Dan Haywood’s New Hawks chronicles Haywood’s journey around Northern Scotland, his songs absorb the land, it’s people and wildlife. What may at first appear quirky becomes incredibly well rooted and natural. What took five years to create can never be done again. So we had to speak to him…

From today, for one week, Folk Radio UK will be celebrating the music of Sandy Denny by including tracks throughout the day from the leading lady of British folk rock! Tracks being played include rare outtakes, demos and home recordings.

Commonplace: In this uniquely curated event from Chris Wood the English folk tradition is explored, and the stuff of everyday life that informs it. He is joined in this unofficial celebration of the ordinary by John Boden and the Remnant Kings Martin Carthy, Karine Polwart, Hugh Lupton and many others. Also listen to the kings place interview with Chris.

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winners for 2011 were announced tonight following during an award ceremony which went out live. There were many highlights of the evening as well as double wins for Chris Wood as well as Eliza Carthy and norma Waterson. Ewan McLennan also managed to pick up the Horizon Award! Find out the winners here.

Weaving the Land is the first in a new series of mixes from Folk Radio UK. The mixes explore traditional music and its connection to the land. Whether it is recalling memories of it or the longing for return to the homeland. The first mix opens to Irish poet Seamus Heaney and features Liam O’flynn, Kathryn Tickell, Kris Drever, Dick Gaughan and more.

A new feature on Folk Radio UK is a favourite weekly video. We decided to start at the top rung level, and this will be hard to beat. This is from a 1989 edition of “Aly Bain and Friends”, with none other than Dick Gaughan performing ‘Both Sides of the Tweed’ from his 1980 “Handful of Earth” album.

CW Stoneking and band are looking a little more dapper than usual with immaculately Bryllcremed hair and striped boating blazers. In truth he’s more of a preacher than a performer but certainly entirely authentic in his recreation of the downtrodden hobo blues from almost a century ago.

This weeks ‘Album of the Week’ is Fernhill’s latest release: canu rhydd which features eight new pieces which really shows their talents off to their fullest. Fernhill have been described as cultural ambassadors for Wales and its music.

Today saw the first UK event of Cape breton Sound, a celebration of the music of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Three shows are scheduled from today until Wed 3rd Feb in Manchester, Cardiff and London, and they’re absolutely FREE!

Tony Reidy’s latest release, Hayshed Days, shines even brighter than his last. He is again in the company of fellow musician Seamie O’Dowd creating a contemporary sounding album through which he weaves his memories. Ten out of Ten!

Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts have released their official video for ‘Fleetwood Fair’ which is taken from their 2010 album, Up from the Deep which was self-produced, mixed by Andy Bell and mastered by Megson’s Stu Hanna.

Bristol Folk Festival has taken the wraps off its full artist line up for the Mayday Bank Holiday weekend, revealing a strong programme of top acts from across the UK Folk scene: Show of Hands, Seth Lakeman, Bellowhead, Dervish, Rachel McShane, Bella Hardy, Fay Hield and more!