Being Friday the 24th of April, 2015 ...

Dogsbody arrived to set up with new chairs.

Here's one example ...

The cold steel is just a little chilly on the buttocks to begin with.
Worry not ... if you shuffle vigorously, your nether regions will soon warm.

Berry, as MC, arrived early.
In spite of earlier, very explicit correspondence, he seemed to be in some confusion ...

"What time are we starting?"

Let me remind you all ...

• Doors open: 22.00 hours.
• Music begins: 22.30 hours, precisely, (if not before.)

Of 34 available seats many were vacant, so we carried on regardless.

Phil gave account of this celebrity couple ...

There was bondage in transportation ...

My back with flogging was lacerated ...

Angela sang an obscure song ...

... and the crows fly away.

Roger delighted us with his fond memory ...

... a flashing blade or turquoise ...

Phil gave a commentary about a flying object over China ...

We are delighted to report that Roger remained securely seated throughout the evening, no chairs collapsed, no limbs were lost and nobody really died!

So, next week, (actually, tomorrow, as I write,) will be ...

Those of any political persuasion will be welcome to join us.

Perhaps we can anticipate summer with this song ...

The chorus goes thus:

Hail! hail! the first of May-oh

For it is the first summer's day-oh

Cast your cares and fears away

Drink to the old 'oss on the first of May.

(Ack; Dave Webber, with permission.)

Celebrating Saint George ...

23rd April, being the feast day of England's patron saint, as well as that of many other countries/organisations ... not to mention defender of fair maidens threatened by fiery dragons ... here's Tricky Dicky's socio-political view ...

Kindly understand that Mr Thompson's opinions might be at variance with those of The City Folk Club's participants.

Great song though, and inspired juxtaposition of images of political leaders with three wise monkeys.

Lyrics can be found by clicking here.
In 4/4 time; for the body of the song, the chords appear to be these:
D A G D Eminor (x3 bars) A,
Careful now: there is an obscure introductory riff that begins with Em and includes Bm.

So work on that, Roger!

Being Friday the 17th of April, 2015 ...

So, where was everybody?

It took a little while to assemble a critical mass, so those of us who arrived early talked about start-time again.

Paul, as MC, opened by taking a sad song and making it better.

Angela sang in French about always waiting for her lover to return.

(For some of us, that's a way of life!)

Not to be outdone, Tony also sang in French ...

Pioche!

Tony gave an interesting commentary that the song, Die Moorsoldaten, had been first performed in German in 1933 by political prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp ...

Not speaking German, we had to make do with Peat-Bog Soldiers in French.
Now it appears in the public domain as 'trad. Irish'!
You will hear Luke Kelly singing a version in English by clicking Peat Bog Soldiers.

Gigi was a vagrant female sporting a lap-top ...

Mave took us to the Peak District ...

I've walked upon Kinder, been burned to a cinder ...

Maggie expressed a desire for a wealthy companion ...

"I know it's only a hundred grand, but I am old-fashioned ...
will I do. Maggie?"

So, we compensated for small numbers by musical quality, good company, camaraderie and fun.

ADVANCE NEWS:
(Or maybe this is a warning to sensitive souls.)

On Friday, 24th. April, Berry will be MC.
Doubtless, such intelligence will bring you out in droves!

What time does the City Folk Club start?

"Oh," I hear you say, "Not that old chestnut."

OK, Dogsbody gives in!

Our limited publicity that states that The City Folk Club begins at 8.00pm, but there has arisen a widespread assumption that nothing much happens before 8.30.

You all know that the Guide Hall is regularly set up by about 7.45pm, and it has occasionally been slightly embarrassing when newcomers turn up diligently at, (and often before,) 8.00pm to find only a solitary stuffed penguin for company ...

Hello, my name is Moseley.
What's yours?

So, shall we agree that doors open at 8.00pm, and that music, irrespective of number of participants, begins promptly at 8.30pm?

If you want to have socialising time, prepare hot beverages, visit the local convenience store, attend to physiological needs etc. then why not come along early?
Your MC will be ready to ‘ding’ the bell-tree, (the signal of call-to- order,) by 8.30pm, precisely ...

Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding, DING!

… even if you are in the loo!

Being a Week after Easter: Friday the 10th of April, 2015 ...

Dogsbody was back and occupied a safe chair.

Of  24 performances, 14 were about love.
That makes a change from death and mutilation, doesn't it?

Den sang about his archaic wallpaper ...

Did you know that Sean Connery had
green spots?

My lady is one of these sang Bob ...

She may be wild, but she's all mine!

Conor brought us a train ...

... but it don't stop here anymore.

Now, about that chair ...

"Ouch!" cried Roger.

Poor Roger, (being only slightly larger than the average Brownie or Girl Guide,) ended up on the floor.
He declined first-aid and was able to regain an upright posture unassisted.
His mandolin was fortunately unharmed.

We overcame all adversity, and went home humming very quietly a song of great optimism ...

Being Good Friday, 3rd April, 2015 ...

Dogsbody was away for the weekend.
Is that what tempted 18 people to attend and sing/perform 26 numbers?

We have to thank Angela for taking the facilitator's chair ...

No, it was not Angela who did this.
See next week's blog post.

Angela gives special mention to Bob: something about lighting and ladder-climbing.

Thank you, Bob.

Will The City Folk Club be operating on Good Friday?

Since you ask ...

DEFINITELY:  YES!

Please come along and support your club and Angela, (co-organiser and key-holder.)
Dogsbody will be absent; that might encourage some!

Any help that you can offer in helping to set up the Guide Hall will be most welcome.
Assistance in clearing up will also be greatly appreciated.

So ... what will Dogsbody be doing?
(A few precious souls have cared to ask.)
He will be on a 5-yearly paschal pilgrimage to a bizarre ritual of archaic, non-religious and highly-dubious political correctness in the Calder Valley, West Yorkshire ...

So, have a wonderful evening, and in consideration for the residents of Whyke Lane ...

kindly leave in silence!

HAPPY EASTER to you all.