Good to see a thread of anything has evolved over so many years with few but quality contributors!

Was looking for lyrics to this to save my typing and found this thread.

Have been a follower/fan of Mike for many years and would echo the quality of this song written by him. In an intro to a performance on one of his albums he introduces it as a reflection from his first job in boilers when he saw the industry in the Rossendale Valley to a later visit when he returned to see the decline in industry here (I live right in the middle of the valley),

I totally agree with the sentiment, although, not completely the subject since most of the "Valley" industry was centered around shoes and, particularly in Waterfoot, around slippers, however the cotton heritage is huge here and down through Rochdale, over Rooley Moor, towards Manchester, the Ship Canal and it's making Manchester a port for American cotton.

On a brighter note, I have just booked tickets to go to see Mike and Bernard Wrigley together in Settle at the start of December when I will introduce his "Live" presence to my two grown sons.

In a world of musical "Reunion" driven by the lack of the great musical quality of the 70's in many genre and a general desire to hear songs and music that is original rather than "karaoke re-hashed" versions of old, quality, music , Mike has taken to touring again after the BBC's dubious dismissal and so the tone of "was" that pervades this thread can now be changed to a tone of Mike "still being" a great act to watch, and I look forward to many years more.

http://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/mike-harding


Garry