The Armistice Pals is a community, not just of the fine musicians involved but also of anyone else who wishes to be involved – even those of us who can’t sing or play but do love the idea and the music. Folk clubs around the country are committing to Armistice Pals nights in varying forms during October and November. Here are more details, but if you’d like to be involved in any way, get in touch – be an Armistice Pal. It's not just your country that needs you – together we can work to make the world a little better.
Folk clubs and singers groups are invited to take part in our grassroots community celebration of folk, with the focus being on the single, Where Have All The Flowers Gone' organised by Armistice Pals. Armistice Pals is the name given to a ‘super group’ of over 35 musicians from across the folk firmament who in the year that sadly presented us with the passing of Pete Seeger and the much reported 100 anniversary of the ‘war to end all wars’ have come together to create a special charity single. Think ‘Perfect Day’ using the song Pete Seeger made popular ‘Where have all the flowers gone’ and you won’t be far off !
With a plethora of voices from across the acoustic spectrum representing the great and the good, young and the old, seasoned and emerging all on the same single this is a truly community project and all clubs and singers groups across the country are invited to join together in a simple act of holding an ‘Armistice Pals’ themed evening during October or November, culminating in a rousing rendition of the Pete Seeger classic.
If the clubs wanted to help sell the single, of which there will be physical copies made and some limited edition vinyl singles, or to do a raffle in aid of the four charities, it would be welcome but it’s not obligatory.
Peggy Seeger has asked to be on the single and she is joined by a host of musicians and singers as well as the voice of Pete Seeger.
Peggy is delighted that all clubs and singers groups across the country are receiving a special ‘call to arms’ to unite with one song and Armistice Pals wants to take the opportunity to draw attention to the great work of the largely unsung heroes of the folk scene –the club organisers – and the huge numbers of acts whom they support and nurture.
If those interested register their intention to hold a special Armistice Pals themed session in October or November, which could also involve recording their rendition of the song, we will add the club name and date of the evening below and the video to our social media, to promote the club and hopefuly boost attendance by focussing on the friendly welcoming atmosphere created when people join together in song. Something which Peggy Seeger told us was Pete’s legacy.
Press and radio promotion is also lined up, with all clubs taking part having the possibility of free publicity as a direct result of their involvement.
If you want to take part in the biggest cross country club and singers grassroots project we’ve seen in recent years, please contact Damian Liptrot or Helen Meissner at armisticepals@hotmail.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/armisticepals
Twitter : https://twitter.com/ArmisticePals
Hope to hear from you.
Thursday 30th October
Gregson Lane Folk Club - www.gregsonlane.co.uk
The Gregson Lane Folk Club sing along with Armistice Pals
Credits : submitted by Graham Dixon, Armistice Pals rendition at The Sue Ryder Cafe - Cuerdn nr Preston
Sunday 2nd November
macTheatre - An Armistice Pals Gathering - 8pm
The Blue Boar Hotel, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4QE
Tickets £3 (includes CD single of Armistice Pals) from Maldon TIC (Tourist Info Centre) 01621 856503
Organisers: Nicola Esson & Barrie Jaimeson
Contact details: Nicola@mactheatre.co.uk
Tel: 01621 - 851457 or 0784 653 5861
An informal evening connecting our macTheatre folk music nights to The Armistice Pals project inviting people from the community to join together to share songs, music and spoken word promoting peace and against war. Ticket entry gives a copy of the special Armistice Pals single 'Where Have All the Flowers gone?' to support the charities relating to the project and the evening will end with a live recording of local artists leading the communal rendition of this song. Anyone wishing to join us contact Nicola.
TwickFolk.
TwickFolk have a 'Singaround' Singers Night planned. Find our more on their Facebook page.
Here is a video of the performance at TwickFolk 'Singaround' on Sun 2nd November 2014
Solo singers Daria Kulesh, Kate Rouse (Hammered dulcimer), Emma Scarr (fiddle) and Sara O'Keeffe (guitar) with Pete London, Dave Mills, Graham Russ, Garry Smith, Martin Karran, Paul Vile, Gerry Evans, Simon O'Grady, Bernadette, Christopher, Dave, Martin, Ed, Julian and Peter.
Tuesday 4th November
The Brindley Arts centre, Runcorn has a Play in the Theatre called “Silent Night” by Helen Newall. Set on the evening of 24 December 1914 on the Western Front, Silent Night tells the incredible story of the Christmas Eve truce of 1914, through the experiences of a group of Cheshire soldiers and the families they left behind. Set against a backdrop of archive images, original music and popular songs from the era, it is at once moving and entertaining and vividly portrays events surrounding the historic moment when the guns stopped. Part of the Imperial War Museum’s First World War Centenary project. Suitable for 8 plus years.
This is part of the Imperial War Museum’s First World War Centenary Project.
Show Time: 7.30pm. Tickets - £10.00. Visit the Bringley website for more info.
Before this production Halton’s Vocalise Choir will be doing a rendition of “Where Have All The Flowers Gone” in the Foyer. The Armistice Pals single will also be on sale at the Box Office.
The Brindley Arts Centre, Runcorn are holding an exhibition: Halton in World War I: from now until 6th DecemberThis exhibition features items from local public and community collections and stories of people’s experiences in the Great War. Featuring a personal collection of recruitment posters and many other fascinating documents and artefacts, we would like to invite people to share their history too. Please contact Louise Hesketh c/o The Brindley if you would like to participate.
The Armistice Pals cd is now installed on a loop playing all 4 tracks continuously throughout the exhibition. Entry to the exhibition is free: The single is also on sale at the venue box office.
Wednesday 5th November
Wigan Community Choir will be performing 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' as well as Donovan's 'Universal Soldier' at Sacred Heart Church, Beech Hill, Wigan, starts 7pm.
Special Armistice Pals CD RELEASE Event - OPEN MIC @ BOWLING GREEN - Hosted by Pauline Blackburn, starts at 7:30pm. Visit the events facebook page.
HaverFolk perform their version of Pete Seeger's 'Where Have All the Flowers Gone?'
Saturday 8th November
Radical Liverpool, upstairs at the Cross Keys in Liverpool from 8pm.
World War 1 commemoration - for peace and international co-operation - our contribution to a folk project about WW1. Featuring Bob Kettle (of Merry Hell), Liverpool Socialist Singers, Laura Taylor, Greg Quiery, Michael Burns, David Mellor, John Williams, Dylan Owen and Karen Jonason. Find out more on the facebook events page or website.
Folk Remember with Daria Kulesh, All Saints Church, The Green, Croxley Green, Herts
Doors open at 7pm, 7:30 start.
No tickets etc, come along on the day. A collection will be held at the end of the event.
The Reel, Orkney: A communal version of Where Have All The Flowers Gone as part of their regular session.
Sunday 9th November
Wallasey Folk and Acoustic Club, The Nelson Pub, Grove Road, Wallasey, CH45 3HW
A singers night with songs and poetry to commemorate WW1 and that advocate Peace and co-operation on Armistice Day.
Hosted by John Williams.
Click here to visit their website.
FaBclub from Grays, Essex recorded the song to round off their regular Sunday afternoon Get a Floor Spot session - thanks to John and Mqabs of Haverfolk.
Monday 10th November
Bacup Folk Club Armistice Pals Night
Rosemount working mens club - 10pm
We will be performing our version of "Where have all the flowers gone?" along with some other songs about the futility of war. We welcome others to join the theme. There will be a collection box for donations to the Pals Cause.
Click here to visit the Facebook event.
Conwy Folk Club
An Armistice Pals event, including a rendition of Where Have All the Flowers Gone... In Welsh! Find our more on their website.
Room at the Top Folk Club, Newburgh, Lancashire
The club will be including a singaround of Where Have All The Flowers Gone as part of their Armistice Special Event.
The Co-Operative Folk Club, Standish, will gird our collective loins and sing the song, then pass the hat. Meeting at the Crown, Platt Lane, Worthington, Wigan.
Tuesday 11th November
Darlington Folk Workshop, at the Britannia Inn in Darlington, will be running an Armistice Pals singaround event, 8.30 start, on the theme of peace and remembrance and featuring "Where Have All the Flowers Gone."
The Plough at Staining in Staining Nr Blackpool Lancashire will be holding an Armistice Pals related evening on 11th November - Music, Songs, Poems for Peace
Click here to visit the Facebook event.
Folk at Fishponds, Bristol.
We will be holding an Armistice Pals themed session of peace and anti-war songs. The whole club will also be singing Where Have All The Flowers Gone. The club meets at the Cross Hands pub, Staple Hill Rd, Bristol BS16 5AA. It starts at 8.15pm.
Maghull Folk Club
The Maghull Folk Club Meets on Tuesday evenings at 8.15pm. At the Maghull Community Association Green Lane, Maghull, Merseyside, L31 2JH.
Visit their website.
Musical Allsorts Open Mic Group (a group for all styles and abilities) will be doing a video of our version of 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone', at St. Annes Royal British Legion.
Performance by the regulars at the Musical Allsorts Open Mic Group
Wednesday 12th November
PAC Armistice Pals Night
The Forts Arms, Clayton Le Moor, Blackburn BB5 5TA - 10pm
We will be performing our version of "Where have all the flowers gone?" along with some other songs about the futility of war. We welcome others to join the theme. There will be a collection box for donations to the Pals Cause.
Click here to visit the Facebook event.
Allison Arms Folk Club in Coppull near Chorley
Thanks to Ken Scally, Chris Taylor and Pete Southworth, three of the Pals Chorus, who will have organised this Armistice Pals element.
Folk at the Carpenter's Arms, Miserden
Discovery (Jeff & Elaine
Gillett) and Dark Island will lead a sing-along of local folk singers during the interval of their show at the Carpenter's Arms. Show starts at 8pm, free entry.
Llantrisant Folk Club will be singing Where Have All The Flowers gone on Wednesday 12th November. The club meets at the Pontyclun Institute & Athletic Club, Castan Rd, Pontyclun. Click here to visit their facebook page.
Thursday 13th November
The Royal Oak in Eccleshall
The evening will culminate in a communal and candlelit rendition of Where Have All The Flowers Gone? For anyone in the area who wants more details or to get involved in the organising then please contact Steve via email.
Minchinhampton Folk Club
The Market House, Minchinhampton near Stroud, Glos. 8pm.
Singers, musicians, poets all welcome – Johnny Coppin will round the evening off leading a communal version of the song 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone'. For further information contact Chris Newton 01453 451070.
Crooke Hall Inn Folk Club, Lancashire
A full night of songs relating to WW1 and WW2, with some members dressing for the occasion.
Wigan Folk Club
Sing around of War related songs to include 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone'. Find out more on their Facebook page.
Crookes Folk Club, Sheffield
Kerrie Wells will be leading the club with a rendition of "Where Have all the Flowers Gone?" during our round of floor singers. Visit their Facebook page.
Friday 14th November
Grayshott Folk Club, Essex
Hannah Sanders & Liz Simmons who are the guest artists for the night, on their first UK tour will include Where Have All The Flowers Gone in their set, leading the audience in a communal rendition of the song.
Grayshott Folk Club
Hannah Sanders and Liz Simmons will be playing 'Where Have All The Flowers Gone' at the Greyshott Folk Club event. More on their Facebook page.
Riverfolk, The Trout Inn, Riverside, Lechlade, Glos. 8pm
All singers, musicians, and audience welcome. Johnny Coppin will be there with a few WW1 songs and to lead the communal singing of Where Have All the Flowers Gone.
Info from Jay and Ray riverfolk@mac.com
The Milford (New Hampshire, USA) Song Circle sings "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" as a part of the Armisitce Pals project on November 14, 2014
Sunday 16th November
Forest of Dean Folk Club
At The Miners' Arms, Whitecroft, near Lydney, Glos. 7.30pm
Johnny Coppin solo gig and an Armistice Pals fundraiser with a raffle.
For further information email Janice O'Neill forestofdeanfolkclub@gmail.com
Friday 21st November
Rhyl Folk Club, Tynewydd Community Centre
Admission £2. All proceeds from the evening to Armistice Pals Charities.
Visit their website or Facebook group.
Thursday 27th November
Felixstowe Folk & Roots are going to do a communal performance of 'Where have all the flowers gone' at their 'open mic' night on Thursday 27th November 7:30pm at The Half Moon Pub in Walton