"The Blind Jack Band": a CD of Yorkshire folk music for a local charity

A concert is being staged on Monday, 11th August, in Knaresborough to launch The Blind Jack Band, a benefit CD of Yorkshire songs, tunes and verse. The recording features contributions from many of the county's finest, including Dave Burland, Laura Hockenhull and Chris Simpson of Magna Carta. All revenue from the CD sales will be donated to Henshaws Society for Blind People, in aid of their musical activities. Henshaws are renowned for their work with young, visually impaired students, and have branches in Harrogate and Knaresborough.

The concert is part of Knaresborough's annual FEVA festival, and is headlined by the much-loved Cockersdale. Support includes the hilarious Otley-based poet Kevin Collier, the Knaresborough Mummers, and Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers. Titled "An evening with Blind Jack and friends", this is the third annual concert, the past two having proved very popular and enjoyable, mixing good music with humour, all with a distinct Yorkshire flavour. The concert, like the CD, is named in honour of Knaresborough's famous road builder (and fiddle player) John Metcalfe, whose triumph over disability remains an inspiration.

The venue is Knaresborough's Frazer Theatre. Tickets are £8.00 (concessions £6.00), kick off time is 7:30. More info will soon be available on the festival website, www.feva.info. Credit card ticket purchases can be made closer to the time from Knaresborough Tourist Information Centre. Please come along and support a worthy endeavour. More info on the CD will soon be posted on www.blindjack.co.uk

Mark Ellison