News Items
Posted: 26th April 2020
Article by Paul Reade
Skipton Folk Club – Lockdown
Normally at about this time in April I’m preparing the summer months’ adverts for Skipton in Tykes’ / Stirrings, Folk North West and Folk Roundabout magazines. Of course there are no events to advertise now, but we have placed adverts with a “Message of Hope”.
One thing that caught my eye in the email from Folk Roundabout was the phrase “… it would be great to have some heartening content for us all to share and enjoy. So if you’ve got something to say about your club / team, either something if you’re planning for the future, or reminiscences, stories or anecdotes from the past - now is the time to send it in.”
Club organiser Sheila and I agreed that we invite contributions from all club regulars – singers, audience, friends – everyone in fact. I was happy to collate them and this is the result: members singing, playing, reminiscing …and even finding true love!
Myself and Kath (Singer songwriter Kath Reade)
We are under house arrest and missing folk clubs and sessions, although Kath has written a lovely moving “Separation Song (Quarantune)” - have a look at this: https://youtu.be/lqEbfnMVBE0
Accordion Virtuoso / Singer Julian Hide
I’m endeavouring to learn some new stuff (well, new to me) but even that’s getting a bit boring – I started giving myself a round of applause if I got something right, but stopped as it seemed a bit presumptuous! I also joined in an on-line session of sorts using Zoom. There were 15 participants, but it wasn’t possible for each to hear the others due to the slight delay, so the leader did his stuff and we joined in in our own homes.
Here are three strange musicians (?) – looking forward to Burns Night
2021 at Skipton! Let’s hope the lurgi has been dispatched by then!
Singer / Songwriter Martin Francis
There have been so many magic, memorable moments and it's difficult to decide on a good 'un. Well I think it has to be when I met Annie 9 years ago at the Xmas Skipton Folk Club party (2010) The Xmas parties at Skipton are always good fun and I've been privileged in the last two Christmases to be the main act for that. I offered Annie a seat because it was packed and gave her my telephone number and the rest is history. We got married five years ago which when you think we were in the age bracket of our 60's is pretty amazing. We always celebrate two anniversaries, the first when we met at the folk club and the other when we got married.
The other great memory is Sam Bishop, who was a regular at Skipton. Unfortunately for us, he had to move away because of work. Now Sam was quiet, unassuming, bordering on being shy, but when he sang and played he hypnotised the audience with his talented guitar playing and gentle ballads. It didn't matter a jot that we'd heard him perform the songs before. It was always like the audience was hearing them for the first time, every time. The highlight for the club is when Sam gets back to perform as a guest singer, which he's tried to do every year, sometimes with former regular Kelly Arkell (who also left the area). Sadly this year we won't see him, but let’s look forward in hope to 2021.
Singer and Keyboard Maestra Stephanie Emmett
Steph has shared this poem by Jan Beaumont This needs to be read so true and funny.😷😂😂
"I’m normally a social girl
I love to meet my mates
But lately with the virus here
We can’t go out the gates.
You see, we are the ‘oldies’ now
We need to stay inside
If they haven’t seen us for a while
They’ll think we’ve upped and died.
They’ll never know the things we did
Before we got this old
There wasn’t any Facebook
So not everything was told.
We may seem sweet old ladies
Who would never be uncouth
But we grew up in the 60s –
If you only knew the truth!
There was sex and drugs and rock ‘n roll
The pill and miniskirts
We smoked, we drank, we partied
And were quite outrageous flirts.
Then we settled down, got married
And turned into someone’s mum,
Somebody’s wife, then nana,
Who on earth did we become?
We didn’t mind the change of pace
Because our lives were full
But to bury us before we’re dead
Is like red rag to a bull!
So here you find me stuck inside
For 4 weeks, maybe more
I finally found myself again
Then I had to close the door!
It didn’t really bother me
I’d while away the hour
I’d bake for all the family
But I’ve got no bloody flour!
Now Netflix is just wonderful
I like a gutsy thriller
I’m swooning over Idris
Or some random sexy killer.
At least I’ve got a stash of booze
For when I’m being idle
There’s wine and whiskey, even gin
If I’m feeling suicidal!
So let’s all drink to lockdown
To recovery and health
And hope this bloody virus
Doesn’t decimate our wealth.
We’ll all get through the crisis
And be back to join our mates
Just hoping I’m not far too wide
To fit through the flaming gates!"
Andy Brown (singer / songwriter – and Craven District Councillor)
Will try and think of something uplifting to send, but that does rather challenge my habitual style. Cheerful and uplifting are not my stock in fare. Stay safe, keep singing.
Club Organisers Sheila and Alan
At Skipton Folk Unplugged our love of music unites us all. Let’s hope these hard times will soon pass so we can raise the rafters once again. As Coope, Boyes and Simpson would say “what we sing is what we are”.
We look forward to welcoming friends old and new in the near future
Best wishes from the members of Skipton Folk Club.
Paul Reade
April 2020