A pub with 'bags of character and characters' has spruced up and dusted itself off to bring a folk music 'resurgence' to Oldham town centre.
The Royal Oak pub was once a popular venue for Oldhamers to come and enjoy folk music in its heyday - and was even a hotspot for the original fathers of folk in the town, The Oldham Tinkers, to perform.
However, Hannah Wood, who has been injecting life back into the Union Street pub through her decorating business, Primer Donnas, said the place had been struggling in recent years what with it being a bit "old school", "off the beaten track" and "forgotten".
Hannah explained: "It's a bit shabby but has bags of character and characters.
“It’s a pub that would have a very different existence if it were just somewhere else – it’s a victim to its own location."
After speaking to the landlord, David Sweeney, 70, who has run the pub for more than a decade, Hannah said she felt compelled to give the place a makeover - and then she learnt it used to host folk nights many decades ago that were popular with Oldhamers.
After sprucing the place up, Hannah set about kick-starting its famous folk nights again and initially turned to friends and family to get the ball rolling.
The first night in October saw a banjo and guitar player, Mike Phillips, perform and soon folk enthusiasts such as Harry Basnett, a singer and guitarist, caught wind of the night.
From there, Hannah said word quickly spread and the pub now regularly hosts folk music nights which include local legends and Oldham's best-kept folk secrets from a guitar and fiddle player, Dave O'Dea, to Trish, who volunteers in the choir and Phil, a man from Failsworth who plays the accordion.
The Royal Oak recently had Stuart Thompson, a 77-year-old blind accordion and banjo player, perform at the pub too.
'Folk at the Oak' takes place from 4.30pm until 8pm every Wednesday - and now the pub is appealing for more to get involved.
Hannah added: "The sessions are in the snug of the pub which has a proper open fire and is so warm and cosy.
"We'd really like to see some younger players come along.
"I'm hoping folk will have a new lease of life.
"Oldham and Lancashire used to have a great tradition of folk music and folk nights.
"Folk has always been a way of vocalising stories about what's happening in society - maybe it's time for a resurgence."
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