The Folk Directory is a user–maintained database of all the regular folk music events in the UK. The Folk Directory is FREE – it does not charge you for adding your event to the database (and never will), and encourages you to add as many events as you like. You don’t even have to sign up or make an account. You can edit or delete an event listing at any time by finding it in the directory and clicking the edit link in the listing toolbox.

The Folk Directory does not intend to, and never could, replace all those great local resources and web pages. In time we will be integrating links to more local and regularly updated web pages into the search function. If you know of a local folk listing website or you run one, let them know and they can link to you.

The site is meant to be simple and easy to use. If it is not, or you have some comments, feedback or ideas, please contact them.

All profits to St Michael’s Hospice.

Tickets £10 including a buffet supper. Tickets direct from Falcon hotel on 01885 483034 or call in to reception. More here.

Three Bromyard lads playing red hot Gypsy Jazz on the main stage as part of the big Sunday evening concert.They went down a storm and showed what talent Bromyard has all year round, not just at Folk Festival time.

Since then Remi Harris, one of TJ’s two guitarists, has built a major following as one of the UK’s top young jazz guitarists. Whilst technically very accomplished his playing is very entertaining and appeals to both jazz lovers and the not so keen.

He is playing, along with the rest of the Remi Harris Trio, at Bromyard’s Crown and Sceptre this coming Saturday, 21st January 2012, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £12 each and include a hot buffet. The function room at the Crown and Sceptre has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and will present an ideal venue for an evening of music and good food.

Tickets can be bought at Dots Gallery on Broad Street or by calling Ros – 01885 410318 or 07812 041179.

When we hear of a re-opening date we’ll post that here too.

This Pagan blessing of the trees is said to ensure a good crop of cider apples for the following year’s harvest. The best or oldest tree in the orchard is chosen as a guardian to represent them all. Pieces of toast soaked in cider are placed in the tree and cider is poured around the base of it. Shot guns are fired into the top most branches and buckets are beaten, the aim being to scare away evil spirits and wake the sleeping trees. Some believe that if the trees aren’t wassailed there will be no harvest.

This year there are more Morris sides attending than ever before and the introduction of Civil War re-enactors is set to make the torch-lit procession to the nominated apple tree a real spectacle.

Nigel Smith the Landlord of the Fleece says ‘The Wassail is the perfect antidote to the winter blues and a great event for families and friends of all ages. It’s great that we’re able to host such a traditional yet vibrant event to bring a bit of cheer to the cold winter nights. Wassail!’

Mulled cider and delicious food will be available to ‘warm the cockles’ and the folk singers that frequent the pub will be adding to the traditional fun. Join in and help make the Fleece’s homemade cider in 2012 the best yet!

For more information please contact Nigel or Sadie at the Fleece Inn on 01386 831173 or 07940731137 or email us at info@thefleeceinn.co.uk

On a brighter note, following the session on 29th December, we have been offered “The Old Beams” in Stourport on Severn as our “2nd Friday” venue. The inaugural “Friday Session” will take place on 13th January 2012.

Directions (for those who haven’t been before):

From Worcester direction: A449 as far as “Mitre Oak” roundabout. Turn left onto A4025 to Stourport. When you reach Stourport, follow signs for Great Witley A451. Cross the river and take 1^st turn on the left (leisure centre and swimming pool) – Harold Davies Drive, “The Old Beams” is on your right.

From the “Rose and Crown” Shrawley/Holt Heath direction : Continue on the B4196 towards Stourport (approx 5mls/8 kms), and turn right to town centre at “T” junction with A451. Turn right by the pedestrian crossing into Harold Davies Drive (access road to leisure centre and swimming pool),approx 400 metres after joining A451. “The Old Beams” is on your right.

From Birmingham/ Kidderminster direction: Approaching Kidderminster on the A456, go straight over the traffic lights at “Land Oak”. Turn left onto ring road and follow A451 to Stourport and then signs to GreatWitley A451. Take the 1^st turn on the left (leisure centre and swimmingpool), as soon as you have crossed the bridge (by the pedestrian traffic lights), “The Old Beams” is on your right.

Pub address : Harold Davies Drive, Dunley Road, STOURPORT on SEVERN.: DY13 0AA Telephone : 01299 878 833

Just had following email from a gentleman looking for advice regarding concertinas. If anyone can help please make contact  – his email is at the bottom.

Hi Tony

I am thinking of taking up the concertina, mainly for reenactment purposes, and have little musical talent – just looking for something portable to carry around, and perhaps sometimes do basic accompaniment for folk songs and shanties. It needs to look reasonably authentic for the C19th so I was thinking of a wooden body. Some of the prices for authentic antique models look frightening, and I couldn’t justify that to myself or my bank manager, so I was looking at modern wooden concertinas up to maybe £200, and have a few in mind that I would like to discuss with someone who knows what they are talking about.

Do you know if anyone locally plays and might be willing to give me a few pointers on reasonably priced entry-level instruments? I would welcome a chance to compare English and Anglo models and their relative merits for a beginner, for example. The only one I have ever had in my hands was a Chinese Anglo, but the appearance would not be any good for reenactment, and of course I had no idea how to get a tune out of it.

I live near Weobley, and work in the Bromyard area, so could come along to a session almost anywhere in the county if one is being played.

Thanks in advance, John Powell

If you want to set up a meet with John at one of our sessions then please let me know and I’ll make arrangements.

Details are as follows:

The Ancient Legacy

Journey through the seasons in music, song, poetry and sketches
with some of Worcestershire’s most respected folk musicians and actors.

To be seen at:

WHITBOURNE VILLAGE HALL (WR6 5RN)
Saturday 14th January 2012     7.30pm
Tickets Adults £5 Children £3
From – Rob Slater 01886 821684 or The Village Shop, Whitbourne

and also enjoy the music of :

Mamatrak and Dampier’s Round
as performed at :

Cheltenham Folk Festival
Bromyard Folk Festival
Black Diamond Folk Club, B’ham
Alcester Folk Club
Fold Folk Club Bransford
Worcester Arts Workshop