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

Est: 1956

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Topic Newsletter

Newsletter No 278 - August 2025

Hello again, hope you're all well. 

A bit shorter than usual: this is our "quiet" month. (Shhhhh....)

However, though there isn't so much going on, there are a couple of important things to note

(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 *)

7th August    HULLABALOO WILL BE CLOSED FOR HOLIDAYS SO ON THIS NIGHT ONLY THERE WILL BE NO SINGERS/MUSICIANS NIGHT.

14th  August    Otra *   Support: Kim Ralls

Otra are Rahel Guzelian and, ahem, Tony Charnock, an acoustic duo with a repertoire of original songs and folk-style covers with guitar, whistle and fiddle accompaniment. They have been performing around the Bradford area and beyond for the past 20 years.

Kim Ralls,  Dales-based singer/songwriter.

After cutting his teeth in solo projects and a succession of bands before discovering English folk music and the wealth of stories contained within, Kim Ralls began to weave his own stories – some real, some fictional – into songs that have resonated with every audience he’s played to.

Born in Norwich in 1986, Kim grew up surrounded by his parents’ music collection, a wild melting pot of genres including prog-rock, soul, blues and much more, and a fascination with his dad’s battered old acoustic guitar, now Kim’s main instrument, along with a cello-mandolin built by the late David Oddy of Exeter.

Choosing to go solo just before the Covid pandemic, Kim wrote and recorded his well-received debut album, Terra Incognita, at home during lockdown.

Great story-song tradition… played and sung with real passion. A strong and expressive voice that really delivers – Steve Pledger

https://wegottickets.com/event/652490

21st  August       Singers & Musicians    £1 entry

28th  August       Singers & Musicians     £1 entry

TOPIC  ZOOMS 

A reminder that there will not be a Zoom session in August. They will resume on September 15th.

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.

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.

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.                                                             

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NON TOPIC STUFF

NEWS FROM THE DALES

The first ever ThriddingsFest will take place in Ben Rhydding on the afternoons and evenings of August 2nd and 3rd. The venue is St.John's Church, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley.

A veritable host of musicians, poets, etc will be performing at the festival, including Eddie Lawler, well-known to Topic audiences.

Too much information to give you here: there isn't an actual website, but this link will give you lots of details.

https://itsoninbradford.co.uk/events/first-ever-thriddingsfest/

It looks as though it's going to be  a hugely enjoyable event.

On Monday 4th August 2025 Liz Narey's First Monday Folk welcomes Kim Ralls (see above). 

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

WALK FOR MUPPETT

The DalesBus Ramblers are organising a Walk for Muppett on Sunday August 31st

Lots of info about this event, so please see footnote*.

Topic member Bob Marshall, a regular contributor to our singers and musicians nights, recently completed a sponsored cycle ride from Ravensglass to Whitby, raising £1530 (£10 per mile) for the charity World Vision.

"I have now raised £1530 for World Vision but you can still sponsor me: go to Just Giving and search for Bob Marshall Cycle (alternatively give me cash, I will record it on Just Giving). Or follow the link: https://www.justgiving.com/page/bob-marshall-for-world-vision?utm_medium=FA&utm_source=CL For more information (or to invite me to talk about the work of World Vision) contact me by e-mail on bob.bradqual01@gmail.com or phone 0770 889 6609"

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.

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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

* WALK FOR MUPPETT

The DalesBus Ramblers are organising a Walk for Muppett on Sunday August 31st

This special walk of 8 miles from Burnsall is designed to celebrate the life and work of our friend and colleague Michael Pascal – Muppett – DalesBus campaigner, walk leader, social worker, folk musician and impresario who died so suddenly and tragically just over a year ago. The walk will replicate one of Muppett’s favourite walks, now described in detail in the new booklet published by Friends of DalesBus – see https://friendsofdalesbus.org/

The route follows the Dales Way from Burnsall to Hebden then up Hebden Gill to Yarnbury and Barras before returning along field paths to Grassington.

8 miles – Moderate

Catch bus 874 d. Wetherby (0835), Leeds (0910), Otley (0952), Ilkley (1020) (connection from Bradford & Shipley on 864); Keighley on 62) to Burnsall (1050). Return on 874 (1700) from Grassington to Ilkley (1750) with onward connections (inc 864 Ilkley to Bradford); also, or 72 (1700) from Grassington to Skipton.

Led by Colin Speakman colinspeakman799@gmail.com

Topic newsletter readers may remember that Muppett was a committed bus user as well as a walker. If you plan to come, please wear boots, carry a packed lunch and drink, rainwear and warm clothing. All are welcome. This is part of a programme of free Guided Walks by DalesBus Ramblers. https://friendsofdalesbus.org/