The Club was formed many years ago after a chance meeting between Alan and Lesley Wilkins and Graeme and Ali Willis. The four of us were all keen to begin a new Folk Club in the Alton area and over dinner one evening made our plans. Our first task was to find a venue. Ali was working behind the bar at "The Golden Pot" Shalden and after talks with the hosts there Dave and Mel (now our hosts again at "The Golden Pheasant") we were invited to use the skittle alley room for the Club. Soon we had a large number of singers and musicians and a large audience. We hosted many concerts there with guests which included, Spiers and Boden, The Askew Sisters, Roy bailey, Eileen McGann and David K, Les Barker, Pete Coe, John Kirkpatrick and Martin Carthy. Also we ran "Potstock" which was a day long folk festival in the gardens of the pub. Morris teams from around the area were invited and we had a marquee concert stage where regular performers at the Club were able to entertain us with a full set of their songs or music.
After a few years Dave and Mel moved to the White Hart. There was not a suitable room here for the club and unfortunately the new landlord at the Golden Pot was not as welcoming. So we moved to "The Jolly Miller" at North Warnborough. The room that we used there proved to be unsuitable and so after a short time we moved again. Our new home was at The Four Marks Golf Club where we were made most welcome. We were fortunate that our barmaid there Esther not only pulled the pints but entertained us with some great songs accompanied by her dad Tony Munday. We spent a few years here and the club continued to grow with new members from the local area. The outside area had a wonderful view and we held a few social evenings, one of which was a sausage sizzle. Our barbeque was ably cooked by Esther's husband Ron who hails from Samoa. There are some photos photos from this event on our Galleries page.
A year ago we found out that Mel and Dave had taken over "The Golden Pheasant" . The golf club was going to be bought by a new owner. So we moved again and are now back with Mel and Dave our hosts at the birth of the club. So the club has now turned full circle and we are very happy with our room at the pub. You will find directions on our "Where to find us page".
After a few years Dave and Mel moved to the White Hart. There was not a suitable room here for the club and unfortunately the new landlord at the Golden Pot was not as welcoming. So we moved to "The Jolly Miller" at North Warnborough. The room that we used there proved to be unsuitable and so after a short time we moved again. Our new home was at The Four Marks Golf Club where we were made most welcome. We were fortunate that our barmaid there Esther not only pulled the pints but entertained us with some great songs accompanied by her dad Tony Munday. We spent a few years here and the club continued to grow with new members from the local area. The outside area had a wonderful view and we held a few social evenings, one of which was a sausage sizzle. Our barbeque was ably cooked by Esther's husband Ron who hails from Samoa. There are some photos photos from this event on our Galleries page.
A year ago we found out that Mel and Dave had taken over "The Golden Pheasant" . The golf club was going to be bought by a new owner. So we moved again and are now back with Mel and Dave our hosts at the birth of the club. So the club has now turned full circle and we are very happy with our room at the pub. You will find directions on our "Where to find us page".