ST HELEN’S Church in Alveston is setting off their 2016 season of concerts with a performance by the acclaimed duo of Simon Mayor and Hilary James.

This duo's musical diversity and wry wit always translates into a hugely entertaining stage show. Their performances can range from beautifully evocative Irish ballads into a mandolin and guitar version of Handel's Arrival Of the Queen Of Sheba and can then drop into one of their own notorious comic songs with wry humour and an easy, informal stage manner.

Simon Mayor started out as a guitarist and fiddler, but his current position as one of the world's foremost mandolinists (and composer for the instrument) has led to an ever increasing number of invitations to play and teach at festivals and workshops.

Hilary James' elegant singing has received huge acclaim: quintessentially English but easily crossing the great musical divides from Celtic ballads to blues and Berlioz. She's famed too for an unlikely taste in bass instruments (she could turn up with her giant mandobass or slimline semi-acoustic double bass), accompanying Simon on guitar on anything from Vivaldi to bluegrass.

Hilary’s mandobass has become their trademark, it has such a large presence that it is often referred to as the third member of the duo.

Together they are a force of nature that deliver genre defying uplifting music that encompasses folk, blues, jazz and the occasional classically inspired piece as well. They have also done considerable work for the BBC composing and performing comic songs for children’s television.

They have previously supported “Fairport Convention” on a UK wide tour and played at Fairport Convention’s festival at Cropredy; this has resulted in their music being appreciated by a much wider audience.

We know that they will go down a storm at St Helen’s so get your tickets early.

The concert takes place on March 11. Tickets at £13 each are available from Steve at steve.c.hitchins@gmail.com or by phone on 07973 496525. Doors 7.30 for performance at 8pm. There will be a licenced bar. All proceeds go to the work of St Helen’s Church, a registered charity., March 11