With only one man left standing, as it were, and the other big gigs of the week already sold out, I will give you details of that one remaining event before whizzing forward to a very busy (and festive) next weekend.

As the Soundbox promotion at St Mary's Creative Space, Chester tonight (Dec 6), one of O'Hooley & Tidows', Winter Folk, 2019, tour gigs is already sold out, this leaves us with the spirit of Christmas being upheld by The Raven Folk Club, The Bear & Billet, Lower Bridge Street, Chester on Sunday (Dec 7) at 8.30pm. The brilliant singer songwriter from Leicester, Pete Morton, now living in London, is bringing his new show, So, This Is Christmas: A Troubadour's Carols to the venue. Resident band, Full House, have built up quite a rapport with Pete over the years and recorded an album with him a few years back. This is a ticket only event so, fingers crossed, phone Nick or Chris on 01244 677212/343788 now to book yours, at just £8 each.

The other sold out gig of the week, not surprisingly, is the appearance of folk-rock band, Merry Hell who will play to a Full House (no pun intended) at The Hungry Horse Acoustic Club, The Whitby Club, Chester Road, Ellesmere Port next Thursday (Dec 12) at 8pm. They have been performing their Anthems To The Wind tour to packed audiences all over the UK and, in addition to the album that preceded the tour, they have also released a documentary DVD, A Year In The Life Of Merry Hell. It could be one of the top festive folk presents this year. Mind you, if someone told you they were going to give you 'Merry Hell' at Christmas, you might be forgiven for giving them a wide berth!!!

As I said, at the top of the column, with a scarcity of available gigs before next weekend and a veritable proliferation of festive goodies thereafter, I will fast forward to allow you to book in good time before they too are sold out!

On Saturday (Dec 14) there is a triple choice, although it will very much depend on your 'travel to folk' area. Farthest away, at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport, The Albion Christmas Band bring their Yuletide repertoire to this popular venue on Morecambe Bay. The festive singing begins at 7.30pm and tickets can be booked through the box office on 01704 533 333.

Just over the border, in Chester, the Chester Samaritans stand to gain some much-needed cash from a Folk Concert in aid of Chester Samaritans. The venue is All Saints' Church, Hoole, 2 Vicarage Road, Hoole, Chester at 7.30pm. The double bill features two of the best local bands in the North West, the renaissance outfit, The Time Bandits and the rousing Wirral-based band, Fiddlestone. Tickets for this worthy cause evening are just £8 and you can phone 0151 357 3495 to book yours.

The triumvirate of gigs concludes on home ground with a Christmas Concert staged by Llandegla All Styles Music Club. They have moved their usual club night from Monday to Saturday (Dec 14) specially for the occasion although the venue of The Memorial Hall, Llandegla remains the same. The guest band for the evening is led by Bram Taylor, a man very familiar to fans of Wrexham Folk Club as he has supported the club by playing at many of their Christmas charity nights over the years. Bram Taylor is one of those solid performers who consistently provide a value for money evening wherever he plays. He has also been Fellside's longest serving recording artists with regular releases on CD. The 'Longest serving and most supportive artist to the company' award he received from Fellside is one of his proudest achievements. Without doubt Bram still has one of the finest and, more importantly, one of the most listenable voices on the folk scene and this, together with his infectious Lancashire humour and a happy knack of finding some great songs, makes him a firm favourite with audiences throughout the UK.

In January 2012 a landmark was reached with the release of his 10th album on Fellside, Jokers & Rogues, a quite remarkable achievement of which Bram can be justly proud.

However, the story does not end there, and his musical journey continues to delight and entertain audiences all over the UK.

The other two fine musicians making up The Bram Taylor Band are Nick Peake and Dave Howard who met at the BBC in the 1970s brought together but a mutual love of music. They formed a Beatles tribute band with other work colleagues and discovered a shared interest in folk and acoustic music. Both are extremely talented multi-instrumentalists. Dave plays everything that has strings and played mandolin with the legendary Lancashire folk group, The Oldham Tinkers. Nick is also a master of several instruments, including a grand piano but has not yet worked out how to take it in gigs with him!!! Friends and musical colleagues for several decades they certainly have the knack of being 'in tune' with each other.

Tickets are a very reasonable £7.50, which includes entry into a Christmas prize raffle with some great prizes on offer. Telephone Barry Evans on 01978 790671 to book for what is sure to be an entertaining night.

On Sunday (Dec 15) at 8pm this glut of goodwill continues at Whitchurch Leisure Centre, John Talbot's School, Whitchurch, Salop with a concert by a festive band like no other. A Winter Union, five leading lights in the British roots' scene, come together to perform this seasonal set and tickets, at £14 (concessions £12) can be booked by phoning the leisure centre on 01948 660660 or 07506724572.

Finally, last, but by no means least, our advance notice gigs slot is rounded up by pour old friends at The Mucky Duck Folk Club, Ewloe Social Club, Old Chester Road, Ewloe where, the following Monday (Dec 16) at 8pm it will be a bitter sweet occasion for long-time fans of their guess, The Houghton Weavers. As regular readers of this column will know, lead singer and frontman, Tony Berry, was sadly taken from us earlier this year. However, like the troupers they are, the band decided to honour their bookings in Tony's memory. He leaves a huge gap, but I am sure the rest of the lads will step up to the plate and do him proud. Tickets can be booked by phoning 01352 720045 and, if experience is anything to go by, this will be another sold out gig so, pick up that phone now. Well, there you are, another breathless trawl through the goody bag but, don't forget, whatever you do and wherever you go, enjoy your music.

By D.C.M.