Informal Gatherings in South Hampshire and area

As well as the many groups that are regularly covered in Solent Waves, there are many other musical gatherings, informal and and rather more formal/organised, going on, in and around our area. We hear about some of these and there is a network of movers and shakers who seek to avoid clashes and thus lose someone half an audience. With the help of the Editor, we'd like to tell people about these events from time to time and this addition to the music web page contains the list with more detail than the printed mag where available. These informal gatherings are often free (although if based in a pub, the landlord might expect you to buy something to drink) and of an 'anything goes' nature with songs, instruments and poetry welcome. They often have an associated FaceBook page, but these are not always viewable by non-members.

By their very nature these more informal groups are less organised that other clubs on our website. So there are more likely to be changes and updates that do not get to us. Please let us know about omissions or mistakes and we'll try and correct things as fast as possible. In particular, we expect that there are lots of great sessions going on that we don't know about - please tell us and we can help spread the word.

The slightly more formal sessions are often for musicians who have reached a 'grade' with their instrument and are looking to improve as they play with others. Some of these make make a charge to participate, but where we can, we have included a contact name from whom you can find out more.

You can see where these various sessions are on our locate a club page.

MONDAYS

The Borough Arms, Avenue Rd., Lymington, SO41 9GP. Every Monday. Singaround, start at 8.30pm (added October 2019)

Concertinas Anonymous (1st Mondays) 8pm at Lewes Arms club-room, Mount Place, Lewes, BN7 1YH. Run by Bryan Creer.

The Doghouse Session - 4th Monday at The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF (added October 2019)

Session at the The Star Inn at 13 The Horsefair, Romsey SO51 8EZ. Note - this session was at The Old House at Home in Romsey. "On the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month, we do traditional English and Irish music and songs". For the other Mondays see the entry immediately below. (updated February 2020)

Session at The Swan Inn, Swan Green, Bournemouth Rd, Lyndhurst SO43 7DT. This is the other session that used to be at The Old House at Home in Romsey.On the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month at 8:00, these sessions were run by Rob Phippen and possibly still are. (updated February 2020)

The 'other' session which used to be at the Queen Mary can now be found at Albion, Ringwood Road, Newtown, Poole, BH12 3LY. 2nd Monday of the month. Martin and Vera [Jardine] writes... "The room is fantastic, the right size and shape with great acoustics. The car park is massive, room for twenty coaches plus cars. Best of all the landlord and the locals like what we do. As you know from previous missives there are no restrictions on content, only on quality and variety. And yes, people can sing; they will not get a full folk orchestral accompaniment but a quality one."

Traditional Folk Session. Generally 2nd and 4th Mondays at 7.30pm at The Hyde Tavern, Hyde Street, Winchester, SO23 7DY. See www.hydetavern.co.uk/all-events for all the dates.

Ukulele group in Southampton fortnightly. Was at Talking Heads, now moved to The 1865, Brunswick Square, Southampton SO14 3AR. 7.30pm - 9pm. Playing everything from folk to punk. All standards welcome. Spare ukes available for newbies. More from southamptonukulelejam@yahoo.co.uk

The Wheel Inn, Sway Road, Pennington, SO41 8LJ. Every Monday, singaround, 8pm start (added October 2019, needs confirmation - Feb 2023)

TUESDAYS

Alton Steady Sessions 1st Tuesday of the month, 8pm, at the The Three Horseshoes, East Worldham GU34 3AE. Aimed at beginners and improvers. David Johnson and Julie Collett. http://altonsteadysession.wordpress.com (updated February 2023)

English tunes session on 2nd Tuesday of the month (except August) has moved from the Maple Leaf Lounge of The Talking Heads to the Platform Tavern, Town Quay, Southampton SO14 2NY. Blog at englishtunes.wordpress.com. (Note that following a fire at The Platform, the sessionis presently looking for another 'home' - keep an eye on the website).

"Euro" Session 1st Tuesday at The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF (updated Feb 2023)

Folk Sessions 8pm in the function room of The Ship Inn, Old Redbridge Lane SO15 0NN. Mainly instrumental. Meeting most Tuesdays (when function room available). Contact Mike Bunce to check 07742957858 or mike@mikebunce.co.uk (updated 25/01/2022)

Sandra Goddard's Song & Tunes Session (3rd Tuesday), currently at The Trevor Arms, Glynde next to Glynde Railway Station in Sussex. This is the session previously held at the Ram Inn, Firle.

Songs, Tunes, Poems session (1st Tuesdays) at Elm Tree Inn, Langton Herring, West of Weymouth. Mostly Irish. Chequers Inn, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6BJ – Every Tuesday 8.30-11.00.

Petersfield Folk Session - 2nd Tuesday of every month in the The Good Intent, Petersfield. www.goodintentpetersfield.co.uk and see www.facebook.com/petersfieldfolksession from 7pm onwards, in a friendly pub with excellent ales. Acoustic tunes and songs. Come and play, or just listen. Mainly English, Irish, Scottish trad, but also anything unplugged and roots/folk.

Milton Ukulele Strummers Klub - Last Tuesday at the New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Rd, New Milton BH25 6DE. Starts 7pm. All levels including beginners welcome. (added October 2019)

The Wyvern, Lee-on-the-Solent. 1st Tuesday. Contact Tony Brown, moonacres@ntlworld.com

New Milton near Christchurch - Session at the Wheatsheaf Pub/Restaurant on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9pm to 11pm Small Session comprising a mix of Irish and English tunes with very occasional songs. Contact Glenn, gcooper1428@gmail.com

Wickham Steady Sessions 4th Tuesday at The Roebuck Inn, Wickham, PO17 5AY (on the A32 about 1 mile north of Wickham). Acoustic instruments only, mostly well-known English tunes. Run by Pam Eastwood - if you wish to be sent the tunes list a week before, send a message to pamreastwood@gmail.com. http://altonsteadysession.wordpress.com/about/other-local-sessions/, see also http://altonsteadysession.wordpress.com (updated February 2023)

WEDNESDAYS

Basingstoke Drum n Brass sessions, Wednesday at 7.30pm have been moved from The Light Lounge to the upstairs function room, The White Hart, London Road, Basingstoke RG21 4AE

Folk and acoustic session at the new pub, the Steamtown Brew Co, in Eastleigh. Jim Shepherd writes "Bring your instruments and join us for..... Acoustic Folk, Blues, Country & Pop. Relaxed informal sessions open to all, play a solo slot or just join in the jam." 7.30pm start at 1 Bishopstoke Road, Eastleigh, SO50 6AD, every Wednesday.

A mainly Irish session at The Irish Club in Elm Grove, Southsea takes place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month from 8.30pm-ish. Further details from Simon at scattj@hotmail.com or 07984 199791

The Hop Inn, Woodmill Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 2PH - every Wednesday, 8.30pm start, "think open mic/folk but all acoustic." (added October 2019)

Music Session 2nd Wednesday each Month 8pm at The Cricketers. Admission free, 41 Windham Road, Springbourne, Bournemouth, BH1 4RN. Contact Ted on 01202 394240 or 07815193272

Southampton Steady Session on 1st Wednesday at The Guide Dog, Earls Road, Southampton, SO14 6SF (corrected February 2020)

Weymouth: The Sailor’s Return 1 St. Nicholas St, The Quay DT4 8AD (01305 773377). Every Wednesday, 8pm. Singaround (music & song).

Winchester Folk Club At The Hyde Tavern, Hyde St, Winchester SO23 7DY. https://en-gb.facebook.com/WinchesterFolkClub 07850989442 winchesterfolkclub@gmail.com 1st Wednesday is club night, 3rd Wednesday is a singaround. Both start at 8pm.

THURSDAYS

Every 3rd Thursday in the month at The Black Swan 159 High Street, Swanage BH19 2NE. 8pm onwards - open folk session run by landlady Alyson. All welcome.

Acoustic Music Sessions at the Golden Bowler, Stubbington 3rd Thursday of the month from 8pm. If you sing or play an instrument (or even both at the same time!) come along and join in this informal mix of tunes and songs. Contact Jo Drew, e-mail drewpartnership@gmail.com. The Golden Bowler is the home for the acoustic evenings that used to take place at the Bun Penny. (updated November 2023)

2nd and 4th Thursdays at The Gribble Inn, Gribble Lane, Oving, Near Chichester PO20 2BP (We meet in the Skittle Alley !) "The Chichester Pickers" - singer/songwriters, blues, bluegrass, old-time, country, jazz and folk, ten-minute slots - please sign in before 7.45pm. Andrew Perry andrew@andrewperry.plus.com

New Folk session/singaround at the Heathfield Arms, Blackbrook Rd, Fareham 7.30 pm on the 4th Thursday of every month. It's a playaround/ singaround. It's in a private room with its own bar. Derry Rose derry.rose@btinternet.com

The Musketeer, North Street, Pennington, Lymington, SO41 8FZ. Lymington Folk Club (as distinct from Lymington Folk and Blues club) meets every Thursday, singaround 8.30pm start. (confirmed June 2023).

FRIDAYS

Acoustic Folk Night Generally the third Friday of the month in The Foyer Bar of The New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Rd, BH25 6DE. 7.30pm to 11pm, details from Steve West, 01425 619950 or stevewest82@btinternet.com. Offers local amateur instrumentalists & vocalists enjoyable entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere with the added advantage of a licensed bar, so come along and play or just listen.

The City Folk Club (formerly Friday Folk) has moved again to: Regnum Guide Hall, Whyke Lane (north), Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 7UR. Admission only £2

Free Folk Fridays Relaxed singaround-style session, 3rd Friday each month at The Lounge Bar, Amery Street, Alton, GU34 1HN. Arranged by Rough Ditch Folk www.roughditchfolk.com. You will need to log into Facebook to see their page.

New Milton Memorial Centre, Whitefield Rd, New Milton BH25 6DE. Third Friday, singaround, starts 8pm. (added October 2019)

Shanty Singers, 7.30pm second Friday of the month at The Hyde Tavern, Hyde Street, Winchester, SO23 7DY. See www.hydetavern.co.uk/all-eventsfor all the dates.

SATURDAYS

Lanes Restaurant, Ashley Lane, Lymington, SO41 3RH. 3rd Saturday, acoustic singaround 3pm - 5pm. Not August or December (added Oct 2019, confirmed June 2023).

SUNDAYS

FolkActive Youth Ensemble, For young musicians of Grade 3 standard and above. Cantell School, Violet Road, Southampton, SO16 3GJ. Monthly, 10.00-13.00, check website www.folkactive.org.uk/education/youth-ensemble/ for further details and dates. (added February 2020)

The Hourglass Micropub, Station Rd, New Milton BH25 6JU. 1st Sunday, acoustic singaround, 3pm - 6pm. (added Oct 2019)

The Madding Crowd West Gallery Quire, open rehearsals most 1st Sundays, but phone Mike Bailey 01962 713392 to check. St. Boniface Centre, Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford.

Portsmouth Youth Folk Ensemble. New for 2020, a group for young musicians of Grade 1 standard and above. Fratton Community Centre, Trafalgar Place, Portsmouth PO1 5JJ. Once a month 2.30pm to 4.30pm, check website www.folkactive.org.uk/pyfe/ for further details and dates. (added February 2020)

Southampton Folk Orchestra. An open access group that plays traditional folk music with connections to the local area, and welcomes all players of acoustic instruments from confident experienced musicians to beginners. Bitterne Manor Community Centre, Vespasian Road, Southampton SO18 1AX. Roughly two-weekly, 10.30 to 12.30, check website www.folkactive.org.uk/community/southampton-folk-orchestra/ for further details and dates. (added February 2020)

Southampton Traditiononal Music Session. Was at the Steamtown Brew Co, has moved to Woodies at The Junction, Priory Rd, Southampton, SO17 2JZ. Every week, 6.00 to 8.00 www.facebook.com/groups/traditionalirishsession for further details. (added November 2023)

The Rose in June, Milton Road, Portsmouth (2nd Sundays) very much a 'joining in' folk session. Contact johnfivefour@gmail.com or see the website. Copies of session tunes and other links provided on the website.

The White Hart, Pennington, Milford Rd, Lymington SO41 8DF. Last Sunday, singaround, start 8pm. (added October 2019 but might not still be running due to management change at the pub).