ONE of the local folk music’s scene’s most celebrated sons celebrates his 80th birthday today. Gateshead’s Bob Davenport has lived most of his performing life in London, where he is still an active part of the scene.

His maverick approach to what he considers to be true folk music, whether it be an Irish ballad learned from Margaret Barry, a music-hall song from Dan Leno, or a protest song picked up from Bob Marley, has made him a unique presence and influence for more than half-a-century.

I saw him twice last year, once when I shared a stage with him at a well-known London folk club, and again, glimpsed in grainy black and white film footage, sitting next to Bob Dylan at the 1963 Newport Folk Festival. Mr Davenport was interviewed on Mike Harding’s BBC Radio 2 show, and you can listen to it again via the BBC website. Happy Birthday Bob.

Tonight, I’m back with my old pals, The Wilsons, for a solo gig at their Welly Folk Club in Wolviston. Tomorrow there’s a chance to see instrumental duo the Hut People at St Matthew’s Church, in Leyburn.

On Saturday, Scottish songwriting legend Rab Noakes is at Washington’s Davy Lamp, and, on Sunday, award-winning nufolk singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams returns to Gateshead’s Sage. Belated thanks to everyone who came along to my recent gig at The North Briton, in Aycliffe Village. As I said that night, given the support it deserves, the club could become a leading local folk venue, a stone’s throw from the A1, within easy reach of so many places, and with John Snowball and his residents there to give us an entertaining night and a friendly welcome. Give it a try any Monday night.