This blog is now archaic.
Please go to The Occasional Folk Club to find out what we are doing now.

 I am reviewing these old BLOG areas and am surprised they still exist. Its 8th July 2024 and we have just had a General Election which saw Labour returned to power. In Chichester we now have a Liberal MP. This is the first time for 100 years that it has not been Tory. The people waned change and they have it. Ah but is it more that a titular alteration? Does anyone have the means to change our fortune? It seems to me that we have defeated ourselves.   This post seems to be on the City Folk Club. There are no other posts there....??  BjG

It's Official: The City Folk Club is no more!

 Yes, it is true, but the phoenix is rising!

You will know that we abandoned our long-standing relationship with the Girl Guides Hall in Chichester during Covid and the lockdown aftermath thereof.

Since then regular readers will have observed that we have operated several successful sing-arounds at Chidham and Hambrook Village Hall ...

These now operate on the second Sunday of every month and these sessions have been enthusiastically supported by many of our friends from CFC and an 'occasional' newcomer.

Thus we have become ...

THE OCCASIONAL FOLK CLUB

The upstairs room is warm, has a pleasant ambience and great acoustics.
There is adequate parking behind the hall, wheelchair access and a lift!
We have use of the downstairs kitchen.

The sing-around format is as before, and participants are asked to contribute a small sum depending on attendance numbers, (about £2.00,) to cover the expense of hiring the venue.
Currently we meet monthly, on the second Sunday of every month at
Chidham and Hambrook Village Hall, Chidham Lane, Chidham, [PO18 8TL]

The informative blog remains https://cityfolkchi.blogspot.com/, and is now headed,
'The occasional Folk Club'.
This will be updated regularly for future events.

Contact details: email cityfolkclub@gmail.com.
... or telephone Colin at 01243 574021.

Happy New Year! from Special Bitter

The link between this BLOG and London Apprentice has long puzzled me. Yet more of a puzzle is a link to City Folk Club BLOG. All these Blogs are almost archives and rarely accessed, There is a need to alter the link to defunct email addresses. I will try to do that today. 

New Year 2023

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR from London Apprentice

Life goes on but at a reduced rate with much natural and unnatural attrition. It seems that every day we lose someone that has been around for a long while. Last year there many but perhaps none so lofty as our queen of 70 yrs ER2. How can life here ever be the same again? I wish Charles III well as he comes to our throne at such a difficult time. There is much hardship for which our people are ill prepared. Technology marches on and needs to if we are to retain our lifestyle and save the planet which is warming faster than ever. The UK has lost 50% of its habitat. There are those who care but their actions merely make a bad situation even worse. There are strikes that emanate from dissatisfaction with the status-quo. On the technical front the difficulties range through nuclear, hydrogen, and batteries.  More automation and robotic machines threaten jobs with consequential unrest.  

I will confess some astonishment at the link between this Blog and that of CFC. It also links to my Special Bitter BLOG. Both need to have defunct email addresses changed. 

NOTES FROM 20MAY2023

It is 2 years since my accident on the stairs which curtailed my ability to play the guitar at all for 12 months. I am pleased to ay that the predictions that my "rotator-cuff" injury would take at least 2 years to heal have come true and aside from a slight discomfort I am back to playing bad notes as well as ever!

A couple of items on the morning news took my -er ear. The following transcribed from my rough notes.

AI WORRIES – Artificial Intelligence likely to create as many new jobs as it costs says professor. Concerns of population now risen to 68%. A thereat to humanity? BT to slash 55000 jobs by 2030. The march of the robots. Stephen Hawking said AI was mankind’s greatest achievement and greatest threat. Gutenberg Printing press C1400. Lawyers, Bankers, Accountants all under threat. Google Chief Dr Geoffrey Hinton (75) resigned over his fears of unethical use and regretting his involvement in the developments.  Existential threat to mankind. Chat robots that invent answers. Dystopian state inevitable. Forty percent of jobs in 1960 are not available today. Will it mean that no-one will have any income? What of the Tax-take and pensions? Inference, deduction, assumption issues. Mental health issues likely to rise if people not occupied. Humans always corrupt the use of new technology. Bad intentions prevail. Humanity always adapts to new challenges…. Mmm!

DOG DEATHS - A minority have a dog in order to intimidate. Breeds are not banned and no law has been been broken. Dangerous dogs act. A group of people who want an aggressive dog at their side. A status symbol. Why no licence? Type of owner has changed. Staffordshire Terriers are not all aggressive. “He’s never done this before” does not stack up when investigated. Time-line of aggressive development becomes obvious says a top source.

The Turn of the Year ...

 So, here is wishing you all a happy and restful festive season.
Now let us consider folkie activities for 2023.

The next session of The Occasional Folk Club will be on Sunday 8th January, 2023, beginning at 3.00pm at

CHIDHAM & HAMBROOK VILLAGE HALL, CHIDHAM, PO18 8TL.

An Autumn Minstrelsy

 

Reminder ... We will be occupying the upper floor of the hall.                                                          

Please use the main entrance which is to the side of the hall, or the external staircase. Please do not try to enter by the patio doors.

Being almost The Summer Solstice ...

On Sunday, 19th June, The Occasional Folk Club occupied the upper floor of Chidham and Hambrook Village Hall.

A goodly gathering of 17 friendly people attended.

Here are some of them ...

This venue has a pleasing ambience, and the acoustics are tremendous.

One of several splendid musical offerings, Debbie played Moon River on the slightly out-of-tune piano.
"Join in if you know the words," said Debbie.
Debbie couldn't see but, by the time she was playing the last verse, many lips were observed to be moving in unison.

Many thanks for the support of everyone who came along.

Next event?
We are thinking of some Sunday in Autumn.

And for our Next Event ...

The Occasional Folk Club 

invites you to an early celebration of ...

Sunday, 19th June, 2022, 3.00 - 6.00pm.

at Chidham & Hambrook Village Hall,

PO18 8TL

Enjoy music and songs in wonderful company.

Bring your own refreshments.

Voluntary contributions to cover costs, please ...

(circa. £2.00 - £3.00 p.p.)

(Yes, I have just been reminded that this date coincides with Father's Day.
That's OK, all Dads are welcome!)

About that May Time Singaround ...

 Well, Dogsbody takes full responsibility for the apparent chaos.

We were graced by the presence of 40 enthusiastic individuals, including a family of three Ukrainian guests. We even had to send for extra chairs!

In spite of the disorganisation, I deem the event to have been a success, and we were able to donate £130.00 to Sanctuary in Chichester. (Thank you, particularly, to the individual who donated the Hungarian 10-florint coin.) 

There was no time, nor space, to make a photographic or video record of happenings, but allow me to leave you with a couple of things that are available by other performers in the public domain ...

Dasha allowed us to join her in singing this Ukrainian anthem ...

"Hey, hey, Rise up and Rejoice!"

Then we went home to her rendition of this song from Titanic ...

My sincere thanks to everyone who turned up and contributed to this very special day.

A Date for Your Diary ...

 Sunday, 1st May, 3.00 -6.00pm.

The City Folk Club will be hosting a 

SPRINGTIME SING-AROUND.

at Chidham Village Hall,
Main Road,
Chidham, PO18 8TL.

Bring your seasonal songs and music, or just yourselves
...and your own beverages.

There will be no charge for entry, but there will be a collection in aid of Sanctuary in Chichester, which is a charitable organisation that supports refugees.

The Lifeboat Flare, Virtual #51

 Here's another fine offering with fireworks from Derek ...

Dire Prognostications from Max; Virtual #50

 

A song written and first recorded by Al Stewart in 1973, and later by Peter Bellamy.

(No copyright infringement intended.)

Another Showcase for Berry, (Virtual #49)

 "Good morning!" says Berry.

Then he goes all wobbly ...

Something classical from Mick, (Virtual #48)

 Bouree by J S Bach, (after Jethro Tull.)

(I wonder if Mick can do this standing on one leg?)

In case you haven't noticed there was a funeral yesterday, (Virtual #47)

 Here is Tom Bowling, composed by Charles Dibdin, (1745-1814,) who wrote it in memory of his brother, Thomas, who died at sea.

Polly on the Shore; Virtual #46

Roger's debut on this virtual platform, accompanied by Mick ...

An expression of endearment from Berry, Sylvia & Max. Virtual #45

 Darling!

💋💋

Tiny Dancer. Virtual #44

 Just admire our grandson's moves ...

Hills and Dales. Virtual #43

 Here's Derek again with a song inspired by a TV programme featuring a winter walk in the Yorkshire Dales ...

(Do you really find eagles in the Yorkshire Dales)

Derek adds this ...

"When I was writing the song I had my doubts about eagles in the Dales, but did some research, and, according to the internet and, in particular, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, you do: White-tipped Eagles along with Golden Eagles, to be precise, which surprised me.

Not sure about wild budgies unless they've escaped through the window!"