NO-ONE could accuse popular York folk group The Foresters of spending too much time in the recording studios.

The group, who have been performing in and around Yorkshire for more than 40 years, prefer to play live gigs, usually fundraisers – and they have raised thousands of pounds for charity over those four decades.

Now, however, the band has released a rare DVD, recorded at a recent performance in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“The concert was at Helmsley,” says vocalist and guitar player Stephen Marshall.

“We took the momentous decision to get professional help in filming and recording the concert and a selection of the evening’s songs and tunes are available on DVD at the princely price of a fiver.”

Folk favourites on the DVD include Part Of The Union, Another Lonely Lady, Ticket To Ride, Autumn Leaves, Make You Feel My Love and Wonderful World, among others.

While it is a rare recording it is not the only one The Foresters have made.

Stephen said: “We actually released an LP, one of those plastic 12ins black vinyl 33rpm long players – remember them? – in 1978. “We followed that up rapidly, well, not quite, with a cassette in the 1980s and then even more rapidly, again not quite, with a CD in the 1990s.

“Since then we have been asked to get into a studio to record but have steadfastly refused – until this latest DVD was released, or rather escaped.”

The Foresters line-up has been the same since 1982 with the exception of the addition of Jo Wheldon on fiddle two years ago.

The band comprises Mike Brown, Fred Ring, Dee Marshall, Brian Oxberry, Jo Wheldon and Stephen Marshall playing a variety of folk instruments including guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddles, flute and percussion.

And, as anyone who has seen them live will add, they throw in a fine additional instrument – humour.

The band’s next gig is at the English Martyrs Hall in Dalton Terrace, York, on March 22, when they will be raising money for the church funds. Tickets are £7.50 and available from David Bryant on 01904 709733 or Stephen Marshall on 01904 490440. You can buy the new DVD at that gig or from Stephen Marshall direct, email Stephen.marshall2@homecall.co.uk or by post at 15 Princess Road, Strensall, York YO32 5UE. The DVD is £5 plus postage and packing.