WOLF FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER
Back to The Wolf Folk Club
Our first 6 months
We have now been going for nearly six whole months and it appears that we are attracting more people as each month goes by. That's great, the more people we have the stronger we are and the more certain that we can carry on. There are rumours circulating in the world of folkies that folk music is enjoying a burst of new interest after being in the doldrums for years. Are we ahead of the game or are we riding the crest of a wave? This resurgence appears to come from a couple of directions. The first, from old folkies coming back into the clubs after being out of it for many years. The second is that, there appears to be a new interest from younger folk. Folk music has suddenly become cool and trendy, although the old-stagers may find this hard to believe. Even the media are sitting up and taking notice judging by the recent four part series the BBC did on the history of British Folk Music. There are some really excellent young folk musicians about these days. Quite a lot of them seem to be the children of well known folk musicians or to have grown up in families with a strong folk interest. Eliza Carthy, the daughter of Martin Carthy is a prime example. These young folk bring with them a good deal of sophistication in their approach to folk music and are creating what may be seen (or heard) as a new sound of folk. They are not afraid to try new ideas and experiment with new arrangements. Did you know that Newcastle University now offers a degree in folk music? This is another sign of growing public interest. Graduates are already coming out as performers, writers and researchers and this is bound to make an impact on the development of folk music as a whole. Another bit of evidence of the blossoming interest in "Folk" comes from the number of new folk clubs which are starting up. To give an example, Dave Cooper has just started one in Suffolk (or brought an old one back to life) not too far from where he lives. Some clubs were forced to close recently due to the government's new Licensing Act coming into effect and landlords refusing to pay the higher fees so that clubs were forced to close or find a new venue. The clubs do seem to be prospering despite this setback. Certainly we live in interesting times and wait to see how it will unfold. Here at Wolferton Folk Club we have a keen eye to the future and are considering how best we can improve the club and ensure that it keeps going so that we can all make, and listen to, the music we enjoy.
Getting everybody singing.
Here's a new idea for us. We noticed recently that everyone down at "The Bar End" was singing along to the choruses and enjoying having a bit of a sing as they learned the words. So we thought, we can do something to encourage this. We are now providing ring binders containing the words and choruses to some popular songs. We will try to have at least one of these songs in the first half of the evening and one in the second so that we can get everybody in the room singing and making music together. This is especially true for those who might think of themselves as "the audience" rather than as singers or players. The books of words will be in a cardboard box placed conveniently in the room. Anyone wanting to use a book can help themselves from the box. Please make sure at the end of the evening that the books are replaced in the box for the next time we need them. We hope that those who have instruments will provide a harmonious accompaniment for the singing. At the moment there is only a few songs in the book but we will keep adding to the list. We would be delighted if people can suggest their own favourites and then we'll add them too.
A Mummers Play Group
Sue & Dick George, who run the Wisbech Folk Festival in September each year have asked Roger if he will get a Mummers Play Group together. The intention is to perform the play at several venues around the Wisbech area as part of the festival activities. A mummers play normally needs about six actors but it's always prudent to have some extra forces who can double a part in case someone is absent for one reason or another. If you are interested in taking part in what is always a fun event, please have a word with Roger. We already have some names in the hat. A Mummers Play is a very ancient village tradition which seems to have its roots in pre Christian times, although these days, it is more likely to involve St George, or Father Christmas. It is an amusing ten minute mini pantomime and the players all dress up in funny costumes. If you need to know more, there is a lot of information on the WWWeb. Just Google "Mummers Play" and this will bring up a lot of information. If we can get a group together we would probably make it a regular event in our calendar and have perfomances round the various Sandringham Clubs at the Festive Season.
March 23rd Meeting
Roger and Patsy have accepted a request to do a floor spot at the Baston Folk Club near Peterbrough on this date and will not be able to do their normal compere and organising role for the club on that evening. Dave Cooper has very kindly agreed to take the job on for that meeting. He has a lot of experience running folk clubs and has recently started a new one near Thetford which is where he lives. We debated whether to cancel the evening but decided in the end that some may be disappointed and so concluded that we should continue it. Please make sure you support Dave and come to the club as usual.
Future events
At some stage in the future we would like to book guest performers. There are some excellent performers and bands that we do not get the chance to hear live anywhere in East Anglia or without the expense of travelling a long way to some big city folk club or theatre. We are considering doing a guest night once a quarter. We would run the guest night on a Thursday between our regular alternate Thursdays so that this would not conflict with our established singaround nights. This will slowly but surely go ahead and you will have full details well in advance. If you have thoughts or preferences, make them known to Patsy or Roger. One of the aims of our club is to encourage new performers and beginners, not only in singing or playing instruments but in dance as well. There is a long tradition of step-dancing in Norfolk. This is a bit like northern clog dancing or American "Flatfoot" dancing and we would like to organise a beginners tuition workshop in this attractive form of dancing. It is also a great way to keep fit. Anyone interested in learning something of this form of dancing should let us know. If we can get enough interes we will book a teacher and hold a workshop In fact, if there is any folk music or dance activity you would like to learn, let us know and we will see what can be done to put something in the programme.
Who's who -
Mark and Ann Warrell Mark Warrell plays the melodeon. He first started to learn the instrument in 1995. He is a very enthusiastic morris dancer and dances with The King's Morris based in King's Lynn. Mark and his wife Ann, live at St.Germans. Although retired, Mark now works part-time in accountancy and related activities. Mark has largely taught himself to play the melodeon but has benefitted from going to the music courses and workshops held at Witney, Durham, Hexham and Stowmarket. Ann has more recently taken up the whistle and has enjoyed attending a couple of the same workshops. At present she is happiest playing with others and occasionally with Mark. Apart from enjoying several other hobbies/activities, Ann is a part-time volunteer at the Norfolk Wildlife Hospital.Mark and Ann are regular visitors to the Whittlesey Folk Club which is held second Friday of the month, also to Gayton (first Sunday) and Castle Acre (last Wednesday)
Other Local Folk Clubs & Events
Wisbech Folk Club dates and venues. First Tuesday of the month at The Angel, Wisbech Second Tuesday of the month at The Rose Tavern, North Brink, Wisbech Fourth Tuesday of the month at The Swan, Parson Drove Castle Rising Folk Club meets second Friday of every month at the Black Horse.

Home