Dragon Folk Club

03/06/2026

With Colin back in the MC's chair it was another excellent Dragon Folk Club session last week. There were six singers and two people made up our audience: Hazel and Jane. There was no theme, and that was reflected in the variety of songs.

With no theme again this Friday you are encouraged to come along and show us any type of performance as long as it's acoustic. If you want to bring your own theme then that's fine too.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

(Photo: Simon Meeds) With Colin back in the MC's chair it was another excellent Dragon Folk Club session last week. There were six singers a...

26/05/2026

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was a real surprise. Simon, the stand-in MC, knew that new regular Paul M was likely to be there, but was quite prepared for that to be it. While he was at the bar he first saw another newish regular, Heather, which implied that her non-singing friend Hazel would also be there. Then, returning to the "barn" he passed Kay, who had made her single previous appearance "in the before-times" as one friend of the club says. Was she singing tonight? Apparently so, and interestingly, she was surrounded by others.

So when we were all settled there were nine of us. Kay's friends at that stage were Adele, Rich, Sue and Harry. The last two would be our audience though we are told that Harry plays the saxophone, which he didn't have with him. That's six singers out of nine present... so far.

We were later joined by another of Kay's friends, Paul O, who was definitely a singer, and for a significant part of the evening by one of the pub's customers, impressed by the music, so we will count him too. A further pub regular joined us for just one song, so I could have added her, but I won't be so rash.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

(Photo: Simon Meeds) Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was a real surprise. Simon, the stand-in MC, knew that new regular Paul M was like...

19/05/2026

There was no theme at last week's Dragon Folk Club session and there will be none again this Friday. There were however some great songs and providing a huge variety which was lots of fun.

This Friday we will be without several of our regulars, so if you are an occasional Dragon, a lapsed Dragon or a potential new visitor to the dragon's lair, you would be even more welcome than usual if that's possible. There is no theme this week, but even when there is it is totally optional with any sort of performance encouraged as long as it's acoustic, and if you don't want to perform, just listen, join in the banter, and maybe sing along to the odd chorus then that's fine too.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

(Photo: Simon Meeds) There was no theme at last week's Dragon Folk Club session and there will be none again this Friday. There were however...

11/05/2026

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was another great one. Paul M returned for his second visit - let's hope there will be many more. Simon dropped the bombshell that it was VE Day. To the relief of others he wasn't suggesting a theme, but simply admitting that he had forgotten to set the theme. Nevertheless, a few appropriate songs were aired during the evening.

As far as I know there is no theme again this Friday, but don't let that stop you bringing your own theme if you have the urge. Otherwise who knows? Something may emerge.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

Paul W striding forth at Clevedon (Photo: Simon Meeds) Last week's Dragon Folk Club session was another great one. Paul M returned for his ...

05/05/2026

Last week's Dragon Folk Club session fell on 1st May, so the theme had to be May Day. As always the theme was entirely optional. Some people had prepared appropriate songs, others mangled their songs or introductions to fit, and others quite reasonably went ahead and sang what they sang.

It was great to see a turn-out of 11, just the same as the week before, and a level we would be very happy to maintain, so do come along whether you're a regular, it's been a while or it will be your first time. We really are very friendly and definitely non-judgemental.

Two of those present were happy to be our audience: Heather's friend Hazel, and Sheila who was with Paul and Denny. It was Sheila's first visit; she seemed to have enjoyed it and said she was surprised how many of the songs she knew - I saw her joining in quite frequently.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

(Photo: Simon Meeds) Last week's Dragon Folk Club session fell on 1st May, so the theme had to be May Day. As always the theme was entirely ...

28/04/2026

It was great to have a full complement of singers at last week's Dragon Folk Club session including second-timers Mick, and Kerstin and third-timer Ray. Apart from anything else it leads to a fantastic variety of songs, and some even took on the optional theme of St George's Day and all that is England.

Before I get down to the report, let's note that this Friday is actually 1st May, so we really should have a theme of May, which is mentioned in so many folk songs. The theme is of course as always optional, so the most important thing is that you come and join us, and sing, play or perform in whatever way you wish as long as it's acoustic, and the theme is just a nice-to-have if you can follow it for some or all or your performances. Audience members are of course also welcome as always.

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

St George's, Bristol (Photo: Simon Meeds) It was great to have a full complement of singers at last week's Dragon Folk Club session includi...

22/04/2026

I was at a folk session on Monday where I met Elaine Gillett who asked me to publicise the White Horse Folk Festival. I believe she said that early-bird tickets are available until next Monday (27th April), but if you are interested I think you need to get your order in ASAP in case I got it wrong.

"WHFF takes place in Grove, near Wantage in rural Oxfordshire. It is a small, friendly, relaxed festival for folk fans who enjoy making new friends, and has an emphasis on creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone can play a part in the weekend’s events.

"The festival guests host workshops, mini-concerts or give special presentations as well as performing in the Saturday evening concert. They are encouraged to be part of the general goings-on over the weekend, and there is plenty of opportunity for everyone to sing, play or tell a story with singarounds (sometimes set around a particular theme) and music sessions every day.

"It has been described as just like a weekend-long party – and that’s just how we like it!!"

Small, friendly, relaxed festivalwhere there is an emphasis on creating an inclusive atmosphere and encouraging everyone to play a part in the weekend’s events2026 tickets on sale from 1st February 2026Welcome To White Horse Folk Festival website.WHFF takes place in Grove, near Wantage in rural Ox...

21/04/2026

After last week's sad news of the recent deaths of two Dragon Folk Club singers the session was suggested as the first of several where songs sung or written by Tom Mossman and Mike Starkey might be featured, and the originally suggested title of "Songs about singing" understandably faded into the background.

It was great to welcome Paul M and his friend Jane for the first time. Out of the five performers, only Colin and Simon really knew Tom and Mike, but it didn't stop others from selecting songs from their repertoires. Overall it was a great evening and definitely not at all morbid.

We were joined briefly by Mike's cribbage-playing friend, asking whether we knew of Mike's death, and he stayed to listen to one song, so he is included in the count of attendees.

This Friday the official theme will be St George's Day, but songs from Tom and Mike's repertoires are definitely still on the cards - there may even be some that hit both targets on the bullseye!

You will find us this and almost every Friday from 8:15pm in the barn (just past the toilets) at The Bridge Inn, Bridge Road, Shortwood, Bristol (UK), BS16 9NG.

There will always be FREE ENTRY, a warm welcome, excellent acoustics, and a reasonably priced bar. Anything goes as long as it’s acoustic: a song, a story, a tune, a poem, a joke, a monologue, whatever you can come up with, and if you don’t feel up to performing even in front of a small, friendly, crowd, then you are welcome to just listen, and maybe join in the odd chorus and some friendly banter.

See you there soon for a fun evening!

Mike Starkey and Tom Mossman (Photos: Simon Meeds) After last week's sad news of the recent deaths of two Dragon Folk Club singers the sessi...

17/04/2026

Following the recent sad deaths of two long-time Dragon Folk Club singers: Tom Mossman and Mike Starkey, may I suggest an additional, optional as always, theme for this week's session (Friday, 17th April 2026) and the next few sessions of songs they sang?

Don't worry if you can't remember which songs they sang; I have created partial lists based on the oft-mentioned Dragon database and you will find them at the obituary pages on the blog linked below.

See you tonight.

16/04/2026

More sad news for the Dragon Folk Club. Our long-time MC and even longer core singer, Mike Starkey, passed away on Sunday, 12th April 2026, after a long illness. He had been in St Peter's Hospice, Bristol for just a couple of days. I will know more after the weekend.

As well as being a member of the Dragon Folk Club since the days when it was at The Lamb in Iron Acton, he was also a stalwart of the Bristol Shantymen.