WITH a personal invite from Billy Bragg to play Glastonbury, sessions on 6 Music and Radio 2, five star reviews and a feature in The Guardian, the songwriting, voice and piano partnership of Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow is regarded as ‘One of British folk music’s mightiest combinations’ (MOJO). As part of their national Spring Tour 2019 they will be performing at the Queens Hall in Burley in Wharfedale on Saturday, May 11 to help raise funds for the Burley Bridge Association (BBA).

Belinda and Heidi’s boundless songwriting has been described by The Guardian as ‘exceptional’ and The Independent as ‘defiant, robust, northern, poetical, political folk music for the times we live in.’ Their song ‘Gentleman Jack’ features as the closing theme song for Sally Wainwright’s latest BBC/HBO drama series Gentleman Jack, shortly to be shown on BBC. From an emotionally charged song about an elephant orphanage in Nairobi, to a joyous celebration of the Leeds cycling champion Beryl Burton, they explore, consider and connect subjects and stories in a distinctive, inventive and memorable way.

Having the originality and skill to invite comparison with the most celebrated harmony duos, from early Simon and Garfunkel to the iconic Kate and Anna McGarrigle, 6 Music’s Tom Robinson says: ‘They sing together in the way families do. Normally, you only get that closeness in the voices with family bands like The Coppers or The Watersons.’

David Asher, trustee and Secretary of the Burley Bridge Association said: “We are very excited about Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow including Burley in their Spring Tour. The concert also forms part of our current series of music events to raise construction costs for the bridge. They are an exceptional group at the top of their game, with many plaudits from across the music industry for their beautifully crafted and delivered music. Anyone attending the concert will be in for a memorable evening. Many of their concerts sell out, so I would urge people to get their tickets in advance if possible to ensure they are not disappointed on the night.”

Tickets cost £14 and are available from the Coffee Station in Burley, and Just Books in Ilkley and Otley. They can also be purchased on line at ticketsource.co.uk/burley-bridge-association. Doors open at 7.15pm for an 8pm start. A bar will be provided.

Details of the campaign for a safe crossing of the River Wharfe in Burley in Wharfedale and forthcoming BBA events can be found at www.burleybridge.com, or contact the group via Facebook @burleybridgeassoc or Twitter @burleybridge. Their AGM will be held at St Mary’s Parish Centre on Wednesday, May 8 at 7.30pm with speaker Paul Burgess, Manager of the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.