Houghton Weavers 50th Anniversary

Houghton Weavers will be returning to Warrington for a very special show this Christmas.

The much loved folk stalwarts will be taking to the stage to celebrate an incredible 50 years as a band.

Their annual winter tour brings them to Winmarleigh House in the town’s Cultural Quarter on Friday, 12 December, where they will be marking the occasion among friends and supporters.

Multi-instrumentalist Steve Millington, who has been with the Houghton Weavers for around 30 years, said: “It’s incredible to think we’ve reached that milestone because what we do is very simple really. Our motto is ‘Keep Folk Smiling’. We’re just entertainers. We don’t try to be musical geniuses.”

Simplicity has perhaps been the key – with the Weavers consistently offering a form of escapism for fans through decades of humorous and warm-hearted shows.

Steve added: “We live in a world of troubles and strife and demands, and it gives people a little break from it all. We have simple, singalong songs sprinkled with a little comedy. We put smiles on people’s faces and that’s it really.”

It’s a formula that has always kept the Weavers in good stead. Over half a century, the band has recorded more than 30 albums, 23 of which have been arranged and produced by Steve himself.

In recent years, they have been just as busy – with appearing as one of the headline acts at The Great British Folk Festival and their single, Wild Mountain Thyme, being chosen for the soundtrack of the upcoming film, Between Weathers, among their highlights.

Former Lymm High School student Steve, who grew up in Thelwall, said: “I’m still often overwhelmed when we step out in front of a full house. That’s all we can ask for, and we’re so appreciative of the lovely audiences.

“I’m particularly looking forward to the Winmarleigh House show as I was born and bred in Warrington and the town means so much to me.

“I’ve been in lots of Warrington groups. I went all over the world with a band called Poacher and there’s such a vibrant hub of music here. It’s a great place for bands to start off with lots of local support.”

But – as for the Houghton Weavers – Steve was originally only supposed to help the band out as a stand-in during a Christmas tour in the mid-90s.

“I never left,” added Steve, who also works with the likes of Universal composing music for TV and film.

“I jumped at the chance because the guys were so nice. I’ve had many years with the Weavers and it fitted around my other work writing music in my studio.

One thing that will make the 50th anniversary shows bittersweet though is that their original frontman cannot be with them.

Steve said: “We lost our dear Tony Berry in 2019. He was legendary with the Houghton Weavers as a vocalist.

“Tony wanted the legacy to go on and we’re grateful that his brother Jim has now joined the band in his memory. Every time we go on stage, it’s like Tony’s there with us in spirit as we still use his template for how a great concert should be.

“He was known for his raucous Lancashire style and he was a wonderful man besides all that. He was very kind. We all miss him greatly.”

The Houghton Weavers’ 50th anniversary Christmas show is at Winmarleigh House in Winmarleigh Street on Friday, 12 December. Visit parrhall.culturewarrington.org/whats-on/the-houghton-weavers or call Box Office on 01925 442345.