"Brian Peters/Ian Hendrie - I recognise both names but can't put a place or face to them."

I can't speak for Ian Hendrie, but I've been working the folk scene for twenty years (www.brian-peters.co.uk if you're interested), hence the reference to Ian (and the rest of you) having been an early inspiration. It's all your fault!

"Ian left Poynton whilst Rick was on holiday and the four of us set up a new club down the road a month or so later."

You mean the Deanwater? I went a few times but compared with Poynton it was a bit plush for my taste. My mate had the theory at the time that the band name was originally to be "Farters' Lawn", but you'd dropped the "F" to avoid offence.