THIS month sees the Bournemouth Folk Club return in fine style with three top shows taking place at the Trouville Hotel and Shelley Theatre.

The extensive and varied line-up is sure to please hardcore folk fans and new listeners alike.

Paul Burke, who organises the club is passionate about this seasons gigs and relishes in the spectrum of acts that are playing.

The first show takes place on September 11 at the Trouville Hotel with a group who are a hybrid of three separate artists, Will McNicol, Chris Woods and Elliot Morris.

“We are calling it a guitar special”, says Paul, “McNicol has done some wonderful concerts in the past, and the guys he has got with him are all building national reputations. It’s going to be a really fantastic weekend.”

First up is singer-songwriter Elliott Morris whose versatile blend of folk, pop and rock has complemented a range of major artists he has supported.

These include Ed Sheeran, Frank Turner and Seth Lakeman. Not to mention legendary Philadelphia soul groups The Stylistics and The Three Degrees, and revered folk veterans Martin Carthy and Dave Swarbrick.

Also on the bill at the Bournemouth Folk Club is award-winning musician Will McNicol. Will began playing guitar at the age of six and since then has gone on to become UK Acoustic Guitarist of the Year (2011) and a Fellow of Trinity College London for his playing and compositions.

He has released three solo albums of original material and several collaborative efforts all while gigging up and down the country; whether it be headlining his own solo shows, or supporting artists from Pierre Bensusan to Mumford & Sons.

Finally, this special night will showcase the talents of the highly-regarded Chris Woods Groove.

With a loyal following behind him, Chris released his second album 48 Hour Atlas last year in collaboration with Will McNicol.

The second show this month will be The Malcolm Bishop Band on Sunday, September 18 at the Trouville Hotel.

Malcolm is known as a great musical interpreter of classic folk songs from Gordon Lightfoot, Ralph McTell and Mike Silver.

A stalwart of the Bournemouth folk scene who often performs with Frank Boyle (lead guitar) and Bob Burke (bass).

To continue the season, the third show will see revered duo Chris While and Julie Matthews at the Shelley Theatre for a special night on Sunday, September 25.

After 22 years of musical partnership gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, While and Matthews have cemented their place as one of the finest duos in acoustic music.

Winners in the Best Duo category at the 2009 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and ten times nominated since 2001 in the Best Duo, Best Song & Best Live Act categories, Chris While and Julie Matthews’ musical partnership began in 1993 when they were key members and writers in the legendary folk-rock group The Albion Band with Ashley Hutchings and Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention).

In 1997 they left the band to concentrate on their work as a duo which has seen them tour throughout the world and gain an ever growing devoted fan-base.

Their songs have been covered by a range of renowned artists including Fairport Convention, Mary Black, Frances Black, Barbara Dickson, Christine Collister and Mary Duff among others but they are most appreciated for their own interpretation of these songs.

Ten studio and two live albums later their partnership flourishes.While this month will see the highly-anticipated release of their tenth studio album.

Shoulder to Shoulder introduces eleven brand-new songs to the already mighty arsenal of material that positions them as go-to writers for projects such as the acclaimed BBC Radio Ballads and Ballads of Child Migration.

With Their songs cover diverse topics and bridge musical genres, making them difficult to pigeonhole, but after years of drawing on many influences and experiences they have acquired a sound all of their own and are comfortable in the skin they are in.

Each track is delivered with impeccable vocals, musicianship and harmonies and produced with clarity and detail.

Each of the acts that perform at the Bournemouth Folk Club are professionals and passionate about folk music, and with that in mind, it is sure to be another successful year for the local music institution.

The new season continues thick and fast at the Bournemouth Folk Club with just some of the many highlights including major names such as Geoff Lakeman, Philip Henry and Hannah Martin, Martyn Joseph, Steve Knightley and Phil Beer.

The season will kick off on Sunday, September 11 at the Trouville Hotel. Tickets can be purchased on the door, or online: www.bournemouthfolkclub.com.