Longstanding local folk heritage trio, the Houghton Weavers perform a set of folk standard favourites from yesteryear.

AN ENTERTAINING PERFORMANCE

At a time when folk music is broadening it’s outlook with rockier, proggier styles creeping into the music there is still a place for traditional singalong brand of tunes at which The Houghton Weavers at are most adept at and famous. Arguably when they first started making moves in the mid 70s their outlook was as fresh and indeed rewarded by a popular TV series , the theme of which, Sit Thi Deawn, was played tonight.

To be honest there were few surprises amongst the setlist tonight but HW do what they do well and provide an entertaining performance to cheer everyone and for a while forget the miserable weather and the appalling global outlook.

Announcing themselves with the Way Of The Weavers song their confident stage persona shone through none more so than from Jim Berry who wasn’t phased by the comic banter from host Corrie that OHFC want to attract better quality bands!!

TRADITIONAL STANDARDS

It was like a throw back to folk club scenario of the 70’s when they played traditional standards like Poverty Knocks, with obligatory hand claps, Manchester Rambler (Ewan McColl’s free walking access protest song) and Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls. He also enlightened us that the Yorkshire word ‘guttle’ in Poverty Knocks means to eat. By the end of the first set HW had the appreciative audience guttling out of their hands !!!

Sandwiched in between, Simon Brady showed his adept skills on the mandolin with a celtic jig. These came to the fore again when Jim voiced his inspiration from hearing Bob Dylan’s groundbreaking album Freewheelin’. Their arrangement of Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright included another nifty mandolin solo, swiftly followed by a honky- tonk keyboard solo from Steve Millington. Sam also took front stage when homage was paid to another 70’s icon Tom Paxton with a smooth version of Lesson Too Late For The Learning.

AMUSING ANECDOTES

It was Jim though who took the main front man role interspersing the songs with anecdotes from his upbringing in Westhoughton . Some lines of local poetry were added with one in particular about an amusing dilemma of being stranded in Horwich. These recollection also included a bluesy Nobody Loves You When You’re From Daisy Hill. On a more serious note local planning decisions were bemoaned when recalling decisions to replace terraced housing with high flats which resulted in breaking communities but not our spirit! This rejected the decimation we currently have in our town centres showing that little changes!!

MEMORY LANE

More traditional standards followed in Dirty Old Town, Where Have All The Flowers Gone, In My Liverpool Home and Streets Of London to give everyone the opportunity for a sing a long and a trip down memory lane. It wouldn’t be surprising if many in the audience tonight, with a partner by their side, recalled their early courting days with a night out out at the local folk club.

Homage to a folk hero from much closer to home this time was made with a rendition of Mike Harding’s When The Martians Invaded Wigan. After another trip to a 70’s favourite from Lindisfarne, Meet Me On The Corner led to a rousing finale was made with the ever faithful table knocking or clapping (whatever was your fancy) Wild Rover.

They may be hanging on to their heritage but what’s not to like when these standards are presented with quality musicianship and solid tuneful singing. They did manage to squeeze in a pop 70’s favourite too so if you are like me and bemoan the state of how some inconsiderate people leave our glorious local countryside in…… Remember You’re A Womble!

Further treats are on the OHFC horizon with next month’s visit of Merry Hell and their lost songs and then in March a return of Cropredy compere AJ Clarke.

Houghton Weavers: Website

Over Hulton Folk Club: Website

At The Barrier: Facebook / Instagram / X