What a great night at the BBC Radio Two Folk Awards on Wednesday at the Waterfront, Belfast! Great performances and a great opportunity to celebrate the wealth of talent in the contemporary folk scene.

Congratulations to all the winners, but we are particularly delighted to be celebrating the success of Singer Of The Year, Karine Polwart, joining us for a Ham Concert at Sidmouth FolkWeek from 3rd – 10th August for a week of festive seaside fun!

Well done too to nominated artists for their well-deserved places in the ranks of those acknowledged for their amazing work: Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band for Best Group and Best Album award….and joining us for an epic night up at the funky Bulverton Marquee. Big ups too to Edgelarks – Hannah Martin & Philip Henry – up for Best Duo award. Cara Dillon (Singer Of The Year), Elephant Sessions (Best Group) and to Georgia Lewis and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (Horizon Award).

And to rising (and ridiculous) talent of young Scottish fiddler Ryan Young, who will be captivating audiences in his performances at Sidmouth with the mighty Jenn Butterworth on guitar. Well done also to Ye Vagabonds, nominated for Best Traditional Track for their beautiful version of Lowlands Of Holland. The Irish duo join us for shows at the fRoots Cellarful Of Folkadelia series as well as at the Ham.

Be sure to come and see these winners – and the wealth of talent that is on the programme during the week at this year’s festival. Grab those best value Early Bird tickets now.