That was me last year. Huge light pollution and low cloud when I looked out the window all I could see was dog 5hi t.
I saw them at Newcastle City Hall when I was a student (so between 1974 and 1978). Edit, just did a search and it was 15th March 1975. 2nd edit, I had a massive crush on Annie Haslem, oh and Sonja Christina of Curved Air.
Clearly visible in Donny. Well, Scawthorpe anyway. Purples and greens. Not as vivid as we got it last time but still spectacular enough. People pay thousands to go to Iceland and see less.