THE WORCESTER TRADITIONAL MUSIC PAGE

Updated 20 June 2007

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Information on Worcester (UK) 's traditional music scene

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TRADITIONAL MUSIC SESSIONS IN THE WORCESTER (UK) AREA

A traditional music session is a great way to enjoy some good music - and a cheap way to find out if you enjoy it.

All the sessions shown in this section take place in pubs - there is no charge for admission, neither do the musicians get paid - although they may get some sandwiches or cheap beer !

For those who have been to or know of sessions in other places, I should tell you that most of these sessions get a real mix of traditional music and song (unless it says otherwise below).  English, Scottish, Irish, contemporary music can all be there depending upon who turns up.

However, sessions tend to be quite transitory (though those reported have been surprisingly “stable” of late) - there are several changes recorded below. (SHOWN IN RED)
Please check before travelling a long distance - Information provided in good faith but no liability accepted - please, please email me if you find any changes or inaccuracies !

For those sessions I can't attend regularly, I rely on those (is there anybody ?) who read this page to keep me informed. Please let me know, particularly, of changes and new sessions.

TUESDAYS :
1st Tuesday of the month : Wheelwright Arms, Pencombe (beyond Bromyard from Worcester)

2nd Tuesday of the month The Green Dragon, Bishops Frome. Nice big room, good acoustics, and excellent range of real ales at around £2 - £2.40 a pint. Started up at the request of the landlord. Excellent mix of music and song from trad folk to Mississippi blues, with lots of instruments (fiddles, mandolins, melodeon, accordion, tuba, bouzouki, guitars, bodhrans, harmonicas, whistles and various shakers/clackers).

2nd Tuesday of the month The Shakespeare Inn, Welford-on-Avon : Music and Song Club, 9 pm - 11.30pm, Contact Alan Whitbread (01789 552810 or 07939 053619) for details

3^rd Tuesday of the month The Holly Tree Inn, Stourport Road, BROMYARD. (Tel : 01885 488881) This is next to Bromyard Town Football club (Folk Festival Site). Acoustic music/sing-around (mix of folk, blues, country)

WEDNESDAYS :

1st Wednesday of the month at the Admiral Rodney Inn, Berrow Green - From the main Bromyard - Worcester road, turn off at Knightwick Bridge (near the Talbot Hotel) towards Martley - The Admiral Rodney is just beyond the top of the long hill. More sing/playaround rather than session format.

THURSDAYS :

Every Thursday : at the Fleece Inn, Bretforton , an ancient hostelry owned by the National Trust and serving real ale and cider.  Apparently the style of music is variable according to who turns up, but we have enjoyed our visits. The bar where music is played is non-smoking.

Last Thursday of the month : Sing and play around at the Albion, Bath Road, Worcester.

FRIDAYS :
First Friday of the Month : Royal Oak at Clee Hill

First Friday of the Month : Vernon Arms at Hanbury (on main Droitwich – Redditch road). New session.

Second Friday of the Month : Park Gate Inn, just off main Bromsgrove – Kidderminster road.  Anticipated that this will be replaced by :

Second Friday of the Month : Old Cock Inn, High Street, Droitwich.  In Droitwich Town Centre.

Third Friday of the month (mainly) : The Hollybush, Alcester (top of High Street, beyond Church). Session has a mixture of music, with Irish tending to be more to the fore than elsewhere but not to the exclusion of everything else.

Third Friday of month : Cross Keys, Linley Green (south-east of Bromyard). From main Bromyard - Worcester road, turn towards Suckley at Knightwick bridge. After 3 - 4 mls look out for right turn to Linley Green at cross roads.

Last Friday of the month : Fox, Monkwood Green (Through Hallow, left following signs to Sinton Green, left again at next junction). Excellent atmosphere, traditional cider served. 8.30 ish till late. Can be very busy and somewhat noisy.

SATURDAYS :

3rd Saturday of the month : Upton, in the old printing works opposite the Kings Head : Singaround (BYO beer)

SUNDAYS :
Social Club, West Malvern (near the village hall)

Rose and Lion, Bromyard, Herefordshire (Tel : 01885 482381)

First Sunday of Month : Red Lion, Droitwich  : On the old A38 into Droitwich from the Worcester direction.

Second Sunday of Month : at the Walter de Cantelupe pub in Kempsey village (on the main A38 – easy to find).  Gets quite crowded, landlord is enthusiastic about the session which is always a good sign.

Third Sunday of Month : Old Bull, Inkberrow. Very pleasant new session, the regular patrons of the pub seem keen although the space is very limited.  This session is suspended at present

Last Sunday of Month Bowling Green Inn, Stoke Prior (north of Droitwich) : This session still continues and now has a good mix of music plus songs in many different styles. Get there early to get a seat !

First and third Sunday of month : Duke WIlliam, Callow Hill, Rock, nr Kidderminster DY14 9XH : “Lunchtime” session between 3 pm and 6pm.

FOLK CLUBS IN THE WORCESTER AREA

WEDNESDAYS : 1st Wednesday of the month Malvern Storytelling Club, Express Inn, Howsell Road, Malvern Link

THURSDAYS : 2nd and last Thursdays of the month Bromsgrove Folk Club, The Rugby Club, Finstall Road, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove (near the railway station).

1st Thursday of the month : The Riverside Folk and Acoustic Club at Stourport Boat Club. www.riversideclub.co.uk

FRIDAYS : Somers Traditional Folk Club, The Albion, Bath Road, Worcester : Traditional song a-plenty, most of it unaccompanied, in an organised but very friendly atmosphere. Quiet, listening audience, mostly singers themselves. There is a charge for admission (for everyone). No guests.

2nd Friday in the month : Bromyard "Thank Folk its Friday" Tel 01885 482161 : Not now at the Bay Horse. Phone to check venue before travelling

SATURDAYS : Redditch Folk Club - Phone or email bryn@hollowhills.fsnet.co.uk to obtain details of venue

2^nd Saturday of the month (Mainly) : “Rushwick Folk” at Rushwick Village Hall. Admission normally £2. Bring your own drinks. 8pm start, with jam session from 6.30 to 7.30.

CONCERTS AT THE HUNTINGDON HALL, WORCESTER

The Huntingdon Hall in Worcester is a former chapel, a listed building, which has been converted into a concert venue. With a modern box-office and bar attached, they serve up a wonderful range of folk concerts. CLICK HERE to visit their web site. Definitely recommended

CLICK HERE to check their web site for dates

 

FAITHFUL CITY MORRIS MEN : Morris Ring side, dances Cotswold + a little Border + rapper, practises on Wednesday nights at the Talbot, Knightwick.

 

KEMPSEY MORRIS MEN : The side merged with Faithful City Morris Men in late September 2000. .However they still do occasional “farewell tours”.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SILURIAN BORDER MORRIS MEN : Morris Ring side, dancing Border only, black faces and tatters.
 
 

THE ORIGINAL WELSH BORDER MORRIS MEN : This side dances, in traditional Border fashion, only once a year - on the Saturday before Christmas. The annual tour takes in White Ladies Aston, Pershore, Upton and Worcester. 
 
 
 
 
 

OLD MEG NORTH WEST MORRIS :: A "North-West" style side, with men and women dancing mainly traditional North-West morris dances in clogs. Currently meeting on Tuesdays at the community hall near the Three Horseshoes pub in Poolbrook, Great Malvern. Sorry - Website seems to have been taken over by somebody else ! - Don't know if one exists..

SOFT OPTION Appalachian Dancers
Click above for their web site !

FOXS Border Morris (Mixed side) dances mainly from the Border tradition. Meet every Thursday evening during term time at Cookley Sebright First School, Lea Lane, Cookley. New dancers and musicians always welcome. http://www.foxsmorris.org.uk/

APPLEYARD LADIES TRADITIONAL DANCERS practice in Upton-on-Severn. They perform a wide range of English dances traditionally performed by women for social or celebratory purposes. New dancers (beginners or experienced) and musicians (men or women) are welcomed. In the winter they practice on Thursdays in Croome Village Hall, Earl's Croome. Contact Mary Ward on 01905 830285 or Diana Maiden on 01684 565204.

There are other dance groups - including Appalachian sides - in the area. Please contact me as above for further information !

FOLK CAMP HOLIDAYS
For information on these great value "folk" holidays for all the family visit their web-site

FURTHER AFIELD

This section used to include other details I have been asked to include. I know that there are clubs, sessions and dance sides in Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Redditch, and other places, but I have tried to keep the main contents of the page local in the interests of accuracy. I have deleted the information here as I suspect much of it was out-of-date.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW MORE INFORMATION, INACCURACIES, FAILED LINKS ETC. BY E-MAILING ME

Please do not use info@worcesterfolk.org.uk – this will not work. Please use mike@ [the same ending] – sorry I don't want to print it in full to avoid spam.

Blue type in the details above indicate a club, session or side which I attend at least occasionally - so details are likely to be more accurate - (alternatively this might give you some tips as to which sessions to avoid !)

Mike Walton - Worcester

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