CHARISMATIC folk rock singer John Jones has a new maxim for life: one that has especial significance since his own was potentially in the balance.

One year after recovery from a life-threatening illness, the frontman of the Oysterband, one of the world’s most influential folk rock bands, is busily putting into practice the advice he offers on his album, Never Stop Moving.

The singer-songwriter, who lives near Kington, was diagnosed with colonic cancer 18 months ago. Initially, he kept his illness secret, even from the rest of his band.

After a period of “serious recovery”, he slowly began the long road back to fitness.

“It probably helped because I have always been fit,” says John, an inveterate long-distance walker, whose love of the great outdoors has long served to counter the demands of his band’s world tours.

Last spring, just months out of his hospital bed, he was back on the road for a series of continental gigs followed by a challenging three-week tour in Canada.

“For the first few gigs, I sat down between songs; I eased myself into it – there was certainly no jumping off the stage.”

Now he is mapping out a gruelling summer of hikes, through Herefordshire, where he moved 23 years ago with his partner, Doe, and the border country. Each trail will be interspersed with the high-octane stage performances his fans have come to expect.

“I want to give something back,” says John, praising the care he received from doctors and nurses. To that end he has planned a fundraising epic in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.

He’ll be kicking off with a hike taking in three castles and three breweries – with music from John and his "walking band", The Ramblers. It’s a challenge he will share with fellow walking enthusiast, Colin Kirkby from Presteigne, whose own efforts will be in aid of St Michael’s Hospice.

“Hereford County Hospital is a centre of excellence for colonic cancer, and I have nothing but praise for how I was dealt with,” says John. “They really do look after you, and the nurses of Monnow ward are just amazing.

“I’ve always been in control of my life but, for the first time, I wasn’t. You’re a patient, and you have to go with it.

“At first I couldn’t even hear what they were saying to me. I was just numb. You can’t take it in.

“I couldn’t even tell people about it; I only told the band after the operation.”

Three months earlier, John had been working on his second solo album, and kept the sobering news to himself and Doe.

As he worked on his second solo album, he kept the news from the team around him.

“Then this song came along, Never Stop Moving, and I thought, that has to be appropriate,” he added.

The album is inspired by English folk stories.

“They’re part based on life, part imagination,” he explains.

There were also reflections on that bleak period.

“For a time, you’re in a cold, alien place,” he says. “I wrote blogs and posts, and kept a notebook with ideas, but they are very dark. I’ve looked at them since; they’re very revealing, not for publication.

“Physically I recovered quickly because I was so fit, but you still have nagging doubts when you’ve had a brush with your own mortality. It’s true that Cancer is a lonely place, even when you’re surrounded by people.”

He believes these agonies are “10 times harder” for the sufferer’s carer. “You’re not exactly in a pit of despair, but in a hole,” he says. “Doe has had to bear it all, while remaining positive on the surface.”

Four months after his operation, he was “hurtling” along autobahns in Germany and into Austria with the Oysterband, determined not to miss a gig. “The stage was a redemption, it was just magic,” he says.

At home he walked to rebuild his strength. “I’ve always loved walking: growing up in the Pennines was my adventure playground.

“Walking is my gym, and in a sense it’s my church too; there is a spiritual feeling to be alone in the hills.”

Seven years ago, he persuaded musicians to join him in a “crazy” plan to walk cross-country to gigs. The "Reluctant Ramblers" pulled on their hiking boots.

“There’s no dressing room, we arrive in some pub or church – wherever they’ll have us – and perform.”

He’s about to notch up 1,000 miles since the concept began. Over the spring Bank Holiday he leads a 60-mile loop taking in three castles and three breweries in the Marches, while the Hereford One Hundred beckons in September.

The Oysterband is headlining at Bromyard Folk Festival, and John and company will hike 100 miles before rolling into Kington on September 17, to appear on stage during the town’s Walking Festival.

He has been on an epic journey, physically and metaphorically, and it’s not over yet. Indeed, John Jones is going to Keep On Moving.

For more information on walks go to https://jj-rr.org/walks-in-2016 or to donate towards John’s fundraising go to https://www.justgiving.com/John-Jones-oysterband/