THE Houghton Weavers will be hoping to spread a little Christmas cheer when they return to the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight later this year.
The Lancashire-based folk / comedy group - featuring Steve Millington and Jim Berry - promise a family show packed with songs, humour and festive fun at the Greendale Road venue on Tuesday, December 10.
The Houghton Weavers formed in Bolton in 1975 and have been entertaining fans for many years with their unique blend of popular folk music, humour and audience participation, recording over 30 albums along the way.
Jim's brother Tony Berry had been a founder member of the band but died in June 2019.
Their annual autumn / winter tour brings stories and songs to the stage, with an added touch of festive fun on their December concerts.
Having recently been one of the headline acts at The Great British Folk Festival, their single Wild Mountain Thyme appeared in the Heritage Charts Top 40 and is set to be featured in the soon to be released film Between Weathers.
To coincide with this year’s tour, the group's brand-new single Spanish Lady will be released on Friday, October 11.
"That planned one-off six-week-stint has become almost 30 years so far, and I’ve enjoyed working with all of the original members in that time.
"Over the last three decades, I’ve been privileged to record, arrange and produce 22 of the Houghton Weavers records.
"It’s a creative pleasure working with Jim both on stage and in the studio. This winter, we’ll be joined by some world-class guest musicians and I’m so looking forward to making music with them all.
“I am very much looking forward to this year’s tour, meeting up with all our fans and friends, and of course making some new ones, so please come along and enjoy a fun-packed evening with The Houghton Weavers!"
Fellow bandmember, Jim, said: "In my teens and early twenties I performed with my brother Tony as The Berry Brothers, doing folk and show songs.
"I was later in a group called ‘Auld Triangle’, based at Westhoughton Folk Club, with Norman Prince, before the Weavers started.
"I have played with the Weavers many times before joining the group full time in 2017.
"As well as singing and playing guitar and harmonica, I write songs and poetry and have released three books of poems and lyrics.
"I have spent many years busking in France but now I love being one of the Houghton Weavers and entertaining with Steve, singing songs, telling tales, poems and the odd corny joke. I’m lucky to be stood where our Tony stood."
Tickets for the shows are from - https://houghtonweavers.com/concert-dates/
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