Tim Hughes looks at a small club that attracts big names

Tucked away in leafy South Oxfordshire is one of the county’s most unlikely musical success stories.

From its home in an intimate village hall, Nettlebed Folk Club regularly pulls in the very biggest acts – names who would usually play venues many times its size.

On Monday this folk institution, founded in the village in 1975 by a group of folkies from Maidenhead when their local pub landlord moved to Nettlebed’s now-defunct Bull Inn, celebrated its 40th anniversary.

And the former BBC Folk Club of the Year award-winner marked the occasion by pulling in some of the people who have helped make it what it is.

The party was headlined by Paul Downes and Phil Beer, who have been performing in Nettlebed since the 70s, and re-formed specially for the show. Beer, who is club patron, is better known as one half of duo Show of Hands.

They were joined by Feast of Fiddles, who actually formed for a gig at Nettlebed more than 20 years ago, Irish band Craobh Rua and local heroes Jackie Oates, Megan Henwood, Kith & Kin and Bruce Gomersall.

The venue has gigs every Monday evening and Mike Sanderson, from the club, said: “From a small start in a tiny bar holding 40 people, the club quickly established itself as one of the folk scene’s major circuit venues.

“It moved in 1991 to its present venue at the Village Club after the closure of the Bull Inn.

“However, the opportunity was taken to change gear as the new venue held 200 people.” He added: “The club is a volunteer run, non-profit organisation and takes over 12 people to keep it running smoothly.

“The acts staged encompass the different types of traditional and contemporary music and song from the British Isles, with occasional acts from Europe and North America. Most major British folk acts have appeared, names like Fairport Convention, Lindisfarne, Steeleye Span, Ralph McTell, Altan, Cara Dillon, Richard Thompson, Show of Hands, Martin Carthy, John Kirkpatrick, and Martin Simpson – to name just a few.”

Three of Fairport Convention’s members are appearing at the club separately over the next two months.

On Monday, violinist and mandolin player Chris Leslie, who plays in Fairport Covention, Feast of Fiddles and St Agnes Fountain, will perform at Nettlebed Folk Club.

On November 2, bassist Dave Pegg, will again hold his birthday concert at the club, performing alongside Anthony John Clarke, Anna Ryder and Noel Le Long, while drummer Gerry Conway appears with his other band, Fotheringay on December 7.

Other forthcoming acts include The Young’uns, winner of the best group prize at this year’s BBC Folk Awards, on October 12 and Lindisfarne band members Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw. Wallingford resident Jackie Oates will perform on November 9 alongside Megan Henwood and on November 16 with Eliza Carthy, Lucy Farrell and Kate Young.

* Monday night gigs at Nettlebed Folk Club in the village’s High Street run from 8-11pm. Call 01628 636620 to book tickets.