Ah, some memories here.
I went to Manchester University in Autumn 1969 with a bit of knowledge and experience of folk music from Liverpool - Spinners, Jackie and Bridie and school folk group. The university folk song club was then run by Andy and Brenda Towers and Stuart Hylton. By the end of my first year I was secretary, with Rob Ixer (who was soon to marry Rosie Hardman) as chairman. I had 2 years as secretary and highlights I now recall were Bob and John Copper (just after Song for every Season book and LPs came out), Bert Lloyd, Tim and Maddy (already in Steeleye and we packed the LDH), Martin Carthy, Jo ann Kelly, John James, Nic Jones. we also had a weekly singaround in thw Welcome Inn, Rusholme.

Meanwhile ... I was out and about in Manchester - I would say that buying the Deep Lancashire LP in January 1970 and then going to Harry Boardman's folk club (pre-Unicorn, at the Bull's Head in Failsworth) changed my life! That first night at Harry's club ... there was Harry, Terry Whelan, Dave Hillery and his then wife, the embryonic Canny Fettle .... at least two Nortthumbrian pipers (at a time when you'd be hard pressed to see ANY pipers). Ah .. forty years ago!!

Harry's club later moved to ... a pub on Stevenson Square in the city centre.

Meanwhile ... I started going to MSG and saw lots of performers ... first time there, I saw Blackpool Taverners, plus John O'Gaunt Morris, and Marie Little kept offering me crisps .. perhaps I looked like a starving student...

Meanwhile ... I got out and about to folk clubs during my two years, especially when publicising the Manchester Folk Festival in September 1971 which I helped organise. That was held in the uni union.

I remember a big concert in the Free Trade Hall in 1970, with Cyril Tawney, Tim and Maddy, High Level Ranters, Harry Boardman and Canny Fettle ... organised by Alan Hodgson .. big in guests, not big in audience ... lost money and Harry and Canny Fettle did fund raising events for him for a while after...

Bury Folk Club was a favourite. Fiery Clock Face as resident band, Steve Mayne. (This was after Valley Folk had split up).

well, that's all for now...

Derek