We are always pleased to receive news items relating to folk arts in the region, but we cannot always guarantee to include them here. Concise, relevant copy with full contact details is particularly welcome, especially if you can also supply a photograph or other illustration.

See Also Clubs & Sessions News

FOLK21 Yorkshire Regional Day and Showcase Concert

Saturday March 31st 2012 from 2.00pm onwards at The Music Room, St John’s Place, Cleckheaton. BD19 3RR

Club Organisers, small venue artistic directors and all the makers and shakers from the Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire (Formerly Humberside) region are invited to an afternoon conference and evening showcase to discuss the ways in which co operative efforts might be used to support and assist guest booking venues across the region. So come armed with ideas and be prepared to take some away from this first regional day event developed by “FOLK21”

For further information and to reserve your place at the daytime conference please contact Jacey Bedford on artisan@artisan-harmony.com

The day time conference is to be followed by an evening showcase concert open to organisers and wider members of the public featuring Heretique, Vicky Swan and Johnny Dyer, Sarah McQuaid and Dylan Owen. Tickets for the evening concert are £10 and available from The Music Room – Tel: 01274 879768; Email: info@themusicroom-online.co.uk Please note that those organisers who reserve a place at and attend the daytime conference will also gain free entry into the evening showcase concert.
Item added 09 / 02 / 12

The Live Music Bill

The Live Music Bill has had its report stage and third reading and was passed. So after the Live Music Bill comes into force, venue owners will not require a costly upfront licence for music. John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, points out that controls - via the alcohol licence – can still apply to the wider environment in which the pub or club hosting the live music operates. This means that pubs and clubs should be able to host live music without being singled out for extra costs and unnecessary licensing burdens - but if venues fail to act responsibly then licensing authorities can bring them to book more or less as now, with the clear threat of imposed conditions, fines and even prison sentences for licensees.
This information is as supplied by H.M. Government, In all legal matters you are advised to take qualified legal advice.

Item added 03/2/12

KITCHEN SONGS

In April and May, Maggie Boyle will be visiting twelve great songwriters in their homes, to talk to them about their work and to record some of their music. She will be joined on her travels by David Crickmore of BBC Radio Leeds (and co-presenter/producer of The Durbervilles Folk & Roots Show), who will supply expert technical support - and jolly company!
The setting for these interviews will be kitchens the length and breadth of the country. In Maggie's view, these hubs of domesticity are the most natural and traditional places to encourage a relaxed sharing of music and ideas.
In the main, the songwriters (some of whom will be very familiar to folk fans) began their work in the late 60s/early 70s, and they have all in different ways affected Maggie's attitudes to contemporary song - and to what a traditional singer such as herself should regard as 'suitable' material to include in her repertoire. "It's very much a personal journey, visiting people that I have come to know in the course of my musical life."
You are invited to www.kitchensongs.org.uk to follow the stories from 5th April. Travels and interviews will unfold over the following few weeks. It is intended that the project will continue beyond the work of the first dozen, to include songs and stories of later generations of songwriters and, hopefully, those from further afield.

January 2012

Folk 21 (Folk for the 21st. Century)

Folk 21 is a newly formed organisation who aim to sustain and develop a vibrant "guest booking" folk scene in the UK. They aim to do this through a range of activities which involve collaboration between folk clubs and the provision of help, advice and information to club organisers and performers.
You can find more information on their web site at http://folk4all.net/folk21index.htm including information on organising and running a folk club and a survey of audience views.
Amongst other initiatives a regional folk day is planned for club orgainisers in Yorkshire during the spring. More information to follow.

Item added 24/01/12

Whitby Spring Session postponed for 2012

Due to the Queen's Diamond jubilee celebrations and changes to the May bank holiday dates the Whitby Spring Session (What used to be "Moor and Coast" has had to be cancelled for 2012. The event will be back in 2013 on the original early May Bank Holiday weekend.

Item added January 2012

Grace Notes Celebrate 20 Years

In 2012 Maggie, Lynda and Helen will have been singing in harmony together for 20 years. Their first ever song was Kirsty McColl’s “Don’t Come the Cowboy with Me Sonny Jim” which they learnt for a Cowboy Night at the local club, Bacca Pipes Folk Club, Keighley. It must have been fun because 20 years on they are still enjoying singing and performing together.

To celebrate this anniversary they are releasing a CD, ‘20’, on the Fellside Label in March. The CD has 8 new tracks and 12 of their favourites from four previous CDs - 20 songs for there 20th anniversary.

They have also researched and performed ‘A Women’s Work’, a presentation of songs and stories about women’s work through time, including traditional and contemporary material, which spans 5 centuries.

Says Maggie “We would like to thank everybody who has supported us over the years by coming to our gigs, buying our CDs or by booking us. We have made a lot of good friends through our music and have certainly enjoyed the 2 decades. We look forward to many more years of making music together. Maybe 20 more years might be pushing it but you never know!”

Item added January 2012

Rattlejag Morris shortlisted for EPIC AWARD

Rattlejag Morris, based just over the border in Retford, North Notts, is one of only seven groups in England to be shortlisted for an EPIC award - http://epicawards.co.uk/shortlist/ - and the only English traditional side too. They need your support with as many votes as possible before 16th January.

When this country is ignoring its music and dance heritage in this Olympic year, help them to fly the flag,

Vote at http://epicawards.co.uk/shortlist/

If you have any queries, please contact Jayne Rose on enquiries@rattlejagmorris.org.uk or on Rattlejag's Facebook page.

Folkwaves Returns!

"UK Folk Music" was approached by presenter Mick Peat in September of 2011 and asked if it would be possible to host Folkwaves on their website. To accommodate the show, they have had a complete re-design and moved to a new server where more features are available.

The new-look website launched on November 17th 2011. For more details about the return of Folkwaves, please check out the website, FOLKWAVES at UK Folk Music: http://www.ukfolkmusic.co.uk/folkwaves.php

To ensure the continuation of the programme, they need as much support as possible; the whole project will be huge and coverage will be national - not just for the East Midlands as was the original show from Radio Derby.

Item added Dec. 2011

Stubblejumpers Ceilidh Band to Disband

Scunthorpe based Stubblejumpers Ceilidh Band is disbanding after 32 years of performing both for dances and concerts.

The band wish to thank everyone who has supported them over the years and are holding a farewell ceilidh which will take place on Saturday 28th January at Brumby Hall, Scunthorpe. Tickets will be available from Pauls Music and band members. Price & details will follow in NEW YEAR.

Item added 5/12/11

Jacey Bedford Short Story

Some of you may not be aware that Jacey Bedford, member of Artisan and proprietor of Jacey Bedford Tour Management, is also a talented writer. Her latest short story, 'The Loneliness of the Long Distance Panda' is out this week in Nature Magazine (their 'Futures' section.). You can read it free at http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v479/n7373/full/479438a.html or listen to the podcast. at Http://www.nature.com/nature/podcast/index-futures-2011-11-17.html

Government Consultation on the Licensing Act

The Government has announced another consultation on the Licensing Act. This one proposes that pubs, clubs and other small venues offering live music should no longer have to apply for an entertainment license.

If you agree, please share this information and send your opinions to :

regulated_entertainment_consultation@culture.gsi.gov.uk

A suggested format appears below, please feel free to copy and paste it if it saves you time.

I am writing to voice my own support for the proposals to cut red tape for live music.
I remain of the opinion that the inclusion of regulated entertainment in the Licensing Act 2003 is not necessary and that its inclusion has greatly increased bureaucracy for very little benefit
to the licensing objectives.
.At the very least, I hope that this consultation will result in an exemption for small venues putting on live music with fewer than 200 people in attendance. I also support the proposals outlined in Lord Clement-Jones' Live Music Bill.

Item added 22/11/11

Film news for folk lovers!

Contrast/brilliance* celebrates North Yorkshire’s heritage and traditions through archive film and television, with a series of events and screenings across the County. The wealth of screenings and events can be seen at www.cineyorkshire.co.uk/contrast/brilliance - and here are two specially selected films that may be of particular interest to anyone who loves to explore and enjoy folk music and traditions.

Here’s A Health To The Barley Mow

Friday 30th September, 6.30 pm 2011

Hambleton Forum Cinema, Hambleton Forum, Bullamoor Road, Northallerton North Yorkshire, DL6 1LP
Tickets: £5/£4 concessions book on 01609 776230 or pay on the door

Celebrating a century of folk customs and ancient rural games, this new compilation of archive film from the British Film Institute is a loving and fascinating document of English cultural traditions. From sword dancing to Shrovetide football, gurning competitions to garland days, the film is set to a stunning soundtrack by contemporary folk musicians and will be introduced by renowned folk archivist Doc Rowe, one of the directors of the contemporary footage in the selection.

http://www.cineyorkshire.co.uk/film_detail.php?ID=932

Ken Loach’s Black Jack

Thursday, 29 Sep, 7:00 PM 2011

Galtres Centre, Market Square, Easingwold, YO61 3AE
Tickets: Adult £4.50, Children £3.00 , Booking: 01347 822 472 or on the door

An award winning gem from acclaimed director Ken Loach, subject of a BFI retrospective this year, Black Jack is an adaptation of Leon Garfield’s novel, set in 1750s Yorkshire. Filmed in North Yorkshire, the story follows teenage boy Tolly’s adventures as he goes on the run with a French prisoner – beautifully shot, with an authentic folk soundtrack, this is a rare opportunity to see a historical children’s drama from this master of cinema.

Black Jack will be shown with the 1903 film of Alice In Wonderland. Made just 37 years after Lewis Carroll wrote his novel and eight years after the birth of cinema, the adaptation was directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow, and was based on Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations.

http://www.cineyorkshire.co.uk/film_detail.php?ID=937

Item Added Sept. 27 2011

NEW RADIO STATION FOR UNSIGNED ACTS

SongwriterRadio.org is a new Internet Radio Station launched by Wye Creek Music Community Group a recently formed not-for-profit organisation set up in Bakewell Derbyshire by songwriters Tony Godbehere and Mike Evans.

Wye Creek Music was set up as a platform to promote unknown and unsigned songwriters and groups using the power of digital technology. The organisation operates a digital only record label and now has launched a new Internet only Radio Station http://www.songwriterradio.org

Mike Evans stated "We believe that it's the first duty of any songwriter or group to get their music heard. But the traditional music business is very cut-throat and only a tiny fraction of the amount of great new music generated ever gets heard outside a close circle of friends of the artist. But, with the power of digital technology and the internet we want to break down these barriers and give everyone the chance to get their music out there and heard."

Tony Godbehere says ' if unknown and unsigned songwriters and bands have gone to the trouble and cost of recording their music , they deserve to get played. If they send them to us ... we will play them. !

We are happy to receive all genres as long as it's original and they own the copyright. Initially contact us by emailing submissions@songwriterradio.org but don't send any music until we ask. We don't want our email system blocked.

But what about songwriters who don’t have anything recorded yet?

Mike Evans replied " Well , on Monday 12 September at 7pm we are holding a free live recording session for singer-songwriters at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, in Bakewell. We will turn this session into a Radio Show for Broadcast and we may also release selected songs on an Album on the Wye Creek Label . Check out our website for more details http://www.wyecreekmusic.co.uk "

Aug 2011

Mike Waterson R.I.P.

It is with much sadness that we report the death Mike Waterson who has died of cancer, aged 70. A link to the Guardian obituary can be found at http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jun/22/mike-waterson-obituary

THE WATERSON FAMILY - LIVE AT HULL TRUCK

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Watersons, the Hull-born folk group whose success over the years has earned them countless awards and accolades and the title of Britain’s First Family of Folk.

To celebrate the anniversary a two-hour film is to be released on June 13 featuring a rare home-town appearance by the Waterson Family at Hull Truck Theatre - an event already described by Radio 2 presenter, Mike Harding, as “the folk event of the decade”.

This unique home coming concert - their first in Hull for 25 years - brought together the original Watersons, Norma and Mike, plus Norma’s husband, Martin Carthy and their daughter Eliza, Mike’s wife Ann, their daughters Rachel and Eleanor, and the son and daughter of the late Lal Waterson, Oliver Knight and Marry Waterson

Together the extended family performed no less than 21 songs from their rich and varied repertoire, including “White Cockade”, "Bright Phoebus", "Fine Horseman", "Some Old Salty", "Shallow Brown" and "Three Day Millionaire", all of which are featured in the film.

Part-funded by Hull City Council, the film also includes exclusive interviews with members of the family at their home in Robin Hoods Bay; creating a fascinating career retrospective of the life and times of England’s first family of folk.

The film will be given its first public screening on Saturday June 18 as part of the “film fringe” at the Beverley Folk Festival (from 4.25pm in the Club Room) when it will be preceded by a short live set from Martin Carthy. Earlier in the day (at 11.30am) there’ll be a screening of the 1965 BBC documentary about the Watersons, Travelling for a Living.

The Waterson Family - Live at Hull Truck DVD will be available shortly from HMV outlets and website, Amazon and selected independent record shops.
Item Added 13/06/11

Call for Papers: Mummers' Symposium on 'Aspects of Performance'

A call for papers has been issued for a one day academic symposium on the theme 'Aspects of performance' to be held on the 18th Nov.2011 as part of the International Mummers Unconvention, Bath. The Unconvention will be a celebration of all things mumming, with a clear emphasis on performances and workshops. The symposium will provide an opportunity for folk play practitioners and researchers to share their work.

The Symposium seeks interesting papers, footage with accompanying commentary, small exhibitions and poster submissions.

The full Call for Papers is available at: http://mastermummers.org/blog/?p=123. It includes an initial list of interesting questions that contributors might like to consider, and provides details of how to make submissions.

The symposium will be hosted by the Department of Performing Arts at Bath Spa University on their historic Newton Park campus, and will be based in the University Theatre.

Latest news and announcements for the main International Mummers Unconvention can be found on the Unconvention website at: http://mummersunconvention.wordpress.com/

Symposium Leaders:

Prof. Peter Harrop (University of Chester)

Dr. Peter Millington (University of Nottingham)

Prof. Mike Pearson (University of Aberystwyth)

Item added June 2011

TAKE THE FESTIVAL TRAIN TO BEVERLEY

Beverley Folk and Roots Festival and Northern Rail are getting together for an environmental initiative aimed at encouraging folk fans to take the train.

It will mean that in future festival-goers who travel to Beverley by Northern Rail will be able to claim a 10% discount on their tickets.

The partnership forms part of the festival policy of promoting issues of sustainability and the environment. It is already developing its recycling policy and this year aims to ensure that festival food on offer is both organic and locally sourced.

“We’re trying to reduce the carbon footprint of the festival and those attending,” explained Artistic Director, Chris Wade, “and the partnership with Northern Rail will mark a major step forward in encouraging people to leave their cars at home.”

For their part, Northern Rail will help promote the festival through leaflets on railway stations in the region, publicity via their web site and magazine, and an E-newsletter to all Northern Rail staff.

In addition the festival will be given special permission for folk singers and musicians to promote the annual event by performing on key railway stations in the area in the run up to the festival weekend of June 17th to 19th

The discount on festival tickets will not apply until the 2012 festival but fans travelling by Northern Rail to this year’s event will be able to claim their discount for next year by producing their rail ticket when they check in at the Information Desk/Box Office.

They’ll then be given a letter and promotion code which will enable them to claim their 10% discount whenever they book tickets for next year.

Item added 8/6/11

Hull Shanty Festival 2011 Back on Track

The Festival is to take place at 3 venues on the Hull Waterfront: Fruitspace, Minerva and Ruscador’s.
It will obviously be on a somewhat smaller scale than the original “Sea Fever” festival, but it will be a quality event that will help to keep “Shantying” and maritime traditions alive in the City of Hull.

The new event is the result of an initiative by the licensees of the “Minerva” and “Ruscador’s” pubs on the Hull Waterfront.

A small team has been created which includes Mick McGarry, Shanty Jack, the two pub landlords and the manager of the “Fruit” venue. They are in consultation with the Hull City Council and “Hullbid” regarding various aspects of the event.

Friday evening will see a “Meet and Greet” session at the Minerva.

Saturday will be a daytime open session at the “Minerva” (Hosted by Les & Maggie) and at “Ruscador’s”, programmed half-hour artistes spots on an open air stage adjacent to the Pub.

Saturday evening a full concert will take place at the “Fruitspace” venue.

Sunday (daytime) will see a repeat of Saturday's daytime events and there will be a “Survivors’ Session” at “Ruscador’s” in the evening.

On Saturday and Sunday (daytimes) there will also be various stalls and dance displays.

Meals will be available at both pubs.

Tickets for the Saturday evening concert will be on sale shortly. Booking details to follow. Events at the “Minerva” and “Ruscador’s” are free. further details from Mick McGarry on 07835 082314 or visit http://www.shanty.co.uk/hullshantyfestival2011.htm

Pub in need of a folk club

I am Nic Breeze, the manager of the Beckwood pub in Bottesford Scunthorpe, and we have a function room sitting very empty on weekdays just waiting for something like a folk club to take up residence. We would love it if there are any clubs or like minded people out there to come and see us and maybe start a regular night here. We can boast a very friendly atmosphere and a private area away from the main bar, with its own bar! Please get in touch with me Nic Breeze at nicholasbreeze@btopenworld.com, or 01724 277716

April 2011

Malcolm Douglas 1955 - 2009 We are deeply saddened at the loss of one of our number, Malcolm Douglas, an invaluable member of the Yorkshire Folk Arts' management team from its inception. In addition to designing, setting up and maintaining the YFA website Malcolm could always be relied upon to contribute thoughtful, knowledgeable and very sensible observations to all of our discussions and planning sessions. His fondness for good beer and debate were among the many other attributes that made for an enjoyable colleague and all-round excellent bloke. He will be sorely missed.

Three of Malcolm's good friends have written the following words which we are glad to reproduce below. Martin Bull, Chairman, for all of YFA Malcolm Douglas Our friend Malcolm Douglas, who has died from cancer aged 54, had many talents, but two in particular brought him to national prominence. He had a compendious knowledge and understanding of traditional folk song (mainly, but not exclusively, English folk song), and he was a renowned illustrator and comic artist. He fell into these contrasting fields by accident, but he treated them with meticulous attention to detail and a professionalism that belied his lack of formal training. He became an illustrator after volunteering to illustrate a student union newspaper at Sheffield University, and found that people were prepared to pay him to do what had hitherto been a hobby. His illustrations featured in a wide range of comics, of which the best known was Oink; he was also the illustrator of the footballing devilkin Fred the Red, for five years delighting both young and old readers of Manchester United match programmes. For the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) he revised the evergreen song collection, The Penguin Book of English Folk Songs, originally edited by Ralph Vaughan Williams and A.L. Lloyd in 1959. In his new edition, published as Classic English Folk Songs, he corrected previous errors and brought to the book a wealth of additional detail. He did the same well-researched and comprehensive review of another of the EFDSS's most successful publications, Marrow Bones, a collection of folk songs from Dorset and Hampshire, originally edited by Frank Purslow. He was working on a third, The Wanton Seed, when he succumbed to illness. He was also well-known amongst folk music enthusiasts for his contributions to the on-line forum The Mudcat Café, where he hadposted almost 9000 detailed answers to questions about the most obscure aspects of folk song and music. He was happy to point people to the sources of his knowledge and help them to find answers for themselves. Malcolm was born and brought up in South London, and after attending Trinity School of John Whitgift in Croydon, he came to Sheffield University to study French and English and stayed in the city, which he regarded as his home town. Malcolm was committed to the principle of the people's ownership of their cultural heritage and was involved in many grassroots initiatives, even expressing concern about what he saw as the over-professionalisation of the folk arts. He was co-host at Sheffield's Red Deer folk club for a decade and was active in regional organisations such as the South Riding Folk Network (SRFN) and Yorkshire Folk Arts, bringing his literary and technological skills to bear in maintaining websites for both organisations, editing the SRFN magazine and designing the south Yorkshire folk magazine Stirrings. Malcolm was also a performer, playing fiddle, mandolin and cittern with various concert and dance bands and was a familiar figure at music sessions in and around Sheffield. He never married, but is survived byhis mother and brother Ian. Ron Day, Dave Eyre and Raymond Greenoaken.