Troubadours Diary

This quick-reference diary is for musicians, singers, poets and storytellers wanting to join a group and be able to take part in the shared session.

Some of the venues are formal Clubs, but many are very informal. Some of them are so informal that they are not even recognised as clubs, nor included in our clubs directory.

They include regular Music Sessions, Singarounds, Open Mic Sessions – anywhere where you might be able to go along and join in. Some Folk Clubs run occasional Open Stage sessions or allow a limited number of floor spots to visiting musicians. These are included. Where the club is primarily a performance venue showcasing booked artists, however, it has not been included here.

It is always advisable to check with the organiser beforehand to see whether the session is running and whether you would be welcome to take part in the session. With the Covid pandemic so many clubs have suspended their sessions that you are strongly advised to contact the organiser before travelling.

Sunday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
The Dog Inn Session (Halstead)3.30 pm onwards
Duton Hill  Acoustic Music Sessionaskaskaskaskask
FaB Club (Grays)2:30-5:30pm2:30-5:30pm2:30-5:30pm2:30-5:30pm2:30-5:30pm
King William IV PH Session (Black Notley)ask
Leigh Storytelling Circle8:00pm
Sail Loft Folk Club
(Swan PH Horndon-on-the-Hill)
8:00 – 11:00pm8:00 – 11:00pm8:00 – 11:00pm8:00 – 11:00pm8:00 – 11:00pm
Walthamstow Folk Clubaskaskaskaskask

Monday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
Compasses Inn Session (Littley Green)8:30pm
Jingling Gate Folk Club
(the Swan PH Horndon-On-The-Hill)
ask
Mersea Island Folk Club7.30-10.30pm
(Sometimes held on week 2
– check beforehand)
New Bell Inn P H (Harwich)8:00pm
Salt Water and Beer (Shanties) (Maldon)8.00 pm
Waltham Abbey Folk Club7.30-10.00pm7.30-10.00pm7.30-10.00pm7.30-10.00pm7.30-10.00pm
Yardarm Folk Orchestra (Old Leigh, Benfleet)askaskaskask

Tuesday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
Bricklayers Arms P H (Little Bentley)8:00pm
Dartford Folk Club
(guests with some floor singers)
8.30-11.00pm8.30-11.00pm8.30-11.00pm8.30-11.00pm8.30-11.00pm
The Hoy at Anchor Folk Club (Westcliff-on-Sea)askaskaskaskask
The Orange Tree PH Session (Chelmsford)7–8.30pm7–8.30pm7–8.30pm7–8.30pm7–8.30pm
The Queens Head PH Sessions (Chelmsford)askaskaskaskask
The Ship P H (Great Holland)2:00pm-4:00pm2:00pm-4:00pm2:00pm-4:00pm2:00pm-4:00pm2:00pm-4:00pm

Wednesday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
Ark P H (Brantham)7:30pm
Epping Music Club7.00 pm specified Wednesdays7.00 pm specified Wednesdays7.00 pm specified Wednesdays7.00 pm specified Wednesdays7.00 pm specified Wednesdays
Romford HaverFolk19:30-22:3019:30-22:3019:30-22:3019:30-22:3019:30-22:30
Hoy Singers Session (Leigh-on-Sea)8:00pm
Hoy Tunes Session (Leigh-on-Sea)8:00pm
Southend Poetry Group8.00pm
Rowhedge Sing, Say, Play7:30pm
Witham Sing and Play Arounds7:30pm

Thursday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
Acoustic Club
The Bell PH Session (Woodham Ferrers)8:00pm
Chelmsford Acoustic Club (Rose & Crown PH Writtle)8:00pm
Cherry Tree PH (Brightlingsea)7:30pm
Dengie English Sessionaskaskaskaskask
Great Bardfield Folk Clubask
Mersea Acoustic Music Session8:30-11:00pm
Tales at the Fold (Storytelling) (Billericay)7:45pm
The Station Arms Session (Southminster)8.30pm
Walnut Tree Sessions (Chelmsford)8.30pm
Wivenhoe Folk Club8:00pm

Friday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
The Chequers  P.H. Session (Roxwell)8.30pm
The Clubhouse Session (Bradwell)8.30pm
Colchester Waits (Shawm Club)askaskaskaskask
The Downham Troubadours8:00pm last Friday8:00pm last Friday
The Leather Bottle P.H. (Pleshey)8.30pm
Preview Live Music Club (Westcliffe-on-Sea)8:30pm-midnight
Tollesbury Community Centre7:30pm7:30pm
Southend Irish Associationask last Fridayask last Friday
The Viper P.H. Session (Ingatestone)8.30pm

Saturday sessions

ClubWeek 1Week 2Week 3Week 4Week 5
(if appropriate)
Hoy Tunes Session6:00-9:00pm
SlackFolk (Colchester)ask afternoon