Rolling Hills Folk Club

18/01/2025

This is the event that Ron Collie talked about last night which is being held in Maxton Village Hall.

This event got such great reviews last year, that the artistes are happy to perform again this year. Don't miss it! While you can just turn up on the night, it is always helpful if we have some idea of numbers. A warm welcome to all.

18/01/2025

Thanks to everyone who came to Rolling Hills Folk Club last night to get 2025 off to a great start.

Of the 22 people who came, 19 performed, with a great mix of unaccompanied and accompanied singing, (guitars and ukes), with a number of beautifully delivered Burns' songs, some in preparation for Melrose Literary Society on Tuesday January 21st.

As well as beautiful more traditional songs, other choices included a new year song about the Cornish tradition of watching the old year go out with the tide and welcoming in the new and one about 2 volcanoes looking for love, aka lava!

The touching Silly Wizard song, Lover's Heart, was sung beautifully as was The Highwayman, made famous by Glen Campbell and others. The song tells of four re-incarnations of one man, building on themes from older songs, and reminded me (Ros) that I always learn at least one new and interesting fact on third Fridays!

As well as the songs, poignant and comical poetry was brilliantly delivered. Spoken items from Burns, Dave Calder, Mike Harding and Stanley Holloway added to the variety and we heard an excellent self-penned 'toast to the laddies'.
We even heard Tam O' Shanter and were encouraged to time it (10 minutes!)

And the beautiful Village Hall was cosy throughout the evening and much appreciated as usual for the amazing acoustics.

We really hope this longer post might tempt our neighbours in Darnick Village to step along for a visit soon and of course anyone from anywhere!

There is NO pressure to perform but if you know you want to, give it a try.
Otherwise BYOB/ make a hot drink +/- knitting or crochet OR just sit back, relax and ENJOY!
You are all VERY welcome.

Next date: Friday February 21st with doors open from 7.30p.m.for 8 p.m. start.

16/01/2025

Remember it really is the THIRD Friday tomorrow, January 17th, which means one thing:
Rolling Hills Folk Club is live in Darnick Village in the beautiful Village Hall.

Doors open at 7.30 for 8pm start.
No pressure to perform- just sit back and enjoy

£2 entry/ under 18s free.

Bring unwanted or excess gifts for the raffle!

P.S. there will be birthday cake! Don't tell Ron!

09/01/2025

We are hugely saddened to hear of the passing of the wonderful Geordie McIntyre this week. Geordie was a huge part of the Scottish Folk Scene from the 1960s when he started the first Glasgow Folk Club.
We were thrilled that he and his lovely partner Alison McMorland were early guests at Rolling Hills Folk Club in 2007, a few months after we started up in our first Melrose venue. They returned in 2012 to deliver another excellent evening which we fondly remember.
Our thoughts are with Alison and all the family at this sad time.

04/01/2025

Thanks to everyone who joined us on our first Rolling Hills Folk Club Zoom of 2025 last night.

Excellent variety as usual from some dark messages to amusing songs, including Ron's comical rendition about 2 volcanoes looking for lava (aka love).
Check the video link below or just search for Disney lava song to warm up this frosty day!
https://g.co/kgs/o8pMFK3

A number of songs covered themes of welcome, kindness, peace and friendship which suited our hopes for the new year.

All of the contributions were meaningful and memorable and special mention to John's beautiful nyckelharpa playing in Herefordshire of the Shetland tune, Da Slockit Light, which set off a wee screen band with Sandy on guitar, Ron on fiddle, both in the Scottish Borders and Adam on flute in Canberra.

Thanks to all the audience too and best wishes to all those coping with various health problems who enjoyed joining us both on and off screen.

The vote was unanimous to continue the monthly Zoom sessions though ambivalent re the crazy raffle but we'll keep it going for this year and review costs again in 12 months.

Anyone who wishes to donate towards the Zoom subscription can do so via PayPal or bank transfer and we'll provide details via email in the next few days.
For clarity the subscription has never been paid from RHFC funds but personally by the Andersons from when it started in April 2020).Thanks to kind donations for 2024 we covered the subscription and raffle p and p which was much appreciated.

Here's to more sharing of musical camaraderie from far and wide on the first Friday of each month of 2025 (excluding July and August).

01/01/2025

Our guests for the 21st of March 2025 are no other than......

Drumroll

Ben Robertson https://youtu.be/pJYjatqhFSU?si=smUpkHIQzJ9E4Xhr

And Phoebe Rees Music

https://youtu.be/p69FFppTjak?si=rnvnU42TYdrDR_a1

We are beyond thrilled to have secured both Ben and Phoebe. They will be playing some solo stuff and some duo items.

Phoebe and Ben have both had solo slots to end our Zoom folk clubs in the early lockdown days where they really impressed the audience.

Phoebe and Ben are both hugely talented as there videos show and we know this will be a superb concert night in the beautiful Village Hall in Darnick Village for Rolling Hills Folk Club.

31/12/2024

Me, mum and dad want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy new year for when it comes. All the best for 2025.

As a special treat come back tomorrow for our guest reveal for the 21st March 2025.

You won't want to miss this very special concert but tune in tomorrow to find out who it is.

27/12/2024

This is one of Tommy Ashby playing an original song with the coohands playing alongside.

27/12/2024

A taste of the final number from The Coohands tonight which we are sure a lot of you will know. Thanks so much to Henry, Murray, Seoras Ashby, Ken and Tommy Ashby for an absolutely brilliant night.

It was brilliant to see everyone enjoying themselves and leaving the beautiful Hall in Darnick Village buzzing at the end of the night.

Thanks to everyone who came and also to the enthusiastic dancers at the back!
A massive thanks to The CooHands and especially to Seoras Ashby for getting a date to work for us and to Tommy for guesting in the second half ( and for sound desk management).

It was a really wonderful Twixtmas evening!

22/12/2024

And the photographic evidence from the Rolling Hills Folk Club Christmas Party, thanks to George Machray.
We were pleased that George travelled from Port Seton to join the audience, sing some wonderful songs and capture the atmosphere.
As you can see we had a wide variety of performers in varied festive attire and a great buffet and raffle ( squidgy sprouts warrant a second mention!)
And everyone enjoyed being in the beautiful venue in Darnick Village dressed in its own festive attire!

22/12/2024

And here's a photo selection, thanks to George Machray who we were pleased to have in the audience, all the way from Port Seton. Hopefully we'll welcome him back to Rolling Hills Folk Club in Darnick Village soon as a guest, to hear more of his poignant and his comedic songs.

21/12/2024

What a brilliant night last night.
Thanks for all the excellent contributions at the Christmas Party -both performed, baked and bought🎄🎄

Photos capture the atmosphere and the varied contributions both musically and for the buffet and raffle and some folk really went festive on head gear and clothing!

Two very squidgy sprouts found homes with 2 very happy winners. We're sorry for so many disappointed folk and must try for a bulk purchase for next year!

The short video clip captures Ron singing a beautiful musical tribute to the recently departed Ronnie Bell of Galashiels who used to sing Mary's Boy Child at our Christmas Party. RIP Ronnie. Your singing and your warmth and friendliness are sadly missed.

To everyone who came to the party and to those who were sadly ill or busy with family, have a great Christmas and all the best for 2025.

AND before that, we look forward to seeing you on December 27th for The CooHands at Rolling Hills Folk Club in Darnick Village

07/12/2024

Those who joined Rolling Hills Folk Club Zoom last night heard mention of a wonderful Folk Legacy Podcast which features a wonderful interview with our 'own' John Finnan who regularly entertains us all on screen along with Margaret.
John remains a stalwart of the folk scene in the Liverpool/Wirral/ Chester/North Wales area and beyond and his anecdotes and reminiscences of his folk music journey since the early 60s are very interesting.
To access the interview:
Go to www.openhousefolk.com
then click on Openhouse Studio-A Folk Community to get to the website.
Click on Podcast and scroll down to John Finnan. If you click on Artistes and bring up 'John Finnan page' there is a full written blog with Black Diamond Group (BDG) recordings and if you scroll down to the bottom John has made a fim(video) from some old cine films of the 60s Tuning Fork and Howff Widnes clubs with rare audio recordings of Paul Simon and Ralph McTell at the clubs in 1965 and a BDG interview and profile with Stan Ambrose Radio Merseyside. Enjoy, be amazed and learn the real link between Paul Simon and Widnes Station!

Openhouse Studio is a folk website dedicated to local folk artists and the folk community, founded by Brian Jones

07/12/2024

Great to have such a mix of festive and less festive contributions last night at our final Zoom of 2024 for Rolling Hills Folk Club. Material ranged from well known Christmas numbers, hopes for peace, memories of sore heads, a Norwegian song about a mouse, beautiful poetry readings and so much more. As well as Christmas attire, some used festive props, including 3 hippopotami, several reindeer and also a stunning white hart sitting in the background on Lesley's screen.
We have so many talented and loyal participants who log on every month to entertain folk from far and wide.
We're looking forward to 2025 starting in similarly fine style on Friday January 3rd ( just as Hogmanay celebrations are perhaps fading from the memory! ).

In the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas everyone and for those near enough to Darnick Village we hope to see you at the Rolling Hills Christmas Party on Friday December 20th and The Coo Hands Concert on Friday December 27th.

30/11/2024

Some are counting down to Christmas (18 sleeps) and others to The CooHands at Rolling Hills Folk Club on Friday December 27th 2024.(20 sleeps)!

Advance booking is recommended for this extra special night in Darnick Village when you can see, hear and perhaps dance to The CooHands.
As many Borders folk will know, they are a 4 piece Americana band playing old time songs from Hank Williams through to new roots music from the likes of Justin Townes Earle & Pokey LaFarge.
With Ken Kennedy on the big bass fiddle, Murray Charters on percussion, Henry Taylor on mandolin and Seoras Ashby on guitar The CooHands will sing for their supper, get your toes tapping and get you up strutting your stuff dancing a jigging if you are in the mood!
Actually- spoiler alert for the band- no supper but we'll do our best to provide snacks in the Green Room, aka the Hall Kitchen!!!!😁😁

Tickets £10/under 18s free from Ron on 07986 644661 or [email protected] and payment can then ideally be made via bank transfer to Rolling Hills Folk Club or reserved for payment on the door.

16/11/2024

Thanks very much to everyone who supported our live event last night in Darnick Village.
Our guests, George Murphy and Frank Cassidy delivered a brilliant night's entertainment with a great mix of humorous and poignant songs, with great musical accompaniment on their fine array of instruments.

They loved the Hall's acoustics and architecture and were blown away with the standard of our floor singers and musicians and the appreciative musical audience! They were thrilled to hear a fellow musician and singer from Northern Ireland now living in Stow who they had not heard of in years and Frank rapidly found common tunes to play as a duet with excellent fiddler from Innerleithen, Karen Barber.

George and Frank had never visited the Scottish Borders before and are thrilled to be returning to Kelso Folk & Live Music Club early in 2025. Catch them again there and spread the word.

Live music is the best and we need to keep it thriving!