What a wonderful and long lived thread. I have spent the last hour in blissful recall of many of the clubs and places mentioned. I was saddened to hear about the death of Don Partridge earlier this month. I knew Don in the sixties, during / after his ' encounter with fame' and found him to be a larger than life, friendly and colourful character. We used to meet on the odd occasion in The Porcupine and the Cambridge in the Leicester Square area and The King and Queen near the Post Office Tower. Don became a regular / resident, at Brentwood Folk Club in Essex and I remeber quite vividly his excellent rendition of 'Jerusalem'. I know Don used to busk even up to quite recently in various towns in southern England and will be greatly missed. Might I be permitted through the forum to offer condolences to his family.

Whilst slightly off the 'London Clubs' theme, Does anyone recall or did anyone attend / perform at Chelmsford Folk Club in the early to mid sixties. 'The Halliard' were in residence consisting initially of Geoff Harris; Dave Moran and Nigel Paterson with Nic Jones replacing Geoff when he decided to resume his previous career. The club was held in Tindal Street at [I seem to recall] The White Hart in the room above the bar. I recall seeing Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick; Bert Jansch and John Renbourne; Julie Felix; John Foreman; Davey Graham; Paul Simon and many others in this wonderful 'up close and personal' environment. I used to attend the workshop sessons that Geoff and Nigel used to run on a Wednesday and they started me out on a life long love affair with the guitar. I recall tousling with and [just about] achieving a passable version of 'Anji' and practicing until the tips of my fingers bled.

I would be delighted if anyone performed or attended those sessions and can reinforce my memories.

Keith