Friday 24 November Geoff Lakeman

Newlyn-born Geoff, patron of the Cornwall Folk Festival, has lived on Dartmoor for more than 40 years and been described as a ‘stalwart of West Country folk and father of a folk dynasty’.

He likes to tailor his performances to the audience and so this local Meavy gig he will be taking the opportunity to sing some of his favourites including ‘Farmer's Song’ about the decline of farming, as well as another agricultural song from Maine in the USA called ‘When the taters are all dug’ which reminds him of ‘the first job he ever did at the age of fifteen picking up spuds in his native West Cornwall for an old shilling an hour’. There’ll be songs of the sea, including his ‘protest shanty, 'Tie 'Em Up’, as well as Irish folk music, ‘Americana’ covers and some 1920/30’s jazz on Geoff’s rare but very versatile Crane duet concertina.

After retiring from a 50-year career in journalism - mostly in Fleet Street - Geoff, finally turned his hobby into serious music-making and released his debut solo CD earlier this year at the age of 69 – ‘After All These Years’ is a mix of songs about where he’s from and the people he has lived amongst. Amazingly he has never had a music lesson in his life and can't read music - he just has a huge passion for music and has taught himself to sing and play over the last 50 years. He recently played to 1100 people on the main stage at Sidmouth Folk Week, supporting Show of Hands and as a result was asked to join them on a UK tour over the summer. However he says: “There's nothing better than performing to a smaller audience in a Devon or Cornish village. They are always so enthusiastic and keen to join in choruses. But I hope the audience won't be that small...let's fill that hall. Come along and bring your friends!”

7:30pm at Meavy Parish Hall