Sale Folk Club

In 2008 Sale Folk Club was newly founded in
The United Services Club, Southern Road,
Sale M33 6HQ at the invitation of the
Secretary Jim Clarke. Having had plenty of
experience running folk clubs, Don & Heather
Davies hit the ground running by recognising
the need for a WEEKLY ACOUSTIC FOLK
venue and choosing TUESDAY NIGHT in order
not to clash with other local clubs.

With many interested friends and contacts, it
was soon clear that such was the enthusiasm
only an 8.00pm start would meet the demand
and it was quickly apparent that people also
didn’t want to leave until at least 11.30pm
giving them plenty of the performance time
they craved.

From the beginning old friends Ed Bentham
and his wife Sue had a major role in running
the club and

Spotlight on Sale Folk Club
by Don Davies

Other hosts to immediately emerge were

Mick Hareand John Condy aka Pepper Street
with their rapidly burgeoning double act
continuing to develop with a mixture of their
own other well known songs.

Many regulars also add to the eclectic flavour of the
club starting with ever present Ged Darby who sings
and plays early American Blues.



Banjo John tends to go back even further for his
repertoire which also includes songs from Fats Waller
to George Formby and even further afield.

in addition they are regular hosts, Ed with his
songs, funny and serious, and Sue with her
clog dancing and bodhran playing.

One of the first through the door was Carl
Corbett who has been a stalwart and a
resident ever since.

He is also a major part of the support for
the top class guests in our Saturday Special
Concerts drawing from his huge repertoire
of songs his own included.

Resident Cockney Eric is a leading creative
talent and the one who keeps us in touch
with our newEuropean roots thanks to his
brilliant Jacques Brelinterpretations and
then blows our minds when he explores and
our European roots thanks to his brilliant
Jacques Brel interpretations and then blows
our minds when he performs his own a
cappella songs like I Do It For Me, Burberry
& Prada, Song for Older Lovers and Carruthers.

Other resident hosts are Stella & Richard
Sails who both have professional theatre in
their blood and in between a cappella singing
at the club Richard has appeared in plays and
musicals at the Garrick.

Every single week Isobel demonstrates her
mastery of this instrument with jigs, airs and
other dance tunes from all over the British Isles.

Every single week Isobel demonstrates her
mastery of this instrument with jigs, airs and
other dance tunes from all over the British Isles.

However, she soon came together with Kath
& Stan to form an enduring new combination.

Also gracing acoustic nights we get a
sprinkling of semi and full time professional
folk artists one of which is Colin Rudd
formerly of ROAM.

Another is the wonderful American
professional Zoe Mulford who comes along
in time honoured fashion to try out her
new songs on us and even use some of our
regulars on live CD tracks. Book her now!

In fact, as well as John Condy and Carl
Corbett, the almost ever present Bailey
Sisters joined Zoe in her concert at the
club and they also travel the country
giving concerts of their own with three part
harmony singing accompanied by guitar,
violin and recorders.

Old friend Robin Butler was also in at the
founding of the club bringing his own mix
of traditional Celtic,

And where would we have been without a
resident poet and Derrick has fitted the bill
admirably even having his wife Heather as
his own “Roadie” who not only is the
chauffeur but also collects, edits and
produces all his material. She is very
valuable asset to Derrick and to the club.


And finally Andy Darbyshire heard about us
after a few months and not only brought his
immense voice and spirited guitar playing he
also surprised us with his other talent for
photography taking many of the pictures in
this article.

SALE FOLK CLUB meets EVERY TUESDAY
NIGHT and MID-MONTH for SATURDAY
SPECIAL CONCERTS in THE UNITED
SERVICES CLUB, 30 SOUTHERN ROAD,
SALE M33 6HQ.
For information: see www.salefolkclub.co.uk or
contact info@salefolkclub.co.uk
or 0161 432 4317