As founder of the Acorn Acoustic Music Club, I am now retiring and the club will close.

The club began as the Acorn Folk Club in 2002 in the Oak Room at the Hobby Horse Hotel - hence the name Acorn – but this venue was short-lived and we moved to the Old Ship Aground which then also closed suddenly.

My late husband John was the true founder, but since he passed away in 2005, I have been able to carry on with the support of Jim Parham and friends, and our third and best venue has been the superb United Reformed Church Hall. We thank them for the use of this.

Over the 16 years we have had many happy times, with floor spots, some of whom have been coming since the inauguration, and a steady and enthusiastic audience – again some of whom have attended since 2002, travelling great distances – from Westport, Cossington, Taunton and all surrounding villages. We also welcome returning holidaymakers.

At first we met monthly hosting local guests, but we quickly progressed to presenting guests of national and international standing.

Minehead is such a busy town we gradually reduced to eight then six meetings a year and recently, due to health reasons, to quarterly meetings.

We have hosted nearly 100 guests, with top names including Pete Morton, Jez Lowe, John Kirkpatrick, Tim Laycock, Mick Ryan and Paul Downes, Phil Beer, Katherine Roberts and Sean Lakeman, Dan Cassidy, Tom McConville, John Connolly, Brian Willoughby and Catherine Craig, Belchazzar’s Feast, Jeff Warner, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Damien Barber, Vicky Swan and Jonny Dyer and Flossie Malavialle.

Guests have come from all over England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and internationally from Australia, America, Canada, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, Greece and France.

We have enjoyed hosting these wonderfully talented people in our own home, and to a person they have been gracious and charming about the Acorn and the warm and friendly welcome given to them,

The aim of the club has been to uphold top quality folk and acoustic music in Minehead on a voluntary and non-profit making basis, creating a platform for professionals and amateurs alike.

The Acorn Shanty Crew has evolved from our main floor spots and will be continuing, so you will still be hearing from us! We are available for bookings for parties, functions, meetings and charity events.

Thanks you all for your support and generosity and we wish you all well.

Eileen Ann Moore, Acorn Acoustic Music Club.