THE Village Pump Folk Club in Trowbridge, which in its day was one of the country’s leading clubs and spawned the Village Pump Festival, has its grand re-opening tonight.

Mastermind John Alderslade has booked ‘all the usual suspects’ including Merv Grist and Leander Morales to set the scene at the club behind The Lamb on Mortimer Street.

Entry is £3, which will include club membership, and first info on future big nights: already on the menu are Martin Carthy on April 10, a chance to see one of folk’s biggest names without travelling. Fred Wedlock and Pump favourites Show of Hands and Jonny Coppin are booked, and there will be regular open mic night and spots for up-and-coming young performers.

Concerts at the Arc Theatre will continue under the Village Pump handle, with Last Orders, a great young band who have been making quite a noise on the folk scene, booked for April 25.

Bands wanting to play at the May 3 all-day gig planned for The Foresters in Melksham should contact mobsta promotions now. Geisha House, Switchback and Lauren Dobbin are already on the bill, so to join them contact Mel Austin ASAP on 01225 705866.