folk clubs

Since moving to Chichester a year ago, I have been able to go to many more clubs in the vicinity.
My favourite for lots of reasons is The Four Chesnuts in Chichester where there is a really good club every Tuesday evening. Marilyn Campbell has been running the club for many years. We have different m.c.s, theme evenings, singaround evenings and guests usually once a month. If I'm at home that's where I'll be on a Tuesday! This Saturday 10th October we are also hosting an Oxjam charity event at the Chesnuts where Dave and Sue Garrard, Alan Glock, Chalky Corkery, Marker, myself and the Portsmouth Shantymen are all performing. If you're not doing anything why not come along and join us.. we'll have a great evening!
I often go to the Famous Willows club in Arundel on a Wednesday, particularly on a guest night and am looking forward to seeing Martyn Wyndham Read and Chris Sherburn and Denny Bartley there in the next couple of months. I'm usually lucky enough to do a floor spot when I'm there and it's a great club. There is also a monthly club (2nd Wed.) that runs in Hambledon and I've had some great nights there too, singing and being entertained.
Lewes, the Royal Oak is the place to be on a Thursday evening. There are guests nearly every week and I don't think I've ever come away from there not having enjoyed the evening.....so that must say something for the club and the organisers Vic and Tina Smith. Once again, I'm usually invited to do a floor spot, if time allows.
On 29th October I have been invited to sing in another charity event being held in the Star at havant, alongside Chris Bluemel and Leon Rosselson. So, if you would like an evening of entertainment, why not join us,
Friday nights present a quandry (Carl Smith!) too many venues from which to choose. I usually take the easy option and visit the City Folk Club in Chichester where it's purely singaround with loads of different styles. A great opportunity to try out new stuff. The other alternatives mean travelling...to Southampton for the F'c'sle a really well run traditional club with fantastic guests. I have sung there and hope to do so again soon. Trevor and Jane run a very good club. Once a month there is a club in Bognor (last Friday), one in Forest Gate (last Friday) and one in Brighton at the Open House (used to be the Springfield in college days!) So never a dull moment on a Friday!
Saturdays are different...I occasionally go to the Limes in Catisfield, but it only runs on the first Saturday in the month so I'm not always about.
Last Sunday I had a terrific evening at Bursledon and Woolston club near Southampton. Colum Sands was the guest and he had us in stitches with his entertaining sets. I also sang a couple of favourite songs of mine "Abroad As I was Walking", a traditional song collected by George Gardiner from the singing of Mrs Goodyear in Axford, Hampshire in 1907 and "Farewell", the Mick Ryan song from his latest folk opera the Navvy's Wife, which is a "MUST SEE".
The first and third Mondays in the month are worth the trip out to North Boarhunt, where Charles and Janet run a superb club with some fantastic guests. I have sung there and always really enjoy the evening. Also, on the first Monday of the month Stuart Reed runs a good club at the Nelson in Brighton....always worth a visit.
Information about most of these clubs can be found on the SCoFF website.... a great starting point to find out all sorts of information.
The odd evening I stay in to wash my hair!!!!!! or maybe footy...if there's a decent match on.