Folkus 2012

With a blackbird singing an early song we know spring
will be with us soon with the promise of songs and music
filling our days.

Songs and music certainly filled Waddow Hall during our 9th
residential weekend of music making over the 3rd – 5th February.
Over 80 people enjoyed the variety of instruments being taught
by our tutors, some of whom made their debut at Waddow.

From singing and basic guitar to advanced melodeon, individual
skill levels rose dramatically. The “Bit of a Change” sessions,
whereby participants could try other instruments, proved to be
very popular, as were the spoons and ukulele workshops. The
latter prompted requests for more sessions during our weekend
in 2013. The dates being 8th- 0th February 2013.

Our weekend has become famous with participants travelling from
all over the country to attend. Already over thirty people have
reserved their places for 2013, so contact  Folkus if you are
interested in joining us next year.

General Information

The Orchestra in Folkus continue to rehearse and hopefully
will perform at some time during the Preston Guild celebrations.
See our website for details nearer to the time.

“Slow & Steady” sessions for all musicians playing any instrument
are held on the first Saturday every month at the Eaves Green
Community Centre, Eaves Green, near Chorley.  2.00pm-5.00pm.
Cost £4. No charge for your first visit.

Pub sessions are staged in The Crown in Worthington on the 2nd
Sunday in the month. 12noon -3.00 pm Info: 01253 694972

The Bromley Cross Folk Club is involved in the staging of various
events during 2012. They have a very ambitious programme which
deserves support. For details contact Chris Nash 07903 233213

For news of the West Yorkshire Mandolin & Ukulele Club contact
Ron Mollett 01274 584937  email mandouk@qmail.com

The inspiration to start Folkus came from the successful workshops
staged at the Fylde Folk Festival which is celebrating it’s 40th Anniversary
in 2012. Various concerts are planned to take place during the year
leading up to the festival itself , dates 31st August, 1st – 2nd September.
Events are planned for Easter & Whitsuntide in The North Euston Hotel,
The Steamer Hotel, The Strawberry Gardens Hotel and The Mount. In
addition there will be a special open air  concert at Marsh Mill, Thornton
Cleveleys on Sunday 10th June, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm featuring the
Alan Bell Band Show. Info: Folkus 01253 872317

Folkus continues to support the Palatine Fiddlers. Sessions are held in
the Mellor Brook Community Centre, Whalley Road, Mellor Brook, Blackburn
Lancs BB2 7PR Info: JulianTaylor Tel 01254 240076 Mob 07745 493135
www.fiddlemusic.co.uk

The  Haslingden Seisun sessions continue with some support from Folkus.
The sessions take place on Wednesdays in the Irish Democratic Club,
George Street, Haslingden Lancs. Tel 01706  214787  From 7.00 pm-9.00 pm,
the workshops cost only £3 per session.  In sessions, the group plays Irish
Traditional Music at a steady pace. All are welcome.

Alex Fisher St.Agnes School, Eccleston, Lancs. Step Dance-Mondays.
Beginners 7.30pm – 8.30pm.  Advanced 8.30pm-9.30pm. Children’s Step
Dance lessons-Tuesday 5.30pm-7.00pm from 5yrs old upwards.
Info: Alex Fisher 01257 453185 email alexfis@tiscali.co.uk

The Lakeland Fiddlers meet every Tuesday in Castle Street Community
Centre, Kendal at 7.30 pm-9.00 pm. Contact Folkus  tutor Carolyn Francis
for details. Carolyn is also running Play in a Ceilidh Band (any instrument)
sessions in Sedbergh, Cumbria. All enquiries to Carolyn Tel 07974 507585
email carolyn@striding-edge.demon.co.uk

For information on the Lakeland Voices group and activities contact  David
Burbridge 015396 21166 email davidburbridge@hotmail.com

For information on Furness Tradition activities in South Lakeland.
email: trad@hartown.demon.co.uk  www.furnesstradition.org

For information on all ongoing folk music events, with articles, reviews,
comments and details of forthcoming happenings, read FOLK NORTH WEST.
Available from folk clubs, festivals or on subscription.

As can be seen from the new projects, we at Folkus are constantly seeking
new ways in which we can use our expertise and knowledge to help people
develop music making sessions throughout the region. So, if there is a music
project under development in your area or you want to get one under way,
please talk to us and Folkus may be able to help.

Folkus tutors Rusty & Stu Wright have compiled four tune books and a song
book especially for Folkus pupils. The books are easy to understand and detail
many easy tunes to play. They are ideal for beginners. Only £2 plus 37p postage
from Folkus.

For details on Folkus activities: Folkus, 55 The Strand, Fleetwood, Lancashire
FY7  8NP Tel: 01253 872317 Fax: 01253  878382 email alanbell@folkus.co.uk
www.folkus.co.uk

Use this booking form to book a place at Folkus events.

http://folkus.co.uk/bookings/ 

Tom recorded the songs from this years vocal workshop at Waddow. If you were in the workshops and would lie access to the mp3 recordings then if you send an email to admin@folkus.co.uk and we’ll send you a link to the files.

Saturday 31st March 2012 10.30am-4.30pm
Frets Workshop Day at Garstang Academy, Bowgreave Road Garstang

Guitar & Ukulele – Rusty Wright & Stu Wright.
Intermediate Guitar & Song Accompaniment – Derek Gifford.
Advanced Guitar – Phil Chisnall.

Half Day 1.30-4.30pm Bouzouki – Roger Purves.

Glynne Davies (thanks Glynne) has posted a full recording from the Sunday Afternoon’s Waddow (2012) Gathering.

You can listen to it by following this link:

www.glynnedavies.co.uk/gathering.mp3

We’ve just had a cancellation on a Twin Room at Waddow.

Hello everyone, please remember that your final balance is due for the 2012 Waddow weekend on Monday the 9th of January 2012. Thanks.

The Orchestra in Folkus made their public debut on Sunday 4th September in a special concert at the Fylde Folk Festival. Their performance was very well received. In addition, the Orchestra in Folkus Choir sang beautifully in their performance of the song cycle Wind, Sail, Sea & Sky, written and conducted by Alan Bell. Now the Orchestra is established the musical leader, Jenny Shotliff, is planning to arrange more rehearsals which should lead to more public performances.And in a late and unexpected development, Folkus has received an email from The European Network of Folk Orchestras (ENFO) which has been set up to preserve and study musical Heritage. The ENFO has invited Folkus to become a partner in a five year programme of musical development. Jenny Shotliff is making contact with ENFO so watch this space.
Regular and new events. The Jangles Folk have opened a new Folk Club at the Littleborough Conservative Club, Peel Street, Littleborough. Club nights are Tuesdays every fortnight. For information telephone Terry on 07802 581782 or Julie 07961 004339.

A new Folk class has begun at More Music in Morecambe. These are weekly sessions presented in association with Lancaster College and are held on Mondays 7.00pm. Cost only £4. Suitable for beginners and people who already play. Folkus tutor Ben Farmer will be in charge of teaching. Info: Darren Leadsom, More Music, 13-17 Devonshire Road, Morecambe. LA13 1QT Tel: 01524 831 997 Email: darren.leadsom@moremusic.org.uk www.moremusic.org.uk Folkus continues to support the Palatine Fiddlers. Sessions are held in the Mellor Brook Community Centre, Whalley Road, Mellor Brook, Blackburn Lancs. BB2 7PR. Info: Julian Taylor Tel: 01254 240076 Mob: 07745 493135 www.fiddlemusic.co.uk

The Haslingden Seisun sessions continue with some support from Folkus. The sessions take place on Wednesdays in the Irish Democratic Club, George Street, Haslingden Lancs. Tel: 01706 214787 from 7pm – 9pm, the workshops cost only £3 per session. In sessions, the group play Irish Traditional Music at a steady pace. All are welcome.

Alex Fisher St.Agnes School, Eccleston, Lancs Step Dance. Mondays. Beginners 7.30 – 8.30pm. Advanced 8.30 – 9.30pm. Childrens Step Dance lessons. Tuesday 5.30 – 7.00pm. From 5yrs old upwards. Info: Alex Fisher 01257 453185 email alexfis@tiscali.co.uk

The Lakeland Fiddlers meet every Tuesday in Castle Street Community Centre, Kendal at 7.30 pm – 9.00 pm. Contact Folkus tutor Carolyn Francis for details. Carolyn is also running Play in a Ceilidh Band (any instrument) sessions in Sedbergh, Cumbria. All enquiries to Carolyn Tel 07974 507585 email carolyn@striding-edge.demon.co.uk

For information on the Lakeland Voices group and activities contact David Burbridge 015396 21166 email davidburbridge@hotmail.com

For information on all ongoing folk music events, with articles, reviews, comments and details of forthcoming happenings, read FOLK NORTH WEST. The magazine has a new editor, treasurer and advertising manager. They will ensure the magazine continues to flourish. Available from folk clubs, festivals or on subscription from Anne Jones 5 May Ave Wallasey, Wirral CH44 9EP Tel 0151 6394285 email anneanddavejones@hotmail.co.uk

Our regular Folkus supporters may like to know that our senior tutor Stu Wright was taken ill on the eve of the Fylde Folk Festival and spent the weekend under observation in hospital. Happily, Stu has responded to treatment and will be teaching again soon.

Angie Bladen has moved to the North East with her husband following his retirement and they hope to become involved in the local folk scene in that area so rich in musical traditions. We wish them well.

As ever, we at Folkus are constantly seeking new ways in which we can use our expertise and knowledge to help people develop music making sessions throughout the region. So, if there is a music project under development in your area or you want to get one under way, please talk to us and Folkus may be able to help.

Continuing with our efforts to make people aware of Folkus, we have sports shirts and sweatshirts for sale. These are in a variety of sizes with white lettering on a burgundy background. Sports shirts cost £7. Sweatshirts £12. Incl. P&P from the Folkus office.

Folkus tutors Rusty & Stu Wright have compiled four tune books especially for Folkus pupils. The books are easy to understand and detail many easy tunes to play. They are ideal for beginners. Only £2 plus 37p postage from Folkus.

For details on Folkus activities, contact The Secretary, 55 The Strand, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 8NP. Tel: 01253 872317 Fax: 01253 878382 email; alanbell@folkus.co.uk www.folkus.co.uk