At: Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 279 - September 2025

Hello again, hope you're all well. My word, isn't the year flying by! Autumn seems to be early this year....

May I ask that you make a point of reading the paragraph concerning the Hullabaloo Share Offer halfway down this newsletter.

Meanwhile, here's our programme for the 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 September    Singers & musicians   £1 entry

11th September  Double Header: Hazjak & Pete Dilley 

Hazjak are Lynne O'Malley and Steve Chapman Smith, both well-known and respected musicians on the Northern acoustic scene.

Together they play an eclectic style of Americana, Roots and Folk music with close harmonies. Their live performances are filled with passion and storytelling, but also laughter and fun.

Steve - vocals, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, bass, Lynne - vocals, banjo, guitar, whistle, piano, harmonica.

Hazjak have released two albums to date - "Listerville" in Dec 2020 and “The City Sleeps” in Nov 2023, both to great critical acclaim.

Excellent instrumental skills, impressive harmony vocals and heartfelt delivery - Dave Haslam, R and R magazine March 2024

Voices in sparkling harmony... a plethora of instruments, they are both talented multi-instrumentalists... an electric performance! Hazjak, a class original and unique act - Tony Haynes FAB Folk and Beyond, Tempo FM Jan 2023

A highly talented duo, excellent songs, superb musicianship and harmonies in abundance - Tykes Stirrings, 2021

High calibre musicianship. Roots based music of the finest kind. They write raw and penetrating songs of truth and heart-rending stories to stir your souls - Ian Mayor, Drystone Radio

https://www.hazjak.com/

Pete Dilley is a singer/songwriter from the North-East, before absconding to Kendal, Hebden Bridge, and now Todmorden, West Yorkshire. Pete works in Bradford.

With a background in Classics and Heritage, his songs are primarily based in the folk idiom, and explore his passion for the natural world and history.

He plays guitar, lap steel, banjo, and bouzouki, and will have a bash at most others too! His latest album, 'Half-Truths and Hearsay', (2021) recorded in Kendal, features an array of Lakeland talent. It has been praised by Steve Tilston and Martin Simpson.

Pete has opened for the likes of Ralph McTell, Emily Barker and Marry Waterson, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Dr Feelgood. He is currently 1/4 of the band Living with Machines who released an album of forgotten strike ballads after a commission between Leeds City Museum and the British Library. The eponymous debut album was released in 2024.      £9/£6

https://www.facebook.com/petedilleymusic

https://wegottickets.com/event/652492

18th September   Singers & musicians   £1 entry

25th September   Becky Mills

Magical stories from the North York Moors..... solo singer-songwriter Becky Mills contributes a new & captivating flavour to the modern folk genre. Listeners and audiences describe her as “touching, compelling and witty“, with “evocative songs“ both “uplifting” and “heart-rending”. After 20 years on the circuit (including gigs at Glastonbury, Trowbridge and Cambridge festivals) she is a firm favourite with audiences large and small.

In 2019 she released her new album, Tall Tales and Home Truths; rooted in the superstitions, folklores and mysteries of the North York moors she calls home, the album mines her family’s past to bring astonishing real-life stories to the listener’s attention. Myths, community tales, bonds and travails, all rooted in a sense of place, where the moors suddenly meet the sea and the promise of a potentially different life…

A close collaborator with Fairport Convention founder Ashley Hutchings, Becky has also collaborated with Pentangle, Fairport Convention, Barbara Dickson and Ken Nicol, as well as being a former member of acclaimed all-girl ensemble Waking The Witch.

A wonderful singer, songwriter and guitarist – Ashley Hutchings.

Skillfully weaving together personal & historic themes, Becky has created a stylish modern take on the art & process of folk storytelling  - Dave Kidman, fROOTS

I don't remember when I was so amazed at a singer-songwriter´s work … she sings from the soul - Mike Harding.

Beguiling, original songs of elegant crafting - crisp and full of meaning - from this pure-voiced singer. Highly recommended -
Bob Kenward, About Kent Folk

Mills is a master storyteller. Shot through with wisdom, her bewitching songs imagine the mysterious lives of others with enormous sympathy -  The Musician magazine

A collection of warm humanity and emotional truth -  RnR magazine ****

Superb musicianship and a voice that will give you shivers - FATEA magazine .      £9/£6

https://www.beckymillsgigs.co.uk/about

https://wegottickets.com/event/672051

TOPIC  RE-ZOOMS 

After the August break, the Topic Zooms will start again on Monday September 15th with the same format as for the last 5 years. The one difference that you may notice is that Guy & Steve, who’ve been taking turns to MC the monthly sessions, will be taking on the bulk of the admin. Those of you who may not have been Zooming will remember them from the years of door duty they did for the Topic, until they moved to South Wales. Thanks to both of you!

To participate in this or other 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. As previously, the digital doors will open at 7.30 for an 8pm start & the programme will run till 10.00. Songs, tunes and poems are all welcome.

We are very 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.

FRIENDS OF HULLABALOO

For anyone who wishes to become a member of Friends of Hullabaloo, there are forms in the bar with all the registration details. Also online registration is quite easy. The link to register is called 'Become a Member' and can be found on the website homepage www.hullabalooshipley.org.uk Membership Costs £10 per year and will come with some great incentive offers. See below.

FURTHER IMPORTANT NEWS FROM HULLABALOO - SHARE OFFER

The Friends of Hullabaloo Ltd. Community Share Offer is your chance to directly invest in the future of this much-loved pub and live music venue. By raising working capital, they can stabilise the business, secure their future, and keep Hullabaloo thriving as a community hub for arts and music. You can invest from as little as £50, making it possible for everyone who values Hullabaloo to play a part in its future.

If you’d like to see Hullabaloo continue as a sustainable, community-owned venue, this is your opportunity to help. Every share purchased strengthens the pub's foundations and brings it one step closer to long-term stability and growth.

You’ll find everything you need — including the prospectus and application form — on the website - https://hullabalooshipley.org.uk.

Currently, there are two ways to apply for shares:

1 Download & print the application form.

2 Submit an online form 

Both of these are pledges to pay, which must be followed up by cheque or bank transfer - details available on the form. They are also hoping to bring you a third option — allowing you to apply and pay fully online. Watch this space!

At the moment they are looking at a cut-off date of 30th September for buying shares , but this may be extended at their discretion. 

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THE TOPIC AND BRADFORD CITY OF CULTURE 2025

The now usual reminder that we are involved in one of the cultural events in the run up to Bradford City of Culture 2025. I'll continue to put the reminder on the newsletters, more people may yet be inspired to submit a song for the project which is now up and running, plenty of songs coming in: the project will be running throughout 2025.

To mark Bradford City of Culture in 2025 the Topic is gathering together folk songs about the story of the people and/or groups who work to make Bradford District a welcome and supportive place.

See the usual attached updated flyer Songs with a Bradford Accent.

This ambitious project is by no means limited to the usual participants in the acoustic music scene: if you know of anyone outside our orbit who might be interested in being involved, please let them know about it, nay, encourage them. It's not a competition, by the way, no winners and losers, just a chance to show what local songwriters can do to honour the city's award.

Additionally, to help promote this project we would like to record people saying “Songs with a Bradford accent” in various languages, if the language is spoken in Bradford we want it to be represented.  Could you help?  If possible send a recording to  jem.emmett@bcbradio.co.uk of yourself saying “songs with a Bradford accent” in your language.  If you are not able to record yourself then please get in touch with Jem at BCB and we could arrange for you to record at BCB studios.

For further details of SWABA and to send a song you have written please get in touch with Robbie at bd25topic@gmail.com.      

You can hear some of the songs submitted on BcB Listen Again presented by Robbie Martin on the following link

https://www.bcbradio.co.uk/      Click on "Listen Again" and Follow the links, clicking on 25th August, and 1700 - 1800                                             

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NON TOPIC STUFF

NEWS FROM THE DALES

No Buck Inn session this month, they restart on October 12th, 2pm to 5 pm, thereafter on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 1pm - 4pm

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On Monday 1st September 2025 - that's tonight! - Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Six Days , with support from Richard Marriott. 

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

On Sunday 14th September, 7pm until 10 pm  John Conolly (songwriter of Fiddlers Green)  comes 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.

https://www.johnconolly.co.uk/

Enda Kenny - who recently gave us a great night at the Topic - is appearing at Bacca Pipes Riddlesden Institute, Scott Lane, Riddlesden, Keighley BD20 5BU on Friday 5th September. Doors open 7:30pm, start 8pm. 

(Please note there is no bar: bring your own alcoholic drinks. Tea and coffee will be available).

https://baccapipes.org.uk/

https://endakennymusic.com/

Skinner & T'Witch  - who also gave us a memorable evening at the Topic earlier this year - are appearing at Black Dyke Mills Heritage Venue, Black Dyke Mills, Brighouse Road, Queensbury BD13 1QA on 27th September, doors 7.00pm, show starts @ 7.30pm

https://www.blackdykemills.org/

https://www.skinnerandtwitch.com/

The legendary Phil Beer is appearing at Wadsworth Community Centre, Billy Lane, Old Town Nr Hebden Bridge HX7 8RY on Saturday 27th September. Doors 6.45 pm start time 7.45 pm.

https://wegottickets.com/event/646596

Or tel 07731661053 for tickets.

https://www.bgrevents.co.uk/

Dave Paterson and Deborah Bate are appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 28th September, 7pm - 9 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.

TOPIC STUFF

A reminder that a spacious disabled toilet has now been installed at Hullabaloo, on the same floor as the room used for live music events.                                                

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.

The Topic runs on Thursdays at Hullabaloo, 41 Westgate, Shipley, BD18 3QX. 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