Est: 1956

Topic Newsletter

Newsletter No 292 - October 2026

_{Hello again everyone, that season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is fast approaching. And very welcome it is, I'm sure}

_{Here's what's what the Topic has in store for the coming month to start it off:}

_{FIRST AND FOREMOST:}

_{On Saturday 3rd October  from 12 noon to 5 pm. the Topic's major anniversary event will be taking place in the outdoor performance space of The Darley Street Market Courtyard, Darley Street, BD1 3AW  (What3Words nearly, flows,buyers). Free entry.}

_{Here are details of the line up of Guest Singers, all of whom have connections with the Topic, who will be performing.}  

_{11.45            Wayzgoose Morris}

_{12.00-12.55  Plumhall}

_{12.55-1.30    Hokum - skiffle  set}

_{1.30-2.10      Bella Gaffney}

_{2.10-2.25      Wayzgoose Morris}

_{2.25-3.00      Henry Parker}

_{3.00 -3.30     Paul Chand/ Anjaana}

_{3.30 - 4.00    Jenny Silurian}

_{4.00-4.30      Top Whack} 

_{4.30-5.00      Lewis Pugh}

_{See the attached flyer for such details of the performers as we have received to date.}

_{Please note the late - very late - change to the programme previously advised: Wayzgoose Morris will treat us to two performances of about 15 minutes each: one at 11.45 am to open the proceedings and again at about 2.10 pm, so timings will probably change after their second performance.}

_{Mike the Busker will now be singing outside the market instead of on stage.}

_{(Timings are still provisional and will  now be subject to change.)}

_{IMPORTANT NOTICE!!}

_{Northern Monk have kindly agreed to give Topic members a 10% discount on their drinks during the event at their pop-up bar in the Darley Street Courtyard.}

_{So make sure you have your membership cards with you on the day!}

_{Additional Event to Celebrate our 70th year: another date for your diary!}

_{Bradford Libraries have invited The Topic to present an evening of history and song to celebrate our 70th anniversary.}

_{This will be held on Friday 9th October, in Shipley Library, 2 Well Croft, Shipley BD18 3QH from 7-9 pm.  The evening will consist of a brief history of the Topic’s foundation in 1956, and its subsequent development.  This will be interspersed by songs sung by Topic members and friends. There will be no specific charge for entry: just pay as you feel – all proceeds will be going to the Topic.}

_{The Library hopes to combine this with a display of photographs of past and current musicians, plus ones of the various venues the Topic has used over the years. Anyone with anything interesting to offer is asked to contact Chris Gaffney on topicfolk@gmail.com.}

_{PLEASE NOTE:}

_{We were advised that this event was sold out: however Bradford Libraries have increased the capacity to 70, but it is not clear at the time of writing whether these extra seats have been taken. As this event is being organised by the Library who have been advertising it through their own channels - hence the uncertainty - we have no control as such over numbers/sales. (Being a free event there is a possibility of no-shows on the night so some may be available at the last minute - it may be worth anyone local to Shipley popping down to the library on the night on the off-chance).}

_{You can apply for free tickets HERE}

_{HOWEVER if there is sufficient demand, we may well designate a future singers/musicians night to be a rerun of this event. Anyone who fails to get a ticket for the 9th October please let us know. If there is a sufficient response we'll organise the rerun, you will of course be advised of the date, which is likely to be mid-October or early November.}

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_{NOW FOR WHAT'S ON AT THE CLUB FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH:}

_{1st     October    Singers & musicians   £1 entry which will be the start of a celebratory month for the Topic at 70. Bring songs, tunes, poems or stories about the Topic to mark its 70th year as a weekly club.}
 

_{8th    October       Mossy Christian}

_{Award winning professional musician, singer, and dancer, Mossy Christian specialises in the musical traditions of Lincolnshire and Yorkshire. Drawing on a rich and diverse repertoire of traditional dance tunes and folk songs, charting the lives of everyday people, in their work and recreation, from the 1700s to the present day.}

_{Delighting audiences across the UK, with performances at festivals and folk clubs from Whitby to Sidmouth, Morpeth to Nottingham, his shows are a treat not to be missed.   £9/£6}

_{https://wegottickets.com/f/24744}

_{https://mossychristian.com/}
 

_{15th      October      Singers & musicians   £1 entry}

_{22nd      October      Steve Jinski}

_{Steve Jinski is a songwriter, singer, performer, musician and music educator. Born to an Irish mother and a Polish father, brought up in Liverpool, Steve is a truly international artist. He has toured the UK, Ireland, Europe, and Scandinavia as a solo artist and with his recently put together group of musicians simply known as The Festival Band.}

_{Steve has made numerous festival appearances and opened shows for David Gray, Richard Thompson, Eddie Reader, The Proclaimers, Eliza Carthy and Rick Wakeman, to name just a few. Radio and TV appearances include BBC 1 The One Show.}

_{Steve’s music is born of the singer songwriter tradition drawing on influences that include acoustic, folk, Americana, indie and blues but still he retains his own unique voice. Playing ‘live’ Steve accompanies himself on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and piano. Added to the mix you’ll hear the occasional acapella tune, a wailing harmonica, a couple of interesting cover versions, some tall tales and a positive vibe that will leave an audience glad they came to see the show. Steve is equally at home in large concert venues and small intimate acoustic settings.}

_{To date Steve has released 4 albums, 2 EPs and numerous singles. His most recent release is a double CD album titled ‘Muscle Memory’ which is available on Lucky Smile Records/Proper Music Distribution in hard copy CD, as a download, and on all streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music.   £9/£6}

_{One of the best originators of acoustic song around today - 5 STARS Rock 'N' Reel magazine.}

_{Steve manages to inject bags of soul into his songs and here they positively thrum with inventive melodies - The Crack magazine}

_{https://wegottickets.com/f/24745}

_{stevejinski.com}

_{29th       October       Mick Ryan & Paul Downes}

_{Mick is well known on the folk scene as a fine singer of traditional and original songs. Having written both comic and serious material for the very popular band “Crows” in the 1980’s, and his duo with Pete Harris which appeared at every major club and festival in the country, he has since written for radio and a series of highly successful folk musicals: ‘A Tollpuddle Man’ (with Graham Moore); ‘A Day’s Work’ ; ‘The Voyage’; ‘Tanks for the Memory’, ‘The Navvy’s Wife’ and ‘Paupers Path’.}

_{Paul has a sensitive, yet fun approach to live performances which puts him among the most respected artists on the British acoustic music scene today. He has been introduced (to his embarrassment) as one of the greatest acoustic guitarist in the world. It is easy to see why when you see the dazzling array of styles he performs with effortless brilliance, but, at the same time, considers himself a singer of songs}

_{rather than a guitar technician.}

_{Paul has a rich musical background that has progressed through working with Phil Beer, The Arizona Smoke Revue, Pete Seeger and, The Joyce Gang. Nine albums with bands, four highly acclaimed solo albums and over two hundred session credits have still left time for Paul to tour every concert venue, theatre and festival in Britain, plus many tours in the USA and Europe.}

_{Together, Mick and Paul provide singing, music and entertainment of the very highest quality. Mick’s wry observations on modern life and Paul’s incisive asides make for an evening full of hilarity and engaging songs. Mick has a powerful, resonant voice and Paul is a splendid guitarist and singer and together they effortlessly shift between moods – one minute light-hearted and whimsical, the next deeply personal and moving, the next solidly traditional, all inviting interaction with the audience.    £9/£6}

_{https://wegottickets.com/f/24747}

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_{TOPIC ZOOM NIGHT MONDAY 19th OCTOBER 2026}

_{You are invited to join the next Topic Zoom session on Monday 19th October. 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 David Kidman 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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_{NEWS FROM THE DALES}

_{Songs and Tunes of the Yorkshire Dales – the popular monthly sessions will recommence on Sunday October 11th , 2-5 pm at the Buck Inn, Buckden BD23 5JA, not far from Starbotton. They return for the 5th year. Everyone is welcome to come and sing, play, recite poems, tell stories or just listen. The session will be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, through to March 2027.}

_{Cute little flyer attached.}

_{The Buck Inn serves food and a good pint btw....}

_{For more information on this and other events going on in the Dales, including a new group of Grassington Storytellers, see the Dales Traditional Music and Dance Collective on:}

_{www.dales-music-and-dance-collective.org.uk}

_{or for info about the Storytellers email folkcollective@thinkingfree.co.uk}

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_{NON TOPIC STUFF}

_{On Monday 5th October  Bingley First Monday Folk welcomes  Dogwood Mountain Railroad, a Yorkshire-based Bluegrass, Country and Americana group featuring rich multi-part vocal harmonies.}

_{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.} 

_{Murray McEwan, who plays acoustic pop/rock and Clive Beggs, folk Americana musician and songwriter, are appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 25th October, at 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.} 

_{This will be a Pay As You Feel event.}

_{On Sunday 11th October 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG welcomes the  award-winning and much admired songwriter Jez Lowe, who is this year celebrating 45 years as a touring musician.}

_{https://www.jezlowe.com/}

_{info@ryburn3step.org.uk  or phone 01422 822569 for tickets  (£11)}

_{www.ryburn3step.org.uk}

_{Please note this club can only accept cash (£11 for this gig)}

_{GREEN FOLKWAYS EXCHANGE}

_{As mentioned in the last newsletter, local cellist, singer and poet Sarah Smout is involved with the Green Folkways Exchange,an Ecological Folklore Research project which is holding a session in Skipton at Craven Arts on 15th October at 7 pm.  The attached flyer will give all the information currently available about the project and details of how those wishing to attend/perform can apply.} 

_{Those interested are invited to apply via this link:}

_{For more information about Sarah and what she does visit sarahsmoutmusic.co.uk/}

_{Check out The Live Room at Saltaire for a busy month of excellent shows coming up:  https://theliveroom.info/shows/}

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_{TOPIC STUFF}  

_{You will surely know by now (!) that 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 - see above))}

_{The anniversary event taking place on 3rd of October 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 the date in your diary and spread the word to friends and family.} 

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

_-------

_{As many of you know by now, we now accept (indeed prefer) payment for entry to the club by card, but you can of course pay by cash if that suits you better.}

_{Membership of the club normally runs from 1st January and will entitle you to the lower ticket prices on guest nights 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. However at the two celebratory events in October you can join for £10, this will cover membership until 31st December 2027.}

_-------

_{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, now take place at  The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU.}

_{There are two entrances to the pub, the lower door with steps on Barry Street, the top door at ground floor level on Grattan Road. On guest act nights you have to use the Grattan Road entrance as the other one is locked.} 

_{Street parking for the Castle is available on Barry Street and Grattan Road just outside the pub, also on Fulton St., which is a nearby turning off Grattan Road and there is a disabled parking slot. (Fee £1: however, it seems that the Council is planning to scrap street parking charges, but we don't yet know when this welcome change is likely to be taking effect, so be aware).}

_{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. (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}