Folk Club:

Cheshire Folk takes place on the first Sunday of the month at the Boars Head Hotel in Middlewich, starting at 8pm (Kinderton St, Middlewich CW10 0JE)
Regular visitors to Cheshire Folk bring to the well-worn tables of the Boars Head, an eclectic mix of musical genres, music is always acoustic and always with a nod to the folk world both traditional and modern, self-penned or recited. Song and story, poetry and tunes, singer songwriters and instrumentalists are warmly welcomed. The evening is hosted by Liz with occasional guest host, the much-loved folk club regular David Giles who happens to be Liz’s singing and guitar playing virtuoso partner in their duo Bitter and Twisted, both of whom will encourage every attendee to be a part of the evening’s fun and entertainment with banter a plenty!

Liz makes sure that her regulars and guests enjoy their moment of performance whether a shared song or a recited story or poem no matter what standard of musicianship, age or experience. The evening is run sing-around style, and the much-coveted Cheshire Folk Cup is awarded to someone who has impressed Liz with something extraordinary during the evening, such as a rousing chorus song, a poem or a self-penned song that has held us all spellbound. Sadly, the cup is not for taking home, the much-esteemed cup can be enjoyed for just a few minutes, giving time for the lucky recipient to have a couple of photos taken for posterity. The cup was awarded at the end of the evening recently to our friend Arthur Marshall who decided we might like to hear his banjo tune on a concertina and of course it was unsurprisingly good. Prior to his performance he announced, “I have to do it on this because I haven’t got a banjo!”
‘We treasure and enjoy entertaining moments like this, as well as having the pleasure of hearing seriously good musicianship and a plethora of great instrument playing and singing on the first Sunday of the month, having fun is very much an essential part of the evening’, says Liz.

Cheshire Folk welcomes regular visitors from other folk clubs, Northwich Folk Club, Sandbach Folk Club, Timperley Folk Club, Leather Smithy at Langley, and visitors from North Wales and Staffordshire and Manchester appear from time to time.

Boaters looking for music sessions:

Situated by the canal, we have visits from musical boaters and holiday makers who look for music sessions whilst passing through Middlewich. Nearest mooring points between the Kings Lock and the Big Lock with only a short walk to the Town Bridge where the Boars Head can be seen to the right of the bridge as you come off the towpath opposite the Church.

Folk At The Lock:

Taking place canal side at the Kings Lock in Middlewich, Liz started a mini festival in August 2023 and following the success of the last two festivals, 2025 dates and details to follow …

Liz made her MC’ing debut at the first festival as she forgot to ask anyone else to do it and she has done it every year since and thoroughly enjoys it!

Bands and artists over the last 2 festivals include:
George Borowski with Mora and the Fabulous Wonderfulls :: Codswallop :: Bitter and Twisted :: Pete Morton :: Mora Music :: Trish Watt :: Pete Latham :: Rich :: Budworth Brass :: The Final Nails :: Gina Le Faux :: Graham Bell :: Cobalt Tales :: Red Letter Road :: Ben Ward :: Danny Muldoon :: Phoebe White :: Septic Finger :: The Wickr Men :: Arthur Marshall :: Simon Eales :: Racing Demon :: Familiar faces from local folk clubs :: And more….

A special mention must go to Eddie Ogle, Liz’s son, songwriter and musician, and occasional member of Bitter and Twisted, who looks after the stage, PA, light and sound all weekend not only making us all look and sound fantastic, but he also manages to join several of the bands and artists on stage playing drums, fiddle, mandolin or guitar.

Folk At The Lock schedule:

• Guest band Friday night
• Folk club stage on the Saturday – please apply to play, contact lizrosenfield@cheshirefolk.com
• Band Saturday night
• Sunday lunchtime blues
• Festival tea in the tent with artists and audience sharing a great pub menu
• Cheshire Folk Session Sunday night

Previous Cheshire Folk Concerts:

As former Director of the original Middlewich Folk and Boat Festival and with experience working behind the scenes at festivals including Cropredy, Festival of Great Britain, Lift Off Festival, Warwick and Chester, amongst other events, and Liz very occasionally books well known folk artists to come and play at small venues around Cheshire.

Cheshire Folk past concert performers:

Rory Ellis
Maddy Prior with Giles Lewin & Hannah James *booked for return visit 2018
Brooks Williams and PJ Wright
Flossie Malavialle
Music Weekend at The White Bear
Peter Price
Nigel Beck
Alan Reid & Rob van Sante
Mark Radcliffe and Foes
Kieran Halpin
Tannahill Weavers
Pierre Bensusan
Bickerton Gigs Chris Lesley
Fairport at Middlewich
Gina La Faux and Dave Swarbrick