After a couple of hours working up some new materials for the heavy schedule of gigs in the weeks ahead, we set off early to get across the Dartford Bridge before the evening rush hour for our performance at Tonbridge Folk Club, known to many as 'Nellies'.
Arriving in the town early allowed us time to have a walk around the delightful castle and town centre. The castle (picture attached) features in the logo of the Tonbridge Folk Club.
After a quick bite to eat we headed over to the folk club, newly relocated to a room upstairs at Ye Olde Chequers Inn in the centre of the town.
With club organiser Roger Resch performing elsewhere that evening, we were welcomed and looked after by John and Di Cullen, experienced club and session organisers in their own right and now running a folk evening every other Monday at the Boar’s head Inn at nearby Crowborough. Not long after we arrived, an old acquaintance from Watford Folk Club, Dave Auld arrived. Newly arrived in the area, Dave has quickly established himself as a well-known figure in the Kent folk scene.
With various people unable to attend, the evening ended up being quite intimate. However, this allowed Dave, John and Di and other club regulars more time to perform and show the rich variety of talents existing in the club.
Our own sessions seemed to go well and, given the dismal goalless performance by the English football team at the European Championships, they remained undisturbed by any cheers or hurrahs emanating from the bar below.
Many thanks to Roger Resch for the invitation to perform again at Nellie's and many thanks to John, Di and other club members for sharing the evening with us. We very much hope to see you all again soon, perhaps at the forthcoming Broadstairs Folk Week.
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