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Dr-Price-and-Folk-Club

 

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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!)

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 are two talented brothers behind the innovative folk duo Patakas (pronounced Pa-ta-kus). 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. Will dances with Five Rivers Morris and is an active member of the Sheffield folk scene; he has regularly played in the five-piece ceilidh band Out of Hand. Joe lives in his home  county of Hampshire; in addition to developing his traditional repertoire, he composes original music and manages and performs with the rock band Mojo and the Royal Restitution. 

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

Well-loved poet and zany performer Les was born in Manchester but emigrated to the village of Bwlchgwyn in North Wales. Every August, in National Eisteddfod week,  Les would compete annually, rising to the dizzy height of Welsh Learner of the Year. Sadly, Les is no longer with us – however, every year we continue to commemorate his legacy with an evening given over to his poems, monologues and crazy parodies. In essence, it’s a Song and Music Night – so bring along your favourite Les Barker item to entertain us all! Ned will be keeping a list to avoid duplication; this can happen, so PLEASE let him know in advance what you intend to perform. Start rehearsing and prepare for mirth!         

(£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

Dewdropper are the five-piece band fronted by the fabulous voice of Elaine Morgan. They have worked together and have been close friends for many, many years and are the house band at Rumney Folk Club, Cardiff.

Out of nowhere, and almost by accident, this musical venture was born – and they love every minute. Reworking traditional folk themes, five seasoned musicians – drawn from a wide cross-section of influences – have brought together their own take on this musical form.

Dewdropper are Elaine Morgan (vocals, djembe, percussion), Dave Dearnley (acoustic guitars), Kat Batchelor (fiddle), Gordon Keir (keyboards, octave mandola) and Derek Morgan (bass guitar). 

(£8 entry, £5 members)

September 17, 2025: Showcase – John Prior with  Chris Dale present Jake Thackray (mostly) Acapela

Jake Thackray was a singer-songwriter in the French tradition, a  chansonnier whose writings were convincingly and idiosyncratically English; his work is much loved in the folk scene and almost everybody. John Prior has always been a fan, occasionally regaling us with his take on one or other of Jake’s classics. Tonight he is giving us a bigger chunk of Jake’s repertoire, now and again assisted by Chris Dale on guitar.

(£3 entry)

September 24, 2025: Do Something We’re Not Expecting Night

A Song & Music Night with a difference! It’s time to break away from your usual repertoire and take us completely by surprise…

(£3 entry)

 

October 8, 2025: The Carrivick Sisters

Twin sisters Charlotte and Laura Carrivick are one of the British folk scene’s best-loved duos with a passion for old stories, American folk music – and a good cup of tea. They love playing together, singing in close harmony and absolutely delighting an audience. Charlotte and Laura have grown up in South Devon, playing music together; the stage becomes an extension of their cosy kitchen, cooking up delicious melodies and tasty instrumentals. You’ll hear lots of traditional American old time and bluegrass music and british folklore on guitars, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and dobro.

(£8 entry, £5 members)

October 22, 2025: Culverake 

Culverake is a new traditional singing trio promising gusto and harmonies a-plenty. The trio is made up of Seb Stone, Matt Quinn and Lizzy Hardingham, and together they breathe new life into timeless melodies.

Matt is a singer and instrumentalist who’s spent over 15 years performing everywhere from small folk clubs to Glastonbury and WOMAD. Primarily a mandolin and duet concertina player, he is also well known for his skills on the melodeon and as a singer, and is always in demand on the English folk scene. Known as one third of The Dovetail Trio, Matt currently works in the ceilidh bands Geckoes and The Discussion Topic, and in a mandolin/guitar duo with George Sansome (Granny’s Attic).

Folk-infused singer songwriter Lizzy sings songs that drive straight to the heart, giving audiences a chance for genuine connection and empathy. Hardingham is paving her way as a powerhouse performer, with her wonderful voice grabbing listeners from the very first note and holding on until the last. Think Christine Collister, Joni Mitchell, Sandy Denny and KT Tunstall all wrapped into one! In short, Lizzy has a dazzling combination of voice and songwriting talent that rarely appears.

Seb is a traditional singer, whistle player and uilleann piper from the Peak District. He draws on a varied repertoire of traditional English and Irish songs, focussing on the stories they have to tell, and their relevance to our modern world, singing them with “understanding, sensitivity & strength”. In 2022, he won Bromyard Folk Festival’s ‘Future of Folk’ award. Seb is also a keen session player, and when he’s not poring over broadsides or field recordings, he can be found playing sessions in Sheffield’s thriving folk scene.

Watch Culverake as they drum up an appeal to make an album!

(£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 

 

 

Ho, Ho, Ho! Jackie and John tour  their Christmas Show, an idea which was born in the dismal and uncertain 2020 lockdown and has developed into a strong tradition. They bring out their wonderful album A Midwinter’s Night; FolkWales Online Magazine awarded it five stars and called it “an utterly heartwarming and entrancing album; it’s a joyous celebration of the festive season and the New Year, a festival of light to cheer us and help us through the colder dark days.” John and Jackie devised a Christmas show during the 2020 lockdown when everyone stayed firmly housebound, and realised that it would be the perfect opportunity to raise a little warmth by making a homemade TV programme-style concert, filmed in Jackie’s living room and in rural locations around Wallingford, Wootton and Headington Quarry. The first Christmas at Home online concert was born,  and was such a success that a second concert, featuring new material, was produced in the following year. Once the covid restrictions were lifted, the duo took their Christmas Show the arts centres and folk clubs across the country – and the show has become an annual well-loved event.

(£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