1999

In 1999, Mad Nanny moved to a twice-monthly club; holding Open Floor nights once a month; further details below. Since its inception, the club has hosted many well-known names on the English & international folk scene, including Martin Wyndham-Read, well-known for his Australian ballads, and Jez Lowe. 

May's guests were The McCalmans, a renowned trio of Scottish singers & instrumentalists, who combine rousing harmonies with a unique sense of humour which makes them excellent entertainment. They were received with great enthusiasm!

June's guests were Cat In The Mangle. Hilary & Pat are a duo from Huntingdon, offering a repertoire which encompasses traditional & contemporary English & Celtic music

After the summer break, the club's guests were Suntrap, from South London, bringing us powerful vocal harmonies and a multi-instrumental line-up which included guitars, accordion, mandolin, fiddle, penny whistles, harmonica and bodhran.

Later guests included that marvellous duo, Nancy Kerr & James Fagan, who treated us to some wonderful song & tunes from Britain and Australia.

Our Christmas Party & barn dance was a tremendous success; we danced to the Goose & Gridiron band, with Barry Goodman doing an excellent job as caller.

Guests in 2000

Moving into the new Millennium, we were pleased to host Isla St Clair at the end of January. Isla's wonderful singing of traditional tunes was given a warm welcome by an enthusiastic audience. In February we had a mini-festival, showcasing two local bands, Carry The Can and Isinglass, as well as Tam Lin. In March we had a singers' night & were treated to a range of local talent.

April saw the long-awaited event starring Dave Swarbrick & Alistair Hulett, on the first leg of Dave's 'Resurrection Tour'. It was wonderful to see Swarb on his feet again and his playing was, as ever, superb. He also provided the perfect complement to Aly's unique & memorable voice, equally at home with haunting airs or forceful workers' laments.

This was an evening enjoyed equally by organisers, audience & artistes, & we are glad to say that it's a pleasure which will be repeated next May.

In May, Suntrap paid us a return visit. In June, we were very pleased to welcome Tania Opland & Mike Freeman, who gave us an inspired evening of entertainment, greatly enjoyed by all.

Those who haven't seen Tania & Mike live should try & remedy this if they can; they are talented performers across a range of instruments, & Tania has a terrific voice which she uses to full effect in a rich variety of songs from different countries.

In September we welcomed the return of James Fagan & Nancy Kerr, entertaining & talented as always, they gave us a marvellous evening.




In October we were delighted to have Andy Irvine as a guest - we had a long wait, but he didn't disappoint us. His blend of superb musicianship & humour is unique. Unfortunately we forgot the camera for this one!

In November we had TWO events! Despite the weather & the fact that they were down in Sussex with the floods the previous night, November saw us welcoming Dave Swarbrick & Martin Carthy. They entertained a packed house & lived up to their reputations as folk icons; we can't wait to invite them back.

Later in November we welcomed Tom McConville & Pauline Cato, virtuoso performers on the fiddle & Northumbrian pipes. This duo is extremely popular across the country & this evening we found out why! Tom & Pauline have a dry wit which was greatly appreciated by our audience (as long as they didn't come from Gateshead!).

December saw our second popular barn dance, with the Goose & Gridiron band again  providing the music, & Barry Goodman calling. Barry is an excellent caller, catering for dancers of all abilities, & a good time was had by all.