Est: 1956

Map &
Directions

_{Venue: Sunbridge Wells,
Upper Millergate, Bradford BD1 1SX}

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 282 - December 2025

Hello again all,

Here's our programme for the coming month:

(To mark Bradford's year as City of Culture we are ensuring that one of our guests each month will be either from Bradford or have strong links with the city.  These will be marked with *)

4th     December  Singers & musicians   £1 entry 
(NB - preceded by the AGM which starts at 7 pm) 

11th   December       Plumhall*

Plumhall (Michelle Plum and Nick B Hall) are an acclaimed UK songwriting duo  known for their captivating vocal harmonies and exquisite acoustic guitar playing. Their original songs have earned them widespread acclaim. Their first two albums, Thundercloud and The Ghost of Noise, received significant recognition, including a “Hidden Gem” recommendation from The Guardian/Observer. From the alt-country feel of the debut to the more experimental sound of the follow-up, Plumhall have shown their ability to blend strong songwriting with diverse musical influences. Their much-anticipated third album, One Star Awake, was released in June 2024 to critical acclaim and is available on all major platforms, as well as in CD format at their live shows.

2024 was a remarkable year for the pair. They completed a successful 30-date tour as special guests of Fairport Convention on their Winter Tour, with Fairport joining Plumhall on stage each night to perform One Star Awake, the title track of Plumhall's latest album, which also features Fairport's Ric Sanders. They were thrilled to be invited to perform at Costa Festival in Ibiza in May. They then reunited with Fairport at the Cropredy Convention in August, where they performed as part of an extended Fairport lineup including Ralph McTell.

Plumhall have had the honour of performing with the legendary Al Stewart multiple times, including at renowned venues such as London’s Palladium and Cadogan Hall. They have also played alongside esteemed musicians like Larry Campbell, Phil Beer and Steve Knightley.

In 2018, filmmaker Richard Heap invited Michelle and Nick to write an original song for, arrange live acoustic music for, and appear in the 2020 feature film The Runaways. The song Closing Down has since become a beloved part of their repertoire.

Michelle Plum’s musical background includes a four-year stint with Chumbawamba, 4 years as a session musician with The Chris Norman Band, and a co-founder of the folk band Waking The Witch. Nick Hall has toured with Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, Magna Carta, and The Hall Brothers.

In addition to their duo performances, Plumhall occasionally perform as a trio with their producer David P Crickmore (of Fiat Lux) on bass, vocals, and electronica, giving their live shows the full dynamic range of a rock band. £9/£6

https://www.plumhallmusic.com/

https://wegottickets.com/event/672082

18th    December       Singers & musicians   £1 entry.

------------------------------------------------------------

TOPIC  ZOOM - DECEMBER   15th 2025

You are invited to join our  Topic Zoom session on Monday December 15th. As we approach Midwinter, you are welcome to log on with festive songs, tunes or poems.

The digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start and the programme will run till 10.00. Songs, tunes and poems are all welcome.

To participate in this or other of our monthly Zoom evenings, either as a performer or as an audience member, please contact Guy at guy@wutheringbikes.org.uk

We are grateful to Jim Saville who allows us the use of his Zoom Pro so we can run the evening without a break. He also advises on the technical glitches that can occur from time to time.

------------------------------------------------------------

THE TOPIC AND BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE 2025

This from Robbie Martin, who has worked tirelessly throughout the year on the SWABA project, soon to come to a grand finale:

Songs with a Bradford Accent

Live Concert 

There is to be a live concert featuring Songs with a Bradford Accent sung by the writers of those songs on Sunday 7th December at Shipley Kirkgate Centre starting at 7pm.

This will be an excellent start to your Christmas celebrations, so bring your family along; entry is free, thanks to a grant from  Shipley Town Council.

Doors open from 6 pm. Food will be available to buy in the way of pie and peas, vegetarian options, and there will be a bar.

Performers include: Into The Buttercup, Lewis Pugh, Hilary McMullen, Ben Martin, Nigel Broadbent, Janglebuddies, Nigel Hoyle, The Mockingbirds.

Most songs are already on the Topic website but a few are still in the waiting room and will be uploaded soon.

Flyer attached.

                                                                                ------------------------------------------

NON TOPIC STUFF

On Monday 1st December 2025 - tonight! -  Liz Narey's First Monday Folk doesn't have a guest, but:

"by request, an evening  of local stars and hopefully some treats. All welcome"

Venue:The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2HB. Doors 7 pm. Pay as you feel, donation and raffle.  

On Tuesday 2nd December Serious Sam Barrett, David Broad and Lewis Pugh are performing at Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre, Bennett Road, Headingley, Leeds LS6 3HN from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Contact details:

0113 275 4548

admin@heartcentre.org.uk


On Friday 5th December A Winter Union will be appearing at Mytholmroyd Community Centre, Caldene Avenue, Hebden Bridge HX7 5AF, doors 6.45 Music 7.45.

This will be a night of real quality: 5 superb musicians, Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage, Gilmore Roberts and Jade Rhiannon come together for their annual festive winter tour. Be there if you possibly can...

https://awinterunion.com/

www.bgrevents.co.uk

 https://wegottickets.com/f/14025

or: phone/text 07731 661053

On Sunday 14th December, 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG are holding their home grown Christmas Party, with seasonal songs, carols, and novelties from their residents, Pete Coe, Johnny Adams, John Bromley, Chris Manners, Damien Barber, and the Singers From The Shop.

info@ryburn3step.org.uk  or phone

01422 822569

www.ryburn3step.org.uk

Please note this club can only  accept cash.

Also on Sunday 14th December from 4pm to 6pm  (doors 3.30pm), Gaelforce are playing at Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse Road, Queensbury, BD13 1QA. Should anyone be interested, it'll be a good 'un. The band are hoping for a few folkies to come along: if anyone from the Topic wants to contribute with a song they will try to fit that in.

https://www.blackdykemills.org/       

https://www.gaelforcecelticrock.co.uk/

NEWS FROM THE DALES

There is no Buck Inn session in December. Watch this space for news about a possible session in January, in a different pub...

TOPIC STUFF                                               

As many of you know by now, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better. However, as mentioned in a previous newsletter we have had some problems with the card reader at Sunbridge Wells, which may be to do with the location being underground, but we're not sure. It has improved, though it can be slower than usual. We will still endeavour to use it, but it would help if you had some cash on you as a backup until we're sure it's resolved.

Membership of the club runs from 1st January and will entitle you to the lower ticket prices shown in this newsletter as well as the chance to become more involved in the workings of the club if you would like to. You can join or renew your membership on any club night. 

PLEASE NOTE that  anyone joining from now until 31st December will only need to pay £5 membership fee (we're all heart!!)                                                                        

---------------------------                                                                             

For performers who may be thinking of approaching the club for a booking, please email: info4topic@gmail.com

If you’re visiting the club for the first time, be sure to come and say hello, and if anyone has any suggestions for the club, for example if you would like us to try to book a particular artist, we’d like to hear them.

For the time being Topic guest nights will take place on Thursdays at Wallers Bar, Millergate BD1 (situated in the underground Sunbridge Wells complex); singers and musicians nights will take place in The Rose and Crown, Upper Millergate BD1SD - essentially the same building but at ground level.

Doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 10pm to finish.

Like all the clubs in the area, our aim is to provide good quality live entertainment to suit all tastes of those interested in folk music, and we are hoping we can count on you for your continued support.

Floor singers are always welcome (though may be limited if we have a booked support act - please check). Please arrive by 7.15 pm if you’d like a slot – it helps the MC to plan the evening.

Please continue to take Covid precautions when visiting the club.

It only remains for me, on behalf of the Topic, to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope 2026 is a good year for everyone.

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club