Ayr Phoenix Folk Club has been nominated in the ‘Club of the Year’ category at the Scots Trad Awards.
The awards night is to be held in Inverness on Saturday, November 30 and will be screened live on BBC Alba.
Members of the Ayr-based club have now issued an appeal for the public to consider voting for them, as they bid to land the prestigious prize.
A spokesperson for the club detailed the background to the group, who meet regularly for popular nights of music.
The spokesperson said: “In 2015, Ayr ‘folky,’ Pat Lappin had the idea of reviving an Ayr folk club after the original 30-year club stopped in the late 90s.
“The name ‘Phoenix’ reflects this. An intention from the beginning was to seek to create a community identity and involvement through folk music in Ayr. This includes working with other local folk organisations across Ayrshire.
“There are monthly club nights, first Tuesdays of the month, with a variety of guests both established and up and coming. Forty per cent of the club night is dedicated to floor singers on the principle of involving our supporters.
“Three venues have been used to date, two of which are original club venues. The current venue (the Abbotsford Hotel) is the last one used by the original club. Two club nights per year are all floor spots and a local ukelele group with free entry.”
In addition, a club CD was produced with the assistance of Scots Folk music legend Alastair McDonald, containing tracks from local supporters. There is also a plan to reissue this alongside a 1973 LP recording from the original club.
The club also take part in occasional and opportunistic mid-month club nights; Burns Specials and much more.
They also host a Saturday afternoon ‘singaround’ session every week, open to all.
The spokesperson continued: “We support fundraising for Belleisle conservatory with a monthly Sunday open singaround session.”
Ayr Phoenix Folk Club is associated with a weekly folk music programme on a local radio station (UWS Radio) (Thursdays 5pm– 7pm), repeated Tuesdays (5pm– 7pm.) And there is even a weekly ‘Phoenix Folk’ slot on community radio in Melbourne!
The spokesperson continued: “The club has provided support, participation and collaboration with local events; Fresh Ayr Folk Fest; Ayr Flower Show; Belleisle Music Day. We also offer visits to local care establishments to provide entertainment.”
The club also produced a Ukraine refugee benefit concert at Ayr Gaiety Theatre in July 2022 to raise funds for local refugees; the theatre and all involved freely donated their time and expertise. The concert was a sell out.
The club Facebook page features a weekly ‘a ballad a week’ posting; the story of a ballad, along with several different versions.
The spokesperson added: “Ayr Phoenix, only nine years established, can justifiably claim to provide a solid folk music presence in Ayrshire while also becoming involved in a range of community activities.”
To cast your vote for the club go to https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotstradmusicawards/voting/