It may seem daft to be talking about a trip to the bucket and spade, donkey parade seaside at this icy breath, frozen to death time of year but that is exactly what I am going to do.

The reason for this apparently seasonally challenged aberration is that no less a name than Butlin's, who provided a large percentage of British families with their annual holiday back in the 1950s and 1960s, celebrate the 10th anniversary of hosting The Great British Folk Festival at their Skegness Resort (used to call them holiday camps when I was a kid!).

This mega event takes place from this Friday (Nov 29) through to Monday (Dec 2) and, in the true tradition of the late Billy Butlin himself, it represents outstanding value for money with prices reduced from £89, to include three nights' accommodation and entry to all music venues and events.

There is also, as you would expect, a wide range of restaurants and bars on site.

However, the real star of the show is the exceptional line-up of talent assembled for the festival.

It features performances from those legends of folk rock, Steeleye Span, and the wonderful Scottish singing star, Barbara Dickson, who 'cut her teeth' on the folk club circuit of the 1960s and 70s, long before her career blossomed into worldwide status.

Also appearing live, on the main stage, will be Eddi Reader, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Skippish, Cara Dillon, Peatbog Faeries, Tom Robinson, Martyn Joseph, Merry Hell, Charlie Dore, Tradarr, The Pitmen Poets (Jez Lowe and his mates), Bob Fox & Billy Mitchell (of The Pitmen Poets), Reg Meuross, Joe Martin, Peter Donegan (no doubt bringing back those skiffle memories created by his father, Lonnie), Skerryvore, A Winter Union, Slim Chance Banter, Alden Patterson and Dashvi, Ukejammers and, our multi award winners from North Wales, Trials of Cato, who are acquiring cult status of their own these days!

The festival also boasts an Introducing Stage, which this year features The Family Dickens, Alesund, Crayon Angels, Rhiannon Scutt, The Banquets, and Harri Endersby, among others.

On the Acoustic Stage Iona Lane, Sarah Marie Hughes, Chris Fox and Lucy Shaw will, no doubt, attract their own following.

This is certainly one of the broadest and most ambitious line-ups that I have seen this year and one that most self-funded and grant aided festivals could not hope to achieve.

Skegness itself also has a proud folk music tradition and folk rock legends Steeleye Span were named after a character in the local Lincolnshire song, Horkstow Grange.

This was also the title of Steeleye's 15th album released in 1998.

The only drawback that I can see, apart from hoping that the winter roads are kind to you, is that everyone attending the festival at Butlin's must be aged 18 or over.

However, given that, it is a fantastic opportunity to see some great acts in a comfortable and warm environment - a great pre-Christmas break in fact.

If you fancy it, phone 0330 102 5295 or 0845 070 4730 or visit www.bigweekends.com/weekends/the-great-british-folk-festival and, for more information about the festival, phone Dave Hill on 07951 679666 or 01429 424603 and don't forget your bucket and spade!

Now, returning to this weekend there are, as I touched upon in my last column, two excellent gigs to choose from on Saturday (Nov 23).

In no particular order, The Record Journal Live continue their season of concerts at Trelawnyd Hall, near Rhyl with one of the most amazing and pulsating group of musicians you will ever see. They are the remarkable Blazin' Fiddles who have been wowing audiences up and down the UK and, indeed, all over the world, for years with their high-octane performances and stunning musicianship.

Tickets can be booked through the record journal website and usual agencies.

On the same evening, there is another treat lined up for music fans at Mollington and Backford Village Hall, Station Road, Backford, near Chester, featuring one of the most talented local folk-rock bands of recent years, Elbow Jane.

In fact, so busy are they that this is a rare opportunity to see them due to their bulging forward diary dates.

All members are, as you would expect, great musicians but there is one member who, I am sure local fans will remember from his solo appearances at Wrexham Folk Club.

It is Joe Topping, son of Tom Topping (of TTB fame) and Joe is a "chip off the old block", having a wonderful voice and that presence with his audiences that is inherited rather than learned. Doors open at 6.45pm with a 7.30pm start and tickets, at £12 each, can be booked by phoning Meggi Silva on 01244 371771.

Better move on this one though, because I heard that tickets were selling fast.

On Sunday (Nov 24), at 8.30pm, The Rave On Folk Club, The Bear & Billet, Lower Bridge Street, Chester welcome back a young singer, songwriter and guitarist from North Wales, Ben Robertson.

They can justly claim that they had a hand in discovering Ben's talents when he used to go along to the club and do floor spots a few years ago.

Now, he guests in his own right and has become one of the finest finger style guitarists around. Admission is £7 on the door.

Moving into next week and a venue that I have not mentioned for a while, The Navigation Inn, Maesbury, near Oswestry.

This has become a favourite place for sessions and, particularly, The Shropshire Boatmen who use the bar to meet and play on most Tuesdays and Sundays when not gigging elsewhere.

One such session is next Tuesday (Nov 26) and anyone can go along at 9pm, and sit and listen, or join in, while partaking of the landlord's excellent ales, and all for free (the singing not the ales!).

On Wednesday (Nov 27) another rising young talent, the Scottish singer, Iona Fyfe, is in concert at Gwaenysgor Village Hall, near Trelawnyd, near Rhyl at 7.30pm

Tickets from The Record Journal Live and other usual sources.

Fans of Steeleye Span, and there are many, can see them in concert, pre their visit to Skegness next weekend, when they visit The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday (Nov 28) at 7.30pm Tickets can be booked from the box office on 01704 533 333.

Finally, advance warning of a gig next Saturday (Nov 30) that will certainly interest fans of the iconic songs of Paul Simon. A tribute show, Something About Simon, that has toured the UK and was a smash hit at this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will be performed by North Wales singer, songwriter and guitarist, Gary Edward Jones at Denbighshire Theatre Twm or Nant.

As usual, whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy your music.

By D.C.M.