I used to visit the Wash House Club regularly in the early 60s. Tony Murphy was one of a bunch of well regarded stalwarts and Me Father he was Orange was one of his songs.

The Wash House was regarded very much as a singers club. It was held in the basement of Samson and Barlow's restaurant on a Saturday night. The Spinners used to hold their club there during the week but then they moved to Gregson's Well pub. The club itself was very small and crammed with bentwood kitchen chairs. The decor was brick walls painted dark red and black. I was startled when a tray of sandwiches was passed around, a buffet in a folk club, no less! Turned out it was to get around the licensing laws. Samson and Barlow's held a restaurant licence which meant that you could only have alcoholic drinks with a meal. Half a soggy cheese and tomato sandwich got round the problem.

Long live the happy memories!