(c’66-?) Tom Dillon (floor singer)

Past members of the Stag Folk Club, Shackleford often recall the local floor singers (unpaid local performers who get the chance to sing in public for pleasure, to learn/hone their skills in front of an audience that has maybe turned out for a ‘pro’). One popular floor singer was Tom Dillon, who lived in Godalming, and was often seen at the Ram Cider House and the Vintners Arms, Guildford in the late ‘60’s for folk sessions.

Stag organizer David Johnson recalls Dillon singing many times at StagFolk and more than once having a guest singer ask after him. Dillon also became a resident performer the Guildford Folk Music Club from ’64-’66, and the Folk Night held at The Red House, Woking; organised by the Woking Folk Club. This club also organized a benefit performance, that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford for Medical Aid to Vietnam. Dillon would also head up to Kingston’s Fighting Cocks for their folk club meetings and we know he took fellow Godalming singer Jack Smith with him on occasion.

The last we heard was that Dillon performed at The Volunteer, Sidmouth -during Folk Week – singing “Sonny’s Dream” amongst other classics in August 2001. 

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Tom Dillon
Programme, designed by Brian Dunt, for the Guildford Folk Music Club held at The Vintners Arms, Guildford in 1966. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Record
The Red House held a regular Folk Night in the mid to late 60’s, This is from 1967 and lists Dillon as a resident performer. Source: Sue Bradman via WOKING-OLD and NEW (memories and history).
Front of hand bill for the Woking Folk Club benefit that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Sue Bradman.
Back of hand bill for the Woking Folk Club benefit that included Dillon, at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Sue Bradman.