southwestfolk

NEW VENUES
Dursley: The New Inn, 82-84 Woodmancote GL11 4AJ (01453 543659, Anne & John: 01453 548860, 07968 104626)
Every other Tuesday, 8pm. Music Session run by Anne & John Roberts. All welcome. “Mainly instrumental but there is a smattering of songs as well.”
Tuesday 23rd June, Tuesday 7th July and so on.

Hillesley (nr. Wotton-under-Edge): The Fleece Inn, Hawkesbury Road GL12 7RD (01453 843189, Ann Summers: 01454-294875)
Every other Sunday. Music session run by Ann Summers. “Mainly instrumental but there is a smattering of songs as well.” The pub is between Wotton-under-Edge and Hawkesbury Upton.
Sunday 21st June and so on.

Sturminster Newton: Last Monday Live, The Exchange, Old Market Hill DT10 1QU (Kerry Bartlett: 01258 475137, lastmondaylive@hotmail.com)
Last Monday of the month, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Open mic. “Open to poets, comics and musicians. We are particularly keen to encourage folk musicians to come along. Whether you wish to perform or just enjoy the evening from the bar, everyone is welcome!”
From Monday 29th June. First night is free; a small fee may be introduced later.

SHAMMICK ACOUSTIC: CHANGE OF VENUE
Combe Martin (nr. Ilfracombe): Shammick Acoustic, Pack of Cards, High Street EX34 0ET
(01271 882300, 01271 882366, contact@shammickacoustic.org.uk, www.shammickacoustic.org.uk)
2nd Saturday of the month, 8pm. “Everybody is welcome, to perform or not, as we go around the room. You can hear poems, stories, modern songs and various musics as well as folk stuff. Occasionally we also have a Visiting Performer, from 'furrin' parts, who we ask to do a few extra items! There is no admission charge, but we pass the pot round during the evening.” For details of regular CONCERTS, WORKSHOPS & SONGWRITING GROUP go to www.shammickacoustic.org.uk.

WOOKEY HOLE ACOUSTIC CANCELLED
Wookey Hole: Wookey Hole Acoustic Club, Wookey Hole Club BA5 1BP (Nicki Davey: 01749 672944, nicki.davey@carr-gomm.org.uk)
Every last Saturday of the month, 8pm. “Anyone who wants to come and sing/play - all ages, abilities and styles welcome. COME ON TIME FOR A SLOT. Admission: £2. The club is on the road from Wells, on right opposite Post Office.”
Nicki writes: “I’m writing to let you all know that sadly, we have to cancel the acoustic club on 27th June. This is due to a dispute with the licensing people at the Council about the number of days the Social Club is allowed to have live music in the building. The club committee are fully supportive of the acoustic club and other music events held in the club and are working to resolve the situation, but it does mean that until it is sorted all music events in the building are on hold. Many apologies to everyone who was looking forward to coming, but fingers crossed it will all be resolved soon, and we’ll be back to normal for the July session – I’ll keep you all posted.”

MENDIP FOLK: NEXT ONE ON FRIDAY 26TH JUNE (NOT 12TH)
Priston (nr. Bath): Mendip Folk, Village Hall BA2 9EE (Heather: 01761 300551, singing@heatherash.co.uk)
Normally second Friday of the month, 7.45pm for 8pm start. £1 entry. All styles - traditional or contemporary song, music, dance, poetry or story.
Heather says: “I am really sorry – I cocked up on the dates for the new venue for Mendip Folk. I had forgotten that Vince & I will be [away] on the 12th so the first meeting at Priston Village Hall will be the fourth Friday in June, 26th”.

ROADWATER PERFORMANCE CLUB: NEXT ONE ON FRIDAY 26TH JUNE (NOT 19TH )
Roadwater (nr. Watchet): Roadwater Performance Club, Village Hall TA23 (John: 01984 641426)
Third Friday of the month, 7.45pm for 8.15pm. Audience & performers wanted. Poets, singers, players, dancers - all levels welcome. Perform in a friendly & supportive atmosphere. Bar & refreshments. Book your spot or arrive early on the night. ‘The hat’ will be passed around.
John writes: “Normally our club night is 3rd week of the month but this month (June) it is 26th June not 19th June due to unavailability of the venue. Also we do not intend to have an event in August… From September we will be back to normal.”

WEDNESDAY 24TH JUNE: FOLK AT THE BLACK SWAN
Swanage: The Black Swan, 159 High Street BH19 2NE (01929 423846)
9pm. Folk & blues acoustic open mic run by the landlady Alyson.
May become regular if it’s a success.

SATURDAY 27th JUNE: WELLINGTON ACOUSTIC MUSIC CLUB
Wellington : Wellington Acoustic Music Club, Wellington Arts Centre, Eight Acre Lane TA21 8PS (Tony Woollard: 01823 660969, tony.woollard@talktalk.net)
Normally third Saturday of the month, 8.30pm. “Players of all ages, genres and abilities are welcome. Play on a first come first served basis. Its FREE but we do pass the 'pot' round during the evening to help fund special events (workshops, guest stars). The beer is very reasonable in price.”
Fourth Saturday instead of third this month.

SATURDAY 4TH JULY: ACORN ANNUAL DINNER & GUEST NIGHT
Minehead: Acorn Folk Club, The Old Ship Aground, Quay Street TA24 5UL (right next to the harbour) (Eileen or Jim: 07811 744158, acornfolkclub@googlemail.com, www.acornfolkclub.co.uk)
7.30pm for 8pm in the Pier Room.
“DOUBLE FEATURE with NICOLA CLARK, superb entertainer, singer/songwriter/guitar - humorous songs, and WEST SOMERSET COLLEGE FOLK GROUP directed by STEVE & JEANNETTE OWEN - always a delight to welcome young performers to the Club. Still plenty of room for floor spots, all musicians, singers, listeners given a warm welcome as ever.
ALSO at 6 pm THE ACORN FOLK CLUB ANNUAL DINNER prior to the Club meeting. We will be able to order from the ordinary menu but please let Eileen Ann or Jim know if you would like to come as our landlady Brenda would like an idea of numbers. 07811 744158 or email acornfolkclub@googlemail.com and please visit our website for full details of this and future programme, news, reviews and photos: www.acornfolkclub.co.uk.
Best wishes and thanks from
Eileen Ann Moore”

THE BLAZING STUMP FOLK CLUB: SOME CHANGES FOR JULY
Luxborough (nr. Watchet): The Blazing Stump Folk Club, The Royal Oak TA23 0SH (01984 640319, George Ody: 07970 116816)
Second Friday of the month, 8.30 pm. Very friendly singaround and session. All welcome.
On Friday 10th July the Blazing Stump Folk Club becomes part of the West Somerset Folk Festival and will take place in the skittle alley of the Butcher’s Arms, Carhampton, at 8pm.
On Wednesday 15th July (NOT Friday this time) the Blazing Stump will be back at its usual venue, the Royal Oak, Luxborough, for a special BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION for Sue Bone who is unbelievably (she told me to say) 60 on 30th July.

SATURDAY 25TH JULY & SUNDAY 26TH JULY: BREWFEST 2009
Wiveliscombe: BrewFest, Kingsmead Community School, Hartswell TA4 2NE
Jamie writes: “I've been asked to organise the acoustic stage at the Brewfest in Wivvy on 25th & 26th July and still have space for a few more performers. The event, with 20 beers from award-winning local breweries Cotleigh & Exmoor Ales, is a family-friendly festival and a fundraiser for community radio station 10Radio. The acoustic stage will be running during both afternoons. If anybody's interested in performing please get in touch for further information as soon as possible as slots are filling up.” (Jamie: 01984 656526, jamie@underonesun.org.uk)

JULY FESTIVALS 2009
Friday 3rd July to Sunday 5th July:
Chepstow: Two Rivers Folk Festival (www.tworiversfolkfestival.com)

Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th:
Christchurch: Christchurch Festival (http://www.christchurchfestival.co.uk/)

Thursday 9th to Saturday 11th:
Milford on Sea: Music & Arts Festival (http://www.milfordfestival.org.uk/)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Carhampton: West Somerset Folk Festival (http://www.westsomersetfolkfestival.co.uk/)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Milborne St Andrew: Roger’s Rant (Roger Harrall: 01258 837371, rogers.rant@googlemail.com, www.myspace.com/rogersrant)

Friday 10th to Sunday 12th:
Priddy: Priddy Folk Festival (http://www.priddyfolk.org/)

Friday 10th to Saturday 18th:
Somerton: Summer Arts Festival (http://www.somerton.co.uk/ssf/)

Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th:
Trowbridge: Village Pump Festival (http://www.trowbridgefestival.co.uk/)

Saturday 25th July to Sunday 26th July:
Wiveliscombe: BrewFest, Kingsmead Community School, Hartswell TA4 2NE ((Jamie: 01984 656526, jamie@underonesun.org.uk, http://alanburrows.net/brewfest2009.html )
Acoustic stage in the afternoons – contact Jamie for a slot.

Friday 31st July to Friday 7th August:
Sidmouth: Sidmouth FolkWeek (http://www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/)

If you would like the Acoustic Calendar for Wessex sent to your inbox each month please let me know by emailing me at sanchobramble@hotmail.com. You will also receive frequent updates and it costs nothing.