ACCLAIMED folk duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin are performing at St Helen’s Church, Alveston, on Thursday, May 26

Phil and Hannah have had a meteoric rise to fame and are the hottest property in the folk world today. Awarded BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Best Duo in 2014, this dynamic couple were discovered by Steve Knightley (of acclaimed folk duo ‘Show of Hands’) while busking at Sidmouth. Recognising the potential of Henry and Martin's partnership, Knightley invited them to accompany Show Of Hands on a nationwide tour, culminating in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall at Easter 2012.

Since then it has been a whirlwind of activity. Their album “Live in Calstock” went down a storm with the critics: Spiral Earth described it as "utterly inspired and magnificent". They supported folk legend Seth Lakeman and have just returned from a tour of Australia.

Hailing from Lancashire, Phillip Henry is one of the UK’s top slide guitarists and harmonica players. Over the past decade he has immersed himself in the music of the Deep South of America, traditional music of the British Isles, and Indian classical music. The Indian influence is apparent particularly when he plays the Chaturangui, an Indian slide guitar festooned with sympathetic strings. He is also a very accomplished harmonica player.

Hannah Martin is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Devon. Her songs weave folklore and legend old and new with beautiful melodies, creating haunting compositions delivered with “a bold and beautiful singing style all her own”.

“Phil and Hannah play songs and tunes on Dobro, fiddle, harmonica that are textured, hypnotic and utterly captivating. Phillip Henry is a master craftsman on the slide-guitar and harmonica and has a fine, clear voice…he is one of the most extraordinary musicians around.” (Steve Knightley, Show Of Hands)

Tickets priced £12 each are available from Steve Hitchins on 07760 991297, via email at steve.c.hitchins@gmail.com or online at www.wegottickets.com/event/ 346730. Doors open 7.30 for an 8pm start and there will be a licensed bar and raffle. All proceeds to the work of St Helen’s Church.