The Manchester Guitar Circle was founded in 1946 by Terry Usher (1909-69) and his pupil Jack Duarte (1919-2004), later known more formally as John W. Duarte.
The precise launch date is unknown, but a report in BMG magazine (October 1946) establishes that the MGC was active by that time.
Clues contained in the report suggest the inaugural meeting probably took place in May 1946.
The picture above shows an early MGC gathering.
In the foreground are our two founders, Jack Duarte playing and Terry Usher observing.
Standing on the right of the picture is Joseph Riding (also spelled ‘Ridinge’), who went on to become Secretary, Chairman and eventually Hon. President of the MGC.
The full story of the MGC up to its 70th anniversary in 2016 is told in the book Seven Decades of Classical Guitar in Manchester by Paul Fowles.
For information on how to order a copy, please use the MGC Book tab.