Archived Reviews

35 years ago the first Tuesday in September 1972 saw the first night of Cramlington Folk Club. The club has seen many changes - some not so good but, on the whole, mostly for the better.

The running of tonight's 35th Anniversary was in the capable hands of one of the newer residents, Geoff Pickard. Geoff started off by giving a short history of the folk club before giving us a couple songs in his own laid back manner (the only time he appeared laid back after that was at the end of the night). Early in the night it looked quite thin on the ground with not too many performers so after Geoff’s two every one got three, but there were a number of latecomers and by half time it was clear that some action was needed. So, taking the bull by the horns, Geoff reorganised the rest of the night so some performers got three songs some two and some one.

The night was the usual Cramlington mix and all of a high standard with the Cramlington Choir in full flight from the very first to last song of the night. Geoff had researched all about the performers and his intros were spot on.

The performers on the night who gave such first class entertainment were (in no particular order) Allan Savage, Davy Page & John Richardson, Jimmy & Carol Powells, Jim Wigfield, John Gibson, Ken Cross, Mike Hughes, Paul Allen, Jerry Tapscott, John Redpath, Mike Jessop [aka no 3], Terry Fletcher and, of course, Geoff. Special mention must be made of Mike Jessop’s shorts straight from the set of “Sound of Music” (remember the curtains?). Also I’d like to mention the fact Terry Fletcher got three to end the night after some did only one or two in the second half. If I had done that I would most likely be accused of favouritism!

Thanks once more to Mr Pickard who at the end of the night was heard to mutter... "I wouldn’t have this job for all the whisky in Scotland" or words to that effect.

Keith Taylor