Like picking up with a childhood sweetheart after a lifetime apart, I began attending folk clubs again about 3 or 4 years ago and found, much to my surprise and delight, that not much had changed. Many performers were still playing the same shanties, jigs and reels, along with a smattering of nostalgic folk trying to remember the lyrics to Tom Paxton, Ralph McTell or Ewan McColl numbers. But, everyone was very friendly and civilised and, since tobacco is banned in public places, the old dives are often now quite pleasant places to sit awhile (though some clubs must compete with rowdy football fans and karaoke from the main bar). Anyway, below is a list of places I’ve visited – in no special order:
Birtley FC – Wednesdays at The Catholic Club, Birtley Lane, DH3 ILJ. SA. Small, friendly, select gathering of mostly unaccompanied singers. The first time I attended I was the only one with an instrument but everyone was very appreciative. Long established club.
South Shields FC – Sundays at the Customs House Arts Centre, South Shields. Quite large club with regular guests. Mostly traditional but not exclusively. Excellent venue.
The Bridge FC – Mondays at the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne. Well run club with regular guests and Folk Degree students often attending. Long established.
Cramlington FC – Tuesdays at the Concordia Leisure Centre, Forum Way, Cramlington. Long established and well organised club with regular guests (once or twice per month). Good PA.
Ashington FC – 1st & 3rd Thursdays every month. The Portland, Station Road, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 8HG. Very friendly and supportive club that encourages all styles of music and even poetry (good). PA.
The Beamish Mary FC – Thursdays at The Beamish Mary Inn, No Place, Co Durham. MC’d and organised by singer-songwriter Jack Burness. His sometimes caustic humour keeps things up-beat when performers flag (or say or do anything Jack can make a joke about). Regular guests but floor singers usually get two numbers. Good PA.
Tyne Folk FC – Thursdays at the Black Bull, Blaydon. Fairly select SA – mostly traditional singers – but friendly and supportive.
Netherton FC – Saturdays, once per month, at Netherton Memorial Hall (no bar – bring own drink). Well attended events with wide range of music. A bit of a schlep to get to and find but worth it – appreciative audience of mostly not singers.
Berkeley FC – Wednesdays at The Berkeley Tavern, Whitley Bay, NE26 1LY. Good humoured SA. Varies a lot from week to week depending on who turns up. Gerry Beldon the good humoured MC.
Stranraer FC – Wednesdays, The Swan Inn, Stranraer, Scotland. SA. The home of Luce Women – a collective of talented musicians playing a mixture of mainly Scottish traditional and self-penned songs and tunes. Has links with The Berkeley Tavern – the two clubs occasionally visiting one another.
Durham City FC – Thursdays at The Tap & Spile, Framwellgate Moor, DH1 5EE. SA. I’ve only been once when there were just half a dozen singers but friendly and appreciative.
Foggy Furze FC – Tuesdays at The Atheneum Club, Church Street, Hartlepool, TS24 7DH. SA. A good range of styles and abilities. Friendly and supportive. Good reception to visitors.
The Monkey FC – Sundays at The Monkseaton Arms, Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, NE25 8DP. SA. Run by the ubiquitous Dave Minikin (also of The Bridge). Range of styles and abilities.
Topsham FC – Thursdays at The Globe Inn, Topsham, Exeter. I visited here on holiday (June 2013) and had a great night in the barn-like venue. Various styles and abilities but generally a good standard. Very appreciative.
Teignmouth FC – last Sunday of month at The Devon Arms Hotel, Teignmouth, Devon. SA. Also visited on holiday. In a crowded bar but audience respectful to all comers. Excellent evening.
The Dolphin FC – Sundays at The Dolphin Inn, King Edward Road, North Shields. SA. Fairly select crowd but good humoured. Wide range of styles and abilities.
Chillingham FC – (Now closed) Was alternate Fridays at The Chillingham Arms, Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. SA. Just near my home, this was the first folk club I’d visited in at least 20 years (maybe 30) and found the fairly select crowd very welcoming. The rather erratic dates seemed to confuse people however and the club’s attendance dwindled – then the organisers dropped out. Sad, but many clubs hang on by a thread – basically by the good will of a dedicated few.
Bluestone FC – (Now closed) Was Sundays at The Delaval Arms, Old Hartley. SA. Many people from the Chilly also went here. It closed when the pub could not afford a music licence (I believe) but Dave Minikin moved it to the Monkey (without such organisers working for love not money there’d be no folk scene despite many talented performers out there. Without venues and an audience there are no clubs.)