I’m currently in the middle of a two-week jaunt around the southern extremities of England with my Bad Pennies, sampling the hospitality and enthusiasm of audiences in Kent, Essex, Surrey, Somerset and Devon, and what a fine old time we’re having.

The affection for all things North Eastern among audiences around the country never ceases to amaze me, and is no doubt the reason why we have produced so many successful folk performers from our part of the world.

And, of course, local audiences up here reciprocate with their support for visiting acts. This week we can catch a number of great performers coming our way.

Tonight Graham Brotton and Sam Cole are at Skelton’s Duke William, and tomorrow there’s a choice between Wendy Arrowsmith at Robin Hood’s Bay, promoting a very impressive new album, and Bernie Johnson at Guisborough Golf Club.

On Saturday, The Haley Sisters are at Sedgefield Parish Hall, and that fine band from the East Midlands, Isambarde, are at Washington’s Davy Lamp, on what may well be their farewell tour, so catch them while you can. Kieran Halpin is at Guisborough Rugby Club on Sunday, and on Monday The John Wrightson Band are at Newcastle’s Bridge.

Tuesday’s choice is between Steve Turner at Darlington’s Britannia and Jim Bainbridge at Cramlington, and then, on Wednesday, award-winning singerguitarist Chris Wood is at Bishop Auckland Town Hall. Finally, I recently secured a copy of Vin Garbutt’s new DVD Teesside Troubadour, a fantastic piece of work that adds a lot of extra footage to the much-lauded bio-pic starring the region’s favourite folk singer. It’s certainly a must-buy, for not only Vin’s many fans, but also anyone who has played a part in the North-East folk scene over the past 40 years.