We are at: Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road, Pontyclun, Rhondda Cynon Tâf, Cymru / Wales CF72 9EH

 

Welcome to Llantrisant Folk Club, the acoustic hot-spot for the Llantrisant area. The Club is run by dedicated volunteers, who all share a love of performing together, be it traditional or contemporary music or spoken verse – We have some great singers and musicians, plus some stupendous and witty poets and reciters!

The Club’s symbol is Dr William Price of Llantrisant, the great 19th-century free thinker, social fighter, druid and cremation pioneer. There’s a larger-than-life-size statue of Dr Price in Llantrisant Bullring, gazing out to Caerlan Fields, scene of his first ground-breaking act of defiance where he cremated the body of his baby son, Iesu Grist Price. The Club’s first haven was The New Inn in Swan Street, Llantrisant, but nowadays we’re based in nearby Pontyclun, at The Athletic Club in Palalwyf Avenue/Castan Road.

You don‘t have to become a member – but if you do, you become entitled to a range of benefits including reduced admission fees and the chance to take part in trips and special events. A newsletter is e-mailed to all members.

The club welcomes families and has produced a string of young performers. We’re proud of our achievements as we celebrate our more than 42 years – We’ve staged more than 3,000 guest concerts from all over the world and brought to our part of Glamorgan a sense of culture and purpose.

 

‘Leader Of The Club, Mistress Of The Charm…’

 

(With a doff of the cap and sincere apologies to Claude-Michel Schönberg, Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, who composed, devised and adapted Victor Hugo’s book Les Miserables; this is Master Of The House… )

Greetings folkies,
Just come inside.
Right to the front,
Don’t go and hide.
First time here?
Sit yourself down.
Welcome to the Folk Club
Of Llantrisant town.
Pat takes charge,
She runs the club just fine,
Fixing the raffle,
Drinking all the wine.
Leader of the Club,
Mistress of the charm,
Lots of double meanings
But she means no harm.

Over there is Greg,
Sitting by the door.
He’ll play for you,
Leave you wanting more.
At the back is Mick,
Edits our website
Or sings you a shanty
Any time of night.
Moving on to Judy,
Her head’s full of song,
She loves all those ballads
Telling right from wrong.
There’s Chris and Chris
And Barry twice –
All music makers
Worth the highest price.

Pat takes charge,
She runs the club just fine,
Fixing the raffle,
Drinking all the wine.
Leader of the Club,
Mistress of the charm,
Lots of double meanings
But she means no harm.

Watch out for Ann,
If you decide to join,
Before the break is over
She’ll have your coin.
Olly’s no better either,
Waiting at the door:
“Pay up, pay up” –
It’s the folk club law.
Ned is at the side
Sitting next to Pat,
He sings and plays
And says where it’s at.

Pat takes charge,
She runs the club just fine,
Fixing the raffle,
Drinking all the wine.
Leader of the Club,
Mistress of the charm,
Lots of double meanings
But she means no harm.

Better not forget
Our many storytellers,
Clever raconteurs:
Women and ‘fellers’;
Writing thoughtful prose
And very funny verse.
It’s not always good
But it could be worse.
Players to my left,
Singers over here,
Drinking up their scotch
And wine and beer.
They’ll join in
And cheer or shout;
A very happy lot,
Without a doubt.

Pat takes charge,
She runs the club just fine,
Fixing the raffle,
Drinking all the wine.
Leader of the Club,
Mistress of the charm,
Lots of double meanings
But she means no harm.

Steve Lamb
(narrativesandthelike.blogspot.com)

 Forthcoming Events