Kendal, Cumbria, UK

Subject: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST,jenup
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 03:54 PM

Is there a folk club in Kendal? I heard there was but I can't find it. If there isn't, are there any folks there interested in trying to start one?

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 04:10 PM

Last I heard was that The Globe in the marketplace held a weekly session on Mondays(?), but I've never managed to get there myself on visits to my Aged Parents in Kendal. The Folk Festival at the Brewery seems to have faded away, and Smiths Records are no more than a treasured memory.
The Hale and Hearty Club on 1st and 3rd Fridays in Milnthorpe has some excellent singers as residents.
I don't visit Kendal often enough (as my mother keeps reminding me!) but I'd be interested to hear of any developments.

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 05:04 PM

jenup
Good luck with your efforts in trying to find (or found) a folk club in Kendal.
These two websites may help you get in touch with others who might help you:
Cumbria Folk News
and Folk North West
The Hale and Hearty Club is held on the first and third Fridays of the month at The Kings Arms, Hale - two miles south of Milnthorpe on the A6.

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST,jenup
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 03:43 PM

Thanks so much for that info, Matthew. I am planning to move to Kendal early next year and don't know anyone there. Your ideas will hopefully show me a way in - although, surprisingly, mudcatters seem to be thin on the ground there. Maybe we can get a club started by the time you visit your parents! Thanks again for your response.

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 04:16 PM

Kendal's a lovely place, providing you stay well away from the Westmorland Shopping Centre, and learn to accept the terrible traffic jams.

Wishng you well, and all the best

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 07:16 PM

Kendal has to be one of the best places to live in in England, so jenup, I think you have made a very wise choice indeed to move there, and I am sure that you will be happy.
Apart from the wonderful views of Lakeland from the Castle or from the fellside above Serpentine Wood, the town itself is a delight to explore and wander around. Although the High Street (which changes name four times as you travel along it!) is often clogged with traffic there still are some good interesting shops to be found. I swear by Farrer's teas and coffees, have bought good outdoor equipment from the Kentdale Rambler, tasted excellent farmhouse cheeses bought in Kendal indoor market. The chocolate shop is heaven for serious addicts!
Besides all this there is the Brewery Arts Centre which has a good film club, theatre, concert hall and restaurant.There are some occasional appearances by folk artists.
Also worth mentioning is Abbott Hall Art Gallery which has a very good collection of paintings, and regularly stages exhibitions of major artists.
I hope that you will find either that there is a folk club still running at the Globe, or can contact others who would be interested in reviving a club. I might even come and visit the club one of these days!

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: Blowzabella
Date: 11 Oct 03 - 07:31 PM

It is, indeed a good spot to be. I visit quite regularly. Nearby, you've got lots of other places of interest, without necessarily having to stick to the tourist honeypots. (but whatever you do and no matter how tempted you are, never EVER go to Morecambe!!! It was recently voted 3rd crappest place - it was a fiddle, it should have won - and no, I don't live there but I do work there) You have been warned!!

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: Menolly
Date: 12 Oct 03 - 01:45 PM

I live just over the border into Lancashire and am one of the resisents at the Hale & Hearty. Apart from the occational foilk concert at the Brewery, I do not know of a folk club in Kendal. There is was a little further north at Ings on a Tuesday.
Do venture into Morecambe - The Platform, a converted railway station, is a good venue and has soem very good artists on, unfortunately usually on a Friday, which clashed with out club.

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 13 Oct 03 - 12:12 PM

When all the proposed restoration work has been completed on the Lancaster Canal (and now that the Ribble Link has been completed), Kendal should become the furthest point north on the main English canal system. Currently Ripon in Yorkshire holds this honour, but possibly not for much longer.

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: Arnie
Date: 14 Oct 03 - 08:16 AM

I agree with all the nice comments about Kendal - used to go camping around there as a lad. Last went there about 5 yrs ago with my now grown-up daughters and it still looked great but of course it just had to rain that day (not unusual in the Lakes!) Anyway, I think it was in Kendal that we found a pencil factory with a well-organised visitor centre so after a couple of hours out of the rain we became pencil experts....Good luck in setting up a folk club there jenup if that's what you decide to do - I'm sure there will be many closet musicians in the town. The trouble is keeping the interest going week after week as other new clubs have discovered. And of course a genuinely talented singer/player or two are essential to bring in the novices and non-performers. The other must is a free room in a decent pub!! As I reside in Kent I'm afraid I'll have to give any new club a miss for now, but I love the Lakes and when I retire.....

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Oct 03 - 08:34 AM

Arnie, the pencil factory/museum is in Keswick

Subject: RE: Kendal, Cumbria, UK
From: Menolly
Date: 14 Oct 03 - 03:15 PM

But there is a bobbin making factory near by.