C o n c e r t s - 2026
January 14th 2026 - The Snapes with Poppy Weatherall
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
Peter and Barbara Snape with Poppy Weatherall have a repertoire of songs influenced by their North West locality and the broader English Tradition.
‘Their songs compel you to listen and take part and the joy that they invest in the delivery of words and music is totally engaging. The singing is heartfelt; the melodeon and violin playing sympathetic and attractive; the songs carefully selected and well researched’. Their latest album (2025) Such Times as These is a "very impressive, thought-provoking CD" with "good old-fashioned folk from a proven quality act".
Finely honed on some intriguing folk research and performance projects about folk song collectors Anne Geddes Gilchrist OBE and Fred Hamer, and the broadside
printer John Harkness, they are entertaining, poignant, humorous and informative, and they bring the tradition to life in an engaging and appealing manner.
The North West of England has a rich, and often undervalued song tradition and it has no finer or more knowledgeable champions - Sheena Wellington (The Wighton Heritage Centre, Dundee).
Entrance £12 cash or card on the door, Doors 7:15 pm, start 8 pm
February 18th 2026 - Georgia Shackleton & Aaren Bennett
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
To mark 125 years since Sir Ernest Shackleton first set sail on the Discovery with Captain Scott, Georgia unveils a powerful new album and tour rooted in history, music, and the sea. Central to the album is The Shackleton Violin. An extraordinary instrument crafted from the floorboards of Shackleton’s former Edinburgh home. Its voice, carrying the weight of endurance, discovery, and adventure, was captured in the recording process during sessions aboard the
historic RSS Discovery in Dundee, connecting the music directly to the spirit of exploration.
Georgia is joined by guitarist Aaren Bennett. Together they present music composed for our oceans and their struggling marine life, interwoven with songs written by Shackleton and his fellow
explorers during their expeditions.
The result is an evocative blend of history and contemporary reflection. A journey through sound that honours both the past and the urgent stories of today’s seas.
"Beautiful" - Mark Radcliffe BBC Radio 2
“Spirited storytelling and timeless tunes” -Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music
Entrance £14 cash or card on the door, Doors 7:15 pm, start 8 pm
March 18th 2026 - Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow are equal parts Americana, folk and country blues. Their musical chemistry sets the stage ablaze. There literally is no one performing today creating this kind of acoustic music. Georgia-born but living in Cambridge for nearly 20-years, Brooks Williams has something like 35 recordings to his name and has done thousands of gigs over the course of his 35-year career. These are some impressive numbers!
From Cropredy to Glastonbury, Philadelphia to Winnipeg, Costa del Folk to Shrewsbury, there's very few stages Brooks Williams hasn't played. He moves effortlessly between country, blues and folk. RnR writes that Williams is a "guitarist in possession of rich vocal powers and a talent for lyrical imagery" and Fatea writes: "his easy, relaxed manner conceals the greatest level of true expertise.”
Master fiddle player Aaron Catlow was with us in March '24, in company with Kit Hawes, when we gave them a standing ovation so were absolutely delighted to have Aaron back in 2026 this time with Brooks.
“How such a complete and sensational sound can come from just two voices and two instruments is awe-inspiring.” AmericanaUK
Entrance £14 cash or card on the door, Doors 7:15 pm, start 8 pm
April 15th 2026 - Tom McConville & Michael Biggins
Wrea Green Institute, Station Road,
Wrea Green, Preston, PR4 2PH
Tom has performed, toured and collaborated extensively since the 1970’s, winning BBC Radio 2 Folk Musician Of The Year and sharing the stage with the likes of Sean McGuire and The Chieftains, and played on hundreds of albums including with Barbara Dickson and Richard Thompson.
Michael Biggins (piano and accordion) is a multi-instrumentalist from Newcastle, now based in Glasgow. A winner of BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year, Michael also plays and tours with TRIP, The Canny Band, Northern Company and more.
Last time they were with us (2023) was a most memorable evening so we can expect some wonderful live music from this pair!
Entrance £14 cash or card on the door, Doors 7:15 pm, start 8 pm
