Grayshott Folk Club's
"Christmas Special" with MELROSE QUARTET

After another year of upheaval and uncertainty, what we all need is an opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy a proper old-fashioned, Christmas "do". Who better to play for us, than Melrose Quartet? Top Folk musicians Nancy Kerr, James Fagan, Jess Arrowsmith and Richard Arrowsmith will royally entertain us with their very special, seasonal show, which they call "A Bright New Year" (I'll drink to that!). The show will be based upon "The Rudolph Variations", which is their full-length album that features a range of joyous seasonal songs, from traditional carols to contemporary wassails.

This will be a fun evening of music & song, dressing up, games with prizes, lots of choruses to join in with, and an award for the most memorable Christmas jumper.

Nancy Kerr (voice, fiddle)
BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year 2015 and well-loved for her appearances with, The Magpie Arc (https://themagpiearc.com/) Martin Simpson, The Full English, Shake the Chains and The Transports among others – and especially for her multiple award-winning duo with husband James Fagan.
Awards
2000: "Horizon Award" at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
2003: "Best Duo" (with James Fagan) at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
2011: "Best Duo" (with James Fagan) at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
2011: "Best Album" (with James Fagan) in the Spiral Awards
2014: "Best Group" and "Best Album" (with the Full English) at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
2015: "Folk Singer of the Year" at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards

James Fagan (voice, bouzouki, guitar)
Bouzouki wizard, multi-instrumentalist and singer of traditional and contemporary songs, especially from his native Australia. He has toured internationally with Nancy Kerr, Cara Dillon, Bellowhead, Glorystrokes and most recently, with his new duo The James Brothers.

Jess Arrowsmith (voice, fiddle)
Singer and fiddler Jess, performs with husband Richard as a duo, in ceilidh band Hekety, and in new transatlantic trio Arrowsmith : Robb with Ian Robb of Ottawa, having formerly sung, played and toured internationally with Crucible.

Richard Arrowsmith (voice, melodeons)
Box virtuoso and bass singer of great warmth and depth, Richard is recognised as one of the finest players of traditional dance music on the scene. Alongside his work with Jess in duo, trio and full band form (Arrowsmith : Robb, Hekety, Crucible) he is also principle musician for morris side Pecsaetan, and a founder member of metal/ceilidh band Glorystrokes..

Tickets £20

Available from Des O'Byrne
On: 01428 607096

Or online at Ents 24:
https://www.ents24.com/hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall/the-melrose-quartet/7189053

Bella Hardy
At Grayshott Folk Club on Friday 29th November 2024 @ 7.30pm A must-see for anyone who loves music with heart, soul and a dash of magic.

“Brit Folk's finest” – Mojo
“A fine, no-nonsense interpreter of traditional music and an excellent songwriter”
-The Guardian
“Few are as adventurous and intriguing” – Songlines
“Stunning… there is an aura of sophistication that will win over listeners who never usually set foot in a Folk club”
- The Sunday Times

Bella Hardy, the inimitable voice of modern Folk, will be visiting Grayshott Folk Club on her highly-anticipated UK tour. Hardy, a singer-songwriter with a gift for storytelling, has earned a reputation as a boundary-pushing artist whose work continues to evolve while staying deeply rooted in the traditions that shaped her.
Fans can expect a show that spans her remarkable career, with new songs including(from February 2024), "Shepherds Are The Cleverest Lads":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCEhQ694VJs and "The Ballad of Stone" (released October 2024):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbKbNRm5l3I sitting comfortably alongside classics from her extensive back catalogue, such as
"Herring Girl": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV0iFbF29rI&t=2s

This is Folk music for the modern age – rooted in tradition but unafraid to venture into new, uncharted, and very personal territory.
Speaking about the tour, Bella says; “There’s something magical about performing live, where the songs can grow and change each night, depending on the energy in the room. I’ll be performing a collection of songs very close to my heart, and there’s nothing like the energy of a live show to bring them to life.”

Anyone who has already seen Bella live, will tell you it’s clear that she’s an artist who knows how to captivate an audience. Her voice – at once powerful and delicate – has a way of drawing listeners in, making each performance feel like a conversation between old friends.
And with her good friend and award-winning guitarist Jenn Butterworth on Stage by Bella's side for the first time, this tour promises to be something truly special. Be sure to get your tickets early.

Hardy’s debut album "Night Visiting" (2007) established her reputation as a talented songwriter when her first original composition "Three Black Feathers" earned a BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nomination.
Since then, Bella has sung unaccompanied ballads at a sold out Royal Albert Hall, and learnt the songs of Chinese farmers during her time as British Council Musician in Residence in Yunnan Province. She’s sat on the moors of her beloved Peak District with only her fiddle for company. She spent a year in Tennessee as a ranch hand, looking after horses, fiddle-singing in the diners, and immersing herself in the music culture of Nashville. And she’s released ten solo albums along the way.

With the ability to conjure and twist stories that call straight to the heart, her themes of displacement and home, lost and found love, heartache and joy, are delivered with her unique, disarming honesty, and, of course, the acclaimed crystalline voice that won her the BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer of the Year Award in 2014.

Tickets for the Bella Hardy tour are available now, with some dates already selling out. Don’t miss the chance to witness one of the most captivating Folk artists of our time as she brings her music to life on stage.

Tickets £18

Available (in person only from 20th October 2024) at Grayshott Post Office.

Reservations by phone from Des O'Byrne on 01428 607096.

Or online from Ents 24 at:
https://www.ents24.com/nr-hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall-1/bella-hardy/7099158

Grayshott Folk Club introduces:
RACHAEL McSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS
https://rachaelmcshane.co.uk/home

Rachael McShane is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England. She was an original member of the award-winning folk big band Bellowhead, touring with them extensively and making a number of television appearances.
The band recorded five studio albums and, together, won a staggering total of EIGHT BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Parting ways in 2016, the band re-united in 2022 for a series of ecstatically-received performances that reminded audiences of their unique alchemy, energy and talent.

Away from her Bellowhead fame, Rachael is a much sought-after performer and recording artist. Her debut solo album "No Man’s Fool" arrived in 2009 via Navigator Records, establishing impressive credentials that eventually led her to signing with the prestigious Topic Records, the oldest independent record label in the world.

Rachael is also the leader of The Cartographers, a band that features the exceptional talents of guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing), and melodeon player Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell, Sting). Their music is a powerful blend of traditional folk and contemporary sounds, with Rachael's stunning voice and instrumental skills leading the line. The Cartographers have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, When All Is Still (2018, Topic Records).

Listen to "Ploughman Lad" here:

and a live version of “Green Broom” from Beardy Folk Festival 2022 here:

In recent years, Rachael has lent her voice to a new adaptation of The Transports alongside The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr, Greg Russell and Matthew Crampton. The resulting album was a stunning showcase of Rachael's range as an artist, and is testament to her ability to breathe new life into old folk songs. With her extensive experience and formidable talent, Rachael McShane is a sought-after performer and workshop leader.

We are delighted to welcome Rachael McShane & The Cartographers to Grayshott Folk Club as part of their new Album Launch Tour.

“You’re in the presence of something very special…what a voice”
- BBC Music

“A delight”
- R2 Magazine

“Delivered with such rebellious verve and wit – they are a life-affirming joy” - Songlines

Tickets £18

Available from:
Grayshott Post Office (in person only)
Call Des O'Byrne on 01428 607096 to reserve your tickets.
Or buy online from Ents 24 at:
https://www.ents24.com/hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall/rachael-mcshane-and-the-cartographers/7176259

THE HENRY GIRLS
‘These sisters have a sensational talent. The quality of their harmony singing goes beyond mere technique. They possess an unerring ability to blend tone and resonance in a seamless fashion’ (The Evening Herald)

We already know The Henry Girls well, as we were absolutely charmed by them at Grayshott Folk Club back on October 31st 2015. Their warm, friendly personalities, their brilliant musicianship and wonderful sibling harmonies have finally earned them a long overdue return to us.

The Henry Girls are sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin from the most Northerly part of Co. Donegal in Ireland. The trio formed as a professional music group in 2001 after Lorna and Karen returned from living in Australia where they started to perform and write songs. At that time, Joleen, the youngest of the three, was finishing her Leaving Certificate and becoming a very promising Harp and Piano player so it was a natural progression for them all to join together. They wrote and recorded their first album later that year. It was produced by Maire Breathnach. They have since gone on to record 6 more original studio albums, a couple of EPs and a live album of music by The Boswell Sisters of New Orleans (released February 2020).

Infused with the rich cultural heritage of their native Donegal but with a Transatlantic flavour, their music has been described as: ʻfull bodied and powerfully dynamicʼ by Froots magazine.
They have successfully learned to interweave their traditional roots with contemporary elements, earning them both commercial success and spectacular critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic.

What sets The Henry Girls apart is their distinctive sound, a captivating fusion of Harp, Fiddle, Accordion, and tight, impressive three-part harmonies. The harmonious interplay between these instruments and their hauntingly beautiful vocals, creates a sonic experience that transcends boundaries, capturing the essence of both their Irish roots and a global musical spirit.

The Henry Girls have graced stages at festivals and venues around the world, leaving audiences in awe of their exceptional musicianship and heartfelt performances. From the intimate settings of Irish pubs to large International festivals, their music has resonated with people from diverse backgrounds, connecting them through the universal language of melody and harmony.
Listen to "Down By The River" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xa7rIDjPFwg
Listen to "Slow Down" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn-A89_C4y8

Their Latest Album: "A Time to Grow":
"A Time to Grow", is a testament to The Henry Girls' evolution as artists. Released in January 2024, the album is a musical journey that reflects the growth and maturity of the trio. Produced by the acclaimed Tommy McLaughlin, known for his work with many other influential artists, the album is poised to be a landmark in The Henry Girls' discography.
Irish national radio station RTE 1 voted "A Time to Grow”, Album of the Week. Listen to their interview here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/22356594/

Listen to "A Time To Grow" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkyB1G5D7MI

“The confidence and control of musicianship comes at you straight away, through a blending of instrumentation, harmonies, striking lyrics and wonderful vocals”
IRISH MUSIC MAGAZINE

“The Henry Girls are one of those musical acts that you just want to tell people about-as many as you can. The writing is first rate, as is the instrumentation, and those harmonies! I can’t say or write enough. Go seek them out yourself. You will be glad you did.”
MUSIC NEWS-NASHVILLE

“Ireland might have to finally share it’s pride and joy with the rest of us, it’s time for America to discover The Henry Girls”
THE HUFFINGTON POST- USA

Tickets £18

Available (in person only) from Grayshott Post Office
(from 1st September 2024)
By calling Des O’Byrne on: 01428 607096
Or online at: https://www.ents24.com/hindhead-events/grayshott-village-hall/the-henry-girls/7170676

Grayshott Folk Club puts on musical performances from top Folk musicians who come from all over the UK and abroad. We also occasionally host Pop/Rock musicians too.

01428607096