IT’S still a quiet time around the folk scene, so it's a good chance to catch up on what’s happening with some of our local artists. Award-winning combo The Young Uns are just back from Canada. As usual, they thrilled audiences over there, much as they do here.

Also bitten by the travel bug, Bob Fox has left for South Africa, where he’ll be performing his one-man show of songs from War Horse. Top Tyneside attraction, The Unthanks have a busy autumn ahead of them, with an Anniversary Tour of the UK, which will include some local concerts.

There’s also a huge tour lined up for Billy Mitchell and Ray Laidlaw with their Lindisfarne Story presentation, while the current incarnation of Lindisfarne itself, featuring Rod Clements, is gearing up for another round of Christmas shows at Newcastle’s City Hall. Elsewhere, the North-East flag will be waved by the likes of Tom McConville, Flossie Malavialle, Pete Scott and newcomers, The Rachel Hamer Band, at lots of venues up and down the country.

Meanwhile, Vin Garbutt has been off colour in the past couple of weeks, and had to miss a couple of festivals, so I’m sure we all send our best wishes to him for a speedy recovery. He also has a full itinerary of UK gigs ahead of him. I’ve got quite a lot coming up myself in the next few months, including another trip to America in October, and a long tour in partnership with my fellow singer-songwriter Steve Tilston in November, before I muster The Bad Pennies for our annual Christmas tour to round off the year.

Here’s a call-out to all our other fine performers: let me know your plans so I can spread the word.