Netgig night at the Convent Club

Last week I was invited to a gig at the former Convent of the Poor Clares, in a village called South Woodchester. Aside from the fact that it was not any old gig but Martin and Eliza Carthy, father and daughter duo and darlings of the folk scene, I was intrigued. How could one turn a former convent into a hip venue and upmarket hotel?

I was about to find out. First impressions were a little confusing: there was an entrance to the grounds, along a country lane, but the parking was a little haphazard and there was no signage beyond the gatepost. We found the manicured end of the site, as opposed to the tradesmen's entrances, and tiptoed through a richly painted purple corridor to a reception desk. To our left was a cloister full of platinum prints by David Bailey, behind us was the staircase to the chapel/music venue, and to the right were two enormous rooms that served as a bar/ conference venue. The carpets were deep, the clientele was mixed, and the waiter was young, probably on his first night's shift. Young enough to be my nephew! Eventually we got our drinks, and proceeded up to the chapel, which I have showed in my picture above.

I was not allowed to take pics of the actual gig, because it was being recorded by Netgigs, but let's say it was great, the sound was second to none, and the lighting a visual treat. I still prefer Eliza's girl band, Carthy, Hardy, Farrell and Young, but Martin is one of the Daddies, so I was lucky to have seen him.

As we left, at around 11pm, the oak banister rail on the stairs collapsed. It was another slightly Fawlty Towers element in a perfect summer evening. So many places around here aim for the "Cotswold visitors' pound" by creating a "luxury" brand of venue/hotel, to appeal to those who want to be pampered and be seen in the right places, but this place seems different, a bit more funky. I intend to go back.

Oh, and I appear to have been writing a review for Trip Advisor than a blip advisory! Oh dear....let's just say it was like and evening from a film. Not sure which one, though.