THERE are so many reasons to catch singer/songwriter Gwyneth Herbert next week, writes Neil D'Arcy-Jones.

Appearing as part of this year’s Roman River Music Festival, Gwyneth’s gig is definitely one of its highlights, taking place at the picturesque Le Talbooth restaurant in Dedham, with a sumptuous barbecue dinner thrown in for good measure.

If the reviews for her latest musical project, the Sea Cabinet, are anything to go by her music will be enough to feast on.

Born in Hampshire and now based in London, Gwyneth discovered the beautiful Suffolk coast after performing at the world famous Snape Maltings Proms and then being asked to be its artist in residence.

She says: “It was about four years ago and after my concert the creative director, Jonathan Reekie, said he would quite like to make a home for me here.

“I’ve always liked the idea of the sea as some kind of muse and as a writer the notion of that space in between the water and the land.”

To get inspired Gwyneth went to live in a cottage on Aldeborough beach where she surrounded herself with like-minded musicians, one of which was Colchester’s Fiona Bevan.

Gwyneth says: “I met her at a gig in London. “I remembered the gig because I got heckled by a tramp who waved his stick at me.

“We didn’t meet up again until six months later when she asked me to sing at her album launch. Since then we’ve become great friends.

“I actually didn’t realise she was from this area until I told her about Snape and she said she knew it really well.”

In the Sea Cabinet, which is a celebration of the British coast, sees Gwyneth move slightly away from her normal jazz roots to develop a more whimsical folky, almost sea shanty type-sound.

Telling the story of a woman who spends her days collecting and cataloguing items washed up on a beach, which she then places in her Sea Cabinet, it has already received its London premiere as well as its Suffolk one at Snape.

Now the aim for Gwyneth is to tour it around the country, hopefully as close to the sea as possible.

“I’m so pleased the Talbooth is close to water,” she says. “I have to admit when I was asked to do the gig, I didn’t really know much about the venue but close to the river is good.”

Gwyneth Herbert
Le Talbooth,
Gun Hill Dedham.
September 26. 7pm.
£55 includes glass of sparkling wine, canapes and a barbecue dinner. 01206 323150.