STEVE Knightley is best known as one half of British folk legends Show of Hands.

But the singer-songwriter loves to get back to his roots, and that is what his current Grow Your Own Tour is all about.

Knightley, 59, who was born in Southampton and grew up in Devon, is on a mission to play as many village halls and “grass roots” venues across the country as he can.

“Show of Hands has been growing ever bigger so I thought I would do a handful of smaller venues,” he said. “But I enjoyed it so much I decided to do a few more. I put the word out to fans and asked if they knew of any village halls where I could play and I had about 350 responses.”

He’s currently playing about three gigs a week and says he’s having a lovely time.

Speaking to the Journal during the current tour, he said: “I’ve been to Scotland and Cornwall, and this week I’m doing Bath, Stoke and York. I’m really enjoying it. At a big arena you’re dealing with the professional set-up and the inner city parking and things like that, whereas on this tour I turn up, stand in the middle of the room and play.

“I have three young kids and I have been away touring for years and years, but now I go home and spend weekends with my family.”

Knightley started off dreaming of being a rock’n’roll musician but gradually moved back towards the folk tradition in which he was raised, starting to play with his Show of Hands partner Phil Beer when he was in his 30s.

The fame of the group grew until they were selling out the Albert Hall, but Knightley says he enjoys the smaller venues just as much.

“It’s like going for a meal,” he says.

“You can have a barbecue on the beach or a meal in a five-star restaurant and both are equally nourishing at the time.”

l Steve Knightley’s Grow Your Own gig is at Codford Village Hall at 7.30pm on Friday, April 25. For tickets and information call 01985 840426 or email whitesheetpromotions@greatridge.plus.com or denise@greatridge.plus.com.

* SINGER Miranda Sykes, who has played with Show of Hands at many gigs over the years, will be joined by mandolin maestro and Scoville Units band member Rex Preston at Ebbesbourne Wake Village Hall on Saturday, April 26 from 8pm.

Tickets cost £10 and are available from ewmusic@btinternet.com or on the door. More information at ebbesbournefolk.org.uk.