Folklore (Coventry Folk band)

FOLKLORE
C    1969 - 81 (and beyond)
Traditional Folk Band.
(Barry Jackson is in the middle with glasses - Roland Mathews with the guitar)

I came across Folklore in 1974 / 5 while studying at Henley College. Although a Social Studies A'level course, I opted to take an Art O'level with Alex Murphy (former roady with Wandering John) who was taking art at A'level. Our tutor was Barry Jackson, who was always much more than an art teacher in that you learned about life in his class while developing yur artistic skills. A really nice and highly talented bloke. As the course went on I discovered just how wide his talent was - it was a revelation to us. Barry was an acknowledge artist in his own right - as the press cutting below shows and although I didn't realise until more recently when trying to put this site together, actully was involved in the Coventry Arts Umbrella in the 50's / early 60's and desinged the front cover of one of the issues of Umbrella magazine - illustrated here.

I started the Hobo Workshop while at Henley College and Barry was very encouraging. In the discussion about music it came out that Barry was a multi-instrumentalist and often brought in an instrument -often to use for drawing exercises but he would often play too. He revealed that he was one of the founder / organisers of the Henley College folk club at the New Inn, Longford with acts on such as The Yetties, Derek Brimstone, The McCalman's and their own longstanding folk outfit - FOLKLORE.

The band were formed around accountant Graham Holt, GEC Engineer Alan Rowe, Henley College lecturer Roland Mathews and artist / art lecturer andmusician Barry Jackson who could play more than 12 instruments - Barry Joined in 1973. Their 2nd album was called Eine Klein Folk and was produced by local radio presenter (Radio Mercia/ BRMB / singer songwriter / poet Norman Wheatley. Norman was the organiser of folk sessions at the Coventry Arts Umbrella in the early 70's and a prominant member of the Umbrella poets.

I attended the Henley College Folk club ( which had various homes including the Biggin Hall Hotel) for a short while in 1975 - doing a floor spot when Derek Brimstone was on (to get in free!) - the days of poverty! It always seemed well support with some great acts on and a great

atmosphere - good sense of humour going on.

Derek brim2

Brownsville2

Mccalmans2