A folk club first launched more than 45 years ago is planning another reunion gig.

Following the successes of The Pennyfarthing Folk Club’s two previous reunions, the club has organised a follow-up taking place at 7.45pm on Saturday, November 9.

The venue will be Rake Hall, Little Stanney, the former ‘home’ of the Hungry Horse folk club.

The evening will be jointly hosted by Pennyfarthing founders Les Jones and Russ Dumbill along with Andy Chrimes.

For this occasion, Les, who now lives in Manchester where he is active on the local folk scene, will be accompanied by members of his ‘ubiquitous’ Beech Band. To quote Les ‘much fun will be had’!

A host of local talent, many of whom cut their teeth at the Pennyfarthing back in the 60s, will be performing on the night, not least of these will be Fiddlestone, a five piece band which performs both traditional and contemporary music with a Celtic flavour.

John Finnan, of Chester fame, whose club The Black Diamonds was considered by many to be one of the best in the North West, now performs in a talented trio along with Pennyfarthing’s own Andy Chrimes and Frank Welcomme, who Russ believes many will remember as one of ‘The Kinfolk’ at The Good Intent folk club.

Liverpool shantyman, Bernie Davies will add a nautical touch, while singer songwriter John Harper will make the trip down from Cumbria to appear.

A variety of supporting acts will complete the bill.

Each act will perform three or four songs ensuring a full and varied evening’s entertainment expected to go on until midnight.

All the performers will be appearing free of charge and a collection will be made on the night for a donation to a local good cause.

Advance tickets are not necessary but can be reserved by contacting Russ on 0151 339 6604.

The Penny Farthing began in 1967 when the group formed in order to sing in every pub and club in Ellesmere Port to raise money for the Biafra appeal.

At that time their base was The Old Black Lion Inn in Little Sutton.

In 1969, they moved to The Travellers Rest in Ledsham Road where they founded the Folk Song Club.

In 1971, the club moved to The Westminster in Ellesmere Port, then finally to The Grosvenor in Dock Street.

By the time it closed in 1973 it had more than 2,000 members and had presented some of the biggest names in folk music, including Barbara Dickson, Ralph McTell, Jasper Carrott, Johnnie Silvo and many more including playwright, Willie Russell, who was a regular attender.

It also ran a football team which played in the Sunday Senior League Division One, as well as challenging other folk club teams.

Most importantly, the club was a stepping stone for local musical talent many of whom are now semi-professional and will be appearing free of charge at the gig.