FolkAroundFishponds

Folk Around Fishponds is an acoustic folk club held once a month in Fishponds, on the second Tuesday of each month. Next folk night is our Xmas Special on Tuesday 9th December 2008 from 7.30 pm. Guests are the ever-popular Hotwells Howlers who will be doing a selection of festive folk songs and carols from down the ages. Lots of regulars also doing their favourite Xmas-related songs. There will also be a bring-and-share buffet, so arrive early before all the food is gone! Venue is as usual upstairs at the Cross Keys, Fishponds Road - opposite the DSS building. Free entrance. Good ales at the bar and friendly landlords (on a good night...)

As its name implies it has moved venues over the years of its existence and in the last year or so has been held at the Cross Keys, The Portcullis and briefly The Star pub on Fishponds Road. We seem to be settled now (touch wood) at the Cross Keys - many thanks to landlords Gerry & Margaret for their wonderful hospitality.

Every now and then there is a special guest performer or group. It's held in "Open Stage" style and if you fancy coming along to perform you'll be more than welcome. All styles welcome from traditional folk to blues, gospel, show songs or pop. Musicians and listeners all welcome. Good ales at the bar. Free entrance.

Reviews from some previous Folk Around Fishponds nights:

2008

November 11th: November's folk night coincided with Armistice Day, so there were a fair few poignant songs in the air, which is as it should be. Colin especially was in his element with some classic anti-war songs such as "Universal Soldier" and "The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". Thankfully there were also some lively and amusing ones too, so that we didn't spend the whole evening weeping into our beer....!

August 12th: Although a few regulars were away on their summer hols (including myself), there was a grand turn out for this balmy summer's night of music - or do I mean barmy. Highlights being Ed's new one man blues band act. As one of the absentees, I hope to see Ed's new act very soon.

July 8th: July's Folk Around Fishponds was a cracking evening - featuring the all-singing, all-dancing Bristol Shantymen. I particularly liked the songs with a local theme, and the hornpipe dancing was a treat to behold. Thanks a lot guys!

29th April: Dallas Does Fishponds! The extra Folk Around Fishponds date on Tues 29th April featured guest Karl Dallas. This was a special evening arranged by Folk Around Fishponds' founder member Richard Bond, designed to feature 60's poet, singer, journalist & social commentator Karl Dallas, who is touring the area. It was quite a quiet evening - attendance not helped by unfortunate clashes with European football matches (myself guilty as charged...).... I turned up for the second half of the evening & was taken by Karl's natural & humerous style, with very interesting narratives to introduce each song. My personal favourites of his were a nice love ballad "Long May the Sun Shine" and his version of "The Foggy Foggy Dew". See http://karldallas.com for more info. Karl has reached the grand age of 75, and on his web-site amongst other things you can sign his petition to extend the free travel rights of pensioners. More photos from this evening in the Photo Gallery below.

2007

July 10th: This was the 8th anniversary of the club, and to celebrate the occasion we invited local folk club favourites The Willbees along. John & Humph sang a smashing mix of songs - from The Everly Brothers to Jake Thackray, with a couple of their own compositions thrown in for good measure. Great music & great fun! The photo opposite shows them in schoolboy mode while performing "Valerie Wilkins". You can listen to some of the Willbees on their web-site www.willbees.co.uk or their myspace site www.myspace.com/willbees. Thanks a lot guys!

As well as the regular performers, also making an appearance was founder member of the club Paul, now living in Birmingham, who came down for the occasion and played some lovely songs - my favourite being Dougie Maclean's "Caledonia". More pictures from this evening, and previous folk nights, below.

June 12th: Nice to see everyone at June's Folk Around Fishponds night at the Cross Keys. Although we started the evening outside in the garden, we unanimously moved inside just before 9pm when the evening air started to get a bit too chilly....oh well, we'll try again in July and see how the weather goes on the night.

Jan 8th: The first Folk Around Fishponds of 2007. And what a night it was! Flamenco guitar and prog rock piano! Wow! OK, not strictly folk music but who cares!

2006

December 12th: This was a Christmas special and featured special guests The Hotwells Howlers. The Howlers presented a wonderful evening of varied songs and tunes with a winter/Christmas theme. Particular favourites were lovely versions of "The Holly and the Ivy" and "The Boar's Head Carol". The Howlers have a new CD available "Angels A-Shouting" containing all the songs performed. All proceeds from sale of the CD go to Cancer Research UK. For more information on the Howlers see their web-site.

November 14th: A smashing evening, nice to see Joy up and singing too. My personal favourite was the acapella "Down to the River to Pray" from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" splendidly done by The Fodderettes....! Dave Williams' country narrative/song will have to have another airing too!

October 10th: folk night was a cracking evening - I thought that Cannon Fodder were on top form!! Keep those jigs and reels going....Nice to see the Knockout Ginger ladies back in good voice too.

September 12th: Folk Around Fishponds at the Cross Keys. We were back upstairs again after the heady days of July and August where we played out in the lovely garden at the back. There were some nice performances from relative newcomer Pete Willis and also a "Fishponds first" with Dave Hooper playing the in-house organ on a couple of the Swampmen songs. Look out for more from Dave and his organ in future folk nights.

August 8th: August's folk night in the Cross Keys garden was a brilliant night! The weather held for the barbecue and so we could again set up stage in the lovely garden setting. Lots of people there, some great performers, a great night all round. I thought it quite poetic that the rain started to fall just after closing time! More photos in the gallery below.

July 18th - We started off in the upstairs room at The Cross Keys as usual but swiftly adjourned to the lovely garden. It was a glorious summer's evening with some suitably glorious music. More photos in the gallery below.

July 11th - upstairs at the Portcullis, on Fishponds Road. Special guests The Harry Browns - regarded as the premier shanty & maritime group in the Bristol & West area. Check out their web-site www.harrybrowns.org.uk A great evening.

If you're not already on the club's email list you can be kept informed of future dates by sending a message to swampmen@blueyonder.co.uk

18/01/2009