Mark Dowding has been interested in folk music since his schooldays. A couple of years later, he found himself in Manchester and went along to Harry Boardman’s club at the legendary Unicorn hotel where he soon became a resident, He still plays Harry’s banjo. He has a deep interest in songs and tales of his beloved Lancashire. Mark has a warm friendly style of performance which soon wins an audience over. You’ll get plenty of opportunities to join in.

Lynne Heraud and Pat Turner, Two ladies with alot to sing about. You never quite know what to expect from a Lynne and Pat night, will they dress up, it stands a chance, will their songs make you laugh, definitely, but they might make you cry? Each one of them could easily carry the night on their own but together they are something very special. Lovely harmonies, audience participation and excellent accompaniment, a class act and a night not to miss.

Colin Pitt’s excellent songs have entered the folk canon and are sung up and down the country, but of course the best renditions are from the man himself. He has an easy singing style, playing either the guitar or banjo to accompany his songs. As an example of his writing prowess, I sat listening to somebody sing “The Nailers Row '' who had introduced it as traditional, so I told him quietly afterwards that it was written by Colin about the nail trade in his hometown of Evesham. Be prepared to join the chorus.

Lorraine Irwing and Sue Brown from Oxford are an early Christmas treat. They have built up quite a rapport with our audience and are greeted like old friends. Their choice of material is well suited to two part harmony and they are always on the lookout for slightly different versions of traditional material which they can mould to their liking. Ballads and tales from the British Isles with the odd sojourn to the Americas all served up with a smile. We have been waiting a long time for their return. Come and learn the choruses.