Folk at the Brewery

The Sessions

The aims of ‘Folk at the Brewery’ were to give some of our great local folk talent a more formal ‘platform’ performance opportunity, and to bring together folk enthusiasts from the various clubs across the region. The sessions had a seasonal flavour and were held quarterly on the second Tuesday in March (Spring), June (Summer), September (Autumn) and December (Winter). Run by an invited MC, they featured traditional floor performers with an extended set (‘Hanlons' Half Hour’) from a local guest in each half of the evening. A traditional craft was also on display at each session. There were eight sessions over the two years:

2017 Session

Spring 2017 (click HERE for report)
Tuesday 14th March 2017
Barry Lister & Friends, Moira Craig & Malcolm Austen
Guest MC: Jon Shapley
Craft: Stained Glass (Geoff Markley)

2016 Sessions

Winter 2016 (click HERE for report)
Tuesday 13th December 2016
Tom & Barbara Brown, Steve Gill
Guest MC: Nicola King
Craft: Uguna Flutes (Geoff Norman)

Autumn 2016 (click HERE for report)
Tuesday 13th September 2016
Exmouth Shanty Men
Guest MC: Mike Warman
Craft: Country Pottery by Harry Juniper (Harvest jugs)

Summer 2016 (click HERE for report)
Tuesday 14th June 2016
Thorn & Roses, Bill Crawford
Guest MC: Gideon Barrett
Craft: Bee-Keeping
Special visit: Great Western Morris

Spring 2016 (click HERE for report)
Tuesday 8th March 2016
Hanlons Half Hours: Roger Smith, Pennymoor Chorus
Guest MC: Leith Whittington
Craft: Lace-Making

2015 Sessions

Winter 2015 (click HERE for report)
Paul Watts & Hazel Underwood (SagaLouts), Sylvia Watts
Guest MC: Martyn Babb
Craft: Spinning and Weaving

Autumn 2015 (click HERE for report)
Bill Murray, Eileen Conn & Jackie Williams
Guest MC: Joan Holloway
Craft: Corn Dollies

Summer 2015 (click HERE for report)
Flash Jack, Steve Thomason
Guest MC: Alan Rosevear
Craft: Face Masks

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The format of the evening was:

The Venue

Hanlons Brewery (formerly O’Hanlons) had been re-launched in a new brewery building at Half Moon, between Exeter and Crediton.  See the Brewery website for a good location map. The site had good access, parking and was central. Up a flight of stairs (disabled access pending) was Hanlons Bar – a bit like a wine bar – with a window overlooking the brewery floor (where bigger gigs could be held). The Bar had great acoustics and the beer was only £2.50 a pint! Capacity was about 60, on wooden bench seating. It was popular and the audience was recommended to bring a cushion and wear something to keep cool!

Entry

The entry charge for everyone (except the ‘Hanlons' Half Hour’ and MC guests) was £6, but this did include a pint (or equivalent) and an interval pasty.

Organisers

 ‘Folk at the Brewery’ sessions were organised by Dick and Melanie Henrywood. For more information click here.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to everyone for supporting ‘Folk at the Brewery’. With special gratitude to: Sam Bungard, Dan Taylor, Joan Holloway, Nicola King, Jon Shapley, and Alan Rosevear.

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