Welcome to Whitby and District Folk Clubs
Welcome to anyone finding this Blog as the result of the Black Swan Folk Club, York Newsletter.
Iusually blog at least once a day and, as anyone can see from previous entries, often comment on the Folk Club Scene, particularly in and around Whitby. So, I thought it would be useful if, over the coming days or weeks, gave an account of each one an its particular ‘flavour’, and then finally listed them.
The First In Last Out, known locally as the FILO, is a pub on the Fishburn Park Estate in Whitby, which area the locals refer to as ‘The Railway’. Much of the housing in this densely populated district was built around 1863 with some later Victorian and Edwardian inclusions. More of this in other blogs.
The Pub is small and traditional and in the Real Ale Guide for 2009 being run by the Pritchetts, Charles and Sheila. The Open Folk Session is on a Tueday night officially starting at 8.30pm but rarely getting going till 9pm. It is run by Stuart Tonnar with Chris Coulter occasionally standing inif Stuart is absent. If both are absent then I am usually ‘it’.
It is a round and round session with everyone joining in with voice and or instrument if they want to and no objection has been voiced by the performer whose turn it is. There is not too much chat and it goes round quite quickly. However, it is a pub and if the locals talk when your on it means you’ve got be a bit more interesting. there is often a break on tuesday nights for sandwiches but I won’t tell you when or you’ll just turn up for the sandwiches.The session ends promptly at 12 midnight and participants are expected to clear off pronto as the pub is in a residential area and regard has to be had to the neighbours.
For my tastes it is one of the best nights in the area and the standard of music, entertainment and hospitality is high.
There is a similar session every First Saturday in the Month so, spend the weekend in Whitby and get along there on 1st November, its this week.
Tony Morris
www.tonymorris.com
