The Open Door in Failsworth struggles manfully on despite only having a handful of regulars...we have guest nights (pretty high quality if you check out the website) once a month and a couple of Extravaganza's every year..sort of mini-festivals, all funded by weekly raffles as we don't charge on singers nights. However, as I stated before, the club is struggling with a dozen or so regulars who provide the weekly contributions which subsidise our £2 - £4 admission charges on the Guest nights. The organizers, Pauline and John have done a wonderful job keeping the club together but it sometimes feels we're beating our collective heads gainst a brick wall.

The rise of the festivals in recent years has no doubt contributed somewhat to the decline of the folk club but without the clubs most festival 'stars' could not have learnt their trade.

Good luck to every folk club organizer and thank you to everyone who makes an attempt to support their local club...to those who make no effort to attend or support clubs in their area...one day it might be too late!

Best wishes................Harry Basnett.