Est: 1956

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

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 281 - November 2025

I'm not going to mention venue problems this time. I'm going to act normal....

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 *)
 

6th November   Singers & musicians   £1 entry
 

13th   November   Double Header: Chris Manners and Reuben & The Bridge *

Chris Manners — song-maker, singer, guitarist

Chris Manners has washed elephants in Thailand, delivered newspapers in Rio, marvelled at a volcano in Hawaii, sat in a thousand traffic jams and yawned at countless inter-office memos. He’s been honing his songwriting and performing craft for over 40 years, his work deeply rooted in the English folk tradition and influenced by the likes of Martin Carthy and Nic Jones, Bill Caddick and Jake Thackray.

He lives in Keighley, West Yorkshire, cut his performing teeth in Barnsley and is a long-time resident at Pete Coe’s Ryburn folk club and with the folk development organisation Ryburn 3 Step. He has performed all over the UK, including Sidmouth and Towersey festivals and West End Theatres.He was also part of the editorial and production team at TykesStirrings, the listings magazine for folk music in Yorkshire.

www.chrismannersmusic.co.uk

chrismanners.bandcamp.com

Cracking song, characterful vocals and lovely guitar playing. What more do you need when it’s done as well as that? — Mark Radcliffe, The Folk Show, Radio 2

In the tradition of 20th century folk club masters like John Tams and Bill Caddick — Ian A Anderson, Podwireless

It’s witty, it’s clever, it’s funny — Tim Walker, Tim Walker’s Folk, BBC Radio Lincolnshire

Clever lyrics with catchy tunes — genius . . . each and every song is amazing” — Folk Roundabout

Reuben & The Bridge

Bridget is a stunning fiddle player. Her Celtic roots sparkle and shine with her heartfelt and expressive style. Reuben, a former Cathedral chorister, is a natural performer who brings strong vocals, warm guitar and a little bit of cheekiness.

Self penned tunes and songs, paired with creative folksy cover versions of classic rock and pop, makes for a very diverse experience. Coming from Bradford, they have performed together for the past seven years.

Well received at many folk clubs and events across the nation they have performed at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, Gate to Southwell Folk Festival in Nottinghamshire, Holmfirth Festival of Folk and Moniaive Guitar Festival. £9/£6

https://www.facebook.com/folkmusicland/

https://wegottickets.com/event/672078
 

20th  November    Singers & musicians   £1 entry
 

27th   November    Jon Palmer Acoustic Band. Support*: Eric Sedge. 

Jon Palmer Acoustic Band, award winners at the UK West Coast Folk Festival 2024 are a high energy 6-piece folk, roots and rock & roll band based in West Yorkshire, where they have built a strong reputation as an exciting and energetic live act. Jon Palmer, who writes all the band's songs, is a prolific songwriter who draws on his folk roots and is not afraid to comment on the world we live in today.

The band are accomplished musicians and are no strangers to the intimacy of a club setting, the warmth of a theatre or performing on a full-blown festival stage.

The band's new album, Vacca Wall has top producer David Crickmore (Steve Tilston, Pete Coe) at the helm, and contains a musically and lyrically varied mix of 12 great songs. The album has received outstanding reviews from the music press.....

the most electrifying acoustic band in the country... very fine songs Folking.com

an outstanding album of modern folk music... exceptionally talented band... one of the finest songwriters around Fatea

an album full of the joy of life, the thrill of living and genuine wonderment, appropriately, it is also a thing of wonder TykesStirrings

https://www.jonpalmeracousticband.com/

Eric Sedge

Eric Sedge is a distinctive voice in the world of Folk and Roots music. With stories and songs from his native East Anglia and the Yorkshire Dales where he’s made his home, he embraces both traditional and contemporary styles playing Festivals and Concert Halls throughout the country, along with appearances on Radio and TV.

Raised in a family of classical musicians, to a household with neither TV or car, it was perhaps inevitable that the boy would be shaped by the twin forces of melody and word. Books and music, forest and fields were his playground and now his inspiration.

Eric now resides in North Yorkshire writing and performing songs inspired by the landscapes and people of the  local dales, most notably on his 2024 Album A postcard from the Pennines. Eric continues to travel the country performing at folk clubs and festivals across the land.

https://ericsedgemusic.com/about/

https://wegottickets.com/event/672080

TOPIC  ZOOM - NOVEMBER 17th

You are invited to join our  Topic Zoom session on Monday November 17th.

We welcome people from the UK, the EC, the USA and beyond to contribute to the music and poetry, and, when there's time, the chat. 

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

The monthly Zoom sessions are open to everyone, anywhere in the UK and beyond. 

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.

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.

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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.

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

There is still time to send in your own “Song with a Bradford Accent”.  If you have such a song, please do so without delay.  I am putting a song book together which I hope will be available at the 7th December concert, so if you want your song included please send the lyrics (word format please) to bd25topic@gmail.com .  Most songs are already on the Topic website but a few are still in the waiting room and will be uploaded soon.

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NON TOPIC STUFF

On Monday 3rd November 2025  Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Den Miller.

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

NEWS FROM THE DALES

The next Buck Inn session is on November 9th, 1pm to 4 pm, at The Buckden Institute (almost next door to the Buck Inn, which is closed.)

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

On Saturday 8th November Steve Tilston  is appearing at Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse Road, Queensbury, doors 7.00pm, show starts @ 7.30pm

https://www.blackdykemills.org/

https://www.stevetilston.com/

On Sunday 9th November, 7pm until 10 pm,  Riley Baugus is coming to Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club,  Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG. Tickets £9. Reservations 01422 822569 or

email info@ryburn3step.org.uk. 

Please note this club can only accept cash.

www.ryburn3step.org.uk.

Ranagri, with support from Plumhall, are appearing at Wadsworth Community Centre on Saturday 15th November

Doors 6.45, start time 7.45pm

https://www.bgrevents.co.uk/
 

Songbirde and Jon Hirst are appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 30th November, 7pm - 9 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.

https://www.brianhouston.com/
 

The annual Peace and Crafts Fair  takes place in Victoria Hall, Saltaire on 29th November,10 am till 4 pm.

There will be an opportunity for performers to do a short acoustic set between 11 am and 3.30 approx. If you would like to take part, email   music@yorkshirecnd.org.uk  for details.

TOPIC STUFF                                               

As most of you will know by now, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better.

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.                                                                     

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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.

Best wishes 

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club