21st Century Folk [The Folk Show With Mark Radcliffe]

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Comments

Andrea: Food And Friendship In Sunderland

20230115

Andrea Bell and friends run a soup kitchen and food bank in Sunderland.

Her story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write brand new songs about real people from the North East of England.

The Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen serves free food to people in need, four nights a week. In 2023, the service is busier than ever, welcoming homeless people and any family or individual struggling to make ends meet.

Andrea meets Martyn Joseph, the singer-songwriter from Cardiff, who learns about the soup kitchen and its team of volunteers before taking the time to write a brand new song. Later, he returns to perform it directly to Andrea herself.

Armed with an observer's eye for detail, a gift for dramatic lyrical twists, and his guitar, Martyn travels the world performing powerful songs about relationships, family, and society more widely. He has a history of involvement with humanitarian projects. His latest release, 1960, is his 23rd album and came out in 2021.

21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives.

With presenter Mark Radcliffe.

Martyn Joseph writes a song for Andrea Bell and her Sunderland soup kitchen.

Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.

Delyth: Gifts Of Hope In Blyth

20230115

Delyth Raffell and family run a charity supporting disadvantaged children in the North East of England, inspired by her late daughter Ellen.

Delyth's story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write brand new songs about real people from the North East of England.

Ellen tragically lost her life after an allergic reaction at age 16. Mum Delyth and the Raffell family are inspired by their daughter's memory to support other children in their region.

Singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore meets Delyth to hear about her extraordinary daughter, and the pain and purpose that inspires the charity called Ellen's Gift of Hope.

Thea Gilmore is from Oxfordshire. She released her debut album in 1998 at the age of 18. Her latest full-length album, The Emancipation of Eva Gray, was released in 2021 in parallel with Afterlight, a new album and distinct new stage name. Thea's latest EP, Was, came out in October 2022.

21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives.

Thea Gilmore writes a song for Delyth Raffell, whose late daughter inspired a charity.

Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.

Ifti: Care, Community And Football In Middlesbrough

20230115

Dr. Ifti Lone is a GP in Middlesbrough. Since moving to the UK from Pakistan, he has served the same Teesside community and became a lifelong fan of Middlesbrough Football Club.

Though partially retired, Ifti administered thousands of Covid vaccines during the pandemic. After catching the virus himself, he ended up in intensive care.

Award-winning songwriter Sean Cooney meets Ifti in the local GP surgery to hear about his life, work, and love of Boro, before writing a new song about Ifti and performing it with his fellow bandmates from The Young'uns.

Sean, from Stockton-on-Tees, co-founded The Young'uns with David Eagle and Michael Hughes. Their rousing harmonies, strong social conscience and wicked humour have made them an unmissable live act. Their creations include 8 albums and an acclaimed stage show called The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff.

Sean and Ifti discuss the power of football to unite a community, the challenges facing the NHS today, and the experience of being saved by intensive care.

21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives.

With presenter Mark Radcliffe.

Sean Cooney of The Young'uns sings for Middlesbrough GP and football fan Dr Ifti Lone.

Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.

Michael: Life On Wearside Docks

20230115

Michael Dodds is a fifth-generation foyboatman in the port of Sunderland.

His story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write songs about real people from the North East of England.

Day and night, Michael helps ships from around the world to moor on the Wearside docks. His modern role involves high-tech communications, whereas previous generations used small boats, ropes and whistles.

Michael is the fifth in a family line of 'foyboatmen', which is a local word for the job. His son-in-law works alongside him today.

Michael meets legendary Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford, who is inspired by Michael's experiences to write a brand new song. Singer Kathryn Williams has written the music, and performs the song to Michael.

The port of Sunderland was, until recently, a place where Ukrainian steel arrived in the UK. Looking forward, it will be where 4000 giant turbines are shipped out to Dogger Bank to build the world's largest offshore wind farm.

Chris Difford co-founded Squeeze in 1974. Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Pulling Mussels (From The Shell) and Tempted are among the songs he co-wrote with Glenn Tilbrook, before embarking on a solo career.

Liverpool-born singer Kathryn Williams lives in Newcastle. She has made ten studio albums and was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2000.

21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives.

With presenter Mark Radcliffe.

Kathryn Williams and Chris Difford sing for Sunderland foyboatman Michael Dodds.

Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.

Katie: Parties With A Difference In Northumberland

20230115

Katie Toner runs parties and sleepovers that are accessible to all children.

Her story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write songs about real people from the North East of England.

Katie is from Northumberland. She is autistic and has ADHD, and due to those differences she found it very hard to enjoy typical children's parties. Now a young adult, she is determined to create experiences that all children can enjoy.

Songwriter Angeline Morrison meets Katie, before writing a brand new song inspired by her life and work. The music is performed by Northumbrian band The Unthanks.

Angeline Morrison is from Birmingham and now lives in Cornwall. In 2022 she won Cambridge Folk Festival's award for upcoming talent: the Christian Raphael Prize. She also released The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs Of Black British Experience', which was produced by Eliza Carthy for Topic Records.

The Unthanks are one of the UK's most loved and respected folk groups and famously draw on their Northumbrian origins. Centred around the sibling harmonies of Rachel and Becky Unthank and the arrangements of Adrian McNally, their music is distinctive and beautiful. The Unthanks' 2022 album Sorrows Away hit the Official Albums Chart and followed their acclaimed work for Mackenzie Crook's BBC One series Worzel Gummidge.

21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives.

Mark Radcliffe presents.

Katie Toner and her magical parties inspire a song by Angeline Morrison and The Unthanks.

Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.

Angeline Morrison is from Birmingham and now lives in Cornwall. In 2022 she won Cambridge Folk Festival's award for upcoming talent: the Christian Raphael Prize. She also released ‘The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs Of Black British Experience', which was produced by Eliza Carthy for Topic Records.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Comments
01	Andrea: Food And Friendship In Sunderland	20230115	Andrea Bell and friends run a soup kitchen and food bank in Sunderland. Her story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write brand new songs about real people from the North East of England. The Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen serves free food to people in need, four nights a week. In 2023, the service is busier than ever, welcoming homeless people and any family or individual struggling to make ends meet. Andrea meets Martyn Joseph, the singer-songwriter from Cardiff, who learns about the soup kitchen and its team of volunteers before taking the time to write a brand new song. Later, he returns to perform it directly to Andrea herself. Armed with an observer's eye for detail, a gift for dramatic lyrical twists, and his guitar, Martyn travels the world performing powerful songs about relationships, family, and society more widely. He has a history of involvement with humanitarian projects. His latest release, 1960, is his 23rd album and came out in 2021. 21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives. With presenter Mark Radcliffe. Martyn Joseph writes a song for Andrea Bell and her Sunderland soup kitchen. Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.
02	Delyth: Gifts Of Hope In Blyth	20230115	Delyth Raffell and family run a charity supporting disadvantaged children in the North East of England, inspired by her late daughter Ellen. Delyth's story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write brand new songs about real people from the North East of England. Ellen tragically lost her life after an allergic reaction at age 16. Mum Delyth and the Raffell family are inspired by their daughter's memory to support other children in their region. Singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore meets Delyth to hear about her extraordinary daughter, and the pain and purpose that inspires the charity called Ellen's Gift of Hope. Thea Gilmore is from Oxfordshire. She released her debut album in 1998 at the age of 18. Her latest full-length album, The Emancipation of Eva Gray, was released in 2021 in parallel with Afterlight, a new album and distinct new stage name. Thea's latest EP, Was, came out in October 2022. 21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives. Thea Gilmore writes a song for Delyth Raffell, whose late daughter inspired a charity. Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.
03	Ifti: Care, Community And Football In Middlesbrough	20230115	Dr. Ifti Lone is a GP in Middlesbrough. Since moving to the UK from Pakistan, he has served the same Teesside community and became a lifelong fan of Middlesbrough Football Club. Though partially retired, Ifti administered thousands of Covid vaccines during the pandemic. After catching the virus himself, he ended up in intensive care. Award-winning songwriter Sean Cooney meets Ifti in the local GP surgery to hear about his life, work, and love of Boro, before writing a new song about Ifti and performing it with his fellow bandmates from The Young'uns. Sean, from Stockton-on-Tees, co-founded The Young'uns with David Eagle and Michael Hughes. Their rousing harmonies, strong social conscience and wicked humour have made them an unmissable live act. Their creations include 8 albums and an acclaimed stage show called The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff. Sean and Ifti discuss the power of football to unite a community, the challenges facing the NHS today, and the experience of being saved by intensive care. 21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives. With presenter Mark Radcliffe. Sean Cooney of The Young'uns sings for Middlesbrough GP and football fan Dr Ifti Lone. Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.
04	Michael: Life On Wearside Docks	20230115	Michael Dodds is a fifth-generation foyboatman in the port of Sunderland. His story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write songs about real people from the North East of England. Day and night, Michael helps ships from around the world to moor on the Wearside docks. His modern role involves high-tech communications, whereas previous generations used small boats, ropes and whistles. Michael is the fifth in a family line of 'foyboatmen', which is a local word for the job. His son-in-law works alongside him today. Michael meets legendary Squeeze lyricist Chris Difford, who is inspired by Michael's experiences to write a brand new song. Singer Kathryn Williams has written the music, and performs the song to Michael. The port of Sunderland was, until recently, a place where Ukrainian steel arrived in the UK. Looking forward, it will be where 4000 giant turbines are shipped out to Dogger Bank to build the world's largest offshore wind farm. Chris Difford co-founded Squeeze in 1974. Cool For Cats, Up The Junction, Pulling Mussels (From The Shell) and Tempted are among the songs he co-wrote with Glenn Tilbrook, before embarking on a solo career. Liverpool-born singer Kathryn Williams lives in Newcastle. She has made ten studio albums and was nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2000. 21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives. With presenter Mark Radcliffe. Kathryn Williams and Chris Difford sing for Sunderland foyboatman Michael Dodds. Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world.
05	Katie: Parties With A Difference In Northumberland	20230115	Katie Toner runs parties and sleepovers that are accessible to all children. Her story is part of Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, where singers write songs about real people from the North East of England. Katie is from Northumberland. She is autistic and has ADHD, and due to those differences she found it very hard to enjoy typical children's parties. Now a young adult, she is determined to create experiences that all children can enjoy. Songwriter Angeline Morrison meets Katie, before writing a brand new song inspired by her life and work. The music is performed by Northumbrian band The Unthanks. Angeline Morrison is from Birmingham and now lives in Cornwall. In 2022 she won Cambridge Folk Festival's award for upcoming talent: the Christian Raphael Prize. She also released The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs Of Black British Experience', which was produced by Eliza Carthy for Topic Records. The Unthanks are one of the UK's most loved and respected folk groups and famously draw on their Northumbrian origins. Centred around the sibling harmonies of Rachel and Becky Unthank and the arrangements of Adrian McNally, their music is distinctive and beautiful. The Unthanks' 2022 album Sorrows Away hit the Official Albums Chart and followed their acclaimed work for Mackenzie Crook's BBC One series Worzel Gummidge. 21st Century Folk is inspired by the classic BBC Radio Ballads. It sees five real listeners have songs written about their lives. Mark Radcliffe presents. Katie Toner and her magical parties inspire a song by Angeline Morrison and The Unthanks. Mark Radcliffe explores the wide range of folk and acoustic music from around the world. Angeline Morrison is from Birmingham and now lives in Cornwall. In 2022 she won Cambridge Folk Festival's award for upcoming talent: the Christian Raphael Prize. She also released ‘The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs Of Black British Experience', which was produced by Eliza Carthy for Topic Records.