Folk Calendar

Tuesday 2 February

Born on this day: Gordeanna McCulloch (1946)

Folklore from the old calendars

The Candlemas King No longer kept ScotlandIn Scottish schools the children made their master a present of money on Candlemas Day, going up one by one to lay it on his desk.
The Candlemas Ba’ Still kept RoxburghshireAnother Scottish Candlemas custom was a football match between the east and west ends of a town, the married men and the bachelors, or one parish and another, which brought the whole community out in high excitement.
If Candlemas Day Be Dry and Fair Lore and belief England, ScotlandChambers found a belief all over Christendom that fine weather at Candlemas meant a long winter and a poor harvest, while a wet and stormy Candlemas was a good omen.
Briid’s Bed No longer kept Outer HebridesMartin, in his Description of the Western Islands, recorded that at Candlemas the mistress and servants of each house dressed a sheaf of oats in women's clothes, laid it in a large basket with a wooden club beside it, and called it Briid's Bed, after St Bride.
Fair Maid of February Lore and belief EnglandCountry people tied certain flowers to the saints whose days fell when they came into bloom.
God Send Us the Light of Heaven No longer kept EnglandCandlemas takes its name from the blessing of candles by the clergy and their carrying in procession on the feast of the Purification.
Throw Candle and Candlestick Away Lore and belief EnglandCandlemas marked the point in the year when the days had grown long enough to manage without lights at evening prayers.
The Candlemas Candle at Lyme Regis No longer kept DorsetA Dorset gentleman told Hone of a household custom he remembered from boyhood at Lyme Regis.
Beans in the Candlemas waddle Lore and belief SomersetRay's Collection of Proverbs has a Somerset rule for Candlemas: sow or set beans on Candlemas waddle.
The smock at the Candlemas fire Lore and belief EnglandOn Candlemas night a smock was to be hung before a charcoal fire as a charm.
Candles for Februa No longer kept EnglandCandlemas processions with lighted candles were said to go back to the Roman custom of carrying torches through Rome in honour of Februa, mother of Mars.
Bull beef at Candlemas No longer kept Northern EnglandBull beef was the proper meat for Candlemas in Denham's list of certain dishes for certain times.
The snowdrop, emblem of the Purification Lore and belief EnglandCountry people took the snowdrop, which reliably flowered through the snow at Candlemas, as an emblem of the Purification of the Virgin.
Candlemas candles for the year in Ireland No longer kept IrelandOn Candlemas Day Irish country people brought to mass all the candles they expected to need for the year, to be blessed by the priest at high mass.
Barristers put out of commons for not dancing No longer kept LondonAt Lincoln's Inn the whole bar was expected to dance before the judges on Candlemas Day, according to the ancient order of the society.
Christmas cheer kept till Candlemas No longer kept EnglandMost ordinary people kept Christmas going not just for the twelve days but until Candlemas, feasting all the while and proud to have some of their Christmas fare still in hand.
The Wives’ Feast Day No longer kept EnglandCandlemas was a day of feasting kept above all by women, and for that reason it was called the Wives' Feast Day.
The Christmas brand burnt again at Candlemas No longer kept EnglandOn Candlemas Day the saved brand of the Christmas log was lit once more and left to burn until sunset, then put out and laid up again until the next Christmas.
The white loaf and the pie end at Candlemas No longer kept EnglandCandlemas Day marked the very end of the Christmas season, when the last of the white bread and the Christmas pie was eaten and the sports laid aside.
Grey peas at Candlemas Lore and belief EnglandGrey peas and runcivals were sown at Candlemas, with a generous hand.
The luck of the Candlemas taper No longer kept EnglandAt the Candlemas procession each worshipper watched his own candle, for whoever carried the largest taper, and whoever's candle burned clear and bright, was held to be fortunate.
A berry left in the pew at Candlemas Lore and belief SuffolkIf a leaf or berry of the Christmas greenery was left in church after Candlemas, the family sitting in that pew would see a death within the year.
The judges’ dance round the coal fire No longer kept LondonOn Candlemas Day the judges and serjeants feasting in the Temple hall kept an ancient custom of dancing round the coal fire while singing an old French song.
Hands on Glanville’s tomb at Wotton No longer kept SurreyEach year on the anniversary of William Glanville's death, five poor boys of Wotton earned forty shillings by kneeling with their hands on his tomb behind the church and reciting the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and the Commandments.
The Candlemas crown at St Andrews grammar school No longer kept FifeAt the grammar school of St Andrews the boys gave the master a Candlemas gift according to their rank and means, from five shillings up to five guineas, and competed keenly for the Candlemas crown.
The horn beaker thrown between the Candlemas candles No longer kept WalesOn Candlemas Day Welsh families lit two candles on a table, and each member in turn sat between them, drank from a horn beaker and threw it backwards over their head.
Candlemas candles against witchcraft Lore and belief EnglandCandles hallowed on Candlemas Day were counted among the things that kept people safe from witchcraft, with holy water, consecrated salt and green leaves blessed on Palm Sunday.

Tue 2 Feb 14:00 17:00
Session

Lady of the Lake Afternoon Session

The Lady of the Lake, Oulton Broad, Suffolk
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

Stanton Musicians

Stanton Church Room, Stanton, Suffolk
- Tune
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

Kings Arms Session

The Kings Arms, Silsden, West Yorkshire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

ERWAMS

Elm Road Social Club, Shildon, County Durham
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Morris Practice

Winkleigh Morris practice

Winkleigh Community Centre, Winkleigh, Devon
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

Skehan’s Irish Session

Skehan’s, London, Greater London
- Tune
- Irish

Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

Bristol Sacred Harp

St Matthew’s Church, Bristol, Bristol
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

Noson Lawen: Folk in the Bar

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Cardiff
Tue 2 Feb 19:00 21:00
Session

MacGregor’s Oban Tuesday Song Session

MacGregor’s at The Whisky Vaults, Oban, Argyll and Bute
Tue 2 Feb 19:15 21:15
Morris Practice

Rackaback Morris practice

St Ninian’s Church Hall, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Border
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 22:00
Session

Traditional and Multi Genre Session

The Five Pilchards Inn, Porthallow, Cornwall
- Mixed
- Contemporary
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 23:00
Session

Traditional and Contemporary Session

Cadgwith Cove Inn, Cadgwith, Cornwall
- Mixed
- Contemporary
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Nog Inn Session

The Nog Inn, Feniton, Devon
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Americana Guisborough Acoustic Session

King George V Bowling Club, Guisborough, North Yorkshire
- Mixed
- Americana
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 20:30

Session

Folk at the Black Lion

The Black Lion, Richmond, North Yorkshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Elm Tree Tuesday Session

Ye Olde Elm Tree, Durham, County Durham
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Red Lion Tuesday Session

The Red Lion, Liverpool, Merseyside
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Hammersmith Morris Men practice

Scott Hall, St Peter’s School, London, Greater London
- Cotswold
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Cardiff Morris practice

St Andrew’s Methodist Church Hall, Cardiff, Cardiff
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Taunton Deane Morris Men practice

Bradford on Tone Village Hall, Bradford on Tone, Somerset
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Miserden Morris practice

Stroud Old Town Hall, Stroud, Gloucestershire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Hobos Morris practice

Royal British Legion, Wimborne, Dorset
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Ripley Green Garters practice

St Joseph’s Church Hall, Ripley, Derbyshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Anstey Royale Chalfont practice

Quorn Church Rooms, Quorn, Leicestershire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Wath Morris practice

Wath Rugby Club, Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Sweet Coppin Clog practice

Creech St Michael Village Hall, Creech St Michael, Somerset
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Cam Valley Morris Men practice

Hunters Lodge, Wells, Somerset
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:00
Morris Practice

Newburgh Morris practice

Hilldale Village Hall, Parbold, Lancashire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Foxwhelp Morris practice

Moccas Village Hall, Moccas, Herefordshire
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Chesterfield Garland Dancers practice

Chesterfield Methodist Church Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
- North-West
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

London Shenandoah Harmony Singing

Heath Street Baptist Church, London, Greater London
- Song
- Shape Note
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 22:30
Session

Sharp’s Folk Club

Cecil Sharp House, London, Greater London
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Peveril of the Peak Irish Session

Peveril of the Peak, Manchester, Greater Manchester
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Bull Folk Music and Song Session

The Bull, Birmingham, West Midlands
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Nottingham Comhaltas Session

Nottingham Irish Centre, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:15
Session

Oxford Sacred Harp Singing

Church of St John the Evangelist, Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Song
- Shape Note
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Ardersier International Folk Club Singers’ Night

Church Hall, Ardersier, Highland
- Mixed
- Scottish
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Session

Topsham Folk Club Singers’ Night

The Globe Hotel, Topsham, Devon
- Mixed
- English
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Harlequin North West Morris practice

Cleasby and Stapleton Village Hall, Cleasby, North Yorkshire
- North-West
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:30 21:30
Morris Practice

Green Man Morris practice

Church House (2nd Whitchurch Scout Hut), Whitchurch, Shropshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:45 21:45
Session

Eight Bells Song and Tune Session

Eight Bells, Eaton, Oxfordshire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 19:45 21:45
Morris Practice

Rampant Rooster Morris practice

Box Hill Village Hall, Tadworth, Surrey
Tue 2 Feb 19:45 21:45
Morris Practice

Gloucestershire Morris practice

St Marys Congregational Church, Gloucester, Gloucestershire
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 19:45 21:45
Morris Practice

Makeney Morris practice

Strutts Centre, Belper, Derbyshire
Tue 2 Feb 19:45 21:45
Morris Practice

Fleet Morris practice

Grange Community Junior School, Farnborough, Hampshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Traditional and Contemporary Folk Session

The Moth and Moon, Falmouth, Cornwall
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

The Boscastle Bouys Shanty Evening

The Napoleon Inn, Boscastle, Cornwall
- Song
- Shanties
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

Traditional Music Session

Union Hotel, Penzance, Cornwall
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Lamb Inn Session

The Lamb Inn, Sandford, Devon
- Mixed
- Traditional
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Bay Horse English Session

The Bay Horse, Totnes, Devon

Maintained
- Mixed
- English
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Alton Steady Session

The Three Horseshoes, East Worldham, Hampshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Nursling Folk Session

Nursling Men’s Shed, Nursling, Hampshire
- Tune
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00

Session

The Stag Session

The Stag, West Acre, Norfolk
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Tap & Spile Tunes Session

The Tap & Spile, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
- Tune
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Darlington Folk Workshop

The Travellers Rest, Darlington, County Durham
- Song
- Singaround
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Drovers Rest Folk & Acoustic Session

The Drovers Rest, Burgh-by-Sands, Cumbria
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Sale Folk Club

United Services Club, Sale, Greater Manchester
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Cumberland Global Session

The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
- Tune
- Traditional
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

Feckenham Session

Rose and Crown, Feckenham, Worcestershire
- Mixed
- Traditional
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:30
Session

Folk at Frampton

Frampton Village Hall, Frampton-on-Severn, Gloucestershire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Somers Traditional Folk Club

Bishop Allenby Hall, Worcester, Worcestershire
- Mixed
- Traditional
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Didcot Irish Session

The Mulberry, Didcot, Oxfordshire
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Isis Irish Session

Isis Farmhouse, Oxford, Oxfordshire
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 21:30
Morris Practice

Cambridge Morris Men practice

The Scout Centre, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Old Town Twelves practice

The Fortescue, Plymouth, Devon

Maintained
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Sullivan’s Sword practice

The Poppy and Pint, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Earl of Stamford Morris practice

Milner Institute, Moore, Cheshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Maldon GreenJackets practice

Maldon United Reformed Church Hall, Maldon, Essex
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Ravensbourne Morris Men practice

Keston Village Hall, Keston, Greater London
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Thames Valley Morris Men practice

Claygate Youth and Community Hub, Claygate, Surrey
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Old Meg Morris practice

Poolbrook Village Hall, Malvern, Worcestershire
- North-West
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Wicket Brood Border Morris practice

St Stephen Parish Centre, Bricket Wood, Hertfordshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Wharfedale Wayzgoose practice

Otley Common, Otley, West Yorkshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 21:30
Morris Practice

Basingclog practice

Sherfield on Loddon Village Hall, Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Danegeld Morris practice

Bredfield Village Hall, Bredfield, Suffolk
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 21:30
Morris Practice

Kirtlington Morris practice

Kirtlington Village Hall, Kirtlington, Oxfordshire
- Cotswold
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 21:30
Morris Practice

Raddon Hill Clog Morris practice

Kingsteignton Community Hall, Kingsteignton, Devon
- North-West
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Knightlow Morris Men practice

Ryton-on-Dunsmore Church Hall, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Warwickshire
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Mossley Morris Men practice

Stamford Arms, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Furness Clog Dancers practice

St Mary’s Catholic Church Hall, Ulverston, Cumbria
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Owlswick Morris practice

Twyford Village Hall, Twyford, Buckinghamshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Mafficking Border Morris practice

Irish Centre, Southsea, Hampshire
- Border
- The Morris Federation
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Morris Practice

Yateley Morris Men practice

St Peter’s Church Hall, Yateley, Hampshire
- Cotswold
- The Morris Ring
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 21:30
Morris Practice

Peterborough Morris practice

Fletton Club, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
- The Morris Ring
- Male
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Blythe Hill Tavern Irish Session

The Blythe Hill Tavern, London, Greater London
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

The Hope Carshalton Session

The Hope, Carshalton, Greater London
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Dulcimer Singaround

Dulcimer, Chorlton, Greater Manchester
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Hearsall Inn Irish Session

The Hearsall Inn, Coventry, West Midlands
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:15
Session

Sheffield Old Time Session

The Forest, Neepsend, South Yorkshire
- Tune
- Old Time
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Garden Folk Sessions

The Greenbank, Bristol, Bristol
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Maghull Folk Club

The MCA Pub, Maghull, Merseyside
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

East Leake Folk Club

Nag’s Head, East Leake, Nottinghamshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

Machair Bar Tuesday Session

The Machair Bar, Glasgow, City of Glasgow
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

Brass Monkey Tuesday Session

The Brass Monkey, Glasgow, City of Glasgow
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Penicuik Folk Club Singers’ Night

Shottstown Miners’ Club, Penicuik, Midlothian
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Dover Castle Irish Session

The Dover Castle, Hanover, East Sussex
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 23:00
Session

Appledore Session

The Champ, Appledore, Devon
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Scrag End Folk Club Singaround

The Mushroom Hall, Albert Village, Leicestershire
- Mixed
- English
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:30
Session

Bracknell Folk Singers’ Night

The Foresters Arms, Bagshot, Surrey
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Fishguard Session

Royal Oak Inn, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:00 22:00
Session

Whey Pat Tavern Session

Whey Pat Tavern, St Andrews, Fife
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 23:00
Session

Euro Session

The Guide Dog, Southampton, Hampshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Hastings Irish Session

The Albion, Hastings, East Sussex
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Panther Folk Club

The Rose and Crown, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Barwick Folk Sessions

The Black Swan, Barwick in Elmet, West Yorkshire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Wrenthorpe Folk Club

Wrenthorpe Social Club, Wrenthorpe, West Yorkshire
- Mixed
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Tuesday Tuneworks

The Ale Rooms, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
- Tune
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Morris Practice

Birmingham Rapper practice

The Ruin, Birmingham, West Midlands
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:00
Morris Practice

Kesteven Morris practice

Sleaford Scout Hut, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 23:00
Session

The Lamb Tuesday Irish Session

The Lamb, London, Greater London
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Jamboree Tuesday Session

Jamboree, London, Greater London
- Tune
- Irish
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 23:00
Session

GreenTrad English Folk Session

The River Ale House, London, Greater London
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

The Fox Gentle Session

The Fox Pub & Kitchen, Flixton, Greater Manchester
- Tune
Tue 2 Feb 20:30 22:30
Session

Lossie Folk Club

The Steamboat, Lossiemouth, Moray

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What’s on: folk sessions, morris, customs and folklore

Tuesday 2 February

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