Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 21 Mar 13 - 05:04 AM

That wouldn't be the "Ali" of Ticcawinda fame would it?

I well remember the great nights we used to have at Dot's buffet with the long marble bar top and steaming helpings of black peas.

We all know what happened to regulars the likes of Clive Gregson and Les Barker but are people such as Annie Chester and Cheryl Gibbons nowadays?

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 09:56 PM

I started off going to the Tameside clubs - the Rose and Crown in Stalybridge with the regular guest nights was my favourite every friday night - Clive Gregson was a resident then. Also the singers nights at the Butchers Arms in Mossley, and the Buffet Bar in Stalybridge (still going!). And of course the Cross Keys in Uppermill - my local! Very fond memories! Ali x

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Greenm
Date: 20 Mar 13 - 07:52 PM

There must be someone out there remembers the Eccles folk clubs 1967 to early 70's - I used to run the Cross Keys and when Jim Green the owner decided that he wanted to use the room for more productive purposes we moved to the Duke of York.

For a while we had Porter Cunningham as residents whilst the original residency at the Keys was the Free Folk. The Keys was always regarded as probably the most comfortable Folk Club in Manchester as we had plush armchairs and "real" carpet on the floor. Guests during that time were Mike Harding, Rosie Hardman (with Bob Axford), Pete Ryder etc. On one occasion whilst at MSG on Monday Night Singers club a couple of Americans (Mike & Debbie) from the deep south were playing (apparently busking around Europe) and I booked them for the Keys that was probably one of the most surreal folk evenings I have ever hosted.

I understand that the Duke of York carried on in the70's after I left and the Pub changed hands; but perhaps the most memorable nighht there was when Miss England was visiting and I remember playing the piano, "the most beautiful girl in the world" not really folk but who cared...... I think our most memorable guest at the Duke was Ralph McTell but thats another story......

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 08:16 AM

The Beech Band will not be playing in
The Beech until the decorators have finished.
In the meantime we will be singing songs and playing tunes at The Dulcimer in Chorlton
Further details as and when

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,an old git
Date: 04 Jan 13 - 04:06 PM

When i used to go to the one in Stevenson square in late 60s
the beggarmen agreat irisg combo used to run it.i cant remembernthe oubs name.
The one that gave me my lifelong love of folk
was run at the Hulme Evening Centre near Royce Rd.It could have been a tame affair with the only refreshment a cuppa in the interval but we had some rip roaring times with all comera having a go
and lots of encouragement frpm the guy who ran
it. amzingly Mike Harding and Rosie Hardman turned up to entertain.I rememberlovely renditions of the silkie and Calico printers clerk by a regular with his banjo.and a very happy memory of Tony Hill singing the Manchester Rambler in about 69.I still chuckle when Iremember him extending the chorus to but Iam a free man on Sunday...and Monday and Tuesday etc good old hippies.And while Im at it there was a guy who used to sing Woody Guthrie songs beautifully!Thanks

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ian Page
Date: 21 Oct 12 - 10:17 PM

Nobody seems to have mentioned the folk club upstairs at the Old Clock Face Hotel at the bottom of Toad Lane in Rochdale. I was an irregular attender in the 1960's and remember Mike Harding and Harry Boardman dropping in there.

The stairs were steep and the room long and very narrow. The club could be so packed that it reminded you of those 'how many people can you get in a mini car' competitions.

Ian

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 06:24 AM

Sorry I seem to have lost my ability to go blue & clicky

Les

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 06:23 AM

Songs & Tunes at The Beech

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 06:20 AM

Hi Guest,

I went to the Song Carriers around 1973/4 amazing club. Then again when it had moved to The Volunteer on Washway Road, Sale around 2005?

I think Terry had died a few years earlier but Dave Bishop sang that night - and still does on 1st & 3rd Wednesdays at The Beech, Beech Road, Chorlton, M21 9EG.

Songs & Tunes at The Beech

Come and join us?

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Aug 12 - 05:10 AM

I also remember David Hilary a family friend in the 1960's and Terry Wheelan. i last met them in the 1990's at a social occassion

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,paul(guest) in STRETFORD
Date: 28 Aug 12 - 09:47 PM

THE MILLSTONE HOTEL Wilson ST M/C "SONGCARRIERS" Folk club run by
residents Terry Whelan,Steve Mayne,Dave Bishop,Pam and Alan
Bishop (no relation to Dave),and Rowdy Yates.Some brilliant guests,
including A.L.LLOYD,FRANKIE ARMSTRONG,TONY ROSE,ALISON POTTS nee Mc Morland.....and last but by no means least an ageing Scottish shepherd
WILLY SCOTT.Great nights indeed.Political indoctrination provided by
Ewan MacColl,and Peggy Seeger
I don`t know what year the MSG folk club closed (Manchester Sports Guild) ,but to remind you all of a pain,I`ll just mention JENKS.
If you could stay out of his way,some good guests here too.NIC JONES,MARTIN CARTHY, DICK GAUGHAN,THE TAVERNERS ,and many others.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 10 Jan 12 - 05:49 AM

Don't really know where Steve's music shop was based, but I thought it wasn't in Manchester.
Steve's website has this biography, and a list of gigs through 2012 and into 2013.... nearest to manchester is Uppermill.

""Steve Turner comes from a family of singers and concertina players. His grandfather was known to have sung and played the instrument in the 1890's.

Steve began his career on the Manchester folk scene at the end of the 1960s. Joining the Geordie band "Canny Fettle" in 1970, he made two albums and toured in Britain and Europe with them for eight years.

In 1979, he won the Melody Maker "Stars of the 80s" national competition, which persuaded him to turn professional for 12 years until 1991. During this time he made four solo albums with Fellside Records and toured internationally.

A period of thirteen years away from the folk scene followed with Steve building a violin retailing business and diversifying musically into a more classical mode.

But folk music has a habit of getting into your blood so 2004 saw Steve make a welcome return to the folk scene.

Steve's 5th album, his first for 22 years "The Whirligig of Time" featuring guests Martin Carthy, Nancy Kerr and James Fagan and Miranda Sykes was released in March 2008. See News & Reviews page for further details. He was the featured artist and on the cover of the January/February 2008 (Issue 77) Edition of "The Living Tradition" magazine. Read some of the interview with Steve online. Steve also featured on the front page of "Stirrings" magazine with an interview in May 2009 and was also interviewed in the "International Concertina Association" magazine Volume 5 in 2008.""

www.steve-turner.co.uk he lives in Beeston, Notts.

Derek

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Jan 12 - 05:19 AM

Starnge how these threads spring to life again. Very early on I listed all the folk clubs and sessions I could find currently. One that I listed was:


Salford Folk Music Workshop: Friday Room 200, Maxwell Building, Salford University, Manchester M5 4WT 1st Fri 8:00

This a monthly tunes session and still goes on.

I don't know if a club ever existed in the Print works - which was Maxwell-Land in its previuos life as Shimdrod/Dave suggest above.

L in C#
Songs and tunes at The Beech every Wednesday:
Here

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 10 Jan 12 - 04:27 AM

"Turner and Hall" - sounds more like a hardware shop!

As I said in a previous post - I thought the shop was in Nottingham. (The now defunct Hobgoblin branch)

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 05:58 PM

Bill, I wandered into Manchester this afternoon and noticed that the old Maxwell Building is NOT called "The Works", it's called "The Printworks" - doh!

Not that it matters - like most developments in Manchester, these days, it's a silly, grandiose waste of space. I anticipate that it will close in a year or two.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Richard in Manchester
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 05:18 PM

Derek, was Steve Turner's shop called 'Turner and Hall'? On Deansgate for a while, then down somewhere between Levenshulme and Burnage I think. Probably 20 years ago or more.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: John J
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 04:58 PM

Anyone remember Friday nights at the Ring o' Bells Folk Club in Middleton back in the 1970s? An excellent club run by Eric Peacock and Ken & Mags Whiting.

There was some sort of tie-up with Bury Folk Club (Saturday night) at The Old Blue Bell - if you were a member of one you automatically had membership of the other.

JJ

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 07:03 AM

"Just looked at the thread again. I note from Les that there is still a club in the Maxwell building, ... though it wasn't yet called the Maxwell in my day.

Actually, Bill the name "Maxwell Building" is now also obsolete - it's now called "The Works" and contains a cinema and various bars and restaurants (i.e. the more expensive fast food chains).

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Bill S from Adelaide
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 05:29 AM

Just looked at the thread again. I note from Les that there is still a club in the Maxwell building, which is where we ran it in the late 60's. Is this a continual venue? Would be one of the longest running clubs in the same venue, if so, though it wasn't yet called the Maxwell in my day.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Bernard
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:31 PM

Yes, Helen's funeral and wake were a truly fitting send off for her - and I was delighted when the family asked me to play her little green accordion as a final tribute - I chose 'Blarney Pilgrim', 'Kesh Jig' and 'Foxhunters', as they were some of her favourite tunes that we'd played together on numerous occasions.

Helen and I had an odd sort of arrangement with accordions - she bought a blue Delicia a few years ago, and sold the little green Hohner to me... then she fell out with the blue one, so we did a swap... then she fell out with the green one again, and we swapped back... I've lost track of how many times we swapped altogether, but she finished up with the green one! Anyway, now I have both of them...

It was good that Ted could be there - I'd been to Derek Bradburne's funeral at Walton Crem that morning... so I barely had time to pick Ted up in Eccles and get over to Altrincham Crem, but we made it.

Ted did an emotional version of 'Lili Marlene' at the wake...

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Susie
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:04 PM

Geoff Woodhead, Sydney, Australia - THAT explains why no-one's heard of you! Would love to hear from you - get in touch via Village Quire website!
Just went down this old thread and found such a lot of info, which brought back such a lot of memories. I was privileged to be at the funeral and session send-off-wake for the wonderful Helen Jocys last Thursday. Many musicians and singers there - a packed house to show how much this remarkable lady was loved and appreciated. Bollin Morris exists as it is now because of her.
Ted Edwards attended the funeral and the wake... very pleased to see him after all those years.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Noreen
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 01:42 PM

Yes, Paul Connor died about 8 years ago; I knew him from the Jolly Angler on Monday evenings where he would come and sometimes read his verses.

I loved his one about meeting -and losing- his love in Lewis's in Manchester, as he was going up one escalator and she was going down the other. Anyone keep a record of it? He didn't like anyone recording him.

I also think of Paul whenever I hear the shanty about a big buck 'navvy' with his seaboots on.
Paul's theory was that the only reason for the seaboots being remarkable enough to be mentioned in the song, was that they were all he was wearing...

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 11:38 AM

well, thanks for the sartorial compliment ...
Boot - Ian Ankers - is living near Macclesfield and still singing - in fact, we were at a folk get-together in Crewe 10 days ago. Paul Connor I think is dead. Still see Steve Turner around - he disappeared for a while with his own musical instrument shop. Seen him a few times a few years ago, though not too recently.
Derek

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: paulthesinger
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 10:32 AM

Hi Ray, yes he's my brother. He's still in the Manchester area but not been playing recently

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 07:07 AM

Spring Inn,Rochdale, on Sundays nights in the early 80's run by the Tim Bobbin folk group.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 06:58 AM

Paul Astles - are you related to "Pete" Astles? - remember him well with his old levin guitar.

Paul Burke - Steve Turner owned the Nottingham branch of Hobgoblin for a while although its there no more.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Paul Burke
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 06:22 AM

And don't ask for Slow Suicide...

I remember Derek at the Welcome, always looked tidy and well dressed compared to us unruly hippies. And a young concertina player with an almighty stammer except when singing- I'm glad Steve Turner managed to overcome that. Boot, what happened to him? Not to mention Paul Connor...

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 08 Jan 12 - 06:04 AM

half a biryani, surely .... :-)
Derek

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Paul Astles
Date: 07 Jan 12 - 08:31 PM

I only just found this thread! Hi I remember Bryn Pugh from the Msg. Remember Pete Astles? He played with the Pennine Folk and did the singers night at the Msg in 1968. I remember your black leather jacket! I still play and my first public performance was at the Railway in Sale in 1971. Pete Ryder and John Wilson and Big John McAtee are all familiar names and faces as well as Mary Asquith, Marie Little, Tony Hardman. Nice to see all this stuff being discussed. Hope people are still posting! I remember the biryani at the Plaza too!

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: dave crowhurst
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 08:22 AM

i'm a bit slow on this electronic stuff but have just registered as a member.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Dave Crowhurst,Blighty,NSW,Australia
Date: 19 Oct 10 - 08:04 AM

I do remember,vaguely, the clubs and the performers, it was a long time ago,
before swimming was ever invented,remember that from mike harding.

If the Liverpool Fishermen were on I would make a point of being there first so as to get the middle seat at the front and watch them perform The Green Eyed Yellow Idol.
Being a regular at the Golden Lion on a Sunday night,having won several raffle ticket draws the previous week,this night my tickets kept coming out of the hat,in the end they wouldn't give me the final prize which was an LP.I told them in no uncertain terms what I
thought of them.

Can I use this thread to try and locate two very good friends of mine
Andy and Kate Walker?I grew up with Andy from about 5 yr old and have lost contact?
Think they called themselves Innesfree,were performing the greater manchester clubs in the early 70's,Andy singing and playing guitar,banjo,harp and bagpipes and Kate playing fiddle.
If anyone could give me a lead it would be very much appreciated.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: blinddrunkal
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 08:18 AM

I haven't quite got the hang of this yet - just posted a reply that seems to have been eaten. Mick was at Salford Tech' in 1967/68, and was in a group called "The Moonshiners" who appeared on Granada TV's "First Timers" singing "McAlpine's Fusiliers" - could be the same Salford Irishman!

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 07:56 AM

'Mick Cosgrave' if I am not mistaken comes to the Beech sings and plays all manner of things - is it the same MC?

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: blinddrunkal
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 07:38 AM

Can't find any mention of The Pack Horse on Bridge Street - I used to go there in 1967 - if I remember correctly (and I don't always) the resident players were Norman Jones and Dick (Collison?) - saw Mary Asquith, Meic Stevens, Harry Boardman, amongst others (the late Brian Moss). That was the first time I heard "Blues Run The Game" sung by Mary Asquith, in a much later (30 odd years) conversation with Meic, he said he'd learned the song from Jackson C.Frank in the Troubador, and passed it on to Mary, but then everybody used to sing that song back then. A year or so later we had a College folk club in the Cross Keys on Broad Street, Salford, with residents Pat Ford, Mick Cosgrave, Brian Moss, and the enigmatic "Black Stan". Last time I saw Stan was in the Salutation near the Art College, he'd shaved off his beard, and said he was moving to Sussex to record an album - heard nothing since.....has anybody??

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Llanfair
Date: 02 Jun 10 - 05:26 AM

I've had a lovely time reading this thread. I don't get much computer time these days. I was so sad to read of Pete Wilmot's death, as I used to go to the Old Hall in Altrincham and the Maltshovels.

MSG and Harry Boardman's club in the '60's I soaked it all up, and learned lots of songs to sing. I never mastered more than 4 chords on the guitar! I saw loads of the people mentioned in this thread, and met Bryn and Paul....hiya, Paul, how are you? and lots of others.

It was a very special time, and I've just remembered that i've got a few reel to reel tapes that were recorded at the Old Hall. I know Pete and Tony and Arthur are on there, Lord knows who else.

I was known as Bronwen Pugh in those days.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 01 Jun 10 - 08:40 AM

Annie seems to be associated with this club

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Peter STockport
Date: 31 May 10 - 07:54 PM

The Gateway
One of the last of the really great folk clubs in Manchester.
It was still running in the 90s. Flook, Brass Monkey,Albion Band to name a few . There's not many clubs of that stature- Annie would book new and old, I really miss Annie and the Gateway. We started the Midway to try and book some of those great acts!
Shes still running a club in Stoke of course!
peter

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 31 May 10 - 06:19 AM

They moved to Harrogate then to Stoke - i think that was where Annie started out

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: doncatterall
Date: 30 May 10 - 07:22 PM

"Annie & Terry Morris"

Best wishes to them wherever they be

Adlington MM danced at their wedding and I remember a 90 mph dash down the A34 to get there by some of us who had spent the previous night carousing at a ceilidh in Uppermill.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 30 May 10 - 06:01 AM

hi bill

I must remember you as you have moved around in the same circles as me.

I hvae known many of the names you mention for many years.
Some unfortunately no longer with us. (Pete Wilmot's recent sad passing was reported here a few weeks back.).

I used to go to the Maltshovels - my Uncle & Aunt were landlords there at one time.

My wife is a good friend of Ken Scott's wife and we had many happy times with them. I too played cricket for Hale Barns as a junior but I think that was before you and Bob Morton.

I was a member of Kersal Rugby Club when Pete Wilmot opened the Folk nights there.

I still see ken Greenhough around as he comes into Northwich sometimes.

He is still playing - I think he is now with a band called Calico Jack.

Fond memories indeed....

Best Wishes

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:32 AM

"the Gateway in Didsbury"

I saw The Albion Band there. It was run by Annie & Terry Morris. After they left The White Swan in Fallowfield she moved the club to The Lloyds in Chorlton then to The Gateway

L in C#

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Bill S from Melbourne
Date: 30 May 10 - 05:01 AM

Maybe start a list of pubs which didn't have a folk club. The Lord Nelson in Gorton used to have a session after Morris which somehow got into the MEN folk listing so we moved elsewhere. I seem to remember also a club at the Gateway in Didsbury.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 29 May 10 - 11:54 AM

I understand that Ken Scott is no longer with us - last saw him on the ferry between Hollyhead and DunLoghaire. I assume that most will know that Tony Hardman (T&A) was killed in a climbing accident back in the 80's. I've a feeling that there was more than one Bob Morton - which one are we talking about?

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Geoff Woodhead, Sydney, Australia
Date: 21 May 10 - 04:20 AM

Very remiss of me to forget (must be the age) our terrific fiddler, Martin Dutton who used to make the trek over the Pennines from his wonderful old house in Yorkshire to play with us as often as possible.
I was first introduced to folk clubs via the one at Kersal Rugby Club which then moved to the Wellgreen in Hale which really suited me as we lived round the corner in Briony Avenue - very strong memories of Tony & Arthur & Pete Wilmot - T&A used to sing Pete Coe's song "The Wizard of Alderley Edge" which is now very much part of our live shows.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Geoff Woodhead, Sydney Australia
Date: 21 May 10 - 04:12 AM

I was a member of The Union Folk for quite a few years. I knew Bob Morton through Hale Barns Cricket Club as we played there together - I played bass in another band then & when Edgar Thompson moved to run a pub in Wigan, Bob & Ken Greenhough invited me to join the Unions. We ran a club at The Durham Ox in Congleton, then at The Bulls Head in Hale Barns but the halcyon days were at The Malt Shovels in Alty, a pub run by the legendary Laurie Renton. So many great guests over the years including Christy Moore & Jimmy Faulkner, John James, John Kirkpatrick & Sue Harris - the list goes on but also a fantastic supportive & loyal audience & plenty of great floor singers. Some great characters in the band too, Bob & Ken of course but also the great Ken Scott & Frank O'Reilly plus Steve Naylor in later years
I have lived here since 1986 & didn't play for many years but am now a member of The Wheeze & Suck Band - five 50-something ex-Poms who should know better - check us out at www.wheezeandsuck.com .
I well remember Susie Stockton - hi Susie & anyone else out there that remembers me.
I was very close to Bob Morton & his death was very sad & a great shock but I had the great pleasure of catching up with him in June 2007 over a few jars at The Railway in Hale where there were reminiscences a-plenty.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 05 May 10 - 06:20 AM

Hi Ray

Thanks for the info. These days I do a lot of walking along the canals ....nice and flat for tired old legs....lol

haven't come across Ken but then again I wasn't aware that he was on a boat. I will ask around and try to surprise him.

cheers

MikeL

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 10 - 07:36 PM

bob morton is alive and,well...hmmm doing ok??

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 04 May 10 - 03:00 PM

Hi Mike
The last time I called in to see Ken he was having a day off but I ran into an old mate who had also called to see him so the journey wasn't wasted. So far as I know, he is still playing but he no longer lives in Alderley Edge - I think the place has been taken over by footballers! - someone told me he was living on a canal boat. I understand he plays with Jeoff Higinbottom - I've not seen Jeoff for years.
Ray

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 04 May 10 - 02:16 PM

Hi ray

Thanks for the information.

I have not seen Ken for many years. I once spent a rather drunken evening at his house in Alderley Edge. Is he still performing? I had heard that he was working in maintaining and making musical instruments so I am not surprised that he is at Hobgoblin..

I see Ged is trying to contact both Ken & Arthur.

many Thanks

MikeL2

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 10 - 02:08 PM

Many thanks for your help - I have now emailed Ken Thompson and Arthur Wakefield.

Ged