myspace music

Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe
Folk / Acoustic / Roots Music

At the Ivy Bush, Pontardawe



Swansea Valley, Wales
United Kingdom

Profile Views:  3865




Last Login:  11/15/2009
View My: Pics

   Contacting Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe

 MySpace URL: 

   Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe: General Info
Member Since8/7/2008
Band Websitewww.pontardawefolkclub.co.uk
Band Members

This is just a small sample of past guests at the club. Many, many more to come.

A Andrew Cronshaw, Arizona Smoke Review, Allurach, America Morena,Alistair Anderson, Anthony Harland, Adrian Mitchel (poet), Aberjaber, Amos and Rocks, Anonyma, Aunt Fortesques Bluesrockers, Anne Lister, Annie McFie Albin Archie Fisher, Ar Log, Artie Tresize, Alan Prosser, Alex Campbell, Andy Cutting, Alun Chesterfield, Audrey Smith, Alan Carr, Alan Reid, Anne Lennox Martin.

B Bob Davenport, Bill Caddick, Bernie Parry, Bob Steward Gordon, Blowzabella, Blakes 3, Bear Band, British Bulldog, Beatte, Eifion and Tony, Beau Temps Sur La Province, Brian Smith (poet), Bob Cann, Bayley Hazen Singers, Brian Golbey, Bram Taylor, Bert Lloyd, Barry Skinner, Bill Caddick, Bill Price, Barbara Dickson, Bill Zorn, Brian McNeill, Bonnie Shaljean.

C Chris Foster, Curates Egg, Celebrated Ratliffe Stout Band, Calennig, Cyril Tawney, Cromlech, Crows, Cosmotheca, Celtic Sound, Carbolic Smokeball Company, Colin Reece, Chris and Cathy Ormston, Cliff Rescue and the Helicopters, Constitution Hillbillies, Carylyon, Carraig Aonnair, Cilla Fisher, Chris Leslie, Chris Coe.

D Dave Burland, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Dick and Camilla Fegy, Dan Ar Bras, Dave Peabody, Dave Swarbrick, Dave Whetstone, Debbie McClatchy, Dawnswyr Brynaman, Dead Sea Surfers, Devils Elbow, Dave Illingworth, Danny Carnahan, Dougie McClean, Davies + Davies, Dick Miles, Dave James, Dave Townsend, Delyth Evans, Dick Miles, Dick Gaughan

E English Tapestry, Eddie Walker, English Country Blues Band, Easy Club, Emmanuel Pariselle, Ellie Ellis, Erik Llot

F Faith Petric, Francesca Kay, Fiona Simpson, Frankie Armstrong, Fred Jordan

G Graham and Eileen Pratt, Gerry Hallom, Gill Burns, Graham Larkbey, Gwerz, Gerry Hallom, Gypsy's Kiss, Geoff Cripps, Golden Bough, Gary and Vera Aspey

H Hot Vultures, Hwntws, Huw and Tony Williams, Huldrefolk, Houseband, Holly Tannen, Howard Evans

I Ian Stevenson, Ian Kearey, Ian Woods, Ivor Thomas (poet), Isla St Clair

J June Tabor, Jim Couza, Jimmy Crowley, John Kirkpatrick, John James, Jake Walton, Joe and Antionette Mackenna, John Alderslade, John Benns, Jim Mageean, Johnny Collins, John Howes, Jane Rothfield, Johnny Coppin, Jim Fox, Jim Couza, John McCormick, Jon Rennard, Jean Byrne, John Tinpany, John Goodluck, John Foreman, Jez Lowe, Jed Foley, Johnny O'Leary, Joe Latter, Joe le Taxi, Jim Harper, Jean Pierre Rasle

K Kitsyke Will, Kathryn Tickell, Kipper Family, Kashmire, Keith Christmas, Kenneth Loveless, Kempion, Kieron Halpin, Kathryn Bersoux

L Les Barker, Los Raparigos, Leon Rosselson, Lincoln County Ramblers, Lynne Gent, Louis Killen, Looking Up, La Ciapa Rusa, Le Jazz, Louisa Rugg

M Muckram Wakes, Max Boyce, Mick Tems, Maggie Holland, Mabsant, Marilyn Middleton Pollock, Martyn Wyndham Reed, Martin Simpson, Martin Carthy, Mick Tems, Magenta, Miles and Cynthia Couchman, Motley Crew, Martin Ellis, Maggie Boyle, Melannie Harrold, Martin Simpson, Mara, Martin Carthy, Mel Dean, Major Mustards Punch + Judy, Miriam Bachhouse, Martin Graebe, Mrs Ackroyd, Martin Hadden

N Nic Jones, Nic Dow, Ned Clamp, Nigel Jenkins (Poet), Nigel Eaton, Norman Wesson

O Ogam I Gam, Open Cast Theatre, Oyster Band, Orion, Ossian, Ollie Blanchflower

P Penderyn, Phil Beer, Pyewacket, Peter Bellamy, Play it By Ear, Plethyn,Pete and Chris Coe, Paul Metsers, Peta Webb, Peter Bond, Paul Wilson, Pat Smith, Pete Cooper, Peter Stacey, Penny Windsor (Poet), Proffessor Mystral, Paul James, Pigfoot, Pete Cooper, Pete Castle, Packie Byrne

Q Quilty

R Ruth Exell, Rigaudon, Regal Slip, R Cajun, Rees Wesson, Ray Fisher, Roaring Jelly, Rod Shearman, Richard Grainger, Rick Christian, Rod Paterson, Robin and Barry Dransfield, Ron Taylor, Ragman's Trumpet, Red Sullivan, Roy Harris, Royston Wood, Robin Petrie

S Steve Turner, Serge Desaunay, Sean Cannon, Sarah Grey, Swansea Jack, Sue Harris, Shegui, Stan Hugill, Simon Nicol, Steve Tilston, Sweyns Ey, Sam Stephens, Suzanne Chawner, Scumalash, Stefan Sobel, Swan Arcade, SanFrancisco Fire Band, Staverton Bridge, Song Wainers, Shirley and Dolly Collins, Strumpet, Steve Ashley

T Tammles, Tony Hall, Tim Laycock, Tom Paley, Tom Leonard (Poet), Thin November, 3 Straw Men, The Bourbon Boys, Trapezium, Tony Rose, Tommy Gilfellon, Tundra, The Rakes, Tony Goldsmith, The Watersons

V Vin Garbutt

W Will Griffys Music, Wizz Jones, Willie Scott, Webbs Wonders

Record LabelUnsigned


Get Flash now!

In order to listen or view this content you will have to upgrade your version of Flash.


Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe
..

The Valley Folk Club in the small town of Pontardawe in the Swansea Valley has reached its fortieth Anniversary. It is organised entirely by volunteers. With the best will in the world, forty years is a long time to be exact on how, where and why and so on it all happened there. What seems fairly certain though, is that it followed in the footsteps of the University and Neath clubs and of course the mighty Adelphi Club in Wind Street, Swansea. Many of those that became regular members of the Pontardawe Club had also been to at least one if not all of the other venues.

The club started life in 1968 in The Green Room at The Cross Inn (now the Cross Community Centre), with Dave Robinson as the first secretary. A year or so later, the club tried just about every other pub in Ponty including The Royal Oak in Rhyd-y-Fro and switched nights a few times whilst it found its feet. Eventually the club found a home and settled on a Friday night which with very rare exception it has kept to ever since. Councillor Bryan Harris who sadly died at the age of thirty nine in 1974 was certainly pivotal in the running and success of the club, inspiring and persuading young and old to go along to the club and get involved. He was obviously a people person, charismatic, energetic, engaging, enthusiastic and creative. The driving force that made things happen.

After a stint at The Ivy Bush, the club moved to The Dynevor arms where there was a large back room. John and Pam Beynon were in charge and ran a very successful music filled pub. It was a very sad day when John and Pam left The Dynevor and the club began to look towards returning to The Ivy Bush (where there was another supportive landlord in charge). So in 1984 the Valley Folk Club returned to The Ivy Bush where it has made its home for the last 24 years.

Of course downsizing to the upstairs room had its drawbacks, booking guests that would draw larger crowds or that needed more space for their act was difficult and the regular dance evenings which club goers had become used to having at the Dynevor were impossible, the club was extremely glad to have the use of The Alltwen Community Centre, the Glan Yr Afon Hotel and on very rare occasions The Moose Hall.

It is difficult to pigeon hole the type of club it is and the ethos has probably changed with each new era. Leaning possibly towards the traditional for the most part, Ponty audiences have accepted and enjoyed the whole range of guest artists and indeed this has not been confined to folk musicians. There has been poetry, Punch and Judy, nights where almost anything goes including crazy theme nights, the performance of traditional plays and those written by members of the club.

The club has hosted some fantastic performers with the guest list for the past forty years reading like a who’s who of Folk music. The marvellous floor spots must not be forgotten, many of whom were booked as guest artists at other clubs and festivals, and neither should the M/Cs that helped to keep the spirit of the club going.

Over the years the club has like all others had its ups and downs, but has kept going through them all good times and bad. So thanks to everyone who has supported the club in any way and here’s to the next forty years. The club is still learning about its past and would welcome any information or memorabilia that would further develop the archive and substantiate or otherwise the information gathered so far. Maybe you would just like to get in touch to show your support.


   Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe's Friend Space (Top 40)
Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe has 131 friends.
 The Bear Band 


 Andrew Cronshaw 


 BEAR BONES 


 Pat Smith & Ned Clamp 


 Tim Laycock 


 JIM FOX 


 Twm Twp 


 Ceilidh Band - Fidget Pie 


 Brian McNeill 


 Battlefield Band 


 Oysterband 


 Martin Blake 


 Archie Fisher 


 BLOWZABELLA 


 Nigel Eaton 


 Jez Lowe 


 kathryn tickell 


 Calennig Dance Band 


 Johnny Collins 


 Jim Mageean 


 Maggie Holland 


 Barbara Dickson 


 RICHARD GRAINGER 


 George Whitfield 


 Helen Adam 


 Steve Turner 


 Martin Simpson 


 Graham Larkbey & The Escape Committee 


 Rees Wesson 


 Huw Chidgey 


 The Queensberry Rules 


 Steve Ashley 


 Maggie Boyle 


 Swan Arcade 


 Vin Garbutt 


 Delyth Jenkins 


 Jamie 


 Steve Tilston 


 Jimmy Crowley 


 wizz jones 





Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe's Friends Comments
Displaying 17 of 19 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
ratafolk

ratafolk



Nov 15 2009 10:54 AM

Hello Valley Folk Club Pontardawe

Thank you so much for the friendship

Cheers from Italy


Collettivo Mazzulata
The Blue Rhondda

The Blue Rhondda



Nov 15 2009 10:54 AM

Thanks for the add.
All the best from THE BLUE RHONDDA.
Any Way Out

Whitefern Mountain String Band

Whitefern Mountain String Band



Nov 15 2009 10:52 AM

Hi all
Do you know anyone who may be interested in playing Bluegrass guitar? The whitefern mountain string band are looking for a commited acoustic player to be in the band. We practice in Resolven.
Cheers Peter
Rich Baumann

Rich Baumann



Sep 26 2009 9:09 AM

It is a great day to be alive!

Thanks for including me!

 

What Question can I ask to empower myself and others?

What new thought can I notice now to add to my creativity?

How can I improve the experience of those I encounter today?

What can I do to facilitate your Gift?

 

Yesterday Is History

Tomorrow is a Mystery

Today is a Gift...

That's why we call it the Present

 

Blessings,

 

Rich Baumann ♫ folksinger ♫ songwriter ♫ storyteller ♫ educator

 

 

http://www.richbaumann.com

(Cardiff) Rumney Folk Festival 2009

(Cardiff) Rumney Folk Festival 2009



Sep 26 2009 9:08 AM

Thanks for the add!

JIM FOX

JIM FOX



Aug 23 2009 7:51 PM

The sad news is that Jim Couza passed away on Sunday.  He was a great friend and I had the honour of working with him many times at festivals, clubs and in the studio.  A literal giant in the folk music world.

Enjoy the rest big man.
Bernadette O’Grady

Bernadette O’Grady



Apr 9 2009 2:24 PM

hi, thanks for the add

best wishes,

Bernadette
Blyde Lasses

Blyde Lasses



Mar 28 2009 8:49 PM

Hi Vally Folk Club,

Thanks for the add!

All the best,

Blyde Lasses

The Living Tradition Magazine

The Living Tradition Magazine



Mar 31 2009 6:33 PM

Hi there

Thanks for becoming a friend of The Living Tradition magazine.

We will be using our myspace page to post the latest news and gig details from the UK folk music scene, but for in-depth coverage and features, you can read lots more in our bi-monthly magazine.

If you haven't seen the mag recently and would like a free back issue, please send us a message with your name and postal address.

Or if you would like to subscribe to the magazine the details are on our page.

Don't forget to tell us what you are up to.

All the best
The Living Tradition Team.
Cakehole Presley

Cakehole Presley



Nov 16 2008 1:21 PM

Thanks for accepting us Valley Folk Club ♪)
hope you enjoyed the music*


peace&love~cp
Jimmy Dowling

Jimmy Dowling



Oct 19 2008 10:48 AM

Happy to be friends – much appreciated.
Hope you had a chance to check out a few of my tunes!
coram populo

coram populo



Sep 22 2008 6:13 PM

Ciao and thanks for the add.
If you think you can are interested, we propose you our band!
Anyhow welcome to our own dance!
James Gale

James Gale



Aug 25 2008 4:43 PM

Hi and thanks for accepting my friend request - I hope you like my music! That's an amazing list of guest acts, and congratulations on the 40 years - some achievement!
best wishes for the next 40
cheers, James

JG at Soul Food Café, Brest, Bretagne, France
Battlefield Band

Battlefield Band



Aug 22 2008 10:08 AM

Thanks for searching us out - much appreciated!

All the best!
George Whitfield

George Whitfield



Aug 19 2008 7:41 PM

Hi all...Great, friendly club....accepting of a wide variety of good music! If you're reading this and haven't been ...GO! Thanks for the add and see you soon.
George.
RICHARD GRAINGER

RICHARD GRAINGER



Aug 19 2008 3:50 PM

Once I was invited into a small room one new years eve to 'sing in the new' with fellow Teessiders Ron Angel, Johnny Handle and Graeme Miles- what company to keep - I was only in my late teens but the aura of that night I still carry with me. To be in the 'hall of the Kings' for just one moment..............
Wouldnt it be lovely to have a singers night where all the previous guests attended - all as we are today- with our travelogues in our pockets and a song each to sing-what a night that would be!
Have a great 40th anniversary you chaps and lasses of Ponty.
Blanche Rowen & Mike Gulston

Blanche Rowen & Mike Gulston



Aug 18 2008 3:02 PM

We keep trying to get down to see you guys - will try harder!
B
x
Add Comment


©2003-2009 MySpace.com. All Rights Reserved.