I have to say this year has been ace.

Here are just a few of the high points.

I spoke at the EFDSS Folk Song Conference about A.L.Lloyd & Ritual in Song. It was a lot of research but the conference experience was excellent. The other papers were really interesting. The discussion about manufactured authenticity was probably my favourite by a whisker.

The Bermondsey Folk Festival was a great success, Martin Carthy, Lisa Knapp, Circulus, Arfur Doo & The Toerags, Ady Johnson, The Embers Band, David Jaycock & myself all performed to the largest turnout yet. The 2019 already has Andy Irvine, Kerry Andrew & Martin Simpson on the bill with more great acts to be confirmed.

My storytelling career has taken off & has become part of my artistic practice. In September I had a sell-out solo storytelling show for adults at Southwark Cathedral (I’m back there in February 2019!) and I also managed to tell stories at St Paul’s Cathedral, the Southbank Centre, The London Eye and on board the Cutty Sark as well as many other places.

I made an album too, which I am proud of. A song from it was played on the Radio 2 Folk Show the other week.

The album is being released on December 12th so I thought I’d have a party to celebrate all this good stuff.

It’s going to be at Shortwave Cafe 100 Clements Road Bermondsey SE16 4DG (5 minutes walk from Bermondsey Underground) from 7pm on Wednesday 12th December.

It’s going to be free & also a free-for-all. I have a bunch of great friends playing small sets: Bity Booker, Kraken Mare, Bromide & Russman. I will play a few sets & we will have a singaround too: so if you want to come for some free folk in the heart of South East London this is the pre-Christmas treat you are looking for.

If you are feeling brave you can try the homebrew too….