This spring Pedal Folk are performing across the South and South West during their recreation of the 1913 London to Somerset cycle trip made by poet and wordsmith Edward Thomas in his book In Pursuit Of Spring.

The performances will be a mixture of songs written by them using his words and imagery, readings from his book, songs and tunes mentioned in his works and/or collected in areas he passed through, and their narration.

Edward Thomas is one of our country’s unsung literary heroes, whose work deals with themes that still have huge resonance today such as the encroachment of industry and large scale mechanised agriculture into the natural world and the search for traditional values and national heritage during uncertain times. Whilst many contemporary poets and musicians cite him as an influence, his poetry is little known and his prose even less. In 1917 Edward died tragically during the Great War and there is no better time than the present to reignite an interest in his work.

Robin Grey: Inspired by the timeless work of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Joanna Newsom amongst many others, Robin colours in his songs about love and life with guitar, banjo, ukulele, piano, double bass, organ and any other instruments he can afford and fit into his little studio. His music has been described as “gently experimental nu-folk” and compared to Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Richard Thompson and Harry Chaplin – he is a bit distressed by the misspelling of the word ‘new’ and has no idea who Harry Chaplin is.

Tim Graham: With guitar playing that has “shades of Bert Jansch and Martin Simpson” (Glastonbury Folk Club) and a love of the narrative traditions of the British Isles, Tim wins fans wherever his travels take him with his sensitive and honest arrangements. Since 2010 Tim has been building his identity as “one of the new generation of musicians who are breathing new life into the folk songs of Britain” (Loughton Folk Club) and has performed with some of the best young folk performers on the circuit including Gren Bartley, Gilmore & Roberts, Ewan Mclennan, Chris Sarjeant, Jackie Oates, Kate Denny, Sam Brookes and James Findlay.

More information at www.storymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/pursuit-spring