Christchurch Folk Music Club
Irish Society Backdrop

The Irish Society Hall’s Backdrop
Showing an artistic talent few expected, commercial painter Nicky McMullan created this widely admired painted scene on canvas in late 1961 from his imagination. The castle does not exist but the skilful composition evokes mystique. It consists of four canvas panels stitched together and measures 6.5 metres wide by 3.2 metres in height. Notes from the author’s interview with Nicky’s daughter Maureen Bonham, dated 31.12.2021, state that Nicky ‘developed artistic painting skills from his uncle, but was never formally trained.’ The notes further state that smaller, framed paintings were donated to Nazareth House. The backdrop was a feature at 363 St Asaph Street until the Hall’s sale in 1987, then hung at 29 Domain Terrace for the visit of the Irish President Mrs Robinson before being rolled up and stored in the upstairs committee room. From 2019 it has graced the hall again. It is beautifully illuminated now by four white flood lights and serves as a worthy backdrop for the stage.
Extract from ‘Archives Build History’
Author: Tony Hale
Published for the Christchurch Irish Society 75th Anniversary 2023
Photo by the author
50th Weekend
Finding our folk at the Christchurch Folk Music Club's 50th celebrations. Thank you Warren Watson for recording these wonderful memories. Thank you to Tony Hale for selected captions
Camel Cottage, Andy Thompson in Concert
Ben the Hoose – winners of Tui for Best Folk Music Album of 2006
Scottish-born musicians Kenny Ritch and Bob McNeill of the duo Ben the Hoose are the winners of the Tui for Best Folk Music Album of 2006 for the album The Little Cascade.
Phil Garland – Folk Music Awards 2007
The founder and life member of the Christchurch Folk Club, Phil Garland, won the Tui for the best folk album of 2007.
A Collection of Photos from John Flynn
The first 6 photos in this collection provided by John Flynn were taken by Brian Milne at the High Street Folk Center A very young Alistair Hulett Frank Fyfe Bush Band (L-R) Warwick Brock, Gordon Collier, Vic Brown, Frank Fyfe, Dave Hart, Mike...