MUSIC created by some of the world’s best-loved singer-songwriters will be performed at Otley Courthouse this autumn.

Fans of James Taylor, Carole King and Neil Diamond should be in for a trip thanks to upcoming visits by Fire and Rain and Bob Drury.

Fire and Rain are in town first, on Saturday, September 28, and is described as ‘a collection of five of the best musicians from the North of England coming together to play music they love’. The five piece consists of Tom Townsend (from The Tom Townsend Blues Band), Rich Adams and Mark Gordon (from Stony), Paul Tilley and Bob Walker.

They have come together for a one-off tour to bring audiences around the country the joy of Carole King and James Taylor’s music in what they are calling a ‘magical musical holiday’.

Fire and Rain hope is inviting music fans to join them at the Courthouse from 8pm ‘to celebrate the music of two timeless singer-songwriters and performers in what will be a memorable evening of first-class entertainment’. Tickets for the Otley show cost £12.

Bob Drury was hailed while performing in Las Vegas two years ago as one of the world’s finest vocal tributes to Neil Diamond. Now he’s back touring around the UK with a new show celebrating the legendary Neil Diamond and his incredible back catalogue of songs.

Bob’s one-man show, Viva Neil Diamond, has been hailed as a ‘must-see’ for any Diamond fans, who are being promised an evening packed with hits.

All of Diamond’s evergreen favourites will feature, including Cracklin’ Rosie, America, Love on the Rocks, Play Me, Hello Again, Forever in Blue Jeans, Beautiful Noise, I’m a Believer, Red Red Wine and, of course, Sweet Caroline.

Diamond’s UK hit, Pretty Amazing Grace, plus a few lesser known songs will also be performed on the night.

Bob’s Courthouse performance will start at 8pm and tickets cost £16.

The next Otley Science Cafe, meanwhile, takes place at the Courthouse from 7.30pm on Thursday, September 26.

Each ‘cafe’ sees three expert speakers giving a quick-fire slide presentation followed by a question and answer session. The September cafe will see discussions on Molecular music: the Sound of Chemistry; Sugar, Fat, Alcohol...What’s Worse for the Liver?; and Caricatures and Dancing Homers: The Maths of Shape.

For tickets or more details visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk, call (01943) 467466 or pop into the Courthouse, on Courthouse Street.