A Memorable Evening with Andy Connally at The Feathers
What a fabulous evening we had at The Feathers last Thursday, as the wonderfully talented Andy Connally took to the stage for a captivating 45-minute Showcase Spot.
A true multi-instrumentalist, Andy treated us to a beautifully varied set. From haunting melodies on the flute to heartfelt, self-penned songs performed with passion and sincerity, every moment was a joy to experience. His warm, expressive voice paired perfectly with the gentle tones of his mandolin, drawing the audience in with ease.
Between songs, Andy shared the stories behind his music — touching tales from his Irish upbringing, filled with charm and humour that added depth and meaning to his performance.
Two stand-out moments for me were the moving “Every Step to Clare Island”, written in tribute to his grandfather, and this truly beautiful song penned for his son — both full of emotion and beautifully delivered.
Thank you, Andy, for a memorable evening. We can’t wait to welcome you back!
A pictorial round-up of some of the performers who graced the stage at The Feathers during 2024
What an amazing year 2024 turned out to be! We had a blast seeing you all on Thursday nights at The Feathers, celebrating music and community together. It was also a milestone year for Jayne and me, marking a decade since we took the reins of this wonderful club. And what a way for Jayne to celebrate her 60th journey around the Sun—by organising that incredible September festival, which not only brought us all together but also raised a fantastic £1,180 for charity. (You can relive the event here)
As we step into 2025, we’re excited to see even more of you join us. In a time when so many small music venues are sadly having to close their doors, we’re determined to ensure Ruthin AllStyles continues to thrive. Your support is vital—whether you’re a performer or part of our amazing audience, your presence on Singers’ Nights and Showcase events helps keep our unique musical family strong.
By popular request, we’re reverting to the music starting promptly at 8.00pm, with doors opening at 7:30 pm—in fact, any time after 7.00pm if you fancy some extra time to socialize.
Here’s to another year of music, laughter, and togetherness. See you Thursday!
Click any image to view as a slide show. Refresh the page to randomize the order.
The entertainment began with a round of floor spots by nine Ruthin AllStyles regulars, after which we were treated to two 45-minute sets by the inimitable Anthony John Clarke, accompanied on piano by his lovely wife, Julia.
The room at The Feathers was comfortably full; one couple even having travelled some ninety miles to enjoy the string of home-spun songs by this charming bright-eyed Irishman.
Along with his melodic, gentle vocals and impeccable guitar style, Anthony John’s cheeky Irish humour kept us well and truly entertained. So infectious are his songs, that the audience needed very little encouragement to join in on the choruses.
Many of his lyrics are autobiographical, and some very much tongue-in-cheek, but all were guaranteed to raise a smile. And as the wonderful evening’s entertainment drew to a close, we were sent home with the catchy “Tuesday Night is Always Karaoke”, ringing in our ears.
Following the success of the Ruthin AllStyles Festival Day at The Feathers, we were delighted to be able to donate £1,180 to the Glan Clwyd and Bangor Hospital Cancer Units.
We would like to say a HUGE thanks to everyone who contributed to what turned out to be an extremely successful fund-raising festival last weekend…
►The performers, of course, who gave up their time and incredible talents.
►The audience, some of whom had travelled a fair distance, packed The Feathers to the rafters, overspilling into the outdoor area of the Busking stage, and donated so generously to the cause.
► Penni and Glyn, and the other unsung heroes who helped set out the room and clear away afterwards; Steve, who assisted on the sound desk, and Mike Kendrick for the loan of PA equipment and for looking after the running of the Busking stage. Also, the young folk who braved the elements to rescue our gazebo which took off in the wind at the end of the evening.
► A special thank you to Jayne, whose vision and desire to raise money for the Glan Clwyd and Bangor Cancer Units, planted the seeds from which this festival grew; and who tirelessly rode around on the back of a pantomime gnome with the donations bucket and raffle book.
Despite a number of our regular audience being away on their hollybops, we enjoyed a splendid evening of music and mirth.
Among the fifteen performers was a first-time visitor Ian Davies-Abbott from Greenfield. The “Long Distance Award”, however, went to John and Mary Brindley, who journeyed from Chorley to join our Singers’ Night.
It was some six years ago when Jon gave us a fabulous concert night at the club, and he also kept us entertained during lockdown with his Saturday night online sessions.
So it was lovely to see him back again last week when he and Mary performed five numbers.
A few of the members who also performed that night
What a fabulous evening’s entertainment we were treated to last Thursday, courtesy of the amazing Anthony John Clarke.
Accompanied by his lovely wife Julia, on piano, he performed a string of his home-spun songs, many of which were autobiographical, some tongue-in-cheek, but all designed to raise a smile.
And the Ruthin AllStyles audience needed very little encouragement to join in on the choruses.
It wouldn’t have been an Anthony John gig without “Tuesday Night is Always Karaoke”, and we were not disappointed.
A prompt start, enabled us to begin with a round of floor spots from a dozen or so of our regulars, making for well rounded evening of music and mirth.
Well, that was another corker of an evening. The main event, of course, was a superb showcase by Katie and James, aka Igloo Hearts.
However, we also managed to squeeze in no fewer than twelve floor spots, including some Egyptian vibes from Yasmin, from Wrexham, who was visiting the club for the first time.
After the floor spots, we all settled back to enjoy an hour of beautiful sounds courtesy of our showcase guests Katie and James. Listening to their lovely mix of original songs and covers, it is hard to believe they have only been performing together for a couple of years or so. In fact, one of their first performances as a duo was on one of our online lockdown shows.
Their music and harmonies left us all spellbound, and the shouts of “more” saw them closing their set with a fine Radio Head classic.
For the final segment of the evening, the Random Generator delivered some extra songs from Peter Leslie, Tom Degney and the Jackson Williams duo, Skeet and Debs. and what turned out to be a “see-ya-later” spot from Canada Phil before heading off across the Atlantic for three months.
Next Thursday – a little bird tells me that the Wizard from the Wirral, John Williams, will be back behind the microphone following an enforced sabbatical whilst recovering from surgery.
Isn’t it great that things a gradually getting back to normal?
Last Thursday evening saw our first post-pandemic guest spot in the form of the lovely An Croenen and her side-kick Frank Hives.
The duo, who hail from Chester and Helsby, performed a delightful 45-minute, mid-evening showcase, or “big spot”, call it what you will.
The logistics worked out well, with our regulars each performing a two-song floor spot to open and close the evening. This is a format we shall certainly use in the future.
Their performance was nothing short of magical, with a mixture of originals and covers that had the audience joining in the choruses. Frank’s laid-back guitar style complimented An’s sweet, mellifluous vocals. Their finale song, Scarborough Fair, complete with the harmonious Canticle, was the best version I have ever heard.
We knew it would be a great little gig, having heard them first from their videos on our online shows during the lockdown. How fabulous it was to see and hear them in 3D and stereo!
It was more than a grand night. In fact, it was a ‘grand’ plus £132!
Yes, that’s right, last Thursday’s fund-raising evening raised a total of £1,132no less, thanks to the incredible generosity of everybody who tuned-in to enjoy what was an absolute belter of a music night.
Henry Priestman
Regulars and Guest Appearances
Pretty much all the songs were dedicated to the charity RENEW and its relentless fund-raising to help the refugees locked-down on the Greek island of Leros. Many had chosen their songs for the meaningful lyrics, others had included a special introduction. Club regular Robin Spreckly updated one of his own protest songs and incorporated a specially rewritten middle eight.
We had a first-time visit from The Christians former frontman, Henry Priestman who introduced his lovely “Beautiful Dreamers” with a special message to the club and to the charity.
Merry Hell – I Am Coming Home
Merry Hell
Merry Hell (right)contributed their hauntingly beautiful, a Cappella, “I Am Coming Home, I Am a Refugee, written by band member Bob Kettle.
Accompanied by his wife Elizabeth, Gary Edward Jones sang the beautifully poignant “Oceans” which he wrote after hearing about the three-year-old Syrian boy, Alan Kurdi, who drowned in the Mediterranean Sea during 2015 as he and his family fled war-torn Bagdad.
The evening had opened with “Only Human”, a song penned by club-member Alan Thompson after attending a talk given by one of the founders of RENEW about the desperate plight of the refugees on Leros.
Louise Edwards
Accompanied by a slideshow of pictures taken by the charity’s volunteers, the video has since been used during several fund-raising events. And then to close the show Alan and his sister Linda had recorded a special “lock-down” live version of that fabulous heart-wrenching song.
Rewind
If you missed the show, it is available to replay at the bottom of this page. Near the beginning, Louise Edwards gives a brief explanation about the work done by the Buckley based Refugee Essentials North East Wales (RENEW). Herself, one of the group’s volunteers, Louise has also hosted fund-raising concerts at her own music venue, The Tin Shed, in Treuddyn.
Above all, enjoy the wonderful locally-produced music by as talented a bunch of musicians to be found anywhere. The show is three hours long and if you skip through to the best bits, it will only take you… erm… three hours 😉
