*** BARBARA DICKSON (OBE)  ***

As a multi-million selling recording artist with an equally impressive Olivier award winning acting career, Barbara Dickson, OBE, has firmly established herself as one of the most enduring and popular artistes in Britain today. Born in Dunfermline, Scotland, Barbara's love of music was evident from an early age. She began studying piano at the age of five and by twelve had taken up the guitar. She developed an interest in folk music whilst at school which led to floor spots at her local folk club. Her first hit single was 'Answer Me, released in early 1976 and thereafter followed numerous hits including 'January, February', and I Know Him So Well, from the musical Chess, recorded with Elaine Paige in 1985. The 1990's brought major TV roles including 'Taggart' and Kay Mellor's 'Band Of Gold'. Now in her 42nd year of music, Barbara is still doing what she loves best - creating music and performing live. We are delighted that she will be performing at our festival this year.

Kieran Goss	Harvey Andrews	Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies	Mike Silver & Jo Partridge
Kieran Goss is known for his affable on-stage persona and rapport with his audience. The lyrics of his self-penned songs suggest, invoke and conjure - ever thought-provoking and full of life experience. Kieran's stagecraft is masterful - he reaches out to his audience and connects with them in a very special way. He performs regularly in arts centres, theatres and folk clubs all over the country.	As he explains in his own relaxed, cheerful style “I am the last of my generation of singer/songwriters, largely because I have outlived the rest!” His laid-back style continues to hold audiences spellbound. Harvey is a great favourite around the country, having performed on the folk/acoustic circuit for more than 50 years.	Jez Lowe and The Bad Pennies have been playing their songs and music of Northern England for a decade and a half around the folk festivals, clubs and concert stages of the world. With vocals, guitar, cittern, fiddle,  keyboards and Northumbrian Pipes, have made them one of Britain’s top attractions on the folk/acoustic/celtic circuit.	Mike Silver has been writing and playing music for more than 30 years, enjoying success throughout the UK. When you see him you know you are in the presence of an assured and confident singer, with a lifetime's experience of music, writing and performance behind him. His songs are from the soul, played with love, tenderness and compassion  - they will leave you wanting more.
The Tom McConville Band	Keith Donnelly	Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman	Bernard Wrigley
This is one of the most exciting bands on the scene with each member an accomplished performer in their own right. Their live performances range from fast, rhythmic dance tunes to beautiful slow airs and of course, great singing - all presented with their inimitable sense of humour and style.	Keith has been described as a superbly original 'Stand-Up', a great singer-songwriter, a fine guitarist, a stunning storyteller,  a kids entertainer par excellence and the cleanest comic ever seen. Don't miss his 'Late Night Laughs' on Saturday evening.	Two of the British folk scenes most accomplished performers, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have graced stages all over the world. The strength of passion shown as a duo, combined with an eclectic repertoire ensures a rare treat. Together this duo will delight you.	From starting in folk clubs Bernard's career has combined singing, acting, writing and performing. From films toTV programmes, including Coronation Street,  to radio plays,'The Bolton Bullfrog' continues to play his music to local audiences in his inimitable style as only he can do.
The Young 'Uns	Anthony John Clarke	Elbow Jane	Edwina Hayes
With bags of charm, talent, and an abiding enthusiasm for traditional song, The Young’ uns are making a big impact on the UK folk scene. This band brings freshness and dynamism to their arrangements of close harmony songs, both with and without accompaniment.	Anthony Clarke is a regular visitor and supporterof the festival. His songs are brilliantly crafted- nostalgic, thought-prokoking and sensitive. His Irish charm shines through as he sings his music and his stories and anecdotes will make you smile.	Wirral based Elbow Jane are now established as one of the finest young acoustic bands in the country. This dynamic quintet bring energy, excitement and enthusiasm to their music. They'll make you laugh, they'll make you cry and you will love their expressive vocals and stunning harmonies.	Singer songwriter Edwina Hayes has the voice of an angel. Her beautifully written songs, easy manner and charming stage presence have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk-americana. She has suppported  major artists including Nanci Griffith and KT Tunstall.
Dylan Owen	The Jones Family Band	Ildanach	Jaywalkers
Dylan's music is unique and spans a wide range of styles – from traditional folk ballads, to bluegrass and ragtime influenced ditties. His distinctive poetic lyrical style often verges on the edge of rap. Rap for folkies! Dylan writes about the mundane and everyday, and spins it into the weird and wonderful. Don't miss his Songwriters' session.	With close harmonies, multi-instrumentation, an instant rapport with the audience and a great mixture of traditional and contemporary songs the Jones Family have it all. With informative introductions and gentle humour, together they make a great sound- Folk music with a smile on its face.	Ildanach are an exciting new band based in Liverpool/St Helens. They come from a background steeped in Irish traditional music and have all spent years learning their craft on their chosen instruments. With Uilleann pipes, mandolin, flute and banjo, their talent and passion is displayed in their performance.	One of the most exciting, virtuosic and entertaining young bands on the UK folk scene. A strong foothold in folk, with occasional bluegrass references and the recent addition of slap bass creates a sound that is not only unique, but guaranteed to make your feet tap and put a smile on your face.
Vocal Point	Mary McCombs	Graham Bellinger	Dawn Beth Evans & Alan Hesford
Vocal Point are the resident band at the Hungry Horse Folk Club and have a unique and gentle style. With guitar and bodhran and singing traditional and contemporary songs, plus one or two self-penned, they are equally at home singing a capella. Vocal Point will 'Sing In The Festival' on Thursday evening.	Mary McCombs is a local singer-songwriter who writes gentle, thought-provoking songs. Her easy style is a delight to listen to. She runs a folk session in The Cornmarket, Liverpool, was joint winner of the Singers & Musicians Showcase and finalist in the songwriting competition, events both held at last year's festival.	Graham has been performing at folk clubs and festivals for 35 years. He has performed in numerous community events, and on local radio. He has played more pub gigs than he cares to remember (his words) and has composed and performed music for dramatic productions.	This talented duo are well known on the live music scene in North Wales and Wirral. Dawn has been singing all her life and her amazing voice, which is pure and clear, together with Alan's gentle and often intricate guitar work blend together to produce a beautiful sound.  They are regulars at the Hungry Horse Folk Club.
Sarah Horn & James Cudworth	AcousticA	Brian Lupton	Stewart Lever
Sarah Horn and James Cudworth are a talented young duo who play fast and furious fiddle tunes with Sarah on fiddle and vocals and James on guitar, harmonica, percussion and vocals.They have been performing at a variety of venues and festivals for a number of years.	AcousticA make regular appearances at folk clubs in and around Merseyside, as well as playing at various concerts and festivals. The band play traditional music to suit all occasions, including Ceilidhs. With guitar, flute and mandolin, they blend together to make foot- tapping music.	Brian Lupton is one of the most well-known and respected figures on the folk scene in Wirral. A regular visitor to folk clubs and folk events in the area, his inimitable style includes a mix of traditional, gospel, celtic music and audience participation. Don't miss his John Denver, Blarney and Singalong sets.	Stewart Lever has been playing guitar since he was 14, and his influences include Bert Jansch, John Renbourn and Martin Carthy. His own songs are about love, loss and life and, more recently, comic songs. Stewart has been  involved in folk clubs in the North West for many years and until recently he was the organiser of Lymm Folk Club and Lymm Festival.
John Warburton	Timberwolf	Bernie Davis	Wirral Ukulele Orchestra
John Warburton started playing the guitar at twelve and wanted to be PeteTownshend. Among others, his influences are Cat Stevens, Pete Seeger and, of course, Donovan. He has written many of his own songs and his easy style is a delight to listen to. He is a regular at the Hungry Horse Folk Club.	Timberwolf are Gill and Neil Sharman. Based in Barnsley, they are lifetime fans of John Denver and much, though not all, of their music is a tribute to him. Neil's expert guitar work and Gill's voice inject a country style into the music. Don't miss their 'Tales of Wolves' set.	Bernie is a natural entertainer whose songs and stories bring alive those days of sea captains, clipper ships, shipwrecks and Cape Horn storms that were the Golden Age of sailing ships. For many years he has been a regular performer at major nautical and sea-song events throughout the UK and Europe.	The Wirral Ukulele Orchestra was founded by Jon Bloor in January  2011 and though in its infancy, they took the North West by storm with a packed schedule for the whole year. There are about thirty ukulele players in “The Orchestra”  and to hear them play as an orchestra is a unique experience. You will be quite astounded.
The Marrowbones	The Survivors	Chester Poets	The Tangerines
Gordon Morris and Peter Massey are stalwarts of the folk scene in Wirral and Frodsham and play regularly at folk clubs in the area. You can join them at several sessions over the weekend.	Colin Daniel and Maurice Pursell have been making music both together and separately for nearly 50 years. With their fine vocal harmonies and acoustic guitars they bring a fresh new take on the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Cliff Richard and many others.	The Chester Poets formed in 1973 and they are now one of the oldest poetry groups in the north-west. Their love of poetry enables them to present it to appreciative audiences in the Chester and Merseyside area.	Tommy, Angie and Pauline are The Tangerines. Liverpool-based, they perform pop and rock and roll music. All three provide the vocals with keyboard accompaniment. Tommy was the founder member of The Swinging Blue Jeans and a member of The Mojos. Foot tappin' music all the way then!
Wirhalh Skip Felag	Ya Raqs Arabian Dancers	The Mersey Morris Men	Leap To Your Feet
Wirral Vikings were at our festival last  year and provided exciting entertainment in the re-enactment of Viking battles and interesting demonstrations of Viking craft. Watch how it was done in the Marketplace Arena.	Ya Raqs traditional Arabic Dance Troupe, perform Egyptian and North African dance. They have danced at The World Museum, the Bluecoat Centre and other folk events and festivals throughout the country. See them in the Marketplace Arena.	The Mersey Morris Men were formed in 1960 with the merger of Liverpool and Wirral Morris teams. They dance predominantly Cotswold Morris from the villages of Bampton, Leafield, Bucknell, Adderbury, Bledington, and many more. These dances were traditionally danced exclusively by men to promote the fertility of nature.	Leap To Your Feet Appalachian dancers and musicians perform the traditional dance and  music of the Southern Appalachian Mountains of America.The dances incorporate the various traditions of several European and African Countries.  The dancers wear “tap” shoes to add a percussive sound to the music.
Fireflies Ladies Singing Group	Lamin Dumbuya	The Mersey Rigger
The Fireflies Ladies Community Choir are a local choir from Ellesmere Port whose number has grown to 50 in the last two years. They sing a various event in the area	Wirral's Lamin Dumbuya will showcase  a variety of dance styles including  African, street dance, contemporary, belly dance and more.	Playing an array of instruments, and with a repertoire which includes  great harmonies and beautiful haunting ballads, The Mersey Rigger cover a broad spectrum of folk music. They are resident performers at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.