Andy's Article
The Legend of Kiveton Park Folk Club
The origins of Kiveton Park Folk Club are almost lost in the mists of time.However there can still be found those few worthy individuals who can remember it's beginnings,
in the tap room of the Lord Conyers public house about thirty-three years ago.
Making it, possibly, South Yorkshire's longest continuously running folk venue.
On Tuesday 17th March 1970 Kiveton Park Folk Club was officially born
in the upstairs room of that same hostelry
Since then has only closed on one Tuesday night
In those heady days of the 70's we engaged fortnightly guests.
Amongst these we gained a reputations as one of the best chorus singing clubs in the country.
We've had the best of them, both great and small
some still around and others, gone to that great sing around in the sky.
Previous luminaries have included
Martin Carthy, McColl and Seeger, Louis Killen,
The High Level Ranters, Nick Jones, Sean Cannon, Dave Swarbrick,
The Stewart Family of Blair, Irish traditional singer Joe Heaney, John Tams
and a host of others who have gone on to national folk recognition.
After about fifteen years we moved from the Conyers to the Waleswood Hotel at Wales Bar.
A place then noted for the ankle-deep blood and vomit at it's regular weekend discos.
The Waleswood served us well for a few years until,despite the efforts of some managers,
it became increasingly dilapidated and the mice walked out in protest!
This was a sign to move on and we landed, three years ago, at our present venue,
Kiveton Park Colliery Cricket Club.
Since then the club has witnessed the greatest revival since Lazarus!
The clubs policy on booking Guests
This year, we're looking to book a guest every six weeks or so.We've always been a strong singers club and the folk who attend like to participate.
That's the essence of Kiveton Park.
It will not become a 'concert' club where folk sit mute and open gobbed at the feet of their particular idols.
We also intend to keep admission charges as low as possible.
That can't be done if we book the latest divas and folk icons.
Their fees would be prohibitive and you'd have to re-mortgage the house to pay entrance!
We will continue booking guests who provide value for a reasonable fee,
engage well with the audience,
and do the kind of stuff that folk can relate to and join in with.
Value for money
We have a £1 ashtray whip-round on singer's nights.The door charges on guest nights have not yet been above £2.50 for members and £5 for non-members.
What do you get for your hard-earned brass then.
Well, on singer's and guest nights, there's always free snacks on every table.Free tea and coffee for those who don't partake of the demon drink.
Free grub in the break (usually sandwiches, pizza, pork pie etc.)
One of the cheapest bars around.
Can't be bad