What looked to be a quiet night turned out to be a full and very varied event. Many people were away – Keith and Audrey still in the States, Allan and Joan on holiday, and the regular reviewers, Jimmy and Val, were also away.

Dave led the night, and John Richardson was on sound desk – and they also started off the night, with a Beatles number 'I Will' (dedicated to Jane), followed by 'Country Girl In Paris', and ending with Kieran Halpin’s 'Solo'.

Mike gave us 'The Banks Of The Ohio', followed by Jack Elliot’s old favourite 'Little Chance'. He was then joined by Ken, Jane and Dave, for some lovely harmonies in 'Pleasant and Delightful'. All three of these had the Cramlington Choir going.

John Baston followed with a Chet Atkins instrumental ''Windy And Warm', then with Bert Jansch’s 'Kingfisher' – as ever, wonderful guitar work.

Ken gave us 'Carrickfergus' with wonderful accompaniment. Then he gave us a Welsh lesson, with 'Arlan y mor', with a fair number of the club having a go at the Welsh chorus! He then ended with McTell’s 'Streets of London'.

Terry Fletcher started with Pete Scott’s cheerful (!) reflection on love – 'Love Is Something You Get Conned Into', and then in response to a request from the floor he did 'Grapevine'. But it was his last song which had the strongest impact, and he put everything into it – Louden Wainwright’s 'The Man Who Couldn’t Cry.'

Next we were treated to some stories of local celebrities by Mike and Colin, known as 'Hot Ashphalt'. These visitors started with Johnny Handle’s 'Jack Crawford'. Then followed 'The Ballad Of Isaac Holden', after which 'Isaac’s Tea Trail Way' is named. They ended with 'The Story Of James Griffiths,' a chilling tale of the smiling ladies of the white feather era.

Another first timer at the club, Michael Woods from Gosforth, dazzled us with his guitar work – starting with Blind Boy Fuller’s 'Boots And Shoes.' He then gave us a rag by Arthur Blake – 'Blake’s Breakdown', and ended with John Renbourne’s 'I Know You.' We hope that he and Hot Ashphalt will be back before too long.

Jim is well known for his quirky songs, but his first one 'I Never Will Marry' was not from his own compositions. However, he surpassed himself with his own song 'Wet Dreams.' [The review on this one is censored.]

John Redpath gave us a great Michael Chapman song 'Among The Trees', and ended with a brilliant instrumental 'Kodak Ghosts'.

Jimmy and Carol gave us a couple of great ones, despite Jimmy being loaded with cold – Nanci Griffiths’ 'Lone Star State Of Mind' and 'Bowling Green.'

Esther then very generously waived her slot in favour of a full-stage finish – 'Katie Daley', Dylan’s 'Easy Chair,' and ending with 'Meet Me On The Corner.' For this finale, there were 8 guitars on the go, 1 mandolin, 1 harmonica, 1 double bass, and of course the Cramlington choir, who lifted the roof off.

A great and varied night, made extra good by the standard of the visitors, so thank you everyone!