Les,

Good to see someone doing something proactive to keep such a charming pub open.

I haven't got off my arse and been to one yet, and I'm aware you may have them in Manchester already, but something called Philosophy in Pubs has taken off here on Merseyside in the past few years. Obviously I'm not in a position to tell you very much, and in any case you can get more information here .

However, the aim seems to be to encourage systematic, serious, rational discussion, esp of topics of current interest, in a friendly and tolerant atmosphere.

(Thinks. Woa!. Systematic, serious, rational, friendly, tolerant. These are not adjectives one would apply when thinking of Mudcatters. Better tell Les to be careful who he lets in!)

Joking apart, I have engaged in poetry discussion groups, with much the same terms of reference and found them great fun and mentally very stimulating. They can be particularly rewarding when somebody says something to alter your whole perspective on a poem you thought you knew so well that you could hum it backwards in the dark.

Which leads me to a logical second suggestion. Why not see if you can start a poetry discussion group? I might even come over and give you the lowdown on Larkin, or dish the dirt on Dryden, or heckle Ted Hughes, or raise the rafters with Anthony Raftery.

Well, it's a thought. Which is roughly where we came in.