AS we shiver our way into December, the local folk scene shows no sign of relenting in its barrage of great concerts and club gigs for our entertainment and delight.

Tonight we have a choice between top chanteuse Flossie Maliavelle at Darlington Arts Centre, legend-onlegs Martin Carthy at Blaydon’s Tynefolk Club, and a special Anglo-Scots presentation at Gateshead’s Sage featuring John McCusker, Julie Fowlis and John Tams, entitled Under One Sky.

Tomorrow brings Marie Little to The Station in Loftus and Carl and Leon Hodgsen to Newcastle’s Chillingham Arms. There’s a busy Saturday schedule, with fabulous Irish duo Fil Campbell and Tom MacFarlane at Washington’s Davy Lamp, Bram Taylor and Roly Hindmarch at Swaledale Outdoor Centre in Richmond, John Wright’s Band at Newton Aycliffe’s Candlelight Club, Carl and Leon Hodgsen at Mickleton’s White Hart and a Christmas Wassail evening at Hutton-le-Hole Village Hall with Richard Grainger and friends.

Sunday has The Bill Elliott Band at Westoe Club in South Shields, and this year’s last local gig for my Bad Pennies and myself at The Town Hall in Ripley near Ripon. Local hero Bob Fox is at The Smiths Arms near Chesterle- Street on Monday and popular songwriter Tom Bliss is at Hartlepool’s Traveller’s Rest on Tuesday. I’m always at jezfolk@aol.com, no matter where my wanderings take me, so keep in touch.

Jez Lowe