BBC historian brings tales of forgotten heroes.

A BBC historian and author will be bringing forgotten tales of the First World War to the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Kings Heath on Sunday 2nd November.

Martin Purdy is a historian and author who works as a WW1 advisor to the BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are? franchise – and he is also the frontman of the acclaimed folk act Harp and a Monkey.

Renowned for their modern twist on traditional storytelling, the left-field trio will take on some unusual themes during a two-set performance; one of which will exclusively feature new World War One material.

“We are very committed to storytelling and the celebration of the extraordinary things that ordinary people do. This is very much the theme of our First World War show – it will seek to challenge stereotypes rather than confirm them, so expect a lot of original material and facts and no war poems or Tipperary!” explained Martin.

A band that have enjoyed national radio support from the likes of Steve Lamacq, Mike Harding and Mark Radcliffe on BBC Radio 2, the Lancashire outfit’s most recent album All Life Is Here saw them described by the influential fRoots magazine as “undoubtedly one of the most vital and charismatic things happening in English folk music right now”.

Formed in 2008, the trio are regulars on the national festival circuit, and underpin their storytelling with harp, banjo, glockenspiel, viola and subtle electronica.

Entry is £10. Doors open at 7.30pm.