Music of the People, for the People, by the People.

Folk duo Harper's Dove (Campbell Perry and Ruth Noble) at the venue for the new folk club, Oak House Sports and Social Club. Photo credit: Sybella Perry.

Leamington is experiencing its very own Folk Revival as 28 April sees the relaunch of The Heart of England Folk Club, where acclaimed singers such as June Tabor and Polly Bolton first started out in the 1960s.

Local folk duo Harper’s Dove are working in partnership with Oak House Sports and Social Club to create a place where local musical talent can be celebrated and nurtured. Initially there will be performances every four weeks, under the title Foak @ the Oak, which will be free to attend and open to all.

Each month Harper’s Dove will host four invited acts from the Coventry and Warwickshire music scene, who will each perform a 30 minute acoustic set.The fantastic line up for April’s launch night includes Rack and Ruin, Thrup’nny Bits, The Boat Rats and Liz Wall, all of whom grace Folk Festival stages.

Campbell Perry, of Harper’s Dove, explains, “Whilst we’re approaching performers we already know in order to get the new club off to a flying start, we very much want it to be inclusive, so are inviting singers and musicians of all ages and cultures to get in touch about sharing their traditional folk and roots music.”

Harper's Dove at the new venue. Photo credit Sybella Perry.

 Although the organisers are not trying to fully recreate the original 1960s folk club – people won’t have to sit on the floor or be surrounded by clouds of cigarette smoke! – they hope to rekindle its spirit and will be using the former club’s traditional closing song The Parting Glass to round off the evening.

David Jenkins, Treasurer of Oak House, comments, “We’re excited to be hosting the revival of the Heart of England Folk Club. I have fond memories of the original club in the 60s, at the Fox and Vivian, and look forward to its return.”

The New Heart of England Folk Club will be open to everyone, but people who aren’t members of Oak House Sports and Social Club should book their free tickets on Eventbrite: Foak@the Oak-April Enquiries for The New Heart of England Folk Club can be sent to:

newhoefolk@gmail.com or via their Facebook page