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THE MUSIC DIARY…

Welcome to our wonderful Folk Club, which is staging live shows every Wednesday in Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club, Castan Road/Palalwyf Avenue CF72 9EH, at 8.30pm. 

Our Zoomaround sessions are held on the first Tuesday of each month (8.15pm for 8.30pm) – https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89787380016 Meeting ID: 897 8738 0016 – no password. We hope to see you there.

Wednesdays when no guest is listed are S&M (Song and Music) nights, where everyone is welcome.  £3 entry – come along and join us. (Remember to pay ONLY IN CASH – thank you!)

June 11, 2025: A Different Thread

British-Americana troubadours A Different Thread create a richly emotive tapestry of transatlantic folk. Singer-songwriters Robert Jackson (Midlands, UK) and Alicia Best (North Carolina) first met while busking in Ireland. Their chance encounter sparked a musical journey that has spanned over nine years, a dozen countries, and three studio albums—capturing the love of two folk singers chasing their dreams on the road.

Their original songs weave Celtic balladry and Appalachian blues, featuring fiddle, harmonica, and an abundance of honeyed harmonies. Following in the footsteps of Johnny Cash and June Carter, Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, and Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, A Different Thread’s unique sound has earned them acclaim for their powerful storytelling and moving live performances. Watch their video, ‘Ode to the Leaving of Liverpool’. 

“Warm, deep songwriters who have drank from the well of 20th century folk tradition” – Folk Radio UK

(£8 entry, £5 members)

June 25, 2025: Hilary Spencer

Hilary holds the enviable record as Llantrisant Folk Club’s most invited and most well-loved artist; she’s been captivating our audience many, many times, and we do want to see her again!

She is well-known as “That Voice” in award-winning British a cappella trio Artisan, now taking a well-earned rest; she also joined Les Barker’s wonderful and totally barmy Mrs Ackroyd Band in 1997, and continues to perform with Alison Younger and Chris Harvey as MrsAckroyd. In 2002, Hilary joined forces with the amazing and extraordinarily talented singer songwriter and guitarist Grant Baynham as Quicksilver; festival crowds regarded them as a welcome high spot, until Grant’s tragically early passing in July 2022. Now Hilary is on her own again – and the Folk Club wants to revel in “That Voice” one more time! 

(£8 entry, £5 members)

July 16, 2025: Dave Gibb

Dave Gibb describes himself as “Left handed, balding, post menopausal, songwriting folky from  Scotland’s highest village.” A singer of songs and a teller of tales from the hills of Wanlockhead, Dumfries & Galloway, who happily fingerpicks his way through life’s travails. Songs funny or sad, happy or grim, meaningful or meaningless played fast or slow – sometimes both at the same time. He likes a giggle, and in fact he’s a wonderful guitarist as well. Please watch him on video.

  (£8 entry, £5 members)

July 23, 2025: Patakas (Joe and Will Sartin)

Joe and Will Sartin, two talented brothers behind the assured folk duo Patakas (pronounced Pa-ta-kus) are rapidly making a name for themselves on the folk festival scene  having only started their musical collaboration just two years ago. Combining Will’s dexterous mandolin, bouzouki and fiddle playing with Joe’s expressive guitar and sublime vocals, the duo creates a captivating and heartfelt acoustic sound, rooted in the tradition of music-making that runs through the core of their family.

Their EP, Whenever You’re Ready, was made during the six months after their well-loved father Paul Sartin, passed away. An esteemed and prolific folk musician, violinist, oboist, singer, composer, Paul was a founding member of award-winning folk bands Bellowhead, Faustus and Belshazzar’s Feast. Joe and Will’s maternal grandfather, Doug Bailey, recorded and produced this album at Wild Goose Studios in Hampshire, thereby bringing things full circle for the family; their father’s own debut record with Belshazzar’s Feast was recorded with Doug at the same studio in 1996.

Will and Joe explain further: “This EP is so important to both of us. After the loss of our father, we spent a lot of time reminiscing childhood memories together with our eldest brother, and the vast majority of those were times we spent playing or singing together. We realised that music has not only been something we’ve always loved doing, but has also created so many strong bonds and incredible memories, whether that was with direct family or friends that we consider family. So, in this spirit we compiled the songs and tunes that we feel really captured strong memories for us.

“It was always a dream of Dad’s to have us perform together as a trio, but alas time and life got in the way and we only once made this a reality – a rainy but wonderful outdoor concert in August 2020 at The Oval Tavern in Croydon, where we were billed as ‘Sartin & Sons’. We felt we owed Dad and ourselves the chance to create some great music. We couldn’t think of a better way than to come together under the name Patakas, which was his old University nickname.” 

(£8 entry, £5 members)

August 6, 2025: Les Barker Tribute Night

(£3 entry)

August 13, 2025: Sian & Rob Colquhoun

Sian and Rob are an acoustic duo based in the southwest of England; they perform a dynamic repertoire largely drawn from Old-Time country music and Bluegrass. With close harmonies accompanied on guitar, mandolin, clawhammer banjo, autoharp and harmonica, they are skilled interpreters of songs and tunes calling on a rich tradition encompassing their own Scots-Irish roots.

Sian is an experienced singer and musician, known for her velvet vocals and gorgeous harmonies. She plays guitar, autoharp and harmonica. Following a career as a TV and radio journalist, she began working as a full-time musician in 2008. She founded Sing Alive community choirs and the White Doves peace choir. Sian has also led large choirs, including Bristol Voices and the Walcot State Choir, running singing workshops and scratch festival choirs. Rob is a guitar player, singer-songwriter, composer and tutor with more than 40 years’ experience. He’s an expert in both finger-style and flatpicking, playing his own beautifully crafted arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs. He also plays mandolin and clawhammer banjo. 

Sam Simmonds, editor of Folklife West Magazine, says: “Sian and Rob take a deep dive into Appalachian culture, and from the depths come up singing – and playing and clogging. Their empathy for the culture, and the ability to convey that musically, makes for a great performance.” 

(£8 entry, £5 members)

August 27, 2025: Dewdropper

(£8 entry, £5 members)

September 17, 2025: Showcase – Songs of Jake Thackray presented by John Prior and accompanied by Chris Dale

(DATE CHANGE – £3 entry)

September 24, 2025: Back by public demand: Something you wouldn’t normally do at a folk club

(£3 entry)

 

October 8, 2025: The Carrivick Sisters

(£8 entry, £5 members)

October 22, 2025: Culverake with Seb Stone

(£8 entry, £5 members)

November 12, 2025: Will Finn & Rosie Calvert 

(£8 entry, £5 members)

November 26, 2025: Tim Edey

(£8 entry, £5 members)

December 17, 2025: Christmas Show with Jackie Oates & John Spiers 

(£10 entry, £7 members)

March 25, 2026: Dana Robinson

A number of years ago, Llantrisant Folk Club just soaked up the authentic sounds of Americans Dana and Sue Robinson – and from Vermont, USA, Dana is back again. He’s a songwriter, guitarist and old-time fiddler who combines a warm, open-hearted singing style, with wry humour and astute observations about community and place. For over 30 years, Dana has been a fixture on the folk and acoustic music scene in the United States and the UK, playing his unique blend of songwriting with traditional influences.

Dana’s guitar playing combines British fingerstyle and Appalachian flat-picking to create his own distinctive style. His lyrics delve deep into the natural world with wonder, hope and connection earned through his years of travel and exploration across America’s rural landscapes. His new recording, The Sound of the Word, is due for an autumn 2026 release. Please enjoy his latest video, Cotton Eyed Joe, and another oldie: Shady Grove.

“Dana is a master storyteller, spinning his yarns with the precise skill of an artisan loom weaver.” (Seven Days)

“Rural America explored with elegant simplicity, his music and cleanly poetic song-writing bring to mind the great folksingers of our times.” (Asheville Citizen-Times)

(£8 entry, £5 members)

April 8, 2026:  Steve Turner

(£8 entry, £5 members)

April 22, 2026: Sarah McQuaid

(£8 entry, £5 members)

May 27, 2026: Over the Moon

(£8 entry, £5 members)

June 17, 2026: Lynne Heraud & Pat Turner

(£8 entry, £5 members)

June 24, 2026: Kenny Speirs

(DATE CHANGE – £8 entry, £5 members)

October 7, 2026: Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby

(£8 entry, £5 members)

October 21, 2026: Winter Wilson

(£8 entry, £5 members)

For past guests, click here

For booking information & general enquiries…

Pat Smith   Mick Tems
Telephone 01443 226892   Telephone 01443 201634
Mobile 07989 209824   Mobile 07531 812400
Email (click) Pat Smith   Email (click) Mick Tems