South West Manchester Cricket Club

Ellesmere Road North Chorlton Manchester Lancashire M21 0SG In autumn 2002, posters began to appear around Chorlton-cum-Hardy in SW Manchester announcing the launch of a new music night – Chorlton Folk Club, to be run by Jozeph Roberts. Semi-retired folkies stirred their bones and turned up at SW Manchester Cricket Club’s upstairs room for the opening night in October. What we found was a proper folk club – no amplification, an ethos that allowed anyone brave enough to get up on stage and an enthusiastic host in Jozeph. Jozeph has been on the Manchester music scene for decades, including being in the band The Out. But it wasn’t just “folk”. Yes, there was some traditional, some unaccompanied, but lots of acoustic blues and rock, and, increasingly, singer-songwriters – even young ones. It doesn’t start until 9.30 – a bit late for some – and Jozeph the night owl would like it to last into the early hours, but the “liberalization” of the licensing did for that and we try to finish at 11.30 now. There’s no bar upstairs to disturb the music – you have to go downstairs. Hyde’s bitter at £1.70. We’ve had various helpers over the years: copland as deputy if Jozeph’s away, Nick on the door. Most nights are singers’ nights (£1) but, knowing so many musicians, Jozeph invited them to provide occasional guest nights (£2). Guests include: Tom Paley (who once played in Woody Guthrie’s band), Virginia Barrett (Chester), Gabriel Minnikin (Nova Scotia), Donal O’Connor (Co Roscommon), Stanley Accrington, Gus Glynn, John Kelly (only sings songs from 1700-1725), The Baker and The Butler (John and Pete respectively), Jeff Warner (Bristol), Mark Greer and Clive Mellor (sometimes with other members of The Lonesome and Penniless Cowboys, playing Americana), Dominic Collins (Ancoats) and Ann English (Dukinfield). We’ve played on th various folk trains on the Hope Valley line – to Hathersage, New Mills and Whaley Bridge. There have been theme nights: 3 Dylan nights, a Canadian night, Beatles, FIVE, TWELVE, Sun, when songs are supposed to reflect the evening’s theme. We’ve been included in Chorlton Arts Festival, Chorlton Book Festival and the NotPartOf.. festival. The club has got busier during its 7 years, peaking at well over 100 for 2 of our festival Dylan nights. Most weeks now, there are so many players that everyone gets to play only one song – maybe a couple for whoever finishes the night. And the standard has got higher and higher. And the beer’s cheap. And it’s fun.