Est: 1956

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

Topic Newsletter

Newsletter No 283 - January 2026

Hello again all, hope you have enjoyed the festive season. Back to normal now, whatever "normal" is....

Here's our programme for the first month of the New Year:

1st      January (today!!)  Club closed. Well, it is New Year's Day
 

8th     January      Singers & musicians   £1 entry  
NB to be held at The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU
 

15th    January     Double Header: Ghost School and Lilian   

Calderdale-based band Ghost School is an acoustic trio that plays a mixture of original songs and traditional material from all corners of the British Isles.

 The band brings together three highly accomplished and experienced musicians, Andy Greaves (mandolin/guitar/vocals), Jen Trott (fiddle/ vocal) and Les Gillon (guitar/vocal).

Weaving songs and stories from the past with contemporary original compositions, Ghost School creates a rich musical tapestry that comes to life in their dynamic live performances.

2024 saw the release of their first album Let All Hearts Be Hollow which is available on all download and streaming platforms.

https://lesgillon.org/ghost-school/

Lilian is a singer/storyteller of traditional folk and fairytales. Through song Lilian explores real world issues that we face today, and combines this with encounters of the supernatural world, drawing inspiration from the folk tradition to create a sound that is dark and at times ethereal.

Lilian released her debut album Pareidolia in 2023, a collection of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes, and has performed up and down the country to attentive audiences who describe her voice as haunting.                                                £9/£6

At times ethereal, at times vivid, A triumph in the use of acoustic light and shade - Tykes/Stirrings

Linktree website:

https://linktr.ee/lilian.folk

https://wegottickets.com/event/686227
 

22nd January Singers & musicians   £1 entry
 

29th January Double Header: White Sail and Here's the Steeple

White Sail are Jane Stockdale, Chris Bartram and Sarah Dean.

With two sell out tours supporting (and as backing band) to legendary Hothouse Flowers front man Liam Ó Maonlaí, White Sail are making waves and certainly have the wind behind them! With a glorious melding of sublime harmony vocals and guitars, mandolin, Celtic harp, Appalachian dulcimer, schruti box, trumpet, flute, woodwind and percussion the trio perform their own unique material at gigs and festivals. Taking their inspiration from nature, history and heritage they write about love, life, the land and the sea. The stories are told with passion and sublime musicality. The songs are set against soundscapes that are joyous, vibrant and at times, gentle and mesmeric. They also weave their unique magic on the contemporary and traditional.

August 2021 saw the release of their 2nd EP This Great Ocean to great reviews ~ the first EP High in the Blue and Single WinterTide are available on CD and download. White Sail are putting the finishing touches to a recently recorded live EP entitled Live at Crooked Room.

Quotes:

White Sail are rooted in the music of the people and the music of the land. There is a heart driven energy in the way they share their music and songs. I had the pleasure of touring with them two years in succession. We made a lot of music together venturing in to the unknown - Liam Ó Maonlaí Hothouse Flowers

I had the pleasure of organising a couple of tours with Hothouse Flowers front man Liam Ó Maonlaí. He more or less insisted that White Sail be his support and backing band. Says it all really! Jonti Willis ~ Broadcaster and Promoter

Progressive Folk Adventurers!....White Sail were just simply amazing! Seven Arts, Leeds
 

Under the moniker of Here’s The Steeple, Dan Walters has developed a reputation for intricate guitar textures and soaring, soulful vocals that warm you up like a good cup of tea.

Here’s The Steeple’s most recent offering is a collection of 3 double A-side singles, funded by Help Musicians. Drawing on a range of folk-related influences from Laura Marling to Rachael Dadd, the tracks explore themes of childhood, relationships, and politics, and demonstrate the thoughtful lyrics and rich textures he has become known for.

Here’s The Steeple has played both as a soloist and with a band, supporting artists including The Brother Brothers, Will Varley, Tiny Ruins, Jesca Hoop, Scott Matthews, Rozi Plain, and Chris Brain.         £9/£6

Dreamy, childhood soundscape - Tom Robinson, BBC Introducing Mixtape

There’s a lot going on but it sounds like it’s fallen together in a really perfect way... There’s something reaIly, really special about it. - Emily Pilbeam, BBC 6Music

From top to bottom this song just... Hits - Del Osei-Owusu, Fresh On The Net

Really gorgeous - Emily Pilbeam, BBC 6Music

Really beautiful - Rozi Plain

Bloody fantastic!- Adrian McNally, The Unthanks

Amazing! - Nick Harper

https://www.heresthesteeple.com/

https://wegottickets.com/event/686229

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New Year Topic Zoom - Monday January 19th

A happy New Year to all our regular contributors and a warm welcome to anyone who would like to virtually drop by.

You are invited to join our first Topic Zoom of 2026 on Monday January 19th The digital doors will open at 7.30 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 5th January 2026-  -  Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Tess Leslie and Phil Snell, aka Trash Panda.

Venue:The Ryshworth Club, Keighley Road,Crossflatts, BD16 2HB. Doors 7 pm, music 8 pm. Pay as you feel, donation and raffle.  

www.trashpandaband.co.uk
 

On Sunday 11th January, 7pm until 10pm, Ryburn 3 Step Folk Club, Hollins Mill, Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2QG welcome The Bromleys, a family band featuring father John - who has appeared at the Topic in his own right - daughter Jenny, and son, James.

info@ryburn3step.org.uk  or phone 01422 822569

www.ryburn3step.org.uk

https://www.facebook.com/TheBromleysFolk/

Please note this club can only accept cash.
 

Fancy something different to bring in the New Year?????

The Long Company will do that for you, with their spectacular open air folk play starting at 8 pm, followed by a sessions of seasonal songs, tunes and novelties at the following venues:

Friday 2nd January at The Golden Lion, Todmorden OL14 6LZ;

Saturday 3rd January at The Hinchcliffe Arms, Cragg Vale HX7 5TA;

Monday 5th January at The Puzzle Hall, Sowerby Bridge HX6 2RF;

Tuesday January 6th at The Old Bridge Inn, Ripponden HX6 4DF.
 

May Contain Notes are appearing at the Avondale Club, 19 Bradford Road, Shipley BD18 3PJ on Sunday 25th January 2026, 7pm - 9 pm. This is a Pay As You Feel event.

http://www.maycontainnotes.uk/

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NEWS FROM THE DALES

BUCK INN SESSION

This month's Buck Inn session will take place at The Racehorses Hotel in Kettlewell on Sunday January 11th, 1pm to 4pm. Hotel food and drink available, car parking behind the hotel or in the nearby YDNP car park. Dalesbus bus stop right by the bridge. Entry free. No programme, just impromptu music-making, singing, poems and stories. All welcome, bring an instrument or your voice to join in or just come and listen.

NB We have just heard, within the last couple of days, that The Buck Inn has now reopened following flood damage due to leaking storage tanks, so there will probably be discussion about the future as regards venue.
 

TOPIC STUFF  

At the recent AGM the following were elected onto the committee:Sue Gaffney, John Waller, Martin Richards, Rahel Guzelian and Tony Charnock (re-elected) and Chris Gaffney.

 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.                                                                 

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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.

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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 at:The Castle 20, Grattan Road  Bradford BD1 2 LU 

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

We sincerely hope that we will soon be in a position of some stability regarding venues, and that last-minute emails regarding changes will be a thing of the past. We have yet to establish that all facilities at Wallers Bar are up and running again following the break-in and robbery last month. Please continue to bear with us.

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.

Happy New Year everyone!

Tony Charnock

Topic Folk Club