With the recent heatwave receding into a blurred and shimmering memory, I have emerged from my refrigerated bunker to tell you of the latest round of folk goodies awaiting you this week.

In keeping with the latest custodian of the Brexit 'hot potato' I will cut to the chase and go straight to what I consider to be the main event on this week's mouth-watering menu of musicality.

I refer to the gig at The Hungry Horse Acoustic, The Whitby Club, Chester Road, Ellesmere Port next Thursday (August 8) at 8pm where one of the most popular singer songwriters on the music scene today, and certainly one of my all-time favourites, Jez Lowe, is the guest. He has had a prodigious output over the years recording over 20 albums of original songs and he is, without doubt, one of the busiest performers on the circuit today. In the last few years he has played in concert halls and clubs all over the UK, in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, America and mainland Europe. Somehow, he also found time in between to write 20 new songs for the 2006 award-winning BBC series, The Radio Ballads, and released his 14th album, Jack Commons Anthem that was greeted with universal acclaim and ecstatic reviews. This success, and that of another one-off radio show in 2010, encouraged the BBC to commission more songs from Jez for their six-programme series about the Olympic Games in 2012.

However, to me, one thing elevates Jez as not just another songwriter. It is his ability to communicate on an honest level with his audiences and to never lose sight of his North East roots, upon which many of his songs are based. The man from Durham has carved his own unique niche with his beautifully crafted songs about the characters and every day social and industrial dramas of his native county. Ex-steelworker Jez sings and writes from the heart and recorded his first solo album back in 1980 having already spent almost a decade playing and absorbing the traditional music of this unique area of the country.

Although his roots were in the traditional music of his home county it was ultimately as a songwriter that he was to make his mark, recording four albums on the Fellside label in the 1980s, and it was these songs about working class North Eastern life that spread his reputation around the world. In 1990 Jez was joined by the first line-up of a backing group that was to accompany him, off and on, to the present day, The Bad Pennies, who still regularly gig with Jez. He is certainly one of my favourite songwriters and the man who has already penned classics like Black Diamonds, Back in Durham Jail, The Bergen, Old Bones, Jack Common's Anthem and many others, seems to have a never ending fund of lyrics and melodies to draw on. In keeping with the latest internet technology, and the sad demise of the CD format we have known and loved for so many years, Jez has decided not to release any more CD albums, instead opting to use the various internet music sites and media so keep a look out in future for Jez on the Web!

A full house is forecast so please telephone 0151 678 9902 now to book your tickets.

Also, on the local scene next week, The Dragon's Breath, Treuddyn Village Hall, near Mold have the rumbustious Boys of the Thatch guesting on Tuesday (August 6) at 8pm. If they don't get you singing and your feet tapping, then I am afraid there is no hope for you!! Admission is payable on the door.

August, being the busiest month for the many summer festivals up and down the UK it is worth mentioning that two of the oldest and most respected in the UK, Cambridge Folk Festival (August 1-4) and Sidmouth Folk Week (August 2-9) dominate on this side of the Channel, whilst all red-blooded Celts will be heading for the Festival Interceltique De L'Orient in Brittany for their musical holidays. As a footnote, our own local heroes, Trials of Cato, were voted Best Welsh Band at last year's events and, I believe, sold a prodigious amount of their new album that was received with much acclaim.

In the Principality, where we delicate souls often prefer a gentler style of music what better day out than to combine the heritage of one of the finest castle s in North Wales with a recital of appropriately traditional songs and tunes. Cadw, the Welsh equivalent of The National Trust in England, are staging several events at Beaumaris Castle in July and August under the name, Beaumaris Castle's Summer of Music and Song. This weekend (August 3-4) the castle plays host to Deuair, a duo who will be resident throughout the summer at this handsome but, ultimately, unfinished fortress on the shores of the Menai Straits in Anglesey, or Mona in Welsh. Deuair are Ceri and Elsa and though they originated in Canada, they learnt the Welsh Language when they moved to Wales and have immersed themselves in the history, culture and music of these ancient lands.

Of course, the castle to some, still represents those far off days of Edward I's attempt to conquer and subjugate the Welsh people with his Iron Ring of Castles in North Wales but, on a fine day with the wind blowing in off the Menai Straits, and the Welsh flag flying above the ramparts maybe we should consign it to history as another case of "sticks and stones"!!! The castle is open from 10am-5pm every day and, to hear the walls of the recently refurbished Chapel Tower ringing to the music of the Bards and the minstrels is a truly magical experience.

Looking ahead, it is all Fairporters' favourite time of year next weekend when they descend on the tiny village of Cropredy, in Oxfordshire, for the 40th anniversary of Fairport's Cropredy Convention (August 8-10). The band have already celebrated their 50th anniversary as Britain's first folk-rock icons and are seemingly unstoppable. Their fans certainly think so but if you are thinking of going along to help them celebrate do remember that in past they have sold out before the weekend so, please visit their website now to book.

In the meantime, whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy your music.

By D.C.M.