This was the first gig of our attempted 60 gigs before we hit 60 (13 months). And we forgot to take any photos!
We liked the centre of Faversham a lot – some beautiful architecture including the Guildhall with the pillared market area beneath.
We arrived about 6.30 after a drive of just over 2 hours on country lanes through gorgeous countryside. Getting here by train was not an option. That gave us time to have a walk around before heading to the folk club. Single yellow lines in the road outside The Limes (pub) are operational until 5.30 so we managed to park right outside to unload.
The folk club is held in the function room upstairs. It’s a carpeted room and we did find that the volume of our voices was somewhat muted by the acoustics, but it’s a good sized room and the windows actually opened which was a blessing in the extreme heat. I remembered to take my fan.
Pat welcomed us on arrival and the club members slowly started to arrive, with about 12 in the audience by the start time of 8pm. This is not an unusual number for folk clubs but apparently a bit on the low side for this club, probably because it was the first guest night after the summer break and some members will be on holiday.
The evening, all acoustic, started with Pat standing up to sing a couple of a Capella songs, then our friend Bob sang a couple of his own songs which the audience sang along to. Next another lady singer confidently performed 2 a Capella songs, obviously known to the audience. Then we were introduced.
Jim had a cold a few days previously (tested, nothing more serious) and was still suffering with a bit of a cough and little voice so we decided on a set of mainly me singing. We performed for 45 minutes during which we got some of the audience singing along and lots of audience response, then there was a break during the whole of which which we chatted and Jim got a refill from the bar.
After a couple of announcements and the raffle, 2 more a Capella acts got up to perform, one with traditional songs, one with humorous self-penned songs. Then we were back up for another 45 minutes and an encore after a rousing singalong.
By the time we packed up the car (with help from the audience to carry instruments downstairs) and said our goodbyes it was nearly 11pm. We set off back home which took just under 2 hours. I got very tired just 20 minutes from home so Jim took over – neither of us drinking that night.
We had pre arranged a fee with Pat which was paid in cash at the end of the night, presented to us with a copy of the night’s poster which was a nice touch.
About 7 and a half hours in total from door to door. We discovered a new place, met some interesting people, caught up with an old friend, heard some wonderful singing and song writing, gathered more comments in our audience book and had a thoroughly enjoyable evening. We’d happily return to this Folk Club.