PROVIDING a platform for performers.

That's the thriving Bury Songwriters' Circle which is expanding to bring audiences a greater variety in terms of style, content and people.

The circle meets at Walshaw Sports Club in Sycamore Road, Tottington, every second Wednesday and is proving particularly popular.

Founder member Ian Reynolds-Young from Tottington said: "It’s only a few months since we kicked off Bury Songwriters’ Circle. To be honest, we’ve been making it up as we go along.

"At first it was me, Gerry O’Gorman and Stuart Warburton. Next, Paul Cunningham and Desi Friel joined us. From that foundation, it was all about expanding the circle." Others followed and today, the circle can boast 12 people.

Ian added: "We’ve been asking for audience feedback since day one and because we’ve been listening, the Bury Songwriters’ Circle format is changing. From here on in, it’ll no longer be the ‘Ian, Gerry and Stu show.' To date, it’s been the same old three of us joined by a guest. Not any more."

Commenting on the alteration to the format to bring greater variety, he continued: "We hope these changes will meet with the approval of local people.

"Audience feedback is vitally important to us and by a mixture of their input, good luck and good judgment, we’ve hit upon a formula that is popular with both songwriters and our audience. Our mission going forward is to keep on improving every aspect of our event."

At Bury Songwriters' Circle, singers perform in a "round" format and those lined up to take part in future performances are a number of well-known songwriters from around the area and beyond. These include Bill Adair, Toni Baker, Tokyo Rosenthal and Stanley Accrington. The next meeting of the circle will be at Walshaw Sports Club on Wednesday, August 26 at 9pm. Cost is £2.50p.

For more information, visit the Bury Songwriters’ Circle page on Facebook.