NOTE: This archived newsletter may refer to events, links etc that have since been updated and may no longer be valid. Please read this article as a historical record rather than a source of current information.
Newsletter July 28th 2009
Greetings all fellow Frances Gatherers
Sadly we have to let you know that our FolkWIZZ can’t go ahead in Adelaide in September as planned - so, if you know anyone who was planning to go and who’s not on this list, please pass the word on. But fear not – such a brilliant creation (thanks to Paul Reynolds, Melanie Morris, Tony Schick, the wonderful teams and you supporters) will be on the calendar again!
The Gov - Best Entertainment Venue in Australia
While writing, great news is also just in that The Gov (the Governor Hindmarsh hotel in Adelaide) has won the National Hotel Association award for Best Music Venue in Australia. This is thoroughly deserved given the hard work of the Tonkin family.
Some Frances-goers may not be aware that Frances Gathering was the idea of Brian and Viv Tonkin and it was their work that got the event firmly established. The pub has given invaluable financial support to Frances over the years.
On the award, a note from The Gov says “We are very proud and would like to thank everyone for their support over the past sixteen years. We think the reason the judges were so favourable to us on the night they came to judge us was the front bar gig of THE COWTIPPERS and saloon bar with PAT ORGAN'S IRISH SESSION”. Frances-goers know these two names well enough now and it was great that both featured in our 10th Birthday celebrations. All the best to the Gov!
Frances Happenings
Meanwhile we continue all the background work to keep Frances Gathering just the way it’s always been – fun, friendly, family, fantastically folk, and FREE! We know this year is going to be extremely tough financially – all the usual funding sources are tightening up so we’re having to work harder to raise the money we need.
Frances can’t happen without a certain amount of serious funding backed by all the hours of work of a couple of great teams of volunteers – the Coordinating Group and, in Frances itself, the Friends of Frances. Together, we’re determined to keep this magical little gem free and on the road (and at the campsite, and in the pub, the hall, the marquees, in the showers, under the trees, wherever) so note the date (February 26 –28th) in your diary, spread the word and please have a think about what you can do to support the Gathering.
All the best in these tricky times.
Yours in the Frances spirit
Steve Keirl on behalf of the Frances Gathering Coordinating Group
www.francesfolkgathering.com.au