WHEN the great Martin Carthy unexpectedly retired, as he was due to go on tour with his daughter Eliza, she decided to continue the tour as a tribute to her father, and will be one of the major draws at this year’s Lyme Regis Folk Weekend, from Friday 28th to Sunday 30th August.

Eliza Carthy comes to the Marine Theatre on Friday 28th with a group of musician friends to perform the Songs of Martin Carthy. She has drawn together an ensemble of varied and talented musicians, all of whom have played a role in Martin’s outstanding career.

These artists, who may include Nick Hart, Tim Van Eyken and Eliza’s son Finn Curran Carthy, will share the stage with her, honouring and celebrating Martin’s immense legacy and musical back catalogue.

As well as Eliza’s gig, celebrating one of the all-time greats of the folk world, the folk weekend includes a tribute to a folk star who died too young.

On Saturday, the Sandy Denny Project (pictured) is brought to the stage by six musicians – Sally Barker, Marion Fleetwood, PJ Wright, Gemma Shirley, Mat Davies and Mark Stevens. With every passing year, Sandy Denny’s reputation as a songwriter and interpreter of traditional material continues to grow.

Sandy Denny, briefly a member of the Strawbs, but best-known as the charismatic singer and songwriter with Fairport Convention, died at the tragically early age of 31 after a fall down a flight of stairs.

The two concerts on Sunday 30th begin at 1pm with Ophelia, the latest musical story created by Bob Whitley (guitars and mandala) and Lee Mackenzie (cello). Known for their previous musical explorations, Magellan: Circumnavigation and Anne Boleyn: Wolf at the Door, the pair have now turned their attention to tell a story of “love, treachery and tragedy”, inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet.

The final evening concert features Dorset-based favourites Ninebarrow, who are patrons of the festival, with friends Honey & The Bear and Becki Driscoll.