THEY may belong to Devon but it's the doomed and much-loved Wimborne Folk Festival that can claim to be the birthplace of Show of Hands.

And years later, just down the road in Poole, a 700-strong audience were delighted to welcome the talented duo of Steve Knightley and Phil Beer for a night of moving and inspiring roots music as part of their Wake The Union tour.

Knightley sings as naturally as the rest of us breathe, his voice as rich as Devon cream. And of course, every word can be heard - what would be the point of acerbic, clever lyrics about immoral bankers and the death of rural villages otherwise?

Highlights in a great set include Country Life, Haunt You, Cruel River and everyone's favourite singalong Arrogance, Ignorance and Greed.

He's a good storyteller, too, and together with talented multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer and Miranda Sykes, who provides the backbone with double bass and effective harmonies, they deliver a superb sound and a fantastic evening's entertainment.

English folk mixes with American influences, and they're joined for a bit by Canadian Leonard Podolak and American Matt Gordon, who have already entertained and educated us in the ways of old-time Appalachian music as the well-received support act.