The world’s longest-running and surviving folk club is planning a tribute night to its founder who died last year aged 88.

Alex Eaton, formerly of Saltaire, started up the Topic Club in Bradford in 1956 at the height of the Cold War as an opportunity for like-minded youths to get together, talk politics and sing.

And on Thursday, November 1, from 8.15pm, friends, musicians and family will gather to remember him in the most fitting way possible.

Mr Eaton’s wife Louise, whose Day of Dance events in Saltaire have raised thousands of pounds for Oxfam and CND over the years, will be there as well as one of his son’s, Felix, who has been a regular face at the club’s singers nights before.

MC for the evening, Karl Dallas, has been sending round a list of some of the songs Alex used to sing at the club and organisers are hoping they will be included by regular singers and musicians on the night.

The Topic Folk Club, now in its 12th venue, continues to meet on Thursday nights at the Irish Club in Rebecca Street and according to its records has only ever closed on about 40 club nights – usually Christmas and New Year – in its 55-year history.

Over that time there have been more than 2,500 club nights and as well as the paid guest acts, hundreds of other people have appeared on the Topic stage – paid guests, semi-professional support acts, visiting club exchanges, and local singers and musicians.

Well-known visitors over the years include Peggy Seeger and Ewan MacColl, Vin Garbutt, Dave Swarbrick, Martin Carthy, Maddy Prior, Gerry Rafferty, The Watersons, Mike Harding, Dick Gaughan and Kate Rusby and there is also evidence a very young Bob Dylan might have made a floor-spot appearance once.

The club is Mr Eaton’s legacy, according to Topic Club archivist Tony Charnock.

Mr Eaton left five children, 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mr Charnock said: “Alex was not in good health in the last few years and had to live abroad for some of the time where the climate was better so wasn’t able to attend the club latterly.

“Many of his contemporaries are gone now, but we are hoping that people who knew him well will be coming. We are trying to make it as special as possible and are hoping there will be a good turnout so it can be a fitting tribute to a man to whom the club owes so much.”