THERE'S been something going on in the city for two years now, and you may have been missing out.

Hereford folk club returns with a bang after its summer recess next week, with an impressive line-up for its third successive year.

It's the first time a folk club has succeeded in the city, which is surprising when you consider the number of guitarists and knitwear-lovers you see about.

Its success is largely down to the energy and commitment of two men - Paul Barren and Derek Kent - but thanks go to The Courtyard, and Martyn Green, for its continued support, and community music organisation, The Music Pool, for its 'godfatherness'.

What began as an offshoot of The Music Pool's Nightjar world music nights has, rightly, gained its own place in Hereford's music scene.

The club gives a chance to young musicians who may not have performed in front of a live audience before, as each evening features a support act.

Working on the premise "If you book them, they will come," Paul and Derek have attracted capacity audiences to the Courtyard studio theatre with names such as Steve Tilston, Vin Garbutt, Derek Brimstone and Bob Fox.

"People like playing in Hereford," says Derek. "They appreciate the venue, the acoustics and the style of the place."

The club works on various levels, and a definite hardcore of come-what-may supporters has evolved.

"But that's not to say it's cliquey," says Derek. "I do think there are people who don't know what they're missing, and I constantly get people saying to me - 'I had no idea that goes on here'."

The club has forged strong links with both Bromyard Festival (over the weekend of September 10-12) and Monmouth Folk Club, which meets fortnightly.

"It's good to exchange ideas, and compare notes," says Derek.

The evenings offer more than just a musical interlude - many performers have excellent on-stage presence and folk musicians often have a cracking sense of humour.

Which brings us on to the 'f word'.

"Folk is its own worst enemy in a way," Derek says, "with people using a whole shower of words to avoid using it - acoustic, rootsy, folksy - all of which describe what is 'just music'.

What scares people so much is the image of Aran jumper-wearing men with one finger in their ear. But folk is really not like that any more - well, it can be - but it can also be much more."

Many of the professional musicians play folk standards which the audience can sing along with - if they want. "Again, it's fine not to," says Derek.

"It's a great little club, and for a fiver what more can you ask?"

The Folk Club returns next Thursday, September 2 with Radio 2 Folk Awards winners Jon Spiers and John Boden, who have appeared at all of this year's major festivals.