We are thrilled to reveal that CHRIS ELLIOTT & CAITLIN JONES are the recipients of the inaugural CLIFF WOOLLEY MEMORIAL AWARD.

All of our support artists from September 2021 to July 2022 were automatically entered into the award, and after a close public vote and input from Cliff's wife Gaynor, the West Midlands based duo were chosen as the first winners.

Chris & Caitlin receive a small bursary, and will also headline THE CLIFF WOOLLEY MEMORIAL CONCERT in January, where they will be joined on the bill by Bristol Morris Men and The Magnificent AKs… two groups with whom Cliff loved to dance and sing. This concert will take place on Friday 20th January 2023 at Christ Church Downend, and tickets will go on-sale along with the rest of the Spring programme in mid-October.

The award has been created to honour the memory of our dear friend Cliff Woolley, who sadly passed away last Summer. Cliff was a long-serving member of our committee, membership co-ordinator, bar volunteer and much, much more.

Cliff was a passionate music lover and could most often be found, with his wife Gaynor, at many concerts around Bristol and beyond, at loads of festivals. And if he wasn't singing, dancing or listening to music, he was usually talking about it (or about his other passion, Aston Villa FC (hence the colour scheme!). His musical tastes were very diverse; from Jethro Tull and Neil Young through to Jackie Oates and Martin Carthy.

He remains sadly missed, but we’re thrilled to be able to do something to reflect Cliff's passionate support of emerging talent on the folk scene.