THERE’S a heartwarming batch of great folk music coming our way this week, guaranteed to drive the cold winter away as we shiver into the New Year.

You may have seen Lancashire folk comedian Bernard Wrigley on TV over Christmas, popping up on his long-time cohort Victoria Wood’s show.

You can catch Bernard doing his own very entertaining act at Skelton’s Duke William tonight.

Tomorrow we can choose between Vin Garbutt at Marton Country Club and The John Wrightson Band at Guisborough Golf Club, and on Saturday, Washington’s Davy Lamp Folk Club starts it’s year with their traditional visit by The Doonan Family Band.

There’s also the popular singaround that night at The Ship at Middlestone Village.

On Sunday The Bill Elliott Band are at Westoe Club in South Shields, and on Monday two of my favourite local artists are in action, when Jim Sharp comes to Newcastle’s Bridge Hotel, and Bert Draycott is at The Foresters in Coatham Munderville. Monday also sees a visit to Stockton’s Sun Inn by Ember, two talented young ladies who have made their mark locally with regular appearances at Whitby’s Moor and Coast Festival.

The John Wrightson Band return on Tuesday for an appearance at Croxdale’s Daleside Arms which will undoubtedly attract their legions of local fans.

I’m at jez@jezlowe.com if you want details of your local folk shindig spread across the waiting world, and I’m always more than pleased to hear from you.