LAST week I found myself at London’s Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Folk Awards – a highlight of the year for many in the folk world, while at the same time having little or no relevance to many among the general folk audience.

It was a splendid night, with some great music, and even a few surprises, though lacking the star-studded atmosphere of previous years. If anything, it was more “folky” than ever before, with Morris dancers, traditional songs and homages to Pete Seeger and folklorist Cecil Sharp.

The emphasis was on the muchheralded new generation of performers, and no-one should fault that approach to establishing a high profile for the oftenoverlooked folk scene. However, many people may have been left with the impression that the English folk world extended no further north than Sheffield.

It was notable that no-one from the North-East was represented, when there’s such a wealth of great talent across our region. A full list of winners can be found on the BBC website.

I’m away in New Zealand at the moment, but highlights of the week back home include concerts at Gateshead’s Sage with Scots singer Duncan Chisolm tonight and local supergroup The Mighty Doonans tomorrow. There’s a double bill at Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday with popular tribute act Fake Thacheray and Northumberland band Ribbon Road, and on Sunday, Hertfordshire duo Lyn Heraud and Pat Turner are at South Shields Customs House.

I’m off now for a second breakfast with the hobbits and elves in the Kiwi shires.