A riotous start to the New Year! We had all the old favourites (including the jokes!!), and the lads were on top form.

Yes, that's Stuart Thompson on the left!

Click on the picture to see a larger image.

See their website for more details.

The restless Bentleys are, from left to right, Lee Creswell (tenor banjo, mandolin and whistle), Rachel Birtles (flute and English concertina), Nick Mitchell (lead vocal, guitar and octave mandola), and percussionist Mark Woolley (who also plays low whistle).

The driving rhythm of Mark's djembe soon had everyone's feet tapping, as we heard a great selection of mainly traditional songs and tunes which had been 'Bentleyfied' (their terminology!).

They normally play with amplification, but they thoughtfully decided to do our gig 'acoustic' - which was perhaps just as well - they were plenty loud enough without the electrics!! Rachel's rich flute combined with Lee's banjo really did justice to the Irish tunes they played, with Nick and Mark keeping a strict yet somehow offbeat rhythm holding it all together.

'Twere a good 'do'!!

This came as a complete surprise to Harry!!

We had all the usual mayhem and zany, topical humour that we have come to expect from Stanley! He even managed to come up with a few verses about the building work, and the Gents' Portaloos on the car park!!

See their website for more details.

See the write-up if you missed it!

These two are, perhaps, better known as members of other bands... Chris is a member of Strawhead, Feeling the Squeeze and Shake A Leg, Alison is a member of Bryony, and they are both in the Mrs. Ackroyd Band.

Tonight we celebrate the life of Brian Rathmill, almost a year after he died. This time last year he was celebrating his retirement with us, so we are taking this opportunity to celebrate his life once more. Cath doesn't want this to be a miserable occasion, so LET'S PARTY!!

This is Cath and Jay's first visit to the Open Door - and Cath has just experienced her first British winter! We'll see what she thought of it! See their website for more details.

What a great night - we even had a floor spot from Tanglefoot!! Cath and Jay were really on form, and finished the evening with Tanglefoot providing their backing vocals!

Karen's singing to Colin's accompaniment made them an instant hit last time they visited the Open Door (we were at the Bull's Head!). If you missed them, make sure you turn up this time! Click here for information about their CD.

Mark has been a few times to the Open Door singarounds, and was Harry's 'Surprise Birthday Present' earlier this year... but tonight he will be appearing in his own right, peddling his latest CDs (he gets them cheap off Chorley market!). Get your tickets early, because he's bringing a charabanc full of friends!! Mark is the Folk Northwest Webmaster, amongst his many other talents...

Kieran is a singer/songwriter who needs no introduction, and has visited the Open Door before... but if his reputation has eluded you, check on his website here.

Failsworth & Rochdale Canal Festival
in conjunction with Oldham Arts & Events
(website)
from Noon to 4:00pm
All performers get a free pint!
...oh, and musicians are welcome, too!!

Where?
The Bridge Inn
Oldham Road
Failsworth

Jed's website.

Dave has visited the Open Door before... why not visit his website?

This is Pete's first visit to the Open Door... why not visit his website and read all about him?