Club History

Live Recording Made At Nitten

In 1995 Sheena Wellington recorded her

best selling album 'Strong Women' Live at Nitten

Folk Club. This Greentrax recording is available

online from MusicScotland.com, click here to view

or purchase.

Some our current membership remember this

occasion and are keen to point out 'that's me in the background, singing along!'

Sheena was accompanied by Ewen Sutherland on guitar and Simon Thoumire on concertina.

Nitten was very privileged that night. If you have never heard this recording, it comes highly recommended by a number of 'folkies', and The Scotsman said 'The mix is powerful'.

Sheena was made an honorary member of Nitten Folk Club and has returned occasionally to visit us all.

nittenfolk@outlook.com

Winners of Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition.

In June 2008, John Haldane snr & Lesley Hale won the Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition with the song 'The Fields of France', a song based on of John's poem entitled 'The Forgotten Men Of 1918'. Lesley set the tune to the poem and performed on the evening.

John J Haldane has previously won Nitten Folk Club's Poetry & Song competitions and in 2007 published a collection of his work in a book, 'POEMS, STORIES AND SCRIBBLINGS'

Email nittenfolk@outlook.com for more information ( Now sold out }

Photographs courtesy of Alan McMillan,

Edinburgh Folk Club.

Tracklisting

Strong Women Rule Us All With Their Tears

Dark Eyed Molly

Address To A Haggis

Mill O' Tifty's Annie

The Tryst

The False Bride

The Glasgow Councillor

The Slave's Lament

Seattle

The Great Silkie O' Sule Skerrie

The Shearin

A Waukrife Minnie

Silver Tassie

My Luv's Like A Red, Red Rose

The Little Sunday School

CDTRAX094 (released February 1995)

Early in 1986 as a result of informal discussions with the Directorate of the Scottish Mining Museum, the idea of having a Folk Club in the tearoom of the premises was conceived. A steering committee was formed consisting of :- Christine & David Barnett, David Corner, Bill & Isobel Cowe and Linda & Denis Wilson. The Club would be known as The Lady Victoria Folk Club.

In September 1986 an inaugural evening/concert organised, by the steering committee and others,

was held to promote the new club with the S.M.M. overseeing the event.

As the club grew in strength, a full programme was planned for 1987. Guests included Heritage ( a Fife group ), Ray Fisher, Stravaig, Andy M Stewart and Davy Steele. Visits to and from various Folk Clubs were organised including Penicuik, Haddington, Balerno and Girvan. Coach trips to Folk Festivals like Newcastleton, Glenfarg, Girvan and Auchtermuchty were also arranged.

Around 1990-91 ( we're not sure exactly when ), the Club moved premises to The Dean Tavern,

after a disagreement with S.M.M. over hall rental charges. The Club was renamed Nitten Folk Club

( The local name for Newtongrange ) We remain at the Dean to this day and meet every Thursday from

8-30pm. Guest nights are 1st Thursday of the Month and Singarounds all remaining Thursdays.

The Club has flourished in this setting and considers itself to one of the friendliest and most welcoming in the country, this being confirmed by many of our guests. At present we have a membership of around 60 and hope to keep the Folk Club tradition alive for many years to come.

Ian Duncan ( ex convener ) March 2018

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