Est: 1956

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_{Venue: The Castle, at  20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2LU}

Topic Newsletter Archive

Newsletter No 289 - July 2026

_{Hello again everybody, hope you've been enjoying the summer. And the heat?????}

_{Here's our programme for the month of July: a bit "different" this month, with two special singers nights, one normal one, and the 2 guest nights a bit out of the usual sync due to availability issues with the second guest.} 

_{Looks interesting, though....}

_{2nd     July  A special night:}

_{The Topic on the Eve of the Bradford Literature Festival 2026}

_{On Thursday July 2nd from  Topic will be hosting  an evening of Music and the Spoken Word, to herald the start of the Bradford Literature Festival 2026.}

_{Poets from the Beehive and other local poetry groups will be joined by writer Colin Speakman and a number of regular singers and musicians. All are welcome to come and share their poems, stories, songs and tunes, or just listen. Entry £1.}

_{For further details, please contact the Topic via their email info4topic@gmail.com or Bruce Barnes at email brucepoetbradford@utistugu.myzen.co.uk}

_{If you wish to perform, kindly arrive at the venue by 7.20.}

_{NB: The Bradford Literature Festival runs from 3rd to 12th July- see https://www.bradfordlitfest.co.uk/)}

_{9th     July        The Hunch}

_{The Hunch are five musicians with different musical tastes, a wealth of experience and influences from across the world. Coming together as a band was always in the offing through their musical and personal friendship and eventually in 2017 it all came together, put all that in the mix and you get something that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you know it’s giving you a good feeling!}

_{Musical creativity and crafted arrangements of well-known and original songs brings their close- knit 5-part harmonies and excellent musicianship together to bring you that ‘Hunch’ sound. With the vocals and Uillean Pipes of Michael Doonan taking the lead alongside Bob Thomas’ soul tones and blues harmonica are Tony Bacon (Keyboards & Vocals), Chris Hanks (Guitar and Vocals) and Marcus Frost (Cajon and Vocals) keeping them in their place - and that takes some doing! - bringing powerful, assured and unique arrangements to classic folk, rock, americana, jazz and jigs and reels - the songs you know, songs you are surprised by, and a mix of instrumental sets.}

_{Their on-stage closeness, dry wit and audacious humour will pull you in and get your toes tapping hands clapping and singing along.......you will know that you have The Hunch that this is going to be good!                   £9/£6}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/696786}
 

_{16th   July     Another special night}

_{Tonight's singers and musicians night is to be a celebration of Bradford’s heritage, to coincide with the Bradford Heritage Festival week which runs from 13th to 19th July). This will encourage songs and poems relevant to Bradford’s, and even the Topic’s, heritage.    £1 entry}

_{see  https://bradfordheritageconnection.co.uk/.}
 

_{23rd   July   Singers & musicians  - a normal night! -  £1 entry}
 

_{30th    July     Vicky Swan & Jonny Dyer}

_{Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer blend traditional material with contemporary sounds. Their performances showcase new interpretations of old songs alongside original self penned tunes and new contemporary songs that are entirely at home in the tradition. They have developed a sound that is both familiar and fresh. Strong believers in letting the music tradition live and breathe through sensitive interpretation, Vicki and Jonny allow the melody to sing without any constraints.} 

_{Be entranced by the haunting nyckelharpa, amazed at the cow horn (one of the world's earliest communication devices) and meet some of the bagpipes that didn't come from Scotland. Suitable for all ages, their evenings are packed with toe tapping tunes and songs of love, death, trains and dressing up (not always at the same time) all presented with sparkling gentle humour, lots of smiles and skilful musicianship. £9/£6}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/696788}

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_{TOPIC ZOOM - MONDAY 20th July 2026}  

_{You are invited to join the next Topic Zoom session on Monday 20th July. The digital doors will open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start, and the programme will run till 10 pm. 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.}

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_{NON TOPIC STUFF}

_{On Monday 6th July  Bingley First Monday Folk welcomes the amazing and highly recommended  Skinner & T'Witch, as one part of Writers in the Round. Also appearing will be Vincent Cross (US) and Tom Portman (Ire).}

_{Venue: Bingley Arts Centre (upstairs theatre), Main St, Bingley BD16 2LZ .}

_{The venue is 100% accessible via staircase and lift.}

_{Doors 7 pm, music 7.30 pm. Pay as you feel, donation and raffle.} 

_{Rod Cordner is appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 19th July , 6.30 pm.  Note the earlier time, as the England game will be on the TV later on. (All will be welcome to stay and watch the match).}

_{This is a Pay As You Feel event.}

_{NEWS FROM THE DALES}

_{Advance notice that there will be a Buck Inn session on Sunday 2nd August, from 2pm to 5pm (Buckden BD23 5JA) to mark Yorkshire Day (August 1st) and the start of Thriddingsfest which is a week of summer music, poetry, storytelling and dance to celebrate Yorkshire.}

_{See www.dales-music-and-dance-collective.org.uk: Click on EVENTS then ARTICLES, scroll down to Thriddingsfest for more information.}

_{More details in the August Newsletter....}
 

_{YORKSHIRE DAY ZOOM MEETING 1ST AUGUST 2026}

_{Jim Saville <shantyfreak@yahoo.co.uk>  is inviting poets, folkies and Tykes to a Yorkshire Day Celebration on Zoom.}

_{It will be an evening of poems and/or songs about Yorkshire (or parts of it). Either in dialect of King's English.} 

_{Usual system. Each person gets 4 or 5 minutes max on each round but the cycle will go round as often as time or interest permits.}

_{Saturday 1st August 2026 8pm (UK) until 11 (ish)}

_{For a joining link please email Jim at the above address.}

_{.........................................}

_{TOPIC STUFF  (a repeat of information from  previous newsletters - as it's so important, NB also contains a few changes !)}

_{You may know the Topic was founded in 1956 and every week since then (apart from in very adverse weather conditions) Bradford citizens and visitors have been treated to the best in folk music, from local singers and musicians to international performers of high renown. (We started a Zoom session during Covid which still meets regularly on the third Monday of every month and involves people from all over the country.)}

_{So 2026 is the Topic's 70th anniversary year and we are planning to celebrate this amazing achievement.} 

_{To do this we are seeking to link up with some of the events going on in Bradford, some special singers/musicians nights as above. Please make a note of the following date: more information will of course be given in the relevant month's newsletter;}

_{On Saturday 10th October the Topic's major anniversary event will take place in the outside area of Darley Street Market from 1pm to 5 pm. The plan is to involve booking about 10 outside Guest Singers, all of whom have had connections with the Topic.}

_{External periphery events such as Morris Dancers might also be involved.}

_{We are hoping that involvement in these events will help to raise the profile of the club, maybe encourage some more people to come along to our club nights, as well as supporting these worthy events taking place in our city.}

_{The 10th October event will inevitably involve some cost to the club. We may be able to get some kind of funding, but almost certainly not sufficient to cover our outlay. We are asking that club regulars (and even not so regulars) might consider making a donation to the club to cover these additional costs. There are two ways in which you can donate:}

_{For those who still use cash, there will be a collecting box at guest nights and singers and musician evenings; or payment can be made to the club's bank account:}

 _{Topic Folk Club; 05-04-49 Account no 17703951.}

_{PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY to help pay performers fees and help to raise the Topic’s profile so it can carry on for another 70 years.}

_{Put those dates in your diary and spread the word to friends and family. We will update you with confirmation and details of the programmes as we get them.} 

_{If you have any suggestions for any other ways we can celebrate our 70th birthday then please let us know.}

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_{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.}

_{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.}                                               

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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.}

_{As previously advised ALL Topic Folk Club nights, guest nights and singers/musicians nights, will from now on take place at  The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU.}

_{Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road (£1) just outside the pub, and there is a disabled parking slot.}

_{It has been suggested that we could introduce themes for the singers/musicians nights. We would welcome any thoughts on this, or ideas for themes.}

_{For all events doors will open at 7 pm with a 7.30 pm start and a target time of 9.45 to finish. (Please note the slightly earlier target time to finish: we have changed this for the convenience of the increasing number of people who need to leave a bit earlier to fit in with local public transport services.)}

_{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's still around.....}

_{Tony Charnock}

_{Topic Folk Club}