About to get on train number 1 for my 9.5 hour journey to Derbyshire! On my way @michellelaverick.bsky.social … put the kettle on. A couple 🎟️ left. Come & see us at the Coach House Studios, Wirksworth, Sat 7th. Doors 7pm. (Linktree in my bio.) The Helm Winds EP launch night! Going to be 🫶

Second of my Narrowboat Sessions films is now up on Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/v/1Bod... Little Thief 🐑 Thank you @mariaquinnmusic.bsky.social 🙏 Thank you, Mark 🙏

Changing strings for my first gig of the year 🎶 I’ll be supporting @michellelaverick.bsky.social at the launch night for her beautiful new EP, The Helm Winds at The Coach House Studios Wirksworth, Sat 7th Feb at 7:00PM Only 3 🎟️ left! 👉 www.ticketsource.co.uk/booking/sele...

Thanks for the lovely words about Wintersmith, Andy 🙏 @folkmylife.bsky.social

all at once the hedgebirds tell me look up #DailyHaikuPrompt (twittering)

🔥 Excited to be part of this new collaboration 🔥 Work won't start until 2 April, but we'd appreciate you giving us a follow at theuntangledknot.bandcamp.com Here's a flavour of what you'll find... @johnreedmusic.bsky.social @racheltaylorbeales.bsky.social #bethporter

A great place to catch your breath as you make your way up the A1 from Newcastle to Edinburgh: Put it in your diaries: www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/whats-on/art...

Things keen to be up and at it this morning = bulbs Things not keen to be up and at it this morning = Fara

First daffodils of the year. (Note I’ve got as far as looking out the books for you, @tulliallan2274.bsky.social 😁)

I’ve spoken up for Scotland’s wildlife! The Natural Environment Bill is our chance to restore Scotland's nature, and bring Swift bricks into law. action.rspb.org.uk/page/183453/...

It’s blowing a hoolie out there. Cosy in here, mind, as I finalise my set. 2 wks today I’ll be on a train to Derbyshire, to open for @michelle.laverick.music as she launches her beautiful, beautiful latest EP - The Helm Winds. Few 🎟️ left. Link in Linktree in bio 🍃

Lovely night at the Folk Club at Glachbeg Croft last night, over on the Black Isle. Thanks to Steve and the fab UHI folk on sound, and Bob and Helen for hosting. Such a welcoming Open Mic 🫶 And … cake! 🍰🧁 🙏 for the 📷 and all the laughter during the car rides there and back, Emily

Seems our Sparrowhawk is becoming a regular. The locals aren’t happy. And very, very absent.

Big Tech is trying to break the rules - again. Google and Musk were held accountable, but lobbyists now want to weaken the laws that protect our safety, privacy, and money online ✍️ Tell EU leaders: protect people, not billionaires! action.wemove.eu/sign/2026-01...

Roaaaaad trip! (Well, rail …) 🚆 Delighted to be opening for my friend Michelle, at the launch night for her beautiful new EP ‘The Helm Winds’. If you haven’t heard it yet, you should! 👉 michellelaverick.bandcamp.com/album/the-he... A few tickets left - see link below. 👇

Many thanks to John Reed for playing my song "High Force" from my newly released EP called the "Helm Winds". You can hear John's show "Compendium" again on MixCloud - I'm on around the 40min mark... www.mixcloud.com/JohnReedBrea... Compendium 246 Playlist: www.mixcloud.com/JohnReedBrea...

Wow. That was some light show! #Forres #NorthernLights

Today's earworm. I'm not familiar with #Discworld yet this is most evocative. Bravo @shirley-sings.bsky.social

Suddenly…the garden was devoid of birds. Except one.

Final verse of my 1st wee song of the year. Written sitting wrapped up in bed, early morning 2nd Jan, watching the Blackbirds arrive 1 by 1. We’ve been feeding the birds in our garden lots the last few weeks as it’s been so cold. The Blackbirds always arrive first. They’re getting quite bold.

Looking forward to going along to this Listening Party tomorrow night ✨

Thanks to Readifolk Radio Station for playing the Helm Winds on their show last night - you can hear the show again on Mixcloud - also in the show music by The Grand Old Echo, Ash Gordon, Carus Thompson, Chasing Abbey, Julie Fowlis and Sam Carter... www.mixcloud.com/ianfreedman1...

Today is a #hopeoverfear kind of day www.musicdeclares.net/gb/ #nomusiconadeadplanet

Off to bed with a big smile on my face after hearing Anna Massie give Wintersmith a spin on BBC Radio Scotland’s Travelling Folk tonight - and look at that company! 🤩 🙏 Anna and team ❄️ Catch up on @bbcsounds here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Oidhche mhath

Snow makes Fara a very happy girl ❄️❄️

Perfect winter weather music. Streaming on most platforms…just saying ❄️

Rare visitors to our garden. Such beauties! #Bullfinch

And just like that, Christmas is over for another year.

May your eve be merry and bright 🌙

They seem to have had no problem adjusting to a holiday routine.

So lovely to have Wintersmith included in The Folk Club Christmas Special amongst such remarkably good company! You can hear the show in full on Mixcloud here: www.mixcloud.com/stuart-green... Thanks Stuart 🙏❄️

A big thanks to Iain Anderson and team for the BBC Radio Scotland play last night for Wintersmith 💙 Still can’t quite believe that we’ll be losing his show at the end of the year. So grateful to Iain for the support and airplay I’ve received since starting to release my own music 🙏

This week's Christmas Eve Compendium playlist was selected by speed-scrolling my Apple Music, in a ‘stick a pin in the map’ kind of way. The results are something of a surprise, with unintended connections between songs. The music is amazing. Join me at 8pm (UK) Wednesday www.folkfridayradio.com

Thank you for the release-day spin on your show for Wintersmith, @genevievetudor.bsky.social 🙏 And for the lovely shout-out for @marrywaterson.bsky.social too ❄️ Catch up here: www.mixcloud.com/Genevieve_Tu...

Happy Solstice! ✨ Here’s to the return of the light and the release of my new single, Wintersmith. Head to www.shirleybarrmusic.com for all relevant links ❄️ #terrypratchett #wintersmith #independentmusic

@johnreed.bandcamp.com thanks for the Folk Friday Radio play for playing Wintersmith on your Compendium this evening! Cracking show 🙏

The Compendium airs today on www.folkfridayradio.com at 8pm (UK). Join me 😎

“Work?” “What do you mean you’re trying to work?” …

I've just called on the UK Government to stop Berwick Bank! The world's deadliest wind farm for birds shouldn't be funded by public money. action.rspb.org.uk/page/183454/...

Thanks @johnreed.bandcamp.com & FATEA ❄️ Handy preorder link here: shirleybarr.bandcamp.com/album/winter...

Thanks to @johnreed.bandcamp.com and FATEA for this lovely review for Wintersmith ❄️ Read it in full here: www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/rev... Preorder the single via Linktree in my bio

Compendium 241 - Song 8 The Far North - Sailor And The Sea Album: Songs For Weathering Storms Date: 21st November 2025 Web: thefarnorth.co.uk Blue Sky: #TheFarNorthMusic

When your old mate Joe gives you the best shout-out on air. New music has winged its way to you, Joe. Thanks for your kind words, and here’s to a pint and a catch-up one day soon 🍻

It’s winter dog walking time of the year. Head torches and glorious night skies.