Folklife Quarterly FQ 40: Jan 2014 Folklife Quarterly, web version | Page 23

v FQ 40, Jan 2014 p21 v Clubs & Venues, England Ü West Country Ü West Midlands Ü Other Areas SESSION NEWS from South Worcestershire & North-East Herefordshire by John Taylor Just where has 2013 gone? By the time this is published Christmas and New Year 2014 will have been done and dusted, and it only seems like ‘five minutes ago’ I was saying much the same about 2012 & 2013! In between times there has been some wonderful music to report on and take part in, and with the emergence of even more new sessions and events, it looks as though there will be plenty more to enjoy in the future. As ever, some more regular sessions have fallen by the wayside, and have closed down. Having been going for nearly ten years, the 2nd Sunday session at The Walter de Cantelupe in Kempsey closed at the beginning of November, and the last Tuesday session at The Gardeners Arms, Droitwich ceased as of October. However, new sessions started in August on every 3rd Tuesday at The Bell Inn, Pensax, Worcestershire WR6 6AE (between Abberley and Clows Top on the B4202). a very “broad church” run by the ‘Rev’ Mick Morris!. Starts at 8-00pm. Website: www.thebellatpensax.co.uk . In September, on every 3rd Thursday at The King’s Head, Cross Street, Tenbury Wells, WR15 8EG (mainly Irish but not exclusively, starts at 8-00pm), plus an even newer one started on the 1st Thursday each month in November at The King Charles House Pub, New Street, Worcester WR1 2DP. 8-00pm to 11-00pm. Again mainly Irish music but with plenty of English as well, and splendid singing thrown in for good measure (The King Charles has a mind-boggling choice of real ales from Sadlers Brewery!). These additions more than compensate for the two losses. Restarted sessions after summer recesses for The Railway Inn, Malvern Wells WR14 4PA (1st Saturdays), and The Unicorn, Ludlow (1st Fridays) 66 Corve Street, Ludlow SY8 1DU. Tel: [phone]) in September have once more helped to swell the choices of where to go. Good to hear that both are in full swing again. Tony Gibbons’ musicians session at The Fox and Hounds, Bredon GL20 7LA are running on a fortnightly rotation on a Wednesday evening with Roly Alcock’s session at The Rose and Crown, Severn Stoke nr Worcester WR8 9JQ. This arrangement would seem to be working well. For up-to-date information you can contact roly@mothy. co.uk. The fortnightly mixed session at The Morgan Pub, Clarence Road, Malvern WR14 3EQ has changed to a regular Thursday evening as opposed to alternating on a Thursday and Friday. There has been some uncertainty about the continuance of The New Inn, Shrawley WR6 6TE, (the old “Rose and Crown Session”) session on 2nd Friday of the month owing to the impending change of management at the pub, but having seen Kevin Sanders recently all looks set to continue. It’s a fine session with excellent musicians and singers. More information from [email protected], phone [phone] or text on 07989 668263. Also glad to say that Kevin is getting over his shoulder injury, but still needs physiotherapy on it. Sessions in the Pershore area take place at The Millers Arms, Bridge Street, on the last Tuesday each month, with a great mix of music and people always guaranteeing an enjoyable evening and lots of good banter. Hosted by Jim Richardson who always has one or two of his own songs to enthral us, and a roaring open fire to warm the soul now that winter is here! There have been some brilliant evenings there in the last three months. Just “around the corner” in Wyre Piddle you will find Frank Jolley’s sessions –® The Moonshine Acoustic Jam Session and ® The Monday Night Session at Pidele House , Main Road, Wyre Piddle (2nd Sundays & 4th Mondays). Hear tell both sessions have a dedicated regular following. Some minor changes to a couple of regular Worcester sessions – firstly ® The Farriers Arms, in Fish Street, Worcester WR1 2HN is now on 2nd Tuesday of the month as from November. This is to make way for a weekly event on Wednesdays. All going well here with no adverse effects by changing nights. Great pub, great craic! Then we come to “The Back Bar Session” at ® The Talbot Knightwick (1st Wednesdays) – it’s been so packed with musicians for the last few months with the result that we have moved out of the bar into “The Gold Room” area. Lots more space and the music is enjoyed by the customers. ® The Admiral Rodney, Berrow Green (3rd Wednesdays) is full every month, welcoming not just the regular musicians but visitors from around the The Admiral Rodney THE MONTHLY FOLK MUSIC SESSION Berrow Green, MARTLEY WR6 6PL 3rd Wednesday of the month 8.30pm Mainly folk music and song, but flexibility in styles is welcomed. Come along to play, sing, or listen. Large on-site car park. Contact pub 01886 821375 during opening hours Web: www.admiral-rodney.co.uk or John Taylor 01905 353255 (answerphone), or email: [email protected] SYTCHAMPTON DANCES Village Hall, Cow Lane, Sytchampton DY13 9SY. Bring own drinks. Refreshments available. SATURDAYS, 8pm - 11pm, £6 25 Jan Dee Chapman with Ad Hoc 22 Mar Rhodri Davies with Dampiers Round WEDNESDAYS, 8pm - 10pm Club nights (not Aug) FOR FURTHER DETAILS Mike Lomax 01299 879284 or Anita Fenton 01562 824800. www.sytchamptondanceclub. org.uk UK as well. Always a wide variety of music, song and poetry to choose from. With such a busy summer and autumn occupying my time on festival and events duty, I have been forced to forego any visits to the fortnightly session on Monday’s at The Lamb and Flag, The Tything, Worcester WR1 1JL. Starts around 9-00pm. Very, very popular, and limited space so you need to get there nice and early! Good music, good beer and excellent ‘craic’! Highly recomme