Isle of Wight Folk Venues The national lockdowns over the last year or so have forced many of us to find “things to do”. I've spent some time going over old diaries, photos and sound recordings that I found either in the attic or buried in old computer discs. It occurred to me that I should put some of this into a semblance of order, and a number of projects have resulted.

Out of this I've collected information about the venues where folk music has taken place regularly over the years on the Island. The version is generally my recollections and research with help from Debbie. There must be a great deal more to add from others who have been involved. It would be great to complete the story if possible.

I've tried to be chronological where possible and where I have the information, but don't take the order to mean anything significant! I've included some details of the people involved in each venue where I have that information.

It's worth noting that Folk on the island has always been very diverse and generally has fallen into three different formats: • Folk clubs which ran at various venues, often moving from one venue to another • The pub scene where a group or individual would run a regular entertainment night • The folk session scene, mostly using pubs, where informal groups of musicians and singers would meet.

The heyday of the pub scene was probably the 1970's and 80's when many of the folk groups and singers would have regular paid gigs at pub venues (folk groups were always cheaper than pop bands).

V2, Mike Butler, 17th February 2021

The Wheatsheaf Hotel, This first one is, maybe, a bit contentious: January 1957. The Wheatsheaf in Terminus Road, Cowes was run by Fred and Rita Penny and had a resident band The Wheatsheaf Skiffle Group comprising Cliff and Margaret Maidment, Reg Quanhill and George (of unknown surname). They played “Blues, railroad songs, folk songs, spirituals and jazz”. Was this the first Island pub folk venue?

The Castle, Newport Mid 1963 – informal weekly folk sessions.

March 1964 to June 1965 - the start of The Island Folk Song Club, run by Liz Eales-Davis, Tom Taylor, Cliff Maidment, Cas Caswell and Martin Cave.

Feb 1974 to March 1975 – Mike Butler & Paul Elliott in the bar.

1984 - Castle Folk Club, run by Jim Jewel.

Downlands Folk, run by Andy Jackson (dates?). The Redan, June 1965, The Island Folk Song Club, compered by John Greene. Was too small for the number of people attending so moved to The Sloop via The Anglesea Tavern.

Anglesea Tavern, Ryde 1965, the temporary venue for 2 months for The Island Folk Song Club after The Redan.

1970, The Island Folk Song Club after The Prince Consort for a short time.

1980's, The Island Folk Club.

Sloop Inn, Wootton 1966 to early 1971, The Island Folk Song Club, weekly on Fridays. Would host up to 150 people. Home to the Bogtrotters (Roy Middlebrook, John Underwood, Cliff Maidment) and later, “Steamboat” and “Witchazel”. Laurie Say wrote a song “Down at the Sloop on a Friday”. Down at the Sloop on Friday, That is where you ought to be, Sing and clap and stamp your feet Down at the Sloop on Friday 1975, Folk Club started maybe by Dave & Anwyl Williams. This then split into two clubs, one called 'The Sloop Ashore” went to other venues.

1976, club run by Anne and Alan Wright, Fridays.

2006, “Folk By The Fireside” an informal folk music session which ran fortnightly on Fridays

The Prince Consort Cellar, Ryde 1971, The Island Folk Song Club after the Sloop. Run by Dick Dewey and Mike Butler.

Fisherman’s Cottage, Run by Laurie Say, Keith Hardy, John Newman, etc. Later run by Folk Madrigal (Keith Hardy, Mike Butler, Paul Elliott).

The Chequers Started by Laurie Say, Keith Hardy, John Newman, Phil , latterly by John Newman.

Eagle Tavern, Ryde Sept 1970, Start of The Men of Wight Morris.

1971, The Island Folk Song Club (after The Prince Consort).

Closed as a pub in 1972.

Calvert’s Hotel Newport July 1973 to May 1975. known also as “The Newport Folk Club”, run by Folk Madrigal (Keith Hardy, Paul Elliott and Mike Butler and later, John Lillington). The Crown Inn, E. Cowes Feb 1971 to ?, Crown Folk initially run by Dick Dewey.

Victoria Tavern, Run by Rob Carr. Dates?

The Tin Hut, Wootton (Not sure of official name) First home of The Sloop Ashore club eventually run by Jim Jewel. This was a WI hall on the opposite side of the bridge from the Sloop.

The Esplanade Hotel, Ryde Mid 70's, the cellar run by Laurie Say.

The White Hart, Havenstreet Feb to August 1974, Mike Butler & Paul Elliott. The Landlord was a retired army farrier.

In 1975 there were some irregular sessions there.

The Vine, St Helens Late '70's, The Island Folk Club initially run by Ken Stevens.

The Riverside Centre, Newport Last home of the Sloop Ashore club, run by Jim Jewel.

The Prince of Wales, Freshwater Mid 1970's, Garry Cramp, Anne and Alan Wright. Sunday nights.

The Highdown Inn, Various performers have done occasional evenings here, e.g. Ken Stevens etc.

The Blacksmith's Arms Up to July 1979, Tuesdays.

The Woodvale, Gurnard 1st April 1980 – August 1982, before this date Corduroy (John Wiles, Pete Meredith and Pip Richardson) then Whirligig (Dave & Anwyl Williams), then joined by Mike Butler and Rob Carr, and finally Black Velvet Band (Rob Carr, Mike Butler, Paul Elliott plus a number of different drummers).

The White Lion, 1984, Anne and Alan Wright in the room at the back The Wheatsheaf, Newport July 1982 to Sept 1983, Black Velvet band (Rob Carr, Paul Elliott, Mike Butler, Vanessa Turner/Slade).

Unknown date – a sing-around run by Roy Perkins

The Sandrock Inn, May 1984 to Sept 1984, Sunday nights, Black Velvet Band (Rob Carr, Mike Butler, Paul Elliott).

The Lakeside, Wootton Bridge MC'd by Brian Jacobs. Dates?

The Castle and Banner, Newport 1987, Island Folk run by Alan Perkins, Fridays.

Yelf's Hotel, Ryde Had a cellar bar run by Laurie Say.

Then the Island Folk Club in the 90's.

Rookley Park 1982 – don't have any details except I MC'd there in April that year.

The Simeon Arms, Ryde 1987, The Helmsman Folk Club, Fridays.

Southern Vectis Social Club, Newport 1979/1980 - Sloop Ashore club, run by Jim Jewel. Dates?

The Highdown Inn, Totland Various performers have done occasional evenings here, e.g. Ken Stevens etc.

The Hare and Hounds, Downend Laurie Say – no dates or details.

The Spyglass, Has had a long run of folk musicians over the years since the Gibbs brothers took over. Last orders, JC in his many guises, etc, etc,....

The Portland Inn, Gurnard June 2009 to November 2016. The John Wiles and Pete Meredith initially, then the folk club in the bar run by Rob Carr & Mike Butler.

Woodman Arms, Wootton December 2010, current. Fiddle session Wednesdays monthly. Run by Bob Huxtable The Kingston Arms, Cowes March 2014 - a musician's session run by Brian Fitzpatrick.

December 2016 to November 2018, run as a general folk night by Rob Carr.

Bob's Basement A long-running weekly Irish music session on Thursdays run by Bob Huxtable at his house. Current.

Hideaway Cafe, Shanklin February 2014 to June 2019, Wednesdays monthly. Started by Rodney Walmsley, then run by Debbie Wyke, ended June 2019 when it moved to the Porter Club in Lake.

Porter Club, Lake. June 2019 current, Thursday evenings. Run by Debbie Wyke.

King Lud, Ryde March 2016? to ?. Run by Paul Sturgess

Quay Arts Centre, Newport Several music sessions have been run here.

October 2016 to present. Sunday evening monthly run by John Bentley & Mike Butler. Invited performers only.

The Traveller's Joy, Northwood Over the years there have been several sessions, etc here. John Wiles & Pete Meredith for instance.

2018 after the Kingstone sessions closed, organised initially by Rob Carr. Currently Thursday afternoons.

Gallybagger, Current, last Thursday evening of month.

Waverley Arms, Current, Wednesdays.

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