A concert is being staged on Monday 11th August in Knaresborough to launch 'The Blind Jack Band', a benefit CD of Yorkshire songs, tunes and verse. The recording features contributions from many of the county's finest, including Dave Burland, Laura Hockenhull and Chris Simpson of Magna Carta. All revenue from the CD sales will be donated to Henshaws Society for Blind People, who are renowned for their work with young, visually impaired students.

The concert is part of Knaresborough's annual FEVA festival, and is headlined by Cockersdale (who have announced that this is their farewell year). Support includes the hilarious Otley-based poet Kevin Collier, the Knaresborough Mummers, Zeke Deighton and Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers. Titled "An evening with Blind Jack and friends", this is the third annual concert, the past two having proved very popular and enjoyable, mixing good music with humour. The concert, like the CD, is named in honour of Knaresborough's famous road builder (and fiddle player) John Metcalfe, whose triumph over disability remains an inspiration.

The venue is Knaresborough's Frazer Theatre. Tickets are £8.00 (concessions £6.00), kick off time is 7:30. More info is available on the festival website, www.feva.info. Credit card ticket purchases can be made via Harrogate International Centre (tel. 0845 130 8840) or from Knaresborough's Tourist Information Centre.

Please come along and support a worthy endeavour. More info on the CD can be found at www.blindjack.co.uk