WELCOME TO
FORDINGBRIDGE FOLK CLUB
A new Folk Club meeting in Fordingbridge on the edge of the New Forest.
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We had a great evening last night (Friday 1st) at Fordingbridge Folk Club. About 50 people were entertained by the folk songs of Peter Aston and the high energy playing of Ribble. There was lots of joining in with choruses, and everyone had a relaxed and enjoyable evening. Our next meeting is on Friday October 6th when everyone is welcome to come along and play, sing or listen.
The June meeting of Fordingbridge Folk Club took place on Friday 2nd. About 45 of us enjoyed a great line up of performers, with a variety of styles. Alongside traditional folk songs which we could all join in with, there were 21st century pieces. There was even a surprise guest appearance from Trevor and Kate, two members of the well-known folk group Rapsquillion who happened to be in the area and dropped in.
Our next meeting is on Friday 7th July at 7.30.
We had an excellent evening on Friday March 3rd for our 6th meeting of Fordingbridge Folk Club. About 70 people were with us for the three varied groups who joined us. Pergin brought their gentle relaxed style to open the evening and Pauline’s beautiful voice was on form. Celtic Knot anticipated St Patrick’s Day with some Irish pieces, including some we could sing along to. The The Flamin’ Ukes wowed us with their display of energy and enthusiasm and lots of joining in.
There is no Club meeting in April because the first Friday is Good Friday, and on the second Friday our venue is unavailable.
May 5th will be our next meeting when we are hosting Jim Causley, the BBC one time Folk Singer of the year. Keep the date free!
38 people met for the third session of Fordingbridge Folk Club on Friday 9th - a good number who braved the cold, various lergies and other events that evening (including football!). Many thanks to those who came along to share their music and song.
Our next meeting is Friday January 6th (Twelfth Night or not depending on how you count it.) I am delighted that we have a visit from The Madding Crowd - a hugely entertaining group of instrumentalists and singers who are bringing their Georgian Christmas to us. Performing the village carols and stories, and sharing Christmas customs they recreate celebrations of Christmas at the beginning of the nineteenth century. There will be opportunities for us to join in some of the items.
What a fantastic evening we had on Friday November 4th for the second meeting of our new Folk Club. The Portsmouth Shantymen were a real treat, singing with such energy and skill. They engaged so well with the audience and provided us with great entertainment. Our two local warm-up acts, Maerefolk and Pergin, were the perfect introduction to each half of the programme and it’s great to have such excellent local folk talent.
As with the October meeting there were over 80 people attending, and the atmosphere was friendly and relaxed. Avonway is turning out to be the perfect venue for the club with its helpful and friendly staff and the excellent bar.
Our December meeting will be on Friday 9th (not the 2nd as that is the night of the Christmas lights switch on for the town). It will again be a ‘play, sing and listen’ evening when everyone who would like to perform will be given a spot. It would be good if lots of items could have a Christmas or winter theme.
Fordingbridge Folk Club has secured its first special guest performers! The Portsmouth Shantymen will be with us for the evening of Friday November 4th - our second club night. A well established group which performs around the country, and regularly at folk festivals, the Portsmouth Shantymen have recorded several CD’s. Most of their music is based on the traditional songs of the sea, although they do include ‘land based’ songs in their repertoire.
FordingbridgeFolk holds its inaugural Club Night on Friday 7th October in the Avonway Community centre.
Further details - fordingbridgefolk@gmail.com .