Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Guest (Arfur Brain)
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 12:27 PM

I have fond memories of Poynton Folk Centre in the early '70s. The McCalmans and The Johnstons were my first introductions to folk clubs as a schoolboy, and I have been involved ever since.
Then there was the Deanwater, a rather odd place in the function room of a posh hotel. Hotel guests could apparently get in free, and on one occasion I saw one (complete with fur coat!) come in and sit down next to (what she though was) the wall. The guests were Five Hand Reel, the "wall" was actually their bank of speakers, they opened their first number with a power chord on the electric guitar, and this woman jumped about three feet into the air. She only lasted another few minutes before she walked out, and missed a superb gig.
Years later, living in Hertfordshire, I went to see someone I had never (at the time)heard of, who was described as "The Stockport Fruitcake" - Geoff Higginbottom. At the interval we were talking about the Deanwater, when he stopped and said "You went to Stockport Grammar School, didn't you". I had to confess I did. To which came the reply "You were that ba***rd prefect who always kept me in!" Fame at last!!

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Bryn Pugh
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:33 AM

First one I ever went to was in the cellar (honestly !) of Old Moat Conservative Club, Wilmslow Road, Withington.

I remember the Golden Lion club well , having MCd there a few nights.

The Ring o' Bells, Middleton.

There was indeed a session (for want of better term) at the Altrincham Golf Club - if my memory serves me right (and there's no guarantee) it was fronted by Pete Wilmott OBE (Old Bald'Ead).

There was a "contemporary" club at the Lantern Wythenshawe, and another at the Shakespeare off Piccadilly.

Jim Carroll's Manchester Critics at some alehouse on High Street off Market Street. (Happy days)

The Manchester Ramblers in some "dive bar" again off Market Street - the Kearney brothers, Maurice Walsh and Maire McCana.

The Cheshire Folk, in Sale ?

The Pennine Folk, the Bush, Hyde, later at Hyde Football Club.

The Ash, off Manchester Road, Stockport.

The Navigation, Lancashire Hill, Stockport, where I first saw Martin Carthy live - October 9th 1966 - my "Sam Larner" moment.

The Navigation, Saturday - the Stockport Jug o' Punch club, which I ran with Roy Chamberlain and Dave Wilson.

The Two Brewers, Salford, with the North West Folk Four.

Heaton Moor Rugby Club.

Irish Sessions at the Ducie, behind the University Theatre, and at the Clarence, Rusholme, with Mise Ceol ; and then on to the Exiles of Eireann.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 10:28 AM

Their is currently a big hole in the middle of Manchester with no clubs and a surrounding ring of places where clubs still provide some excellent music - will it always stay that way?

L in C

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 09:35 AM

Hi

I heard Bob Morton died some years ago.....on the way home from the pub.

At the time I knew Bob he played with Ken Scott and Ken Greenhough and others.....Scottie too died some years back.

That's the sad thing about a thread like this..

But it brings back many great memories...Paul Graney.....great stalward of folk music

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:44 AM

it's more of an 'open mike' club with a couple of trad singers

Or three when I go along!

Working backwards, what's the genealogy of the current Sale FC? I was there on its opening night, and they had a raft of "regulars" already.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:36 AM

We have been running Swinton folk club for over 30 years - More than 25 of which has been at the White Lion. So, not the 40+ years as asked but certainly getting on that way:-)

DeG

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,John J
Date: 25 Jan 10 - 08:11 AM

The current Sale Folk Club (at the United Services Club) has no connection with the original club at the Railway, it's more of an 'open mike' club with a couple of trad singers. Good though. And good, cheap ale.

Not that I'd be swayed by good, cheap ale. Not me.

Sadly the old Railway, a wonderful Victorian building, was demolished when Robinsons decided they needed 'modern' pubs rather than pubs with character. The replacement building is a disgrace.

Ho hum.

JJ

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Paul Reade
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 07:51 PM

You can see the flier for Sale Folk club in the previous posting at http://www.gradelydesigns.co.uk/sale_folk.jpg

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Paul Reade
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:19 PM

Nice to hear the comments about Sale Folk Club at the Railway. I started the club there in 1971 and I've still got a copy of the flier for the first few weeks. We ran every Wednesday until 1976, when we had to move because Robinson's brewery wanted to tart up the pub. We moved to the Sale Hotel which had a very big upstairs room, but the atmosphere was completely different from the old Railway so we eventually packed it in. I noticed that a club has started up in Sale and intend to go some time.

There was also a Sunday night club at the Railway, run by Dave Mandel and Bob Wilson. It was previously at the Queens Hotel up the road but had to move. Dave Mandel was a real character - he played ukelele, finished one of his songs by standing on his head, and tried to persuade us once that he was in fact over 800 (yes eight hundred) years old!

In reply to MikeL2, the Pickering Arms in Thelwall was run by Maggie Goodall - another club I enjoyed. Nice that Thelwall is remembered for something apart from traffic jams on the M6!

I'm surprised there hasn't been more about the MSG, but it was the subject of an earlier thread: manchester sports guild folk club

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 05:12 PM

Guest jimb, say Hi to Mick Collins in the Hometowners when you see him.
I worked at Hawker Siddeley Aviation in Chadderton with both him and Jack Lee, donkeys years ago. Before he left to become a firefighter and Jack went to whatever they were called and I came to Canada.
I was talking about him with Lorraine (Tony Downes ex) when I stayed with them on Vancouver Island a couple of years ago.
I thought that was you Brian, we will see you in September we hope.
JohnB

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,pete wood
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 04:14 PM

Christmas 1961, the left wing coffee house, brazenose street on a Sunday afternoon. Ban the bomb stuff, I'd only just heard about folk music. Dont think I went there again, but I did find out about the Wayfarer's then at the Waggon and Horses. I went there every vacation from University at Sheffield util the end of 63. Epic times, with Harry, Terry Whelan, and Dave who the club bought the guitar for, lady Terry, Paul Graney, Frank banjo player, Tom Gilfellon then a student in Manchester, and many more. Later the MSG club, and especially the Bury club, but alas, I never lived in the area again. One thing to emphasise is the great encouragement I got at all these clubs, starting with Harry at the Wayfarers. Even gigs! Remembered with fondness.

Pete Wood

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Brian Peters
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 04:07 PM

GUEST above was me, for what it's worth.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 04:06 PM

I used to go to MSG, Poynton and the Ring O' Bells in the 1970s, also the Fisherman's at Hollingworth Lake as John B mentioned.

In the 1980s, I remember: the Unicorn (City centre), the White Swan (Fallowfield), Bury FC (then in a Thwaites pub that ended up getting a bit rough), the Star (Salford), The White Lion (Swinton - still going), the Malt Shovels (Altrincham), the Station (Ashton), Rose & Crown (Stalybridge), the Waggon (Milnrow - Jolly Jack's club), and the Cross Keys (Uppermill). Tony and Marge Hill from the Unicorn ran a club at the Star & Garter on Fairfield Street in town at one point, and there was a club for a time at the Eagle & Child in Whitefield run by a very nice couple whose names I'm afraid I can't remember. Up here in Glossop, Will Williams was running a club (Will's still around) which unfortunately is remembered mainly as the club from which Nic Jones was returning home when he suffered his road accident.

As for 'Where are they now?', Harry Boardman, Joe Kerins and Terry Whelan from the Unicorn's halcyon days have all passed on, although Lesley B is still around. I saw Steve Mayne recently, but he's not involved with folk music of any stripe. Mary Humphries, Mark Dowding, Chris Manners and me - from the 1980s new crop of residents - are all still singing. Not sure what happened to Bob Morton or Nic Dennerly.

Ken and Mags Whiting, who used to run the Ring O' Bells in Middleton, later ran Glossop / Mottram folk clubs with me and my wife, and are still our good friends.

Jean and Alan Seymour and Jean's sister Sheila - of Bury FC - have been spotted at the newish club at Bromley Cross, Bolton.

Jim Schofield, who used to run the Rose & Crown at Stalybridge with the Black Edds, is now in charge of Uppermill and the Station Buffet Bar folk club.

[For Mary Humphries]: Arthur Wakefield was half of Tony and Arthur, and still runs a club in Bollington.

Annie and Terry Morris, who ran the White Swan, are now involved with the Potteries folk club.

Ian Stewart, who was resident at Poynton in 1973 when I went to a folk club for the first time, and had a big part in turning me on to this stuff, is apparently dead, but his playing partner Ric Jones is living in France and playing jazz and blues. Ray and Robin, the other early 70s residents, are still involved in music, I believe.

I'm sure there were others...

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,jimb
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 02:09 PM

After the colin campbell the Oldham Tinkers moved to the Oldham Hotel in the late 60's /early seventies.there were lots of clubs around the area.The Nelson on Union Street remember seeing Harry Boardman there about 71/72.
Then there was the Bath Hotel also on union street run by Bob lees and others -remember seeing Tim laycock there.
The Sergeant-at- Arms on King Street ran a club for a long time although it probaly finished in the early 80's
I also recall the Railway at Hollinwood run by the Hometowners.The Hometowners are still gong strong and are in concert at the Playhouse 2 in Shaw next Friday 29th January

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 01:40 PM

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

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 12:37 PM

I frequented the Friday night folk club at the Noel Timpson Youth Centre in Cheetham Hill, run by Dave Davidson.
Went to a few that Mike Harding ran. The Old House at Home, an amazing little pub located right in the middle of ICI in Blakely, thanks to an ancient footpath. Ye Olde Golden Lion in Blakely Village. (maybe the Red Lion too for a while) and finally a pub whose name escapes me right opposite Heaton Park on Bury Old Rd.

Occasionally MSG when I could afford it.

Sometimes The Ring'O'Bells in Middleton.

Mostly (as we lived in Smithy Bridge within walking distance) the Fishermans at Hollingworth Lake which Jack and Mavis Lee ran on a Monday night, we still keep in touch with Jack and Mave.
They also ran another club which went mostly country music on either Kingsway or Queensway near Rochdale. (We left in England for Canada in 1977 so a lot of it is a bit misty)

Occasionaly the Poynton Folk Club, remember seeing Silly Wizard there if nothing else.

Bury Folk Club a couple of times, I think it was in a Cricket Club at that time.

My wife used to frequent the folk club at The Church Inn in Prestwich.

Somehow I think there was a couple more too, all of this was between 1966 and 1977.
JohnB.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 12:05 PM

The Unicorn?

L in C

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 11:54 AM

I remember a club in the Rochdale Cricket Club, I also attended one near Piccadilly, an upstairs room over a pub, but can't remember what it was called

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:46 AM

Hi

I just remembered another old haunt way back when??

The Pickering Arms at Thelwall - was run in those days by Maggie -

Some great times there..with many great folk musicians.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 10:39 AM

Hi

I should have said in my previous that Sale Folk Club is still going strong. The venue haS CHANGED. They are now at the United Services Club in Sale.

I believe their Club night is on Tuesdays and they have special guest nights on other dates.Sorry don't have the link with me...but you can Google it if you want to see what they are doing.

I was playing some years ago at the old Railway venue and Norman Prince was there - he had just left Auld Triangle - anyone remember them??? - and was looking to form another group. Of course all "Lanckies" will know that this became The Houghton Weavers.

Before this he came and helped me out a few times and I fixed him up with a few gigs when the Weavers first launched themselves.

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 08:00 AM

Bury folk club was run by alan and jean seymour and others,had many good gigs there.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 07:25 AM

Good nights at the Billy Goat top Mossley

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Phil Edwards
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 06:27 AM

Indeed, some of us had so little idea that we missed it altogether. (The marketing could have used some work. Jo announced it a couple of weeks before as a special night with no floorsingers and an entry fee of £3 instead of £1, thus removing at a stroke both of the things I liked about the club.)

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 24 Jan 10 - 05:06 AM

Hi Mary, I think Tony & Aurthur had something to do woth the Folk Club at or near the Golf Club in Altrincham. I think we went there around 1970. Tony died quite a while ago and I believe Authur still runs the Club in Bollington.

Tom Paley was a guest at Chorlton Folk Club about 4 years ago -played still lovely old songs with banjo acc. but also played soem Seedish fiddle tunes. I rather felt that most of the aidience had no idea just how priceless and indeed unique Tom and his music are.
Dave Bishop is still in brilliant voice and can be heard on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at The Beech on Beech Road Chorlton. If you are passing this way .................


L in C

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 07:11 PM

Some I do remember are The Wellgreen in Hale - Pete Wilmott and Cheshire Folk. So do I - I remember doing a gig there in the late 1960s.
Timperley.- Tony & Arthur - I thought they ran a club in Poynton, Cheshire? Is either of them still going?

Of course I remember the Unicorn - I was a resident there when Harry & Lesley Boardman ran it with Joe Kerrins, Mark Dowding, Nick Dennerley etc for many's the long year. I remember Tom Paley turning up there as the booked guest one night and instead of singing songs & playing his wonderful banjo he played Swedish fiddle. Not what we expected.
I also remember Peggy Seeger's gig - she was there to collect Ewan's postumous award from Salford University. Also Ian Rosselson, whose daughter had graduated from Manchester Uni and he did a gig at the club because he was in the city.
But I also remember an fantastic traditional song club near/in Stevenson's Square where Terry Whelan , Dave Hillary and many others of legendary fame sang. What was it called? I had the idea that it was called the Loving Ballad ( after Lord Bateman)...does anyone else remember it?
Mary

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 03:13 PM

hi

I forgot to mention the one at the Ashley Hotel in Hale.

Played there one night when the England cricket team were staying there. They were playing a test match at Old Trafford.

There were a number of the Test side in the audience and me and my mate were invited to join the England party upstairs at "throwing out time".

Don't really remember too much of what happened later !!!!!

I missed out the pubs and clubs on the other side of Altrincham that have run folk clubs over the yeras.

The Saracens head at Warburton. Most of the pubs in Lymm from time to time.

The Swan With Two Nicks - The Olde No 3.....I started my "career" there. The Kilton Inn.....that's going back some years !!!!

Memories.......

Mike

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: MikeL2
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:55 PM

Hi

There have been several folk clubs in and around Altrincham, but I don't remember any at the Golf Club itself. There has been regular music sessions at The Old Hall Hotel which was right in the driveway to the golf club. But I don't remember any folk music there.

Some I do remember are The Wellgreen in Hale - Pete Wilmott and Cheshire Folk.

The Malt Shovels - they had other music clubs as well - my Uncle and Aunt were landlords there many years ago.

The Garrick in Altrincham ran for several years.

Kersal Rugby Club in Altrincham and then in Timperley......Pete Wilmott - Tony & Arthur

Linotype Folk Club in Broadheath.

There was one in a club on George Street right opposite the Bricklayers Arms....don't know who ran it

I too remember Sale Folk Club.....oh I did go to a couple of folk nights at Sale Golf club....don't think it was a regular club though.

Anyone remember any others ??

cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: John J
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 02:31 PM

I don't know of a club at Altrincham Golf Club - I'll ask around.

Anyone remember the REAL Bury Folk Club, Saturday nights at the Old Blue Bell? There was a tie up with the Ring O'Bells in Middleton - you only had to be a member of one to have members status at both.

JJ

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 01:32 PM

Who remembers Sunday nights at the Sir Colin Campbell in Oldham run by the Oldham Tinkers.We were on the doorstep before they opened at 7 to ensure we got a seat.Must have been 1967/68 as we were all under age at the time.heard lots of great music that set me up for life

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 01:05 PM

I remember eric he used to play Anglo, it was ken and mags whiting.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 01:01 PM

I remember I club at a golf club in Altrincham - which one would that be?

L in C

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: John J
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 12:55 PM

Sale Folk Club at the (old) Railway, The Malt Shovels in Altrincham - excellent clubs - as was the Ring O'Bells in Middleton (already mentioned)run by Eric, Maggie and her hubby - whose name I've forgotten.

JJ

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 12:37 PM

oh and ashton under lyne folk club.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: The Sandman
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 12:36 PM

I played regularly at ring of bells middleton and star inn salford and once or twice possibly at unicorn folk club,plus swinton folk club.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 09:55 AM

Previous posting generated an error message so I'll try again:

I have pleasurable memories of seeing many of the folk 'greats' of the seventies, Planxty, McCalmans, Yetties, Blackpool Taverners, Jake Thackeray, Mike Harding, etc. at the Golden Lion in Withington, the Deanwater in Woodford and Poynton Folk Centre. These places were packed out so it was necessary to turn up and queue half an hour or so before opening time to get a good seat! How things have changed.

Subject: Folklore: Folk Clubs, Greater Manchester 1960-99
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 23 Jan 10 - 08:30 AM

Since other areas have generated much joy from such threads I thought we might see how much joy we can generate around here.

Like many people around here I am a Manc by adoption - migrant labour so to speak - not by birth.

I think the first Folk Club I attended was in Ashton on a Sunday night and it was run by Keith and Maggie, as was, Glazzard. That was around 71-2. But lots and lots of clubs had been going for donkeys's before that.

I went to the Millstone on, I think Thomas Street, to the Song Carriers around '73. We arrived here in '78 and promptly discovered Harry and Lesley Boardman's Club in Town and Gorton Morrismen. I joined Gorton and then things seem to get hungover and confused.

How many people who attended, sang at or ran clubs in the last 40 or 50 years are still doing so today?

L in C