​​Folklife members' folk news

Do join us  ---  you get 3 print or PDF issues --- 

New Members:   £16 (£18 - £2 credit for Jan. being a smaller issue)
​
if you join now . . . you can publicise yourself now,
be added to Directory, mentioned in UPDATES

We are supporting our Folklife Members, who support Folklife ​
​With recurring costs (websites, domains, email, repairs & upgrades for computers & software)  and no income from May printed magazine sales, 
we are losing even more money than usual !
Therefore, only Directory listings from our supportive Members are publicised.
"Folklife Traditions" pages in print, also copied online​. "Folk News" pages for this issue are online only.
​
​Folklife Membership: for Folklife West magazine, folk news & Folklife Traditions pages, post, or pdf via WeTransfer.

Do join us, you can publicise yourself:  news items, added to Directory, mentioned in Updates
​
3 issues incl. January issue, a special price of £16 for 3 issues (Jan. smaller than usual so £2 less).  Or  3 issues starting May £18.
  Normally, annual fee for new members £18, UK post or overseas PDF via WeTransfer; or EU £27 posted.  
Or
​NEW from Jan 2021: "Folklife Traditions" only. Subscription, 3 issues, £10, to include Jan 2021 (3 issues included - May & Sept 2002, Jan 2021)

For Folklife Membership   ('Folklife' is a non-profit group):
                        -- or -- a small donation    (our free-to-you websites cost us over £300 a year):
​BACS: Folklife, sort code 09-01-55, account 18675181.   For our overseas bank codes, please email sam@folklife.uk
Sterling only, bank transfers only.  No payments via this site: ​no cards, no cheques, no payments via this site.
​
​Form below: we have a free emailed newsletter (monthly-ish).  We ask for just your name, email, country/region. We don't share that information.  
This is useful for you, with Updates for News, Directory, Folklife Traditions (& deadline reminders).
And so we'll spend less time on admin/emails, more time to add to magazine & website.  And we can respond to areas/countries which show more signups.
Keep in touch with FOLKLIFE's
free emailed occasional NEWSLETTER
​
​Updates: News, Directory, Folklife Traditions (& Deadline Reminders).
Membership required for your detailed online Directory & Festival listings.
  
A form to sign up to Folklife Newsletter and/or for new Folklife members.
​
We don't pass on details.  Data policy (opt-in, opt-out): see Data webpage
NEW permissions only ​(so if any changes, please email instead)

Permission to hold & use your personal information

* indicates required
Above, left:   Nuneaton Folk Club
Page-header & above, right:  Black Diamond Folk Club: 50th Birthday celebrations:  John Crane in front of the backdrop he created. Photo: © Derek Catley, 2014

​As well as these NEWS pages,  we have an online DIRECTORY giving FULL LISTINGS for our FOLKLIFE MEMBERS.
Below, our NEWS pages include 1-line summaries from our Directory full listings.

Copies of pages from FW, Folklife West print magazine
(only News from Folklife members on this webpage)

​The NEWS PAGES below, from our members, cover:  --- ➀ Venues  --- ➁ Performers   --- ➂ Media   --- ➃ Services.  ​
​Other information is on other FW print pages, and on our other websites:
--- for ➄ Festivals, adverts and fully-detailed diary listings - see our Folklife's Directory website, Festival Diary pages
--- for ➅ Workshops, adverts and fully-detailed diary listings  - see our Folklife's Directory website, Workshop Diary pages
--- for ➆ Folklife Societies, ➇ Folklife Studies & Institutions, ➈ Seasonal Celebrations - see our Folklife Traditions website
            We're always glad to hear from enthusiasts who would like to join us … posted magazine (3 per year), news for up to 200 words for each of your news items!          Membership is £18 a year UK, see Info webpage

Correspondents

Bob Bignell,  Bromsgove Folk Club & Festival,
our Correspondent for  
​South Birmingham & Nearby
Malc Gurnham,  ​Bedworth Folk Club,
​our Correspondent for
Warwickshire with Coventry
Paul Bryan, Bagman, 
​The Traditional Ilmington Morris Men;
Shifting Sunday Sessions. 
Cotswold Folk (South Warks & nearby)


​West Midlands:  news pages & summary listings below
You can also download a PDF (see on right)
west_mids_66_v1.pdf
File Size: 4386 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
We're always glad to hear from enthusiasts who would like to join us !

​Our printed SUMMARY list of our Members is here replaced,  by a handy ONLINE VERSION - that is, with live WEBLINKS in blue
           
Below:  we print, & copy here online, the 1st lines of our fully-detailed online Directory listings ​

FULL DETAILS for each listing, in our ONLINE DIRECTORY webpage :  WEST MIDLANDS region
      
* RED: new/revised listings (= since last FW), details confirmed √    * GREEN: new/revised listings, TBC
West Midlands Members:  VENUES

DAY VARIES
Day Varies        Warks     RUGBY                     RUGBY LIBRARY GIGS          www.warwickshire.gov.uk/rugbylibrary       Call centre     0300 555 8171
Day Varies        Warks     NUNEATON              NUNEATON LIBRARY GIGS   www.warwickshire.gov.uk/nuneatonlibrary  Call centre     0300 555 8171
SUNDAY   
​1st  Sun          Warks       ILMINGTON              SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSION:   HOWARD ARMS  www.sessionfolk.blogspot.com  Pub    01608 682226
2nd Sun, alt.mths    B’ham    MOSELEY           SCANDI MUSIC SESSIONS     www.tradartsteam.co.uk                     Trad. Arts Team    0121 247 3856 
​2nd  Sun         Warks       LOWER QUINTON    SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSION:   THE COLLEGE ARMS  www.sessionfolk.blogspot.com  Pub 01789 720066
3rd Sun           B’ham      MOSELEY                 TRADITIONAL MUSIC SESSION              www.tradartsteam.co.uk      Trad. Arts Team    0121 247 3856 
3rd Sun           Warks      TEMPLE GRAFTON   SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSION:   THE BLUE BOAR  www.sessionfolk.blogspot.com   Pub     01789 750010
4th Sun           Glos           ...................................       SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSION: 4th Sun see GLOS webpage
5th  Sun          varies       VARIES                     SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSION:   VENUE VARIES  www.sessionfolk.blogspot.com    Paul Bryan  07711 121210
WEDNESDAY
1st Wed           B’ham      MOSELEY               TALES & ALES STORY SESSION            www.tradartsteam.co.uk      Trad. Arts Team        07946 718286
1st Wed, afternoon Warks ATHERSTONE        FOLK AT THE LION            www.facebook.com/AtherstoneRedLionHotel Phillip Benson  01827 711514
1st Wed          Warks       NUNEATON             NUNEATON FOLK CLUB      https://blackparrotseaside.weebly.com       Geoff 
2nd Wed         B’ham      MOSELEY                POLITICAL SONG SESSION                   www.tradartsteam.co.uk      Trad. Arts Team       07946 718286
2nd, 4th Wed Warks      BEDWORTH             BEDWORTH FOLK CLUB      www.bedworthfolkclub.co.uk                       Malc Gurnham  024 7634 5568
3rd Wed         Warks      ATHERSTONE          ATHERSTONE FOLK CLUB  www.atherstonefolkclub.org.uk                     Phillip Benson   01827 711514
3rd Wed         B’ham      KINGS HEATH          BIRMINGHAM STORYTELLING CAFÉ     www.tradartsteam.co.uk    Trad. Arts Team         07946 718286
THURSDAY
Wkly    Thu     Walsall     PELSALL                  COMMONFOLK FOLK CLUB                   googlesites/commonfolk    Steve & Margaret    01922 685568
1st Thu           B’ham      MOSELEY                TRADITIONAL SONG SESSION               www.tradartsteam.co.uk       Trad. Arts Team       0121 247 3856
2nd, 4th Thu  B’ham      MOSELEY                MOSELEY VILLAGE BAND                      www.tradartsteam.co.uk      Trad. Arts Team       0121 443 5687
2nd, 4th Thu  Warks      STUDLEY     Make & Play HAMMERED DULCIMER Practice Nights  http://dulcimer.org.uk  Sally Whytehead   01527 64229
FRIDAY
Wkly    Fri       B’ham      HIGHGATE              BLACK DIAMOND FOLK SONG CLUB    http://blackdiamondfolkclub.org.uk  Paul Ryan   0121 357 7326
Wkly    Fri       Staffs       TAMWORTH           TAMWORTH FOLK CLUB                       www.tamworthfolkclub.co.uk    Contact:    see website
SATURDAY
1st Sat  Worcs, nr B’ham     ALVECHURCH     ALVECHURCH FRENCH DANCE & MUSIC      www.tradartsteam.co.uk Trad. Arts Team        ........................


West Midlands Members:  PERFORMERS

FOLK MUSIC & SONG
​Pf.1a    Folk Music & Song - Bands / Groups
Staffs    MITRE’S WELL                                     https://mitreswell.wordpress.com            Contact: see website   
Staffs    THE ANKER VALLEY BOYS                  www.ankervalleyboys.co.uk                      Contact via website form   
Warks   NUNC/DRUNKMONKEY                      https://blackparrotseaside.weebly.com/nunc--druncmonkey.html     Geoff Veasey      ......................
Pf.1b    Folk Music & Song - Duo
B’ham   THE DARING YOUNG MEN                  www.chrislowestories.com                       Chris Lowe        0121 308 2298
Warks   MALC GURNHAM & GILL GILSENAN   www.malcandgill.co.uk                             Malc Gurnham 024 7634 5568
Warks   SQUEEZE-BOW HARMONY                  (no website)                                             Paul Bryan      07711 121210
Pf.1c    Folk Music & Song - Solo
B’ham     CHRIS LOWE                                     www.chrislowestories.com                        Chris Lowe    0121 308 2298
W Mids   IAN PITTAWAY                                   www.ipmusic.org.uk                                  Ian Pittaway     07504 269 855
Pf.1e    Shanty Groups, Duos, & Solo
Warks    HAWKESBURY TRAWLERMEN           https://blackparrotseaside.weebly.com      Geoff Veasey      

DANCE
Pf.2b    Folk Dance Bands 
Warks    COTTESWOLDE COUNTRY DANCE BAND     (no website)                                      Paul Bryan     07711 121210  
Warks    GLORISHEARS CEILIDH BAND                     www.folkfax.net/gshears                  Malc Gurnham 024 7634 5568
B’ham    MAD MOLL                                                  www.tradartsteam.org.uk/MadMoll   Pam Bishop    0121 247 3856
Staffs     THE ANKER VALLEY BOYS                          www.ankervalleyboys.co.uk               Contact via website form
Pf.2c    Ceremonial & Dance Display (including Clog, Morris, Sword)     
Warks    THE TRADITIONAL ILMINGTON MORRIS MEN    http://ilmingtonmorrismen.org.uk     Paul Bryan (Bagman)   07711 121210

SPOKEN WORD
Pf.3a Folk Shows & Theatre, Mummers
Coventry    COVENTRY MUMMERS                             www.coventrymummers.org.uk          John Havell 02476 672297
Pf.3c    Storytellers
B’ham    CHRIS LOWE                      www.chrislowestories.com               Chris Lowe    0121 308 2298
B’ham    GRAHAM LANGLEY            www.storytelling.uk.net                    Graham Langley    07946 718286
B’ham    SPEAKE AND LOWE           www.chrislowestories.com               Chris Lowe    0121 308 2298

​
West Midlands Members:  MEDIA

M.1 ONLINE FOLK MAGAZINES & LISTINGS
Mid-West                                     ARMANDALEG MUSIC         www.armandalegmusic.com  Mike Weaver​
​Shrop;+ elsewhere                        SABRINAFLU Online Folk Magazine https://sabrinaflu.wordpress.com David Harley 07891 999619
Warwickshire, Coventry                FOLKFAX …………………………………  www.folkfax.net                     Malc Gurnham 024 7634 5568
S/W Mids [+West County, Wales] FOLKLIFE MEMBERS’ ONLINE DIRECTORY www.folklife-directory.uk/Midlands.html Sam 01684 561378
Warks & nearby                           COTSWOLD FOLK listings   www.cotswoldfolk.co.uk         Paul Bryan     07711 121210
Warks & nearby                           SHIFTING SUNDAY SESSIONS listings   https://sessionfolk.blogspot.com   Paul Bryan     07711 121210  
M.2 PRINTED FOLK MAGAZINES & LISTINGS (for Journals, see List 8: Folklife Studies)
    And we’re FOLKLIFE WEST www.folklife.uk/central-midlands.html   Sam Simmons 01684 561378
     ⊕ Includes FOLKLIFE TRADITIONS pages, FESTIVAL DIARY; WORKSHOPS DIARY; LISTINGS; plus the usual folk news & some adverts.
M.3 FOLK RADIO
​Warks                                          ANKER FOLK                       www.ankerradio.co.uk Geoff Veasey, Presenter


West Midlands Members:  SERVICES
S.1 FOLK JOURNALISTS
Warks                             MAC AWE ON TOUR, Folk Journalist and Blogger http://macaweontour.blogspot.co.uk Geoff Veasey
S.2 AGENTS, MANAGERS, PROMOTERS, MCs and STAGE MANAGEMENT
Warks                             GEOFF VEASEY ....................................... http://macaweontour.blogspot.co.uk Geoff Veasey
S.3 TECHNICAL: PA & Sound Hire, Engineers, Studios
Warks                             FAT SAM MUSIC STUDIO ................... www.fatsammusic.co.uk Malc Gurnham 024 7634 5568 
S.4 WEBSITE DESIGN AND SERVICES
Warks                            FOLKFAX WEB DESIGN ........................ www.folkfax.net/design Malc Gurnham 024 7634 5568
S.7    SHOPS  
for FOLK PUBLISHERS (Books, Recordings), BOOKSELLERS ⇒ list 8: Folklife Studies, in our Folklife Traditions Directory, www.folklife-traditions.uk 
Birmingham        HOBGOBLIN BIRMINGHAM      www.hobgoblin.com/birmingham        Shop     0121 212 9010
W.Midlands          IP MUSIC SHOP   .........................................    www.ipmusic.org.uk     Ian Pittaway    
​
DETAILED LISTINGS  www.folklife-directory.uk/midlands.html  -- our online Members DIRECTORY
⇒ our Membership (only £18 a year! see INFO webpage) includes listings & your publicity & FW posted to you     

VIRTUAL  FOLK

Normally, only Folklife members Ø  listed, as we  - er -  need money coming in to keep going.  So if you can spare £18 a year to help . . 
Would you like to publicise your Zoom or other virtual session ?   We can draft a listing for you based on your website etc details  

Exceptionally  . . .  we now also list OTHER ZOOM SESSIONS ---- free, if  you've signed up for our Newsletter mailing list (above)
OTHER (non-member) ZOOM SESSIONS not listed below, but are listed in our complete LIST for ALL AREAS on our VIRTUAL FOLK webpage.
_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Folklife Members:
DAY VARIES; and  sessions/concerts with several events on different days 
Ø   West Midlands county     TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM – various Zoom sessions.  
​For security, we are only sending out links by email.  You can sign up to our monthly newsletter from our website tradartsteam.co.uk – enter your email address in the box at the bottom on the left (you may get a message asking you to click on a link to confirm that you want to join).  The newsletter goes out just before the beginning of the month.
All our events are listed in the left hand column of our website tradartsteam.co.uk and include:  
* Zoom into Tales and Ales - tradartsteam.co.uk/tales-and-ales.html
* Traditional song session online tradartsteam.co.uk/song-sessions.html
* Zoom into Sing Political! and Sing Political Extra! tradartsteam.co.uk/sing-political.html
* Lockdown Storytelling Cafe tradartsteam.co.uk/About-Storytelling-Cafe.html
WEDNESDAY
​Ø   West Midlands county     TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM – various Zoom sessions.  
DETAILS please see under Day Varies; and  sessions/concerts with several events on different days 
INCLUDING  
* Zoom into Tales and Ales - 1st Wednesdays
* Zoom into Sing Political!  - 2nd Wednesdays, not August
* Lockdown Storytelling Cafe  - 3rd Wednesdays
‡‡ West Midlands: Walsall   WILLENHALL FOLK & ACOUSTIC CLUB zoom sessions, -- Wednesdays weekly,  7.30pm  All Singers, Instrumentalists & Listeners are welcome on a Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. See our Facebook page for details
​facebook.com/groups/121048754899613/?ref=bookmarks   
Contact Roy Collingwood roy <at>roycollingwood.co.uk
THURSDAY 
Ø   West Midlands county   TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM – various Zoom sessions.  
DETAILS please see under Day Varies; and  sessions/concerts with several events on different days
INCLUDING * Traditional song session online - 1st Thursdays


FW Deadlines

☞    ●   1 Jan :  19 Nov 
☞    ●   1 May :  19 Mar
☞    ●   1 Sep :  19 Jul
Picture
TRADITIONAL ARTS TEAM:  
​Tim Ralphs, storyteller, enchants the audience at Storytelling Café
● we're a non-profit group; to continue, we need your support, by membership or advertising - details foot of page

Members' folk news, West Midlands :
the region except Herefs & Worcs on separate webpage
• Shropshire   (including Telford & Wrekin)
• West Midlands County :  Birmingham & nearby* - currently, Walsall
• nearby Staffs*  - currently Tamworth
• Warwickshire  with Coventry  
​from FW, the Folklife West magazine

* West Midlands county  - we would welcome enthusiasts from Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and ​Wolverhampton.
* ​Staffordshire:  Tamworth - we would be glad to hear from enthusiasts in other parts of Staffordshire. 
FW usually has 60 to 64 pages, printed, A4-size.
​FW has 3 sections: News & Listings;, as below; also Festival & Workshop Diaries, and Folklife Traditions.
As much as possible - but not everything - will be copied online. It is a print magazine and it's not possible to exactly reproduce it online. 
​Roughly 2/3rds - the area News & Listings pages - is on this site.
FW is available
  • by post from Folklife
  • at the Black Diamond Folk Song Club, Birmingham
  • at Hobgoblin Music, Birmingham
  • at the Bedworth Folk Club, Warwickshire
  • as yet, no FW sales outlets in Shropshire, Staffordshire
and you?   FW discounts are available for resellers (6 or more, £2 for £3) - see Info page

Library Reference copy:
  • Library of Birmingham's Music Library
  • Solihull Central Library
  • Coventry Central Library
  • Nuneaton Music & Drama Library. Warks 
  • Rugby Library, Warks
Shrewsbury Bull & Pump, 
  Bricklayers Dance: FQ 51, Oct 2016, 
  ​"Shrewsbury Morris 40 years"  
 Copyright © Graydon Radford​
Left:  
Tamworth Folk Club logo;
Mitre's Well

Right    
​The Anker Valley Boys

Staffordshire:  the Tamworth area

Member-Festivals.

Not included in the above news-pages download file,
as for latest info, check our  Folklife Directory FESTIVAL DIARY
- link to online copy from FW
on www.folklife-directory.uk/festivals.html​  for ads & detailed listings
July 2021
WARWICK FOLK FESTIVAL                   www.warwickfolkfestival.co.uk

October 2021
NONSUCH ANNUAL WEEKEND         http://dulcimer.org.uk/calendar.html
→    DENSTONE, near Uttoxeter, Staffs.

Every Issue, we cover Member-Festivals for the next 12 Months !

•  Workshops Diary & Festivals Diary follow the news pages in the printed FW  . . . Online, full details are on our Folklife's Directory website