WIRRAL folk star Bob Buckle will celebrate 50 years in music with a farewell concert in Hoylake next week.

The Hoylake-based entertainer, dubbed The Mersey Minstrel, has been in the music business for more than 50 years and will perform his final show at Hoylake Chapel in Station Road on Saturday, November 28.

The 72-year-old, who qualified as watch and clock maker before setting off on the road to music fame, will be joined by local musicians Roger Parker and Brian Jones on the night.

The show will showcase both traditional music and many of Bob’s self-penned songs.

Bob told the Globe: "It’s definitely the last concert. I won’t be doing a Frank Sinatra, with farewell after farewell tour.

“The show is selling very well. We’ve got people coming from all over the country to see me.”

Wirral Globe:

Bob Buckle at his home in Hoylake this week. Picture: Craig Manning

His first concert was in November 1965, following which he has toured extensively in Britain, Europe and America making appearances on radio and television that run into thousands and has recorded 23 albums.

Bob started Wirral’s first folk club in 1961, with singing partner Pete Douglas when they were known as ‘The Leesiders’.

He loves to bring folk music to young children, and, until his retirement, visited around 150 schools each year in addition to his other entertainment activities.

Bob also owned and ran a 24-track recording studio producing albums for himself and other artists.

He has produced work for media outlets including the BBC and independent radio and has his own recording label, Bob Buckle Sound.

These days, alongside his love of folk music, Bob's main hobby is researching American Western history and sharing his insight into the truth behind some of the most famous and fascinating Wild West tales.

Wirral Globe:

Bob Buckle at his home in Hoylake this week. Picture: Craig Manning

Looking back on career highlights, Bob said: "I'm a folk singer and love singing, and have made a great living out of something that I enjoy doing.

"I’ve played at nearly every concert hall in the country and in front of 15,000 people in Germany."

"But introducing people to folk music has been a real highlight.

“I’ve taught about 500 people to play guitar.

"I've been to over 3,000 schools and get emails from people in their 40s, who say they learned from me when I visited their school and have since taken up guitar.

"It’s lovely to know that I have had some influence on their interest in music. A fitting legacy.”

Tickets for next Saturday’s show, which starts at 7.30pm, are from 0151 632 5566 or bob@bobbuckle.com