The Lymm Folk Club 2010-2011 Archive

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Boo is making his third appearance in Lymm, at a different venue on each occasion! He first came to see us at the Railway in November 2006, then at the Spread Eagle in November 2008... so don't get mixed up - he's at the Rugby Club this time!!

In the two decades or so since he first emerged with his band 'The Bible', Boo has become one of the movers and shakers in songwriting and production. His name anywhere on an album is a sure endorsement of quality.

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It's been a while since Lorraine's previous visit to Lymm, which was at the Railway with her band in October 2000!

Born in Wales to Irish parents, Lorraine was brought up steeped in the Irish tradition. Her family heritage is a musical one - her father in his day was an All-Ireland flute champion and won countless medals before he stopped playing at a relatively young age. His mother played the concertina, as did her brothers, and his grandfather was a flute player of some renown in the county Roscommon. Her uncle Frank Jordan is to this day a well repected flute player in Co. Roscommon. This, along with her other early influences (Cat Stephens, Joan Armatrading, Van Morrison, John Martyn, Annie Lennox etc) is reflected in her powerful and melodic songs.

An artiste who has genuinely come of age... her song Dreamers could have been penned by Sandy Denny, Sweet Mystery by Nick Drake, and Your Love by Joan Armatrading... but they're all her own. Her songs rank amongst the finest of their genre, and deserve recognition. - Living Tradition (Scotland)

Tonight saw our illustrious leader, Stewart Lever, hand over the reins of the club to Bernard.

Formerly known as John Wright's Band after John so tragically passed away, Pete Abbott, Gregor Borland and Dave Walmisley continue to play music.

Inevitably their music now includes new and self penned songs and tunes but they keep the essence of John's memory alive in their performances. As individuals they're fine musicians. Together, they continue to play awesome music! (website)

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Kerfuffle asked Lymm Folk Club to be the only North West venue for their Midwinter Tour... so how could we refuse?!

We had a thoroughly enjoyable, riotous Christmas concert from Kerfuffle - but poignant because they have officially disbanded, so this was their last appearance in Lymm. Tom Sweeney (bass and vocals) was replaced during this tour by Rob Harbron, who also contributed some fine English Concertina and fiddle playing in addition to bass and vocals. Chris Thornton-Smith was replaced by Jamie Roberts a few years ago, so only two of the original members (Sam and Hannah) are in the current line-up - you could say that they are rapidly becoming their own tribute band!

Since humble beginnings in a freezing farmhouse on the outskirts of Rochdale in the winter of 2006, outspoken alternative-folk quartet 4Square has accomplished an incredible amount in a relatively short space of time.

Butties by the trayload... need we say more?!

A good time woz 'ad by all! Yes, a really good party atmosphere, helped along by an enthusiastic dance set during the buffet break by Bollin Morris!

Last year we were at the Sarries, and were joined by Bollin Morris as it is their practice venue. We all had such a good time that we asked Coard to book us in again this year! So guess what? It went so well this year that next year we plan to make it three in a row!

We must take this opportunity to thank Kath and Stan for allowing us to participate in their Ruby Wedding celebrations - the charity collection and raffle proceeds of £108.00 is going to their chosen charity, the Macmillan Nurses.

The annual lunchtime session at the Sarries on New Year's Day enjoyed a record attendance, most of whom were there from start to finish! The format of the afternoon was a little different from normal as we had more singers than musicians - so we played a few tunes, went once around the room to hear from the singers (starting with our own Nelson Peach), then more tunes, more songs and so on. Alan Grace, as has become our tradition, sang 'January Man', so the New Year had officially started! We also had a few songs from none other than Ted Edwards, including 'a medley of his greatest hit' - Coal Hole Cavalry!

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Sue Bousfield and Liz Moore have been playing music together as Scolds Bridle for more than 30 years. Their considerable talents combine to create entertainment at its highest level. Superb harmonies, dynamic presentation, quality performance and refreshingly different. Scolds Bridle are a breath of fresh air!

It's a few years since Liz and Sue visited Lymm, and that was at The Railway! Why not visit their website and find out more?

Dai Thomas is probably the best blues man that Britain has ever produced...

Last year's 'Back from Fuerteventura Charity Night' raised £208.00 for Stewart's charity: Warrington Bereavement Support.

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A great evening's entertainment! Bernard kicked off with a couple of songs, followed by Stewart and Nelson Peach.

Tom and Gren then gave us the first of two excellent sets - and our 'Pre-Raffle-ite' floor spot was from Anne Cojeen,

Tom and Gren rounded off the evening with some thoughtful songs and a downright silly one complete with a howling chorus! Suited our daft lot down to the ground!!

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Roy's first visit to Lymm, rather surprisingly, but certainly not his last! (website)

A special St. Patrick's Night as promised!

Tony brought Chris Kelly and Kate Bradbury to the Rugby Club. Chris, from Carlow in Ireland, was one of the original residents at Maghull Folk Club back in the 1980s. Tony and he played together in a group called Cairde Ceol, and they also did a few folk club gigs as a duo. Kate, of course, is Tony's partner - a fine fiddle player, guitarist and singer-songwriter.

We had an excellent, somewhat laid back evening's entertainment - Stewart started us off, followed by Nelson Peach. Bernard completed the support and introduced the band, and our pre-raffle-ite floor spot was from Alan Grace.

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Club Residents Nick and Lin are well known for their love of American Old Timey music - lots of which is guaranteed to get your toes tapping tonight! Lots of singable choruses and hummable tunes, and Lin's Appallachian step dancing, too!

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George has written songs you will probably already know... Vin Garbutt sings 'The Flowers and the Guns', and 'Friends Like These' is very popular in festival singarounds...

...and what a grand night we had! As ever, all the floor singers raised their game because it was a Big Spot night - it wouldn't be fair to single anyone out, so I'll just list them in order of appearance... Bernard, John Condy, Ruth, Stan & Kath, Doreen, Stewart, John Muskett, Mark & Jan, Anne, Richard Gray, Geoff Bibby, Rob, Cockney Eric and Nigel. Others who decided not to perform were Bernice, Gloria, Nelson Peach and Frank Hives.

After the break Eddie and Terry went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back sevaral times - Terry's rendition of Bill Caddick's 'John O'Dreams' was sublime, and Eddie's version of Les Barker's 'My Husband's Got No Porridge In Him' was certainly bordering on the ridiculous! They ended their second set with a surprise item - clogging from Eddie's wife, Sue!!

Many people commented afterwards that it was the best folk night they'd been to in years, and some also added 'it was just like old times!'... aaaah, nostalgia isn't what it used to be!

Eddie and Terry will be back, but probably doing a full guest night rather than a Big Spot!

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The top audience pick at the Lymm Folk Festival open mic, Zoë Mulford returns for an evening at the Spread Eagle. An American songwriter, folk singer, and banjo picker now living in Manchester, she draws on traditions from both sides of the Atlantic to make sense of the modern world.

"sure delivers the goods... supremely evocative and sometimes cheekily humorous" - fRoots Magazine

Tonight's support started with Nick & Lin, then Stewart followed by Nelson Peach - our top class residents always give our guests something to think about!

Zoë then went into her first set, which included self-penned items such as 'Party Cows' (mood music?!) and 'Just Before I Go', which is always guaranteed to have the audience in pleats!

Tonight's 'Pre-Raffle-ite' was Bernard, paving the way for Zoë's second set - which included her excellent interpretation of Richard Thompson's '1952 Vincent Black Lightning'. I'm sure when Richard hears it he'll realise that he subconsciously intended it to be that way, as Zoë's frailing banjo arrangement complements the song so perfectly! We also learned that 'Life is too short to fold underwear'! Club regular John Condy also joined in with a couple of songs on harmonica

Good news for anyone who missed this evening's concert - Zoë has been booked for next year's festival!

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Bernard's Birthday Bash... and Jaywalkers are doing the 'pre-raffle-ite floor spot'!! We're also hopeful that Andrew Walpole will being doing a couple of songs

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