Tenby & District Arts Club starts its spring 2024 programme this Friday, January 12 with Broadoak Folk Group.

Broadoak is a Pembrokeshire-based folk trio comprising Chris and Peter Kay and Wendy Lewis, all experienced musicians with backgrounds and interests in many sorts of folk music (and indeed many sorts of music generally). Chris sings and plays piano and whistle, Wendy plays fiddle and sings, Peter plays various fretted instruments and sings.

Their speciality is that they don’t specialise. They are just as likely to play traditional material as they are to play their own original pieces. They will switch from an intricate tune setting to a rousing singalong, then back to a haunting song performed a capella with spine-tingling harmonies. Then they will make you laugh.

Established in 1947, Tenby & District Arts Club has continued since then without a break. In 2007, the club celebrated its 60th birthday at a dinner in December held at The Park Hotel, Tenby, with Aeronwy Thomas, daughter of Dylan Thomas, as guest of honour, and in 2017 its 70th anniversary with a dinner at the Giltar Hotel.

With over 90 members, the Club organises a varied programme of arts, musical and literary interest. 

Meetings are usually held on Fridays at 7pm in St Johns Church Hall, Warren Street, Tenby. Both members and non-members are welcome at the meetings. Admission is £5, or £3 for members. Membership is just £10 annually.

Other highlights of the spring programme are Susie Brooks: Oriental Spices and Colonial Empires (January 19); Duncan and Rebecca Whitehurst: Music Night (January 26); Rev’d Nigel Griffin: St David (March 1); John Archer-Thompson: Skomer (March 8) and The Quaynotes choir in concert at St Johns Church on March 15.