AS you may have heard, my favourite folk singer Bob Dylan just reached the grand old age of 70 earlier this week, and among the many accolades and tributes is a two-CD set called Younger Than That Now, compiled by York-based singer Chris Eusden.

It features contributions from a host of folk performers, including Martin Simpson, Steve Tilston, Chris While, Julie Matthews, Craig and Willoughby and even yours truly. Proceeds from the sales are going to Oxfam, and details are at circuitmusic.co.uk.

Meanwhile, it’s a busy week as usual around the local scene, starting tonight with a choice between Wendy Arrowsmith at Skelton’s Duke William, Scottish songstress Eilidh Grant at Darlington Arts Centre and Tania Opland and Mike Freeman at Bellingham Acoustic Club. Ryedale Folk Weekend runs from Friday, with Dave Swarbrick, Fribo, Richard Grainger and Nakaira among the featured guests, and there’s also a weekend of folk music at Preston Hall Museum, near Middlesbrough.

New band Pilgrim’s Way are at Washington’s Davy Lamp on Saturday, and Vin Garbutt is at Whitby Rugby Club on Sunday.

On Tuesday, Tyneside songwriter Pete Scott is at Cramlington’s Hind, and on Wednesday, Marie Little is at Birtley Catholic Club. Also on Wednesday, I’ll be joining a worthy cast of folk artists at Gateshead’s Sage for a benefit concert for Norma Waterson, who as you may know, has been unwell for the last few months, though is thankfully improving now.

Among my fellow performers are Vin Garbutt, Bella Hardy, Sandra Kerr, Andy May, Emily Portman and Linda Thompson, and as we’re all going to be on stage together throughout the show, who knows what shenanigans will ensue. There are still a very few tickets left for this show, so hopefully we’ll see you there.