There is (or was) a group that meets to rehearse and encourage musicians wanting to play for folk dancing (also a Lancs group meeting in Rainford). The Manchester group was started by Millie. Contact details on the Hi Jinks website

So of those people might also like to join a session. Playing by ear is a quite different skill from playing from music and having the tune announced in advance and time to find the page. Or some of your members (when you find them) might be interested in the bandworkshop.
The more links between groups the better for making the word of mouth spread.