When I was working, I used to look forward to my Sunday nights - a lot of my colleagues didn't because they had work the next day - but unlike them, since 1978, I've had the Bothy Folk Club to look forward to. The Bothy has been going since 1965 (when I was in lower school) and now meets at the Park Golf Club in Southport. The beer is usually Thwaites Lancaster Bomber, and is generally well-kept. It was in good form last night.
Sunday was a singers night, with no booked guest, just local performers and club residents; it's the same principle as an open mike night, but no PA. I was going to write a summary of the night, but Alun Parry, who will be appearing at Southport Arts Centre next month supporting Roy Bailey, put the following on his blog.
"I decided to head off to the Bothy Folk Club in Southport last night. They were holding a singer's night and I thought I'd go and join in the fun. For those who say live authentic music is dead, you should really head to the Bothy each Sunday. It was packed and was a thoroughly enjoyable night of entertainment. Wonderfully hosted by the very amusing and charming Clive, an array of singers got up to do their turn for two songs, ensuring lots of variety and giving the warm feel of the best kind of family party.
"I performed two songs myself. I chose The Ship Song for audience nah nah nahhing, and You Are My Addiction for the largely comic premise and lyrics. It's great to put your guitar down and be so royally entertained by your peers too. I particularly enjoyed Ellen who delivered two songs with real showmanship and gusto. And Stuart on his squeezebox was a treat too. As was Keith, who did the most extraordinary song about a boozy night in a burning pub! With much help from the audience who provided sound effects and more! Marvellous stuff. Was nice to bump into Pete Rimmer again too, and hear Neville Grundy sing Billy Bragg's Which Side Are You On."
I think that sums it all up pretty well.
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"50p a unit and he thinks it no sin" - these are indeed the 'rigs' (19th century jargon for 'tricks') of the time! I often wonder why no-one ever seeks to establish why any person would need to binge drink, rather than be part of the so-called 'moderate majority.' To achieve oblivion and escape the social deprivation and sense of abandonment by a Government that lost moral direction some while back would be my answer. Applies to all age groups too. Pass that bottle to me!
ReplyDelete"Soon they'll be bleary-eyed under a keg of wine, Down where the drunkards roll."
ReplyDeleteGood point: no one in government asks why, but then if they successfully reduced alcohol consumption, tax revenues would go down. They've got to pay for their own subsidised drinks somehow (this will be the subject of a future posting).