I remember playing there several times in the 60s - it was run by a bloke called 'Jenks' I think - can't remember what that was short for. He had a bit of a reputation for being 'difficult'. If you turned up after the contracted time (even if you weren't due on stage until later), he would dock your pay. IT was always a good night though, packed out - but then most clubs were in those days. I think the bloke Giok was referring to was Ralph Smith, who used to run a chain of folk clubs in Lancashire. Amazing as it may seem nowadays, he did it as a business, and made a handsome living at it.
|