Tuning up in hope of bringing back music club
Blairgowrie fair trade retailer All Things Fair donated almost £700 for the Perth and Kinross Branch of the Multiple Sclerosis Society recently.
The money was raised at a fashion show and supper held in Blairgowrie Town Hall to mark the launch of the shop’s new clothing ranges.
Tracey Gellatly from the Perth and Kinross branch of the MS Society said: “I was both surprised and delighted to receive a wonderful donation to the Perth and Kinross group of £696.86.
“Anna Bowman and her wonderful team of helpers held a fashion show promoting a new range of beautiful clothing by Thought made from sustainable and natural fabrics.
“On behalf of the group I would like to say a huge thank you to Anna, her team of helpers, other local businesses who supported the event and everyone who attended the evening.
“The town is always very supportive of the local group and we are truly grateful.”
Anna added: “I would like to express my immense thanks to Gordon’s Cater Hire and Something Special Flowers, my amazing team of helpers for all that they did, and everyone else who supported the show.” A Perthshire music club is being resurrected ... writes Lynn Duke.
With a resurgence in popularity of traditional and folk music, organisers believe it’s a good time to restart the Crieff Folk Club, which was once a popular part of the town’s social scene.
A special concert took place last Saturday in Strathearn Artspace to celebrate the launch.
The man spearheading the revival is Crieff-based composer and musician Neil Thomson. He said: “The Artspace has been gathering momentum and getting more of a profile and is a very good venue to run a folk club and events from. There is also a good crew of people there to provide support.”
Neil was heavily involved in the folk scene in Glasgow before moving to Crieff, playing folk clubs, festivals and regularly putting on events at the Piping Centre, King Tut’s and the Tron Theatre.
He was joined at Saturday’s concert by special guests – including Crieff ’s Nigel Gatherer – and also launched his new album ‘Live at the Glad Cafe’ on the night.
Neil envisages the folk club’s format will take the form of monthly concerts, with others scheduled for October and November. Then, from 2018, there will be fortnightly drop-in sessions.
He explained: “The idea is to put on a concert one Thursday night each month. And we will run session nights on a Thursday in between so every two weeks there will be something on.”
Neil is also appealing for information on the former Crieff club.
He added: “Crieff had a very well known and respected folk club in the seventies and the likes of Billy Connolly and Hamish Imlach played.
“We are trying to find out information from any locals who were involved with the folk club at that time.
“If anyone has any photographs or stories we would like to put a board to together and put it up when the folk club takes place.”
Visit www.neilthomson.co.uk.
Anna Bowman of All Things Fair
Neil Thomson is spearheading the revival of Crieff Folk Club