Author Archives: bridget

The Shipdham Scrapers on 19 June

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Showcase guests at the singaround on Friday 19 June will be the Shipdham Srapers, with Lesley and Kerry on fiddle, Gwyn on guitar and Richard on melodeon and concertina. Well known regulars at various local sessions, including the King’s Head at Dereham (third Wednesday of the month) and the Cherry Tree at Wicklewood (last Thurday), they play a varied mix of English and French tunes with an occasional song – influenced by Spiers and Boden, but not quite so fast! Everyone is very welcome to come along and entry is free.

There is also a singaround as usual on Friday 12 June – all welcome, whether to listen, sing or play a tune or two. Why not try out a new song or tune? New performers are particularly appreciated! Entry is free.

Spinndrift on 5 June

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Spinndrift

Spinndrift

On Friday 5 June at 8.30 pm Norwich Folk Club welcomes up-and-coming young folk band Spinndrift. Spinndrift are an exciting 5-piece band formed on the Folk and Traditional Music degree at Newcastle University, and have been playing together for three years now. Finalists in this year’s New Roots competition, they perform songs and tunes from Britain and Europe as well as their own material, on a range of instruments, including melodeon, fiddles, oboe, flute and whistles, cello, mandolin and tenor guitar. Two band members, Nick Wiseman-Ellis and Nic Zuppardi are well known to Norwich folk regulars. Support will be from a talented young Cambridge band, also finalists at New Roots this year, Grace and Bryony Lemon and Alex Patterson. This is going to be a busy night, so please check ticket availability.

Summer ceilidh with floor spots on 29 May

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On Friday 29 May Norwich Folk Club will meet for a summer ceilidh at the Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road, just north of the city centre, opposite the Whalebone pub. (Head out of the city on Magdalen Street, past the Artichoke and bear left at the traffic lights where the road forks. The venue is on your right, next to the church.) There will be a balance of songs and dances, with caller Alan Helsdon, and musicians will be welcome to join the core band of Shufflewing members. Bring your own refreshments and perhaps some food to share. Easy parking. Members £2; non-members £3.

On Friday 22 May there will be an informal singaround at the White Horse Inn, Trowse (upstairs function room for this week only). Entry is free and everyone is welcome as usual, whether to listen, sing or play a tune or two. Why not try out some new material in friendly surroundings?

Trio Threlfall on 15 May

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Trio Thelfall

Sisters Jane and Amanda Thelfall weave gentle harmonies, ably accompanied by Roger Edwards on guitar and concertina. The Trio Threlfall are passionate about the English tradition and their latest CD, Sweet Nightingale, is testimony to their commitment:
“I am besotted by the new album … I think it’s absolutely beautiful. Terrific songs and playing and really tight, unfussy arrangements. The girls are in great voice and the accompaniments are brilliant.”  Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

And of their 2007 album, Revisited:
“Jane and Amanda … lift the songs way above the pedestrian. (They are) equally at home without the aid of any instrumental safety net … secure, relaxed harmony singing of the highest order.
Particular mention should be made of the concertina playing of Roger Edwards … his ‘Double Lead Through’ must be one of the finest recordings of a dance tune ever.”  Baz Parkes, English Dance & Song

And what you hear on their albums is what you get from their live performance. Members: £5; non-members: £8.

Alan Helsdon on 8 May

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The showcase guest on 8 May, performing two sets within the singaround, will be Alan Helsdon, singer-songwriter, musician and historian of local folk songs and tunes. Alan is also the leading light of folk band Shufflewing. Free entry and everyone welcome.

The singaround on 1 May will have the theme ‘May Day’, which can be taken in any way that you like! As usual, entry is free and everyone is welcome, whether to listen, sing or play tunes.

The singaround on 24 April will be open to all kinds of acoustic music and songs. Free entry and all are very welcome. Come along and test out your new songs in a friendly atmosphere. No need to arrange spots in advance.

Harriet Bartlett on 17 April

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Harriet Bartlett

Harriet Bartlett

We are very pleased to welcome back Harriet Bartlett – one of our favourite performers. Harriet has been playing accordion for 13 years and performing at festivals, folk clubs and theatres for the past 8 years. Her repertoire consists of Celtic music on the piano accordion at lightning speed, heart-rending slow airs and beautiful songs. She has already composed many of her own tunes with a traditional style that belies her years. Harriet has played at many venues at home and abroad, including Celtic Connections, Sidmouth International, Venner Folk Frühling, Fylde, Bromyard and Warwick Festival. She’s been interviewed by Andy Kershaw on BBC Radio 3, has won a number of folk awards and has played on stage with Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham.

The singaround on 10 April has the theme of ‘Surprises’, which as usual can be taken in any way that appeals to you!

Check out www.littlebirdtoldme.info – it’s a website set up by Alan Helsdon and Joe Scaife that is full of information about local folk events. You’ll be amazed at how much is going on in the area!

Showcase with John Robinson on 27 March

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John Robinson

John Robinson

In featured spots at the singaround at the Manor Rooms on 27 March, the showcase guest will be John Robinson. Welcomed in folk clubs all over the country as ‘John the Trucker’, he has been chair of the Norwich club for the last four years. Originally from MIddlesbrough,  John brings a wealth of songs – of Northern mining disasters and docklands, racing pigeons and allotments, children’s games and bargains with the devil. The Manor Rooms are just up the road from the White Horse Inn. Bring your own refreshments – coffee and tea available. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along.

Barrie and Ingrid Temple on 13 March

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Barrie and Ingrid Temple

Barrie and Ingrid Temple

Well established and much respected harmony singers Barrie and Ingrid Temple will be guests at the club on 13 March. Their songs are traditional, with original arrangements and accompaniment by Barrie on English concertina and guitar. They also sing Barrie’s original songs, written in the traditional style, many of which have been recorded by other performers.

Kiss the Mistress on 27 February!

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Kiss the Mistress

Kiss the Mistress

Showcase guests at the singaround on 27 February will be Kiss the Mistress, a popular local trio combining a rare mix of voice, cello, accordion and bodhran. Entry is free and everyone is welcome to come along.

Club officers John Robinson (chair), Bridget Lely (secretary), Fred Brown (treasurer) and Linda Robinson (membership secretary) were asked by the AGM to continue for a further year. Other committee members for 2009-10 are: Judy Bedder, Keith Ellison, Andrea Granville, Brian O’Neill, Caroline Peel and Kelly Woods. The AGM joined John in welcoming Andrea and Caroline to the committee and in thanking retiring committee members Les Ellis and Mick Selvey for all their work on the club’s behalf.

Members commented that guest nights in the past year had been really enjoyable and that they particularly like the wide variety of acoustic music styles at singarounds nowadays.

Membership for 2009-10 is now due and remains at £6. To benefit from reduced ticket prices on guest nights and receive regular updates on club news, download the membership form, or contact the membership secretary on any club night.

AGM and singaround on 20 February

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The Annual General Meeting for members of the club will begin at 8 pm. This is the opportunity for the current committee to report to members about activities during the past year and discuss plans for the coming year – and elections for all committee posts will be held. The meeting is followed by a singaround, which should begin around 9 pm and is open to everyone as usual.