WE HAVE a typically varied week ahead of us around the local folk scene, starting tonight when the much-respected and classy songwriter Allan Taylor comes to Darlington’s Copper Beech.

Tomorrow, Tyneside guitarist Michael Wood is launching his cleverly-titled new album East Coast Fret at St Mary’s Heritage Centre, in Gateshead, while that same night, across the square at The Sage, new all-female supergroup Carthy, Hardy, Farrell and Young are in concert.

Washington’s Davy Lamp, on Saturday, welcomes the very talented and entertaining duo Broom Bezoms, two English musicians who are currently based in Germany. Local songstress Katie Docherty is a special guest with the lads on most of the dates. Sunday’s choice is between The John Wrightson Band, at Guisborough Rugby Club, and yet another supergroup at The Sage, this time featuring the talents of John McCusker and John McGoldrick, who I last saw in Mark Knopfler’s backing band.

Stockton’s Sun Inn, on Monday, has a rare appearance from the excellent Scots fiddler Shona Mooney. Then, on Tuesday, ex-Battlefield Band stalwarts Alan Reid and Rob Van Sante venture south to Cramlington’s Concordia, for an evening of Scottish songs.

The John Wrightson Band conclude a busy few days with appearances at Newton Aycliffe’s Candlelight Club, on Tuesday, and at Birtley Catholic Club, on Wednesday.

My own wandering this week takes me to the Caribbean, where along with my Bad Pennies’ cohort, Andy May, I’ll be entertaining the passengers on the good ship Summit as part of its Irish Music Cruise.

I inherited my credentials via my mother’s family, enhanced by the number of Irish acts like The Dubliners and Mary Black, who have developed a fondness for my songs. Sunshine here I come.