New this time - a lot of new news contributors
• Wiltshire: Sian & Rob Colquhoun; The Traditional Sunday Singaround, Swindon 

• Gloucestershire: Gloucester Diamonds / Rod Penlington; Cobblers Child 

• Worcestershire: The Orchard Band    • Festivals & Workshops Diary: Riverfolk Festival 

Devon: Haberton Folk (S.Devon) •  Coventry: CVFolk   •  Leicestershire Folk Diary • East of England, & Bucks: Unicorn Folk • Hampshire: FASH (Folk Assoc S Hants) & Solent Waves • Isle of Wight: Folk on Wight • North-West: FolkImages • North-East & Yorks: Folk Roundabout (Durham, Northumberland, Yorks) • North-East: Northumbria Folk Music Diary • Yorkshire: Sheffield Folk Guide

→ Harnham Community Sports and Social Club, Parsonage Green, Salisbury SP2 8LA.

⇒  salisburyfolkclub<at>hotmail.com

⊕ A new club started in March 2025. Everyone is welcome to come along to sing, play or just listen.   The club is managed by resident band Maerefolk and friends.   [Aug 2025, new entry]

⇒ Email: contact<at>maerefolk.co.uk       www.youtube.com/@Maerefolk

⊕ Maerefolk are a Salisbury-based band playing varied music with traditional tunes, thoughtful songs and beautiful harmonies. They are Fiona Hulbert (vocals), Michael Camp (guitar and vocals), Hadrian Cook (bass) and Andrew Fisher (fiddle). Resident band at Salisbury Folk Club.  [Aug 2025, new entry]

      Yippee - just bought and installed a new MacMini & wonderful Apple display, updating software, etc, and busy learning that. Newsletters every 2 weeks: due to my busy schedule, to be "sent during week starting Sunday...", rather than as before on Sun, Mon, or Tue,.

MailChimp emailing: bounced emails are not immediately notified, so if you miss one, please check this page to see what's been sent.

(1) Santander Bank "Not-for-profit organisations play a crucial role in society, which is why we’re dedicated to helping them prosper" , they say, when announcing the non-profits' free banking goes up to £5/month - & 70p per cheque! 

(2) The Post Office: "more reliable and sustainable service", they say, when announcing delivery will be only alternate days! and only Mon-Fri! 

       ~ For September issue, no change to our charges; nor to our deadlines; but may change after that.

On a more positive note, I'm delighted we have more new Members, so more news / info for you in our Sept Folklife West. In particular, our first North-East report by Eileen Richardson - you can view a draft of September 's report on the May-issue pages: https://www.folklife.uk/north
Sam

Next FOLKLIFE WEST, out 1 SEPT. 2025.
News from Folklife Members, including Workshops, and Festivals (Sept 2025 - Aug 2026);

  last-minutes changes up to Aug 6, text to be no longer than sent; any deadline problems please email me immediately.

so for your publicity, in print & online, join Folklife - it's only £9 / year !!!

Or publicity plus posted magazines £21 / year UK, details foot of page / contact sam@folklife.uk

Dr. Steve Roud
The Open University has announced that our Chair, Steve Roud, has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate ‘in recognition of his exceptional contribution to education and culture’. The award will be presented in Birmingham in October—many congratulations on this well-deserved honour.
Zoom meetings for next season
Our next two meetings are on 7th September and 16th of November, with 2 - 3 slots for presentations on topics relevant to traditional song.
We need volunteers to fill these slots. We pride ourselves on being an open forum, so even if you haven’t presented anything before, please consider giving it a try. We’ll help if you need advice. If you are an old hand but haven't presented anything for a while, please think about doing so again.
And if you enjoy the TSF talks, live and online, please pass the word to like-minded friends. Joining the TSF is free, carries no commitments, and is easily done here https://tradsong.org/joining-the-tsf
Folk Song in England Online Classes - Level 2
Steve Roud and Julia Bishop will be running a second level of their online evening classes called Folk Song in England, for the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library of the EFDSS (6 weekly sessions) in October / November. Watch their website www.efdss.org/vwml for details.
Post-War Folk Song Research
We are launching a major project to document and preserve the research and collection activity of the post-war generation, starting with interviews with major players. If anyone has any recordings which they would be willing to share with us, please let us know.
Brian Peters' Collectomania paper on Cecil Sharp
Brian’s important paper on Cecil Sharp, from our Collectomania! conference last year - 'Not to bury Sharp, but to crucify him': A Critical Appraisal of the Academic Assault on Cecil Sharp's Politics is available for free on his Academia.edu page: https://independent.academia.edu/BrianPeters17
It is an interesting paper, and a useful corrective to those who continue to misinterpret Sharp's motives on the basis of poor research.

There will also be a concert to celebrate the whole series of "Marrowbones" books on Thursday afternoon in the Rifle Club (Sports Ground, West Cliff Ave, Whitby YO21 3EW).  All the books will be on sale at both events. You do not have to have a season ticket, as payment can be taken on the door. 

         The Newsletter also mentioned, as noted in UPDATES 20 JUNE: 20 Aug 2025, Roy Palmer Lecture 2025; 18 Apr 2026. Spring Conference 2026 - Manchester
As noted UPDATES 3 JUNE: 18 Oct 2025. TSF Autumn Conference – Gloucester, 18th October: Folk Songs in the archive – Where can we find them, and are they safe?

Next Folklore Society Event: Lying in Legend and Tradition: The Nineteenth Legendary Weekend of The Folklore Society Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 September, Tullie House, Carlisle, CA3 8TP, details see website

West Country - Cornwall
🅄 Friday, 2nd Cornwall VERYAN PHILLEIGH FOLK www.visittruro.org.uk/whats-on
→ Veryan Sports & Social Club (with club bar), Elerkey Lane TR2 5QS. Gigs 7.30pm, for 8 or 9 months of the year.
⇒ Call Dave Shepperson on 07736 065406 or by e-mail philleighfolk<at>btinternet.com, and see www.facebook.com/PhilleighFolk/
⊕ Great little club. Guest plus club singers: our aim is to bring the finest local/national folk musicians to the Roseland, a lovely part of Cornwall. Enthusiastic amateurs and artists welcome, get in touch, we have a very welcoming audience.     [July 2025, new listing]

→ The Ashford Road Club in Swindon’s Old Town: 17-18 Ashford Road, Swindon SN1 3NT, upstairs in the function room.  From 3pm until 6pm.

⇒ Contact Chris Turpin, christurpin2016<at>gmail.com, 07766492415

⊕ A monthly singaround for lovers of traditional folk song. Musicians are also welcome.  Free entry, though small financial donations to help pay for the venue are encouraged.    (new entry, July 2025)

p35 🄵 THE SALTS ⚓ - - note 26 July update + Phil Beer
“The Salts - they were just outstandingly brilliant”, Tim Walker BBC (Costa del Folk 2022).
21st century folk fires a respectful broadside at the traditional. The Salts are a co-operative of seasoned musicians, creating what is fast becomingone of the most exciting and energetic folk concepts of recent times. With their own unique sound that mixes well written original compositions alongside classic traditional tunes, it's a guaranteed blast.
Their debut album ‘She Rises’ and now their second album 'BRAVE' are receiving rave reviews across the board. Their latest album is 'Live in London Town'.
Gigs: 26 July: The Beehive, Honiton, Devon - Songs from the Sea - with special guest Phil Beer
27 July: Folk on the Moor, Wotter
9 August: Fairport’s Cropredy Convention
         For details of the band, gigs, and albums, see www.TheSalts.co.uk

Rick Pollay writes:
I was born in the summer of 1940, and as a celebration of my recent 85th birthday, I am sharing a couple of songs with you – one political and one personal. 

     The political one is a cover of Jay Feldman’s recent writing. While it doesn’t dwell on current events, but offers an historical perspective that perfectly fits my own memories. It doesn’t mention names of the current cast of characters, but most listeners will no doubt think of the clown prince who would be king. 

What’s Happening Today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXgoZ5wohts 

     The personal one is an original confession that offers context for why I keep on singing despite the inevitable deterioration of my vocalizations, knowing full well that a Tony Bennet I am not! Old Singer’s Blues https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMXrfCXwNwk 

     Both YouTube links include the lyrics if they are of interest. Enjoy. Rick Pollay: Shanties, blues, folk, jazz

ØØ • Zoom & Live ~ Mass, BOSTON. ~ LYNN NOEL https://sites.google.com/view/crosscurrents-music  

and ZOOM: LIVE FROM THE MERMAID'S TAVERN   Zoom meeting links are MAILING LIST ONLY. Join this mailing list at http://mailinglist.mermaidstavern.com Monthly Zoom sessions usually 1st Sundays 2-4pm ET, special events as the occasion requires.   

Sun Sept 14 at 2 PM - Gathering Time - Trio harmony in the spirit of the folk revival with strong originals, too, this concert will put the songs in historical context.
Sun Oct 12 at 2 PM - James Gordon - Canadian singer-songwriter known for writing wonderful songs for Tamarack and has an interesting and varied career.
Sun Nov 9 at 2 PM - Clements Brothers - Young Americana duo with a hint of a bluegrassy jazzy feel and twin brotherly harmonies.
2026 concerts now announced:
Sun Jan 4 at 2 PM Grammy nominated musicians Laura Orshaw (masterful fiddler, vocalist) & Josh Rinkel (originals and guitar) appearing together as First Far West, seamlessly blending bluegrass, country, and roots music, bringing a deep-rooted passion for storytelling and a love for traditional American music. Hailing from Mount Eden, KY this is Laura’s chance to play for her hometown friends, having made it big.
Sun Feb 8 at 2 PM Sean Dagher - Award-winning singer and composer, renowned for his sea shanties with Ubisoft video games Assassin’s Creed and Black Flag. He is also host of the hugely popular YouTube Series, Shanty of the Week and has toured Europe, Ireland, Canada, and the US with renowned UK group, The Longest Johns.
Sat March 28 - Medusa - With their Canadian Folk Music Award (CFMA) Nominated debut album, Medusa’s dynamic arrangement style cross-pollinates the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Celtic, Appalachian, and Eastern European music, as well as original tunes, to create a new string quartet folk fusion sound.
      There are sometimes live sing-arounds - contact us if you will be traveling nearby.

Thanks to those who kindly responded to our special email about the future of the Folklife Traditions website (I'm working my way through them and will reply tomorrow).  

Future Meetings
7 Sep, TSF Online 75, details tbc.   18 Oct, Autumn Conference 2025, Gloucester, "Folk Songs in the Archives".  

18–21 Oct, Francis James Child at 200,  Atlanta.  12–14 Nov, Francis James Child at 200, online

16 Nov, TSF Online 77, details tbc.      7 Dec, TSF Online 78, Christmas Special, details tbc.  18 Apr 26, Spring Conference, Manchester,"Women and Song".

Newer Researchers in Folklore  Fri 26 Sept, Todmorden.  A one-day series of workshops hosted by The Folklore Society.

🄵 Sunday, 1st Worcs DROITWICH FREEMASONS ARMS SESSION pub FB: www.facebook.com/people/Freemasons-Arms/61567085671935/
→ Freemasons Arms, Bromsgrove Road, Droitwich WR9 8LR. 7-10.00pm.
⇒ Contact cindycarvill<at>yahoo.co.uk
⊕ New session for musicians and singers. [July 2025, new listing]

See you soon! Judith      Email list machteltje<at>gmail.com, 01242 571185/577506    Facebook: Cheltenham Folk Club

• Fri 15th August, Performance of "Magic, Myth & Mystery in British Folk Music" at the Festival - you can come just for this.
• Sat 16 August Main stage on Saturday evening and a multi-instrumental workshop on Sat morning. Details from White Horse Folk Festival 

Fri 26 Sep St James Church, Leckhamstead, NEWBURY, RG20 8QQ. A relatively new (1859) and lovely church between Newbury and Wantage. 7.30pm £12 on the door. Bar refreshments available.
Sat 27 Sep St Mary the Virgin, STOKE MANDEVILLE, Aylesbury HP22 5XB. Lovely old church not far from Aylesbury. 7.30pm £12 on the door.
Sat 25 Oct St James the Great church , STONESFIELD, Oxon OX29 8PP. 5.00pm. £12 on the door.
Sat 1st Nov St Mary Magdalene church, SHABBINGTON, Bucks, HP18 9HQ. A matinee show - 5.00pm. £12 on the door.
Sat 15 Nov St Mary's Church, WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE, Gloucestershire, GL12 7LS. 7.30pm £12 on the door.
Sun 14 Dec Guest concert at READIFOLK (Reading Folk Club) Community Hall, Watlington House, 44 Watlington Street, READING RG1 4RJ. 8pm  Readifolk - Reading's Folk Club

2025 July 12-13 RIVERFOLK FESTIVAL 2025 🄵    Facebook: Riverfolk Acoustic Club 
→ LECHLADE: The Trout Inn, St John's Bridge, Faringdon Road, Lechlade, Gloucestershire, GL7 3HA.   

⌂ Email riverfolkacoustic<at>gmail.com, contact number for Riverfolk Acoustic Club is 07587178557.
⊕  We are pleased to announce that this year's Riverfolk Festival will take place over the weekend of 12th and 13th July at The Trout Inn, Lechlade GL7 3HA. Performances starting at 12 noon and finishing at 6pm on both days plus a singaround on the Saturday evening. On Sunday we have Johnny Coppin with a bonus extended set. Yes, it's all free! All welcome.

12-14 Sep Folk Orchestra, Benslow Music, HITCHIN, Hertfordshire, SG4 9RB. The second of our annual residential weekend workshops at Benslow Music. Book early! www.benslowmusic.org 01462 459446.

7-9 Nov Halsway Manor, TAUNTON, Somerset, TA4 4BD. A weekend (2 nights) residential Folk Orchestra Workshop run by Jon & Jacqui. All instruments welcome; intermediate standard (no absolute beginners). Music and videos sent in advance. Limited to 20. Book early because it's always sold out! halswaymanor.org.uk/ Any questions, call 01865 769206. 

CANADA: Toronto
Toronto folk artist Stan Simon releases new EP Narrow Bridge, out July 9 via Slammin’ Media. With over 50,000 streams, Simon is known for vivid, emotionally honest songwriting. This reflective and urgent release blends grief, climate reckoning, and quiet resilience through poetic folk and Americana textures.The EP’s lead single “Narrow Bridge” is a passionate call to action on environmental destruction and renewal. “Long Way Past Gone,” written before the passing of Simon’s father, offers a raw, intimate portrait of loss and spiritual exhaustion.Recorded with longtime producer Dennis Patterson at Big Smoke Audio, the EP includes contributions from Sebastian Shinwell and Max Trefler. It’s Simon’s most personal work to date, weaving traditional storytelling with modern purpose.For press info, links, and streaming: www.norulespr.com/stan-simon

18 Oct 2025. TSF Autumn Conference – Gloucester, 18th October:  Folk Songs in the archive – Where can we find them, and are they safe?  See UPDATE 3/6/2025

18 Apr 2026.  Spring Conference 2026 - Manchester
We are excited to say that we have booked the wonderful Portico Library (https://www.theportico.org.uk/) in Manchester for our next Spring Conference 2025, where we will be using the Dome Room. The topic is “Women and Song”. Please save the date - we expect this to be a great event.

A new discussion group list :  Irish-Traditional-Song-Research@groups.io
A moderated discussion group for those interested in research into traditional song in Ireland - the songs, the singers, the styles, the contexts - in English and Irish; functioning primarily as a forum for communication, support, and information exchange, focusing on research rather than performance, and old-style tradition rather than revival or artistic extension.
To subscribe, go to  https://groups.io/g/Irish-Traditional-Song-Research
                  🄵 Richard Spencer (TSF Assistant Secretary)  www.tradsong.org

🅄 Wednesday, fortnightly Cornwall PORTHLEVEN AMERICAN OLD TIME SESSION  Facebook: Old Time Music Cornwall

⇒ For up to date session information find us on Facebook as above, or contact David Mepsted on 07940 937335 or davidmando47<at>gmail.com
⊕  Old Time Music Cornwall is dedicated to American Old Time music and Appalachian music events in Cornwall.  We support and promote Old Time sessions, concerts, bands, festivals and dance.  [June 2025, new entry]

⇒ Submissions and contact - editor<at>fash.org.uk   From FASH (Folk Association of South Hants). Download from webpage, or join mailing list for emailed pdfs. 10 issues per year. Deadline: 15th of month before.  Entries free but donations are never refused.

⊕ Details of the next couple of months' dances and folk club events, and in summer, Morris and other dance displays are also included. Adverts and articles. We are always willing to include events. (June 2025, new listing).

ONLINE 🅄 Hampshire ~ FASH (Folk Association of South Hants) https://www.fash.org.uk
⇒ Contact - editor<at>fash.org.uk
⊕ In addition to Solent Waves magazine as above, the FASH website has diaries covering a longer period than each Solent Waves issue, and also lists dance clubs, folk clubs, more informal music sessions, and  local Folk Festivals. Links’ page includes links to local bands and callers.   (June 2025, new listing).

p5 🄵 Newport:  LYCEUM FOLK & ACOUSTIC CLUB
Listing for Thurs 4th Dec 2025. Janie Meneely and Rob van Sante.  For previous dates, see May Folklife West & Club website
www.lyceumfolknewport.org.uk, Ruth:  info<at>lyceumfolknewport.org.uk, 07966 754366,

p10 🄵 Cornwall.   ROB BARRATT, comic poet and singer ~ added some dates since Updates 18/5/2025
August 30th - Staveley Roundhouse, Main St, Staveley, Kendal LA8 9LU. Evening
Sept 3rd - Headgate Theatre, 14 Chapel St N, Colchester CO2 7AT Essex. Evening.
Sept 4th - Seagull Theatre, Lowestoft. 19-75 Morton Rd, Pakefield, Lowestoft NR33 0JH. Evening.
Sept 5th - Thimblemill Library, Thimblemill Rd, Smethwick, Birmingham. B67 5RJ. Evening.

          The next performance of Mick Ryan’s The Innocent (see May issue)  is taking place at Branksome Folk Festival on Saturday 18 October at 6.45 - 8.00pm.    Best wishes, Rosie

Alan Franklin's review.
On June 6th, talented sisters Ruth and Sadie Price were accompanied on the harp by Lisa Oliver and they gave the audience at the Black Diamond club a very entertaining evening. Quite a few of their songs were influenced by their parents; Bill and Wendy Price who spent some time in Canada and later returned to run a folk club in Yorkshire. The sisters also perform with the female group called She Shanties.

TSF Autumn Conference – Gloucester, 18th October 2025 - CALL FOR PAPERS
Folk Songs in the archive – Where can we find them, and are they safe?
       When the Traditional Song Forum was formed in January 1998 the key topic of discussion was how we could make the many different archives of traditional song more available to researchers. In the years since, much has happened to achieve that goal, a lot of it down to work that TSF members have played a key role in. We now have some wonderful archives created by organisations, particularly the wonderful archive of the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library, but a lot of other archives are not as easily available and there are several archives owned by individuals which have an uncertain future. There have also been technical issues, such as those affecting the British Library and the Bodleian Broadside Archive, that have, unexpectedly, made material unavailable.
     It has become clear that the three fundamental elements in archiving - Make it safe, Make it useable, Make it accessible – can never be taken for granted, and need continuous revision and monitoring. Institutional priorities and resources change, technology goes out of date, websites appear and disappear, search engines are re-designed. Many existing collections need to be processed, and personal collections need to be identified, and their survival ensured. it is up to us, as creators and primary users, to use our expert knowledge and whatever power we can muster, to maintain, support and monitor our essential materials.
      We are planning to examine these issues at a full day in-person conference in Gloucester on 18 October 2025. The venue will be the Dunrossil Centre at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester, GL1 3DW. The Heritage Hub is conveniently located for public transport and has ample free car parking for attendees. We are now seeking offers of papers on topics relevant to the issues associated with safeguarding our archives for the future. This will be an in-person meeting but we will be accepting pre-recorded papers from those unable to attend. The timing for the papers will be 20 minutes plus time for questions. The closing date for submissions will be Monday 4 August 2025.
If you would like to submit a paper or short report, please contact Steve Roud steveroud<at>gmail.com

Spring Conference 2026
Planning is underway for an in-person conference in the Spring next year, probably in Northern England, with the topic of “Women in Folk Song”. More details to be announced shortly. 

Latest volume from The Ballad Partners
      Ballad Partners are delighted to announce our newest book, Collectomania! Revisiting the Folk Song Collectors. This collection includes ten papers from the major Collectomania conference organised by the Traditional Song Forum and the English Folk Dance and Song Society, held in London in 2024. It includes the keynote papers from Brian Peters on Cecil Sharp and Martin Graebe on Baring-Gould. Visit our store to get your copy today: www.TheBalladPartners.co.uk

Worcestershire-based
🄵 Worcs The ORCHARD BAND www.orchardband.net
⇒ Ian Craigan, 07879 033823,  ian<at>iancraigan.plus.com

⊕ A high octane mix of tuneful, soulful and sing-along-ful material, ideal for outdoors entertaining, indoors listening or energetic dancing. Good music for good times – bringing you the pick of the crop with a heady mix of folk, jazz & roots!   [May 2025, new listing]

⇒ Contact details: Jan Vaisey, 07979 424897,   jan.vaisey<at>btinternet.com

⇒ Email: rodpenlington<at>aol.com, gillbowmer<at>aol.com

⊕ With founder Rod Penlington, on guitar, and Flash (AKA Les Griffiths) more vocals. Rod is very well known for powerful sea shanties, traditional and contemporary ballads and humorous songs, and Flash is a well known character on the folk scene.   [May 2025, new members]

🄵 Worcs The ORCHARD BAND www.orchardband.net
⇒ Ian Craigan, 07879 033823, ian<at>iancraigan.plus.com
⊕ A high octane mix of tuneful, soulful and sing-along-ful material, ideal for outdoors entertaining, indoors listening or energetic dancing. Good music for good times – bringing you the pick of the crop with a heady mix of folk, jazz & roots!   [May 2025, new listing]

⇒ Contact Danny Sullivan, dannysullivan4<at>yahoo.com

⊕ Irish & Celtic Music in the Grand Strand.  Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.    (2025 May, new listing)

From: Maggi Huyton, 30 May 2025
Dear All
Sadly, John Bartley (Monologue John), a regular at our Zoom sessions, was found dead at home by his carer on Tuesday morning.
John will be much missed by us all and the folk world will be the poorer without his extensive knowledge and recitations.
Rest in peace John - Zoom won’t be the same without you.
Maggi and Mark  (Room at the Top Folk Club / Zoom at the Top)

       John was a well-known and entertaining figure seen on many UK Zooms.

       The “Grand Strand” of South Carolina (the coast from historic Georgetown to the North Carolina border) is somewhat lacking in a traditional music scene. Charleston has more musical variety; the barn jams at Awendaw Green (www.awendawgreen.com/barn-jams.html) have some local and touring folk acts. The further towards the mountains you go, the more traditional music you can hear. Places like Hagood Mill (https://visithagoodmill.com/third-saturday-events/) offer folk and bluegrass jams and performances. 

1st Tuesday The Union Inn - Tremadog 8.00pm ~ Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec
2nd Tuesday The Ship Aground - Talsarnau 8.30pm ~ Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec
2nd Sunday The Union Inn - Tremadog 3pm ~ All year round
3rd Tuesday The Prince of Wales - Criccieth 8.30pm ~ Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec
4th Tuesday Spooners - Porthmadog 5pm ~ Mar,Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep,Oct,Nov,Dec
4th Friday Tyddn Llwyn - Porthmadog 5pm ~ Apr,May,Jun,Jul,Aug,Sep
5th Tuesday Black Rock Beach Club - Morfa Bychan 8.30pm ~ Apr,Jul,Sep

The Travelling Session.   Contact 01766 514 811  email: via website, https://musicbars.co.uk ;     www.facebook.com/groups/tremadogmusic

Friday 11th April.  Bob and Gill Berry . Another well attended guest night at the Black Diamond, We welcomed back Bob and Gilll Berry , who were the main organisers of Chippenham Folk festival for a number of years. They performed a variety of songs mainly from the Wiltshire area. Quite a few of the songs were from The Alfred William collection. Bob mentioned that many of the songs he sings were influenced by his parents, Len and Barbara Berry. A lively night, with plenty of opportunities to join in the choruses. 

Friday May 9th. Saw a full house as the Black Diamond welcomed Bob Fox as our guest for the evening, and it lived up to be a fantastic night of music and song. He sang a variety of songs from various projects in which he has been involved including Radio ballads, Pitmen Poets and Warhorse the Musical. Quite a few of his songs originated from the north eastern area of U K from where he was born.     Alan Franklin

• TSF Spring Conference, ‘Song and a Sense of Place’ was held on 26 April 2025 with the support of the Contemporary Folklore Research Centre. This was an in-person event, though three of the presentations had been recorded beforehand. More than forty people booked places and it was a very enjoyable day with lots of time for networking and discussion among those who attended. Videos of all the presentations are now available on YouTube. You can find the playlist of the four sessions using this link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEFtLCJWnIFZ6_pqD1SUp5UlNRR2eozWa
• Roy Palmer Lecture 2025 -  This year’s Roy Palmer Lecture will be by Jon Boden. 

     The title of Jon’s talk will be 'The Folk Revival - a view from the middle’. In it he will reflect on the ups and downs of an extraordinary cultural movement and make the case for optimism with the green shoots or revival constantly pushing up through – young singers and musicians who are now the generation below him, and who were born a hundred years after Cecil Sharp heard John England singing ‘The Seeds of Love’.   The talk will, again, be given during the Whitby Folk Week, and we are indebted to the organisers for their continued support for the Roy Palmer Lecture. The event will be held on 12:00 on Wednesday 20 August in the Coliseum (1B Victoria Pl, Whitby YO21 1EZ). There will be no charge for admission.
You can see more about Jon’s talk, and about past Roy Palmer Lectures, on the website, http://www.roypalmerlecture.org.

⇒ Message 07436 588982, Email: penlington.sian55<at>gmail.com,  Instagram/Facebook @sianrobbluegrass

⊕ Lively Old-Time country and early Bluegrass, gorgeous harmonies and skilled interpretations of songs and tunes calling on their own Scots-Irish roots.
These Purbeck Rising 2025 finalists deliver an authentic sound driven by guitars, mandolin, clawhammer banjo and percussive step dancing.  [May 2025, new members]