27/08/2026
I'm sure a lot of people have seen this post explaining that Crookes Folk Club is in danger of closing. There are lots of comments saying people have not seen any information about the club- this is exactly why I started Sheffield Folk Guide. I think EFDSS could do something to help support grass routes clubs with publicity. I don't like to say "please keep sharing the folk guide" but please keep sharing the folk guide! If anyone would like to help me with publicity please get in touch. Kathy ( Billy Cat )
HAS CROOKES FOLK CLUB GOT A FUTURE BEYOND 2026?
At the moment, the answer to that question is looking increasingly as if it will be "NO".
Over the last year or so, as has been well documented in the club's newsletter, we have had a long string of extremely poor turn-outs, I now count 15 as a good turn-out whilst most have been around 10 or less and far too many (probably a third or more) barely scraping 5 or 6. This simply isn’t enough to justify continuing to drag musicians from far and wide, not to mention the soul destroying toll it takes on me, having gone to so much effort to bring everyone a great and varied mix of guests and having to constantly aplogise to them for the abysmal numbers.. ..frankly, I never cease to be amazed that they all seem to take it in good part, if it were me I'd be fu***ng FURIOUS.
I shall be keeping a close eye on audience numbers between now and the end of September and, if I don’t see a noticable and SUSTAINABLE increase in numbers, then I shall bow out as organiser at our final night of the year (December 10th), likely signalling the end of the club. Of course, if someone with a thicker hide were to come along, possibly with fresh ideas and lots of the of the sort of enthusiasm that I had 15 years ago, wanting to give running the club a go, I'll be all ears.....
You have all been warned - USE IT OR LOSE IT
