FOLK-rockers Show of Hands have been at the top of their game for decades and one of the most popular and successful outfits in that genre.

And a lot of the band’s success has been down to bassist and guitarist Miranda Sykes who joined Phil Beer and Steve Knightley some 15 years ago after being asked to dep for a gig.

Phil and Steve have been following solo projects for some time so it makes sense for Miranda to follow suit.

She’s currently on the road, armed with her trusty double bass, and touring her latest album Behind The Wall, a follow-up to the Borrowed Places tour a couple of years back.

Where Borrowed Places looked to the past and dealt with events in her life, Miranda’s latest release asks questions about the future: Where are we going? What does it mean to be human these days? Where will our actions take us? What time is News at Ten on?

All very important questions but these are more importanter…

* Where and when will Miranda be appearing down this way?

*How much are the tickets and where do I get them?

*What time does the bar open?

I have the answers for you right here…

*Osmington village hall, next Saturday, March 16.

*Tickets are £12, from 07816 832554.

*I’m not sure if there is a bar, but doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start

Moving on, and the proceeds of last month’s The Boys Are Back In Town reunion of bands from the 60s and 70s were shared out last week.

Package Deal, Gut and Steel and the Eleventh Hour pulled off another night to remember and reminisce at the Centenary Club in Weymouth, bringing in scores of punters from across the country Event organisers Chris Dean, Simon Breakspear and Chris Steadman presented cheques for £600 to the Lantern Trust, which does sterling work for the vulnerable and homeless in the area, and also to Muntsys, the Opportunities RUnLimited charity which helps support adults with learning or physical disabilities.

Board trustees Louise Cosgrove and Jane Smith told me: We are very grateful to ‘The Boys’ for raising such a substantial amount for the charity and it will certainly go to good use.”

And talking of kind gestures, fans travelled from as far as Newcastle and Wales to join the congregation at a jam-packed Wyke Regis Working Mens Club last Friday to celebrate Jumping Jimmy Thunder’s 76th birthday.

I don’t think I’ve seen the Workies as rammed and veteran entertainer Jimmy was his inimitable, magical self and was superbly backed by The Silhouettes.

The ever-humble Jimmy was clearly overwhelmed by the response but promised another show later in the year and the club has made a ‘substantial donation’ in Jimmy’s name to Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Top work all round fellahs.

Till next time…

FRIDAY 8

Jess Upton, Steve Wilson and Robbie McIntosh (Chapel in the Garden, Rax Lane, Bridport)

The Shakespearos (Finns, Weymouth)

Ctrl Alt Del (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Devil’s Doorbells (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Mispelt Yoof (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Darren H (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Afro Ninja (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

The Remedy (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Sainty (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

The Undecided (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Rob Davis (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Leanne Jackson (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Jack Humphries (No 10, Bridpor)

Martin Freed (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

SATURDAY 9

The Unravelling Wilburys (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Amy Mayes (Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis)

Hybrid (Finns, Weymouth)

Skinful (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Tripod (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

The Katz (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Cuba Libre (Ropemakers, Bridport)

The Shakespearos (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Nite Lite (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Aaron and Karina (Weymouth Conservative Club)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

City Limits Duo (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Stacey Lou (Gloucester, Weymouth)

4 Go Mad (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Between Bars (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

All Souled Out (Little Ship, Portland)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (No 10, Bridport) 12-2pm.

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (Reloved, Dorchester).

Dale Fender Band (RBL Club, Marnhull)

Finnian (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Georgie Broad (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Diane’s Open Mic (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

SUNDAY 10

Lil Jim (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Zoe Schwarz and Rob Koral (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 4.30

Rocking Rich (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8.30pm.

Skint Imperials (Britannia, Portland) 5-8pm.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth)  From 3pm.

Jack Daniels Band (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Alexis (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Leanne Jackson (Black Dog, Weymouth) 4-6pm.

Mutter Slater Band (No 10, Bridport)

Gut and Steel (George, Portland) 4pm.

MONDAY 11

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY 12

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Night (Star ,Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY 13

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return,  Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

Park Life open mic (Park, Weymouth)

THURSDAY 14

The Manfreds (Weymouth Pavilion)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return,  Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

Andy Grant (No 10, Bridport

FRIDAY 15

Crocodile Rock: Elton John tribute (Weymouth Pavilion)

Glass Spiders (Finns, Weymouth)

Regulation 9 (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Elvis (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Steve Payne and Billy (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Brain Harris (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Elijah Wolf (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Revolution (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Pretty Lustful (Waterloo, Weymouth)

The Undecided (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Darryl Rushby (No 10, Bridport)