The Raven - 47 years and counting

The Raven Folk Club as we know it today began in April 1978. It took its name from the venue in which it started, The Raven Hotel in the picturesque village of Farndon, Cheshire, seven miles from Chester. That the club exists at all is down to one man really, singer and multi-instrumentalist Dave Russell. In early 1978 Dave had just moved from his native Liverpool to the Chester area. Dave had encountered singer-guitarist Marek Bal and these two estimable young gentlemen formed a duo with the aim of getting a few gigs in the local folk club scene. They wanted a base of their own, where they could play regularly and hone their act so, after some exploratory field research in the pubs around his lodgings in Holt, Dave wandered over the bridge to Farndon and discovered the Raven Hotel. Thus thanks to Dave and Marek, the Raven Folk Club was born.

After a number of venues over the years such as The Grosvenor Rowing Club, The Liver Hotel, The Bridge Inn and The Cross Keys, The Raven retained its name and can now be found at the Bear and Billet in Lower Bridge Street in Chester.

At The Raven Folk Club, we celebrate the rich tradition of folk and acoustic music. Nestled within the Bear and Billet, our venue welcomes all music enthusiasts to revel in live performances, warm hospitality, and a community of passionate listeners.