It's fascinating to see the original flyer from 1971. I remember the Railway and the existence of the folk club but was still at school (Sale Grammar) at the time. I played 'cello in our school orchestra and remember my music teacher buying me a pint in the Railway after a concert in the Sale Civic theatre during Sale Festival. I played a particular piece and got it right, probably much to his astonishment, and was rewarded for my efforts by being encouraged into under age drinking. How times have changed, if a teacher was to buy a student any sort of alcohol these days, he or she would, no doubt, be pilloried by society.

Whilst I never attended the club, being only the tender age of 16 and fairly shy in those days, another music teacher, Miss Callison (who I think became Mrs Dixon), did attend and she told me about it. She introduced me to guitar tablature and the first song I learned by this method was "Don't Think Twice" which she had written out for me. This was when I made my first real connection with folk music and I've maintained an interest ever since.

When I turned 18 I used to go to the Railway for a pint but it met it's demise soon after (I don't think I was to blame). It's a shame that such fine venues have been lost, the Railway at Heatley is another recent closure, but it is also good to note that traditions are still being kept alive in the many folk clubs that still exist and by like minded people.