Grace Notes launch their third album at a concert next weekend. Keighley's first ladies of folk tell David Knights how they keep in tune.

Rock bands have been known to spend months hidden away recording "that difficult third album". The girls of Grace Notes, Keighley's folk harmony trio, had just four days to complete Anchored To The Time.

And unlike a chart-topping supergroup they didn't get to spend those days in Mauritius or the South of France. The wilds of Cumbria - Fellside Records' studios in Workington, to be precise - is probably more the Notes' style anyway.

Intensive hours locked away in the Lake District certainly inspired the women, while giving the album a cohesion lacking in some better-known names. And Maggie Boyle, Lynda Hardcastle and Helen Hockenhull see this as one of the strengths of their third recording.

"Even though there's a real difference in the types of songs, I think there's an overall feel to the album," says Helen, adding that the album mixes contemporary and traditional folk songs with several numbers by American writers.

The women are quick to point out that although some of the songs "verge towards country", they're not performed in country style. "It's all about harmony," says Lynda. "And we've got more confident in the choices we make."

One of the tracks is very much country - Don't Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim - but it's a pastiche and was penned by a writer from this side of the pond.

It was this song, written by Kirsty McColl, that brought Grace Notes together in 1993 years ago during a light-hearted cowboy night at Keighley's Bacca Pipes Folk Club. Lynda and Helen had been long-time regulars while Maggie had joined after moving to Oakworth.

Lynda and Helen invited the newcomer to join them for the one song - as a way of getting to know her - and greatly enjoyed themselves. "We had an empathy right from the start," says Helen. "That's why we keep going. Somebody brings a song and it comes together quickly."

Quality didn't come by accident, though: all three women were experienced folk performers before they came together.

Helen was a founder of popular 70s folk group Muckram Wakes and later that decade performed with the New Victory Band. Lynda had been with Mountain Ash as well as recording mid-70s concept album The Hermit with other local musicians.

Maggie had a full-time folk career, performing alone and with then-husband Steve Tilston, as well as recording film soundtracks and working with Ballet Rambert.

Grace Notes has remained a permanent but part-time project, sandwiched between Maggie's solo commitments, Lynda and Helen's teaching careers, and bringing up children. As well as playing one-off gigs within driving distance of Keighley, the trio comes together in the school holidays fon mini tours around the UK

In this way - playing around three gigs a month - Grace Notes have become popular among folk fans across the whole country. "It's a real conjuring act but we enjoy it," says Maggie. "And we've been booked for Whitby Folk Festival every year."

This year's Whitby week saw Grace Notes perform three times a day as well as premiering songs from the album. Keighley audiences can hear the whole album live - as well as a few old Grace Notes favourites - when it is officially launched next week.

The group will perform two sets at St Anne's Catholic Social Club, Spring Gardens Lane, on Sunday October 21 from 7.30pm. Between will be a a performance by singer-guitarist Kevin Loughran whose repertoire ranges from traditional Irish songs to Hoagie Carmichael and Hank Williams.

Tickets cost £5 (£4 concessions) from Offshoot Wholefoods in Cavendish Street, or by phoning 01535 607723. Anchored To The Time is on sale at Offshoots as well as Reids Bookshop, also in Cavendish Street.