As informed directly to Living Tradition magazine. Unless otherwise stated: all start times around 8.30; all levels welcome.
Please send your session details or corrections by email to admin@livingtradition.co.uk
NORTHERN ENGLAND (north of Birmingham)
Burton upon Trent. Coopers Tavern. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. English and Irish. Howard Mitchell, 01283 532551 (pub).www.derbyfolk.co.uk
Buxton, Derbys. Four sessions: The George. Every Monday. Music and Song, anything goes. Ramsay's Bar. Every Thursday. Tunes only. Paul Sullivan, 01298 22530. Prince of Wales, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. The Eagle, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Chris Rockliffe, 01298 72934,
Jackfield nr Ironbridge, Shrops. Boat Inn. Every Thursday, 8.00 pm. Irish. Fliss Burke, 01952 586986.
Jackfield nr Ironbridge, Shrops. Black Swan Inn. 3rd Sundays. English. Dave Hunt, 01952-505073.
Lancaster. Gregson Centre. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. Advanced Irish. Gordon Johnston, 01524 593845.
Lancaster. Gregson Centre. Every Thursday. All types. Rebecca Parris, 01524-36416.
Leeds. Irish Sessions: Headingley, The Skyrack, every Tuesday, 9.30pm; Otley Rd, New Inn, every Sunday, 8.30pm; York Rd, Irish Centre, first Saturdays, 9pm.Chris O’Malley, info@irishmusicleeds.com
Longridge, Lancs. Civic Hall. Every 4th Thursday, 7.30pm. Shaun Mills, 01772 780562 (venue).
Middlestone nr Spennymoor, Co Durham, Ship Inn. 1st Sundays, 8.00. Music and Song. Dot and Barry Siddle. 01388 817485.
Middlewich, Cheshire, Boar’s Head. 2nd Saturdays, 8pm. Acoustic and song. Dave Thompson, 01606 836896.
Mobberley, Cheshire. Bulls Head. 1st and 3rd Tuesdays. Mainly English. Brian and Linda Corrigan, 01565 654014
Sheffield, Chapeltown. Commercial Hotel. Every Monday. Singaround. George Hill.
Sheffield, Dungworth. Royal Hotel. 2nd Sundays, 8.00pm. English. Diane Richardson, 0114 2631315, or Mark Davies, 0114 2851479.
Sheffield, Stannington, Rivelin Hotel. 4th Thursdays, 8.00pm. English. Diane Richardson, 0114 2631315.
Sheffield, Kelham Island Tavern. 1st, 3rd and 5th Sundays. Mainly English. Val Huzzard. 0114 2552228.
Sheffield, Kelham Island Tavern. 4th Sundays. Unaccompanied song. Richard Arrowsmith, 0114 231 6779.
Sheffield, Kelham Island, The Fat Cat. 1st Fridays. All sorts of stuff. Andy Bowdin, 0114 266 5197
Sheffield , Hillsborough Hotel. 4th Thursdays, European (French and Scandinavian). Val Huzzard. 0114 2552228.
Stamford, Lincs, Barnack, Millstone Inn. Every 1st Tuesday, 8.00pm. Many musical types. James Chadwick.
York. The Maltings. Every Tuesday. English, Irish, Scottish. Mike Tavener, 01904 798738.
SOUTHERN ENGLAND ( Birmingham and south)
Adderbury nr Banbury, Oxon. The Bell Inn. 1st and 3rd Mondays, 9.00pm. All types. John Ekers, 01295 720381.
Birmingham. Kitchen Garden Cafe. 1st Thursdays, 8.00pm. Traditional song. Pam Bishop, 0121 247 3856
Birmingham. Prince of Wales. 3rd Sundays, 8pm. Music. Susan McClure, 0121 449 3189
Bradford on Avon, Wilts. George Inn. 2nd and 4th Mondays. Mainly English. Chris Timson, 01225-863762
Bridgwater, Somerset. Arts Centre. 1st Wednesdays, 8.00pm. Music and song. Bill Crawford, 01278 422700 (venue).
Bristol, Hotwells. Merchants Arms. Every Tuesday, 8.00pm. Mainly English. Geoff Woolfe, 0117 9632126.
Combe Martin, N Devon. Top George Inn. 2nd Saturdays, 8.00pm. Music and song. Barbara Brown, 01271 882366.
Dorchester. Wessex Royale Hotel. 2nd Tuesdays (?). Music, song and stories/poems. Howard Wright, 01305-263544.
Frome, Somerset. Griffin Pub. Last Tuesdays, 9.00pm. Mainly Irish. Trevor Mills, 07743-165432.
Gillingham, Dorset. Kings Arms. 3rd Sundays, 7.30 pm. English. Ray or Janet, 01747 838325.
Kingsbridge, Devon -The Globe Inn, Frogmore. 1st Tuesdays, 3rd Thursdays. Music and song, all welcome. Sarah and Nigel 01548 531525
Kingsbridge, Devon - The Royal Oak, Malborough. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Music and song, all welcome. Sarah and Nigel 01548 531525
Kingsbridge, Devon - The Crabshell Inn. 1st Thursdays. Song accompanied and unaccompanied. Brenda 01548 853351
Langton Herring, Dorset. Elm Tree pub. 1st Tuesdays. Music and song. Howard Wright, 01305-263544.
Lewes, Sussex. Lewes Arms. 1st Mondays, 8.00pm. Concertinas. Bryan Creer, 01273 474389.
London SE1, Horseshoe Inn. 1st Sundays, lunchtime. English. Martin Nail, 020 7485 2459.
London, Hanwell. Duke of York. Every Monday, 9.00pm. Intermediate Irish. Mick Bailey, 020 8567 2319 (pub).
London, Greenwich. Lord Hood pub. Every Tuesday, 9.00pm. English music and song. 020 8858 1836 (pub), greentrad@hotmail.com
London, Forest Hill. Blythe Hill Tavern. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Intermediate Irish. Danny Mackay, 020 7848 0553/0119. Free beer for players.
London, Highgate. Red Lion and Sun. Last Thursday of month. Intermediate, mainly Irish. Pete Eiseman-Renyard, 07958-282898.
London, Kentish Town, The Fiddlers. Every Sunday, 6.00-9.00pm. Intermediate Irish music and song. Mick Bailey, 020 7267 7737.
Portland, Dorset. Cove House Inn. Every Thursday, 8.00pm. Tunes. Roger Gall, 01305 820895. Free sandwiches and sea views on offer.
Salisbury , The Chough Inn. 2 nd Tuesdays, 8.00pm. English. Trevor and Sarah Marks. 01980 610151.
Southampton, The Bent Brief. Every Thursday, 9.00pm . Mainly Irish. Pat Begley.
St Albans, Herts. Rose and Crown. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Music and song. 2nd Sundays, 8.00pm,. Music and song with guests. Alison Macfarlane, 01727 852111.
Stourbridge, W Mids. Katie Fitzgerald’s. Every Wednesdays, 9.00pm. Irish. Tim Woodhall, 01384 374410 (pub).
Uxbridge, Community Centre. Every Wednesday. All types of music. Peter.
West Mersea, The Coast Inn, Coast Road. Lively folk/acoustic session. Every Thursday 8.30-11pm
Wootton nr Woodstock , Oxon, Killingworth Castle. 1 st Mondays. All sorts. Jed Mugford.
Worcester , Monkwood Green, Fox Inn. 4 th Fridays. All types of music and song. Mike Walton, 01905-357482.
SCOTLAND
Aberdeen, The Globe. Every Tuesday, 9.00 pm. Intermediate Music and Song. Scottish Culture and Traditions Assoc, 01224 591900. (Start time may be later if football on TV!)
Blanefield, Lanarks. Carbeth Inn. Fortnightly Thursdays. Scottish Music and Song. Colin Dunk, 0141 956 7037 (or Inn 01360 770002).
Brechin, Angus. Caledonia Hotel. Every 4th Friday, 8.00pm. Irish and Scottish, Music and song. Manuel Balaguer-Cortes 01356 624345 (pub).
Cairndow, Argyll. Stagecoach Inn. Every 1st Friday, 8.00 pm.. Lochgoilhead Fiddle Workshop, Music and Song. Mark Morpurgo. 01301 703559.
Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Fisherman’s Tavern. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Intermediate, Scottish and Irish. Music and song. Peter Gilmore, 01382 775941 (pub). Pub has featured in CAMRA guide for more than 30 years.
Dunoon, Renfrews. Lorne Bar. Every Sunday, 1.00pm. Scottish Music and Song. Loudon Temple, 01369 705064 (pub).
Edinburgh. White Hart Inn. Every Monday, 9.00pm. Scottish Music and Song. Marieke Smegen, 0131 2262806 (pub).
Edinburgh. Bennet’s Bar. Every Wednesday, 9.00pm. Scottish, Beginners. Nigel Gatherer, 01764 656347. ‘Slow’ session.
Edinburgh. The Ensign Ewart. Every Sunday, 9.00pm. Intermediate, Music and Song. Sandy Brechin, 0131 2257440 (pub).
Edinburgh, Sandy Bell’s Bar. Every Sunday afternoon, 3.00pm.Mainly Scottish, Music and song. Jack Campin, 07800 739 557. Especially good for ‘soft instruments’ (harmonica and smallpipes).
Edinburgh. West End Hotel. Every Thursday, 9.00pm. Irish and Scottish music for Gaelic speakers. Mark Neilly, 0131-441-6628 (pub).
Helensburgh, Rhu Inn, Rhu. Every Sunday, 6pm. Contact eilidh@helensburghtradmusiclive.com
Kelso. The Cobbles Inn. Every Friday, 9.30pm. Music and Song. David Kilpatrick, 01573 226032. Mainly acoustic though low power also permitted.
Killin, Perthshire, Ben Lawers Hotel. Every Sunday. Music and Song. William Chisholm, 01838 300 235.
Musselburgh. Volunteer Arms/Stagg’s Bar. 1st Mondays. Music and song. John Jessiman.
Stonehaven, Belvedere Hotel. 4 th Thursdays. Traditional. Pete Murray, 01569 – 763913.
Stranraer, Swan Inn. Every Wednesday, 9.00pm. Acoustic music and song. Cathy Frank, 01776 810473.
WALES
Fishguard. Royal Oak. Every Tuesday, 8.00pm. Music and song. Bryan Talbot, 01348 872514 (pub).
Holyhead, Anglesey, Kings Arms. Every Tuesday. All sorts but strictly acoustic. Dave Evanson, 01407 764950.
Middletown, Powys. Breidden Hotel. Last Wednesdays. English music and song. Yorkie Bartram, 01938 570535. You can also contact Yorkie about other events in Shropshire and Powys.
Newport, Gwent. Irish National Club. 1st Fridays. Irish. Haydn Price (or Dave Murphy).
NORTHERN IRELAND
Armagh , Gildernews Bar. Every Tuesday, 10.00pm. Song and tunes. Philip Cheung, 028 3752 7315.
Ballycastle, Antrim. House of McDonnell. Every Friday, 10.00.Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
Belfast, The Duke of York. Every Thursday, 10pm. Trad Irish
Belfast, Maddens Bar. Every Friday, 10pm. Trad Irish.
Belfast, Hercules Bar. Every Saturday, 10pm. Trad Irish.
Bushmills, Antrim. Smugglers Inn. Every Saturday, 9.00pm. Irish and Scottish. Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
Portrush, Antrim, Springhill Bar. Every Thursday, 10.00pm. Dick Glasgow, 028207 51746.
IRELAND
Ardara, Co Donegal. Beehive Bar. Every Friday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Fiona Heywood, +353 749537967
Blarney, Co Cork, Huntsman’s. Every Wednesday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Pa Jo McSweeney (no other contact details provided). Ongoing since 1981.
Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, Mitchell’s Bar. Every Thursday, 10.00pm. John McCartin, +353 49 433 9000 (pub)t. Free drink on offer.
Dunkineely, Co Donegal. McIntyre's Bar. Every Wednesday, 10.30pm. Music and Song.
Glenties, Co Donegal. Glen Tavern (Dinny's). Every Saturday, 11.00pm
Inishowen Trad Singers Circle, monthly session in either McPheely's Bar, Clonmany or North Pole Bar, Drumfries. Kevin McGonigle, +353 (0)74 937896
Irishtown, New Ross, Co Wexford, Corcoran's. Every Thursday. Contact Paddy Joyce - pjoy@eircom.net
Kilkishen, Co Clare, Donnelon’s Pub. Every Thursday, 11.00pm.
Miltown Malbay, Co Clare. Hillary’s Bar. Every Friday, 10.00pm. Music and Song. Gerry Hegarty.
Miltown Malbay, Co Clare, Tom Malone’s. Every Monday, 10.00pm. Fintan Malone, +353-65-70-85916 (pub).
In addition to the above info on individual sessions supplied directly to Living Tradition, there are a number of websites which list much that’s going on. Some of the information contained on these websites may be out of date, so please ensure you check with the session organisers before jumping in the car!
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/martin.nail/regional.htm#Contents
Run by Martin Nail of the Committee Band. Attempts to cover whole of England by region, listing sessions (and Folk Clubs).
http://www.mustrad.org.uk/sessions.htm
Run by Rod Stradling of Musical Traditions. All types of sessions from all over England and abroad.
http://cresby.com
Run by Mr Red. Sessions, clubs etc in Gloucs ‘and attached bits’.
http://www.folkwales.org.uk/Regulars.html
Run by Celfyddydau Mari Arts. Sessions and other events throughout Wales .
http://www.sabrinaflu.co.uk/clubsalop.htm
Run by Sabrinaflu Folk Magazine. Sessions etc in Shropshire .
http://www.collsarms.freeserve.co.uk/sessions.htm
Run by Cumbria Folk News. Sessions etc in Cumbria .
http://www.sadfolk.co.uk/regular.html
Run by Somerset and Dorset Folk.
http://www.lassington.oak.btinternet.co.uk/lassington7.htm
Run by Lassington Oak. Folk Music and sessions in Gloucestershire.
http://www.folkspace.free-online.co.uk/main/sessions.htm
Run by FolkSpace. Lists sessions etc in Derbyshire.
http://www.pressbar.freeserve.co.uk/sessions/sessions.htm
Run by Sandy Mathers. Lists sessions in Scotland .
http://www.btinternet.com/~troubleatmill/whatson.htm
Run by Trouble at Mill band. Lists events in NW England.
www.visitscotland.com/mcewanssessions/
Run by Scottish Tourist Board. Lists pub sessions in Scotland
www.tmsa.org.uk/
Run by the Traditional Music and Song Association. Lists sessions in Scotland .
http://www.thesession.org/
Primarily devoted to Irish Traditional music, but Scots, Cape Breton, and US music also to be found on this site, plus an international session listing to be highly recommended.