Happy New Year To Everyone!
Sunday January 3rd Singers Night
Sunday January 17th – Chris and Wendy Moreton
Chris & Wendy Moreton have been playing/performing their inimitable style of acoustic folk old time country music together since before getting married in 2011.
Wendy took to playing the old ‘bull fiddle’ (double bass) around 2009. Chris had his first guitar when he was 8 years old, so now has been playing for 62 years. Keen on bluegrass music, he also took up the banjo in his teens. He has won several awards for his musical performances including 1st place professional bluegrass banjo at the annual Santa Fe (New Mexico) Fiddle & Banjo Festival in 1983 and Acoustic Guitarist of the Year in 1996.
Chris and Wendy are looking forward to meeting y’all in January 2027 when, as guests of the legendary Forest of Dean Folk Club, we’ll play and sing for you!
www.chrismoretonmusic.com
Sunday 7th February -Around About Dusk
Around About Dusk blends New Orleans jazz, European folk, roots and blues influences into a captivating sound. Their music weaves enchanting melodies and harmonies that tell stories of wonder, nature, humanity and heartache. With harmonies, macabre humour and familiar folklore tales, they conjure the romance of old cafés, the spirit of New Orleans porches, and the intimacy of campfire
songs.
With performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Cambridge Folk Festival, Bristol Folk Festival, and Secret Garden Party, as well as European tours, Bristol (UK) based Around About Dusk brings
charm, authenticity, and a distinctive presence to every stage.
Their work has featured on BBC Radio 6 Music and been highlighted as a Fresh Fave on Fresh on the Net. At their core a five-piece ensemble, their debut album—an ambitious project supported by Help Musicians—
features wide scale collaborations with acclaimed guest musicians and vocalists.
www.rachellawrencemusic.co.uk/aroundaboutdusk/
Sunday 21st February – Singers Night
Sunday 7th March – Singers Night
Sunday 21st March – Mike Silver with Julie Boreham
The combination of their singing produces that rare delight: the sound when two voices generate harmonics and somehow you think, in those moments, that the two have become three. Their obvious respect and appreciation of each other combines to draw their audiences in.
In recent years, Mike and Julie (they were married in 1999) have been performing more and more together, to the extent that they are now nearing completion of an album together:“COMING HOME”
Julie has listened to music and enjoyed singing all her life. Her natural connection with it was pivotal in making the transition of joining Mike in the studio to work and record together seamless. It was a new world for her and she embraced it completely with all
her enthusiasm and energy. They will be touring this new album in 2026.
COMING HOME comprises 15 tracks including nine of Mike’s original compositions, one of which is a co-write with Midlands based songwriter John Richards. Mike’s trademark skilfully written melodies and lyrics, carried by sensitive and melodic guitar playing, are ever present.
Alongside these are arrangements of six covers, a mix of contemporary and traditional works. Julie features as lead vocalist on a number of the tracks and she joins Mike in harmonies and background arrangements..
An evening with Julie and Mike is not to be missed. They look forward very much to sharing their music, and their love of it, with you.
www.mikesilver.co.uk
Sunday 4th April – Singers Night
Sunday 18th April – Close Quarters
Steve & Sandra Harrison with Jen Wilson sing acapella, a varied repertoire including traditional, music hall, maritime & contemporary songs. Steve has some of his self penned songs in the repertoire too. Some of his songs have been recorded by others
in the folk world, such as Graeme Knights.
Now hailing from the Kendal area, Steve & Sandra were previously based in Lancashire and sang with the quartet Quartz recording several albums from the late 1980’s to the early 2000’s. Jen was born on Teesside and an early influence was Vin Garbutt.
Upton upon Severn, Chester, Edgworth and Whitby were recent festival appearances and folk club appearances include Bacca Pipes, Silverdale folk club, Southport’s Bothy, the Black Diamond, Ellesmere Port.
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Sunday 2nd May – Singers Night
Sunday 16th May – Bob Fox
For almost 50 years BOB FOX has been regarded as one of “the iconic voices” of British folk song. HIs career began during the vibrant “folk revival” of the 60s and 70s and he has become one of the most highly rated and best loved singer/guitarists both in the
UK and beyond.
Masterful interpretation of traditional and contemporary song combined with an outstanding guitar technique has earned him countless nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards over the
years.
Bob played the role of Songman for over 4 years in The National Theatre’s West End production of WarHorse and in two subsequent touring versions.
He can also be heard singing extensively with John Tams and Barry Coope on the new Radio Ballads commissioned by the BBC, has completed several sell out UK tours as one of the Pitmen Poets and most recently has joined HOME SERVICE as lead singer.
Don’t miss the chance to see and hear one of our finest exponents of story telling through song, expect to hear of love, joy, work and humour all accompanied by a wonderful guitar style that can both drive or embellish his supreme singing.
www.bobfoxmusic.com
Sunday 6th June – Folk On
Something’s stirring in the village of Little Dribblepatch!
Derek Tinkleberry (vocals, stomp box, tambourine) Donald Cornfoot (mandolin, whistle, didgeridoo, trumpet, harmonies) and Edmund Sidebottam (guitar, banjo, harmonies), otherwise known as Folk On
– are arguably the finest comedy folk band to ever come out of the village of Little Dribblepatch!
Folk On write and play folk songs of unity and belonging, of solving conflicts and unyielding happiness – with the occasional tune about
hopeless love lives, dead horses or Morris dancers. Like a brand new pair of slippers, there is something exciting yet entirely familiar about their music and stories. Folk On’s sound is honest and pure, with tight rural harmonies and melodies as sweet as village fete
jam. Their songs and tales of rural life always bring a smile to the face, a laugh- filled tear to the eye and a desire to join in with a good old-fashioned village sing- along.
www.folkon.co.uk
Sunday 20th June – Singers Night
Sunday 4th July – Pete Morton
Pete Morton is a singer and entertainer who is often referred to as an old time troubadour. He delivers an unruly freewheeling mix of storytelling, comedy and song that weaves it’s way around the folk tradition. Originally from Leicester, England, Pete discovered the acoustic music scene at 16, and has been on the never-ending tour internationally ever since. With his powerful, euphonious voice, storytelling and compelling stage presence he continues his merry
niche, singing songs and entertaining with a fun loving and approachable style. Pete is well known for his songwriting skills and has recorded a wealth of material over the years. His most famous
song ‘Another Train’ has been performed and recorded by various artists. His current show ‘The Ghost of a Sailor’s talking blues’ is a joyful ramble through time (not necessarily in the right order), in
the style of the talking blues, as well as unleashing popular singalong chorus from the last 400 years.
www.petemorton.com
Sunday 18th July Singers Night
Sunday 1st August TBC
Sunday 15th August TBC
Sunday 5th September- We Mavericks
This Australian duo are Victoria Vigenser and Lindsay Martin.
Vic plays driving guitar and takes most of the vocal leads with a voice that’s strong and raunchy, or sweet and tender when it needs to be. Lindsey plays virtuoso mandolin and fiddle, sings mostly harmonies with a voice that’s soft and true. The instruments are
joyous. Vic’s guitar holds the driving rhythm while Lindsay’s fiddle and mandolin soar in and out, dazzling, sweet, or intricate. Some of those notes trip by so fast you can hardly take them in, but it’s not
show for show’s sake. It all part of their well-crafted arrangements.
Dynamic is really the word for this duo. Their energetic arrangements soar with full-throated abandon and then pull back with a restrained delicacy that lets the song shine through. And the songs matter. Songs shaded from dark to light through the
emotional spectrum, written individually or together. Thrown into the mix is the occasional traditional song, beautifully arranged in their own style.
Masters in the art of connection, We Mavericks, interweave soaring vocals, effortless strings and driving rhythms into dynamic originals with roots firmly in folk. With rave reviews across the UK, Europe, Australia and NZ it’s no wonder they have become international festival favourites. Vid’s meaningful songs combine beautifully with
Lindsay’s otherworldly ability to pull a hundred emotions from a set of strings. Expect laughter, tears, and soul-stirring songs with a worldly appeal.
“Simply wow!” Die Rheinpfalz, DE
“…an impressive dynamic” Sounds of South, DE
“…an undoubted masterclass in music delivery and
songwriting” Fatea Magazine, UK
www.wemavericks.com.au
Sunday 19th September – Singers Night
Sunday 3rd October – Patakas
Exceptionally accomplished brothers Joe and Will Sartin, performing as Patakas (pronounced pa : ta : kus), are a refined and dynamic acoustic duo continuing to make a strong impression on the folk
scene. With Joe’s rich, expressive voice and masterful guitar work, alongside Will’s agile and intricate mandolin playing, the brothers demonstrate a deepening musical maturity and confidence. Rooted
in a strong family tradition, their sound has evolved to blend intricate rhythms, nuanced arrangements, and inventive harmonies.
Drawing on both traditional material and their own growing catalogue of original songs and tunes, Patakas deliver performances that are deeply authentic, timeless, and grounded in the folk
tradition.
WILL SARTIN – Mandolin, vocals
Alongside his other pursuits, Will also finds time to dance with Five Rivers Morris and is an active member of the folk scene in Sheffield and beyond. For many years, he was part of the lively and well known five-piece festival ceilidh band, Out of Hand, performing at many of the major folk festivals across the UK. This experience shapes the selection and energetic drive of the tunes that Patakas arranges for their performances.
JOE SARTIN – Vocals, guitar
In addition to his traditional folk repertoire, with both Patakas and the trio Renard, and penning original songs, Joe manages and performs with rock band, Mojo & The Royal Restitution. He composes music across multiple genres and is currently working on
compositions for the video game market, other musical collaborations and projects in folk, jazz and rock; influences which contribute to the unique musical identity of Patakas.
www.wildgoose.co.uk
Sunday 17th October – Singers Night
Sunday 7th November – Sian and Rob Colquhoun
Sian & Rob Colquhoun are a South West-based Americana and roots duo blending original songwriting with the musical traditions of
Appalachia and the British Isles. Known for close vocal harmonies and energetic live performances, they combine fiery flat-picked guitar, hypnotic old-time banjo and a flourish of percussive flat-foot
dancing. Purbeck Rising finalists in 2025, they have quickly established themselves on the UK folk and roots scene, appearing at Maverick Festival, Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Wimborne Minster Folk Festival, Swanage Folk Festival and King Harvest in 2026. Their debut album, Sourwood Honey, was released in September 2026.
“A sound that’s lively, authentic and impossible to stand still to. Folk with rhythm, lift and a bit of spark”
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
www.sianandrob.co.uk
Sunday 21st November – Singers Night
Sunday 5th December – Folklaw Trio
Sunday 19th December – Christmas Singers Night Party