ONE of Britain's most influential folk singers will be celebrated this month with a festival to mark 50 years since his death.

Winterton-born herring fisherman Sam Larner was only discovered when he was in his 80s, but his music career started at the tender age of nine, when he would sing for coach parties that stopped for a break in the village.

Famed folk songwriter Ewan MacColl wrote The Shoals of Herring after interviewing Sam in a special recording in 1959 for his BBC Radio Ballads series, broadcast in 1960.

Sam, who lived in a flint cottage close to the village church, first went to sea at the tender age of eight. As the fishing fleet moved up and down the coast he would take part in fishermen's concerts and singing contests in ports from Scotland down to Cornwall.

But it was radio that finally brought him to the attention of folk music fans all over the world.

Now his home village is preparing to host a weekend of music in his name. Organised by a group of volunteers, Sam Fest features performances from some of today's established folk stars, including Peggy Seeger, who was involved in the 1959 radio recording and sang Sam's praises in its wake.

The line-up also includes traditional East Anglian music expert Chris Holderness, Norfolk step dancer Fiona Davies, Glastonbury Festival veteran Anto Morra and melodeon player, songwriter and newspaper cartoonist Tony Hall.

The festival kicks off on September 17 with a ceilidh at Winterton village school  and moves to North Walsham the following day for Sam Enchanted Evening with Peggy Seeger, Dave Burland and Blue Wing at the Atrium Arts Centre.

It returns to Winterton on September 19 with Peggy in conversation with author Peter Cox at the Hermanus Hotel, followed by a sing-around and a chance to meet many of the artists. A fundraising concert at the parish church and an archive film show also feature.

September 20 sees a talk by Chris Holderness, a fisherman's concert, another concert at the church and a gathering at Sam's grave. An open sing-around and music session at the Hermanus provide the finale.

Winterton's old lifeboat, which was discovered rotting and abandoned in a Welsh harbour and returned home three years ago will also be on display during Sam Fest. The Edward Birkbeck served between 1896 and 1925. It is under restoration and volunteers are trying to raise enough money to build it a new home close to where the last lifeboat house once stood.

For full information on tickets, times and line-up visit samfest.co.uk

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