Tuesday, people we only see once in a while will drop in unexpectedly. And Thursday gone was no exception, when we played host to Zero Temperance, an excellent unaccompanied trio from the Ring o� Bells Folk Club in Warrington, and Stuart Clarke, superb local guitarist, as well as some of our more regular crowd: Geoff, Mark, George, Derek & Eileen, and Terry & Vilma.

A reminder that St Patrick�s Day (17th March) is this coming Tuesday. Bring all your Irish songs to the Fox & Goose and we�ll celebrate with a Big Irish Singaround.

Next Friday, 20th March, Folk on Friday (formerly Leigh Folk Club) have that hilarious man Les Barker as their guest. And there are moves afoot to nominate Les as the next Poet Laureate - to add your vote, visit Here

There�s a change of contact details for the forthcoming John Tams & Barry Coope gig at Wigan Parish Church on Wednesday 20th May (see below). I�m told tickets are selling well. Also, there�s no support act, so don�t be late or you�ll miss part of a very rare evening. For those who may not know, John Tams is the man who rewrote many traditonal songs for the Sharpe television series.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan and Leigh Words Together Website 2009 - UPDATE

The updated Words Together Website has been updated to show the 2009 Brochure.



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 4th March 2009

Our second session at the Keepers went very well, although most of the faces were different from the first session! Numbers were slightly less (only ten) but we certainly had quality. Two trays of sandwiches were laid on for us, based on the previous week�s numbers, sadly not all eaten. Hopefully numbers will increase.

A reminder that St Patrick�s Day (17th March) falls on a Tuesday this year, and is now only two weeks off. Bring all your Irish songs to the Fox & Goose and we�ll celebrate with a Big Irish Singaround.

From tonight, as you�ll have seen from the email I forwarded earlier from Simon, the Alison Arms Folk Club is now meeting at the Oak Tree, in their ground-floor function room.

I�ve deleted the Buskers Ball from the listings (Sundays, Hulton Arms) because the latest website appears to have been sold on (earlier websites are still there, but info totally out of date). As soon as I find out what is happening, I�ll update the listings (Alec Martin, are you out there?)

Joan
07833 301336



From Simon at The Alison Arms - 3rd March 2009

If you go looking for the Alison Arms Folk Club at the Alison Arms, your in for a big surprise -- its closed, or it is from tomorrow.

From 4th March onwards the singarounds will be at

Oak Tree Inn
130 Preston Road
Coppull PR7 5ED

Just South of the junction between the A49 (Preston Road) and B5251 (Spendmore Lane) in Coppull, next to Coppull Motors Car Showroom

Wednesdays as usual, 8.30pm onwards.

Hope to see you there soon.

Simon



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 20th February 2009

Our first session at the Keepers went very well indeed - good vibes at the pub, a welcoming management, and well-behaved regulars who seemed to be listening. I�m looking forward to our future sessions there.

The Wednesday Open Mic at the Cherry Gardens has sadly been cancelled, because of a change of management at the pub.

The Tom Paxton gig which should have taken place at the Lowry last Sunday has been rescheduled to Saturday 28th Feb because Tom was ill on that night.

Tomorrow is Manchester Morris Men�s free event of taster sessions for dancers, beginners and musicians, male or female, families welcome. This is their response to the recent news report that morris dancing is dying for lack of youngsters joining. I don�t believe that for a minute! Get along to St Matthew�s Church Hall, by the Arndale, to find out more (see below for more details).

Easter will soon be upon us, and with it Wigan Day of Folk�n�Verse on Easter Monday, 13th April. Our venue is the Boulevard, 17-19 Wallgate, Wigan, WN1 1LD. For those who haven�t been to this venue before, look for Little Fifteen, opposite the Post Office. At the side of Little Fifteen there are some steps leading down to a cellar - that�s the Boulevard. It�s one of Wigan�s premier music venues, and we�ll have the use of their sizeable back room from 2pm onwards. It�s a Big Singaround (and that includes poetry, monologues, etc) until they throw us out. This, as usual, is the lead event for the Words Festival, a fortnight of literary events in Leigh and Wigan.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 16th February 2009

Further to yesterday�s missive about the new venue, I�m told the map is not entirely clear. The Keepers is off the main road (and not visible from it), on the little cul-de-sac section of Woodhouse Lane that goes past Farmfoods. There�s plenty of parking space behind the pub.

The owners, Alan and Jeanette, are very keen to have us there, and are expecting some of their locals who used to go will bring their instruments and join us. They will put food on for us, but not this first week - they want to get some idea of numbers first.

Hope to see you at the Fox & Goose on Tuesday, or at the Keepers on Thursday (or even both!).

Joan

07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 15th February 2009

Wigan Folk Club has a new Thursday venue! From this Thursday, 19th February, we will meet at the Keepers, 279 Woodhouse Lane, Wigan, WN6 7TD. A map can be found here:
http://www.multimap.com/maps/?qs=WN6+7TD&countryCode=GB#map=53.55711,-2.66035|16|4&bd=useful_information&loc=GB:53.55683:-2.66035:16|WN6%207TD|WN6%207TD

It�s a little more outside of the town centre than we were hoping for, but the Keepers has had a long association with folk music sessions, and I�m looking forward to starting there. I hope as many of you as possible will be able to come and make a memorable first night for us there.

And, of course, don�t forget our regular Tuesdays at the Fox & Goose.

Joan

07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 14th February 2009

The next open mic session at the Sandbrook is tomorrow afternoon, and with Mick involved in the Blanket Apology gig at the Royal Oak, Ian Cleverdon will be running the session at the Sandbrook, so email Ian to book your spot. Ian will be with his new band The Huers - first chance to see them out and about.

I�ve been told of a Weekend of Boats and Music at the Crooke Hall Inn on Spring Bank Holiday weekend (22 - 25 May). Free camping will be available, acts are still being booked. Watch this space!

We�re still searching for a new Thursday venue, and haven�t yet run out of places to investigate. Everywhere tried so far already has activities on Thursdays, but we�re still hopeful of finding somewhere close to the town centre which can accommodate us.

Joan

07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 29th January 2009

Corrections to a couple of errors: Blanket Apology are not running every session at the Sandbrook Open Mic, just once a month (although the sessions will be every week, starting this Sunday).

And thanks to Malc for pointing out that the address I had down for Wigan Parish Church (John Tams gig on 20.5.09) was actually that of the rectory, not the church. I can�t find an official address or postcode for the actual church building, so I�ve cheated and used the postcode for the Last Orders pub, which is only yards away.

And a new night starting this Sunday at 9pm at Crooke Hall, organised by George Barlow, geared to learning tunes that can be played in a band situation - but that doesn�t mean you can�t do your own thing, all welcome.

Still no venue for Thursdays, but I�m out searching tonight, so hopefully there�ll be success soon.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 23rd January 2009

Loads of gigs on tonight (Friday). There�s the rearranged Derian House charity bash taking place at the Gregson Lane Folk Club venue, there�s a Burns Night Supper (yes, I know it�s two days early) at Ince Public Hall, there�s Bromley Cross Folk Club�s first guest night with John Kirkpatrick - but don�t go to that unless you�ve already got your ticket because it�s sold out. There�s the Coven�s monthly music night in Wigan, One Hand Clapping are playing at the Coach & Horses in Warrington, and there�s a free gig night at the Boulevard in Wigan, with Pauline Blackburn doing the opening spot at about 9.30pm-ish.

If you were planning on going to the Pendle Witch tomorrow to see One Hand Clapping, don�t �cause it�s been cancelled. But they are still on at the Original Ship Inn, Leyland, on Sunday, when it�s also guest night at the Wooden Horse Folk Club with Tom Bliss.

Odd at Ease are no longer organising the monthly open mics at the Sandbrook Arms in Orrell, but the baton has been picked up by new band Blanket Apology, who will relaunch it on 1st Feb to run every Sunday afternoon. I�m also told they�ve a gig at the Royal Oak on Sunday afternoon 15th Feb, don�t know how they�re going to manage both. The band lineup is Jan Hough ~ Mick Cooper ~ John Southworth ~ Ronnie Clarke. Mick is the person to contact to book an open mic spot (see details below).

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 20th January 2009

Last Thursday at the Orwell was the best-attended Thursday we�ve had for a very long time.

Sadly, we were greeted with �Sorry, but the pub�s closing this weekend.� The decision to close was apparently only made the day before, and the bar staff only knew that morning. It will be sold and may well re-open soon, but we don�t know when.

I was holding off sending this Newsletter in the hope I may be able to tell you of a new venue for this Thursday, but we haven�t got one yet. We won�t be returning to the Fox & Goose on Thursdays, although it�s fine on Tuesdays. But Thursdays on Wigan Lane attract the rowdier customers who disrupt the club, and the fact that so many more of you turned up last Thursday, when so few have been attending the Fox & Goose on Thursdays, just proves the point that the F&G just isn�t viable for Thursdays.

If we manage to get a new venue for this Thursday, I�ll send another express email, otherwise there will be no meeting this Thursday.

Tuesdays will still be at the Fox & Goose.

Joan
07833 301336



Wigan Folk Club Newsletter 12 January 2009

Happy New Year!

And a very short Newsletter just to give details of the new Thursday venue.

Not really a new venue as we have been there before - the Orwell at Wigan Pier. This time we�ll be downstairs, at the bar end, in what used to be the pool room. And we start this Thursday, 15th January at 9pm.

Tuesdays will still be at the Fox & Goose.

I hope to see as many of you as possible this week, at one or other venue.

Joan

07833 301336