It’s been a big week for Stevenage’s Kelly Oliver, who is celebrating the release of her new single and a slot just down the road supporting a BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winning act.

Kelly Oliver’s double A-sided single Rio/Sane World came out on Friday and on Sunday night she was at Hitchin Folk Club opening for male harmony trio The Young’uns, stars of this summer’s Folk by the Oak Festival at Hatfield House.

Kelly is building her name thanks to her critically acclaimed songwriting and support from Walkern-based champion of acoustic folk and roots, Helen Meissner.

Having started a label specifically to release the music that her daughter Lauren Deakin Davies recorded with Kelly in 2013, Helen’s boutique label Folkstock Records has promoted Kelly’s debut album This Land.

The new single features material from Kelly’s follow-up album Bedlam, which is due out in March.

There are two quite different songs, both of which have already gained national airplay. Rio is an up -tempo romp and Same World is a beautiful ballad produced by North Herts based-Stu Hanna, half of acclaimed folk duo Megson.

You can catch her in person on Saturday night at Pirton Village Hall, where she’s supporting award-winning folkies Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar. Tickets are £10 from the Village Store and online at www.wegottickets.com. Doors 7.45pm, concert starts 8pm. All enquiries to 01462 712864.

For more details about Kelly’s blossoming career, visit www.folkstockrecords.com.

This weekend at Hitchin Folk Club multi-instrumentalist Chris Leslie, best known for his work with Fairport Convention, takes centre stage with a new solo album to share, and also on the bill is Maz O’Connor. Find out more at www.hitchinfolkclub.idnet.net.