Richard Clay: Richard came to Leeds, from Holbeach in Lincolnshire, in 1967 to study engineering. Originally a classical violinist he took up the mandolin (he plays an Oakwood mandolin), and then the guitar, and played in several folk, jazz and rock bands in the 1960s and 70s (notably “Nonesuch”, "The New Metronome All Stars", and "Bop City") collaborating closely firstly with singer/guitarist Pete McGuffin and later with keyboard player Andy Macgill. A highlight of this earlier musical career was when in 1968 “Nonesuch” supported the group Sallyangie which included the 15 year old Mike Oldfield.

The music declined as family and career took up more time, though he did continue many musical activities in his job as a teacher, including running jazz bands (the jazz pianist Robin Aspland started his career in one of Richard's school bands), writing two musicals, playing double bass, french horn, and saxophone in bands and orchestras, and singing in (and composing for) the Leeds Teachers' Choir. 

He started playing for his own enjoyment again a few years ago. He formed the band "Rattlebag" with Simon Kilner and Pete 'Peanut' Turner, and they were later joined by, amongst others, James Whelan and Beth Harris. When Rattlebag stopped performing he formed the trio "Mulberry Blue" with Beth and James, and that enjoyed great success around the Yorkshire area during 2006/2007. When Beth left Mulberry Blue, Richard and James continued as a duo under the name "Mixing up the Medicine" performing blues, bluegrass, and their own original songs. Richard also collaborates with other musicans on the Yorkshire folk/acoustic scene: he has performed in a duo with Nick Hall of the Hall Brothers, and is now also gigging with Barry Smith and Dave Allen, the Allensmith. Richard is currently reforming Mulberry Blue as a five piece rock band with Beth Harris as lead singer.

In 2006 Richard retired from a thirty year career as a physics teacher and head of a high school science department, and now works in the publications team of the Stockholm Environment Institute (based at York University). He is married with three grown up children and has recently moved to York.