LAST weekend, I was with The Pitmen Poets at The Great British Folk Festival, which takes place at this time every year at Butlins Holiday Camp in Skegness.

It was my first time there, and it was quite an experience. About 3,000 people filled the main stage area for our Saturday lunchtime show, and also on the bill were Lindisfarne, The Oyster Band, The Levellers, Kate Rusby, Cara Dillon, Donovan, Bob Geldof and quite a few more. It’s all totally self-contained, accommodation and catering-wise, much like the usual Butlins experience I’m told, and great value for money, so could this be the future of folk festivals for the more mature folk fan? Next year’s headliners include Fairport Convention, so it’s sure to be busy again.

Meanwhile, there’s still a lot to be said for local venues who provide great music all the year round, and highlights this week include Tom McConville, who’ll be at The White Hart in Mickleby tomorrow night, and the Wilsons, who are back at South Shields Customs House on Sunday. On Monday, the all-round folk and blues exponent Nick Dow will be making a welcome visit to The Sun Inn at Stockton, and on Tuesday at Gateshead’s Sage, there’ll be another Future Traditions concert, where we can get a sneak preview of the scene’s up and coming stars strutting their stuff. It’s always a great show, and full of surprises.

Finally, local heroes The Young Uns make a hometown return for a concert at The Arc in Stockton on Wednesday, which will no doubt be a hot ticket, so check availability in advance. I’m at jez@jezlowe.com for all your messages and information, and with deadlines earlier than usual as the Christmas holidays approach, so be sure to get in touch well in advance, and I’ll be happy to give you a mention.