The recently launched Launceston Folk Club is igniting a new community here in the town, celebrating traditional and contemporary folk music, which includes acoustic, singer/songwriters and roots, under the umbrella of 'folk'.
Launched in September and run by Emma Jaynes, Launceston Folk Club has started welcoming acclaimed professional musicians to perform, while supporting Adept Living Foundation (ALF) CIC’s
trauma work in the community.
As co-founder of ALF and with an NHS background in peer coaching, psychology and training, Emma is passionate about uplifting communities, addressing rural and social isolation, encouraging friendships and creating a sense of purpose amongst members of the community. ALF’s general rule is that they will never compete with another organisation in a community, but rather will ‘fit into gaps’
and offer support where needed.
The folk club addresses the need for social interaction within the community, helping people to engage with one another, find new friendships and a sense of belonging. Emma has her own background as a professional musician on the folk circuit, and moved from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, which has the longest-serving folk club in the country, to Cornwall when she was 18. Creating Launceston Folk Club earlier in the year, Emma modelled the club on Hitchin’s, creating a concert venue to bring together upcoming talent in Cornwall and Devon as support acts to well-established folk artists.
The launch was financially supported by Launceston Rotary Club and the Orchard Centre, and saw folk legend Kevin Dempsey as the main act. As well as his main performance on the Saturday evening, Kevin also held a hugely successful workshop for 225 local school children on the Friday. The launch event ended up resembling a mini folk festival, including morris dancing, a ceilidh, live music throughout, storytelling from town crier Rob Tremain and family fun activities by Launceston Library.
Emma said: “There was so much representation around Cornwall and Devon, and it’s important to acknowledge the people coming together to do something for their community; not just here in Launceston, but the wider community.”
For more information, and upcoming event dates, you can join Launceston Folk Club’s Facebook group, or visit www.launcestonfolkclub.co.uk. If you are a local singer/songwriter and wish to get involved, email chris@alfcic.org