Baldock & Letchworth Folk Club Folk Club

Baldock & Letchworth Folk Club started life as the Mad Nanny! Folk Club in St Francis College, Letchworth. It was established at the beginning of 1999, with the intention of bringing more traditional music into the area, and our aim was to complement Hitchin Folk Club, one of the longest-running UK clubs. Towards the end of 1999, the club moved to 'The Place' in Letchworth. Since then we have been based in various places in Baldock & Letchworth, the most recent being a local coffee bar in Letchworth.

Owing to the non-appearance of the venue's PEL, we have moved again, & the club is now at The Orange Tree, Norton Rd, Baldock - directions below.

In October 2004 we became a membership club. Joining is easy; annual membership only costs £3 .

We feature guest artists of considerable renown and those newcomers on the way up! The guest is supported by a resident band or singers, and we proudly encourage amateur singers and musicians to perform as ‘floor spots’ on guest nights. Everyone is offered a turn at the less formal session/singaround nights - the ideal way to try out that new song before standing up at the front!

We are friendly and welcoming, don’t be shy, come and join us. Children are very welcome to all of these evenings; the tradition is in their hands after all. I hope you can join us for some splendid entertainment. Prices vary according to the artiste, up to two accompanied children under 16 may enter free per adult. There are concessions for people who aren't working, are students or who are of retirement age.

A collection is taken at session/singarounds to help fund the booking of artists.

We are pleased & grateful to find an ever-growing core of regulars and supporters for the club, & hope that our membership continues to grow. Confused by the changes? Please call us or email us!

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.

contact us on 0845 123 2658

From the South: Leave A1m at j9 and turn RIGHT off the round about onto A6141 signed Baldock. Follow road downhill into the town. At mini roundabout keep Tesco on your left and drive down the High Street. At far end of High Street turn LEFT at mini roundabout onto Hitchin Street. Norton Road is 200 metres down on your RIGHT. The Orange Tree is 200 metres down on the left.

From the North: Leave A1m at j10 and turn RIGHT at roundabout onto A507. After short distance turn LEFT at next roundabout signed Norton. Follow the road for perhaps 1 mile. Just after a sharp right bend turn LEFT into Norton Road. Follow Norton Rd to T-junction turn right and the Orange Tree is a few metres up on your left.

From the West On A505 from Letchworth signed Baldock. Norton Road is on your LEFT on the S bend as you enter the town. If you have shops on your right you've gone too far !