NETTLEBED FOLK SONG CLUB
Nettlebed
Folk Song Club was started in July 1975 by a group of Folk Song lovers from Maidenhead in Berkshire when the tenant of a local
public house moved to the Bull Inn at Nettlebed, nr. Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.
From a small start in a tiny bar (40 people) the Club progressed
to a converted coaching barn holding over 100 and quickly established itself as one of the Folk scenes major circuit venues.
The Club moved in 1991 to its present venue at the Village Club in Nettlebed.
This was due to the closure of the Bull Inn by its owners Brakspears Brewery in Henley.
However, the opportunity was taken to 'change gear' as the new venue held 200 people.
The Folk Song Club is a volunteer run, non profit organisation and takes over
12 people to keep it running smoothly!
The acts that are staged encompass the
different types of traditional and contemporary music and song from the British Isles and North America with the occasional act from 'down under'!
Most of the major folk acts have appeared ranging from headliners like Fairport Convention, Steeleye
Span, Ralph McTell, Lindisfarne, Richard Thompson and Show of Hands to Club
Acts like Vin Garbutt, Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, Eric Bogle and Bill Jones. Not forgetting our two resident acts Terry
Page and Richard Holland who make up ‘Footloose’ and Bruce Gomersall.
The Club is also famous for its unique
special performances such as 'Feast of Fiddles' and 'Rocks Specials' where we mix leading national performers with local artists
to provide unique themed evenings.
In July 2000 the Club celebrated it’s 25th birthday
with a special concert of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s music fronted by Pete Lincoln and ‘The Usual Suspects’
(Our Feast of Fiddles and Rock Special back line). Several others came and joined in the fun on stage including Chris While
and Julie Matthews and Phil and Steve. Phil has been coming to Nettlebed for more years than he wants to remember (We’ve
just looked at those early photos!!) and since 1987 he and Steve have performed two gigs a year at the Club with Show of Hands
as well as appearing in their own projects.
Nettlebed Folk Song Club is now one of the top folk venues in the U.K.
and is highly regarded by the Country’s main Folk Acts - "Probably the best Folk Club in the Country" (Phil Beer from
Show of Hands live at Feast of Fiddles Feb 8th 1999). The Club has also won the prestigious BBC Radio 2 Folk Club of the Year
Award 2002.
Nettlebed Folk Club holds its concerts on Monday evenings from 8pm at
The Village Club, High Street, Nettlebed, nr Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.
