Christmas is coming, and so is the Norfolk phenomenon Sid Kipper, who appears at the Holywell Music Room in Oxford on Sunday, December 10. Sid will be revealing initmate details of the seasonal customs practised in his own part of the country.

When the nights draw in at his native village of Trunch, lusty voices may be heard chorusing The Winterton Wassup Song and Arrest These Merry Gentlemen while rural festivities include the annual Mother's Union Strike Threat, Hunting the Morris Dancer, and Children In Need-of-a-clip-round-the-Ear Day.

A hilarious live performer, Sid is something of a one-man industry who also writes, broadcasts, acts and records. Over the last ten years or so he has released six albums, published five books, and written and presented two series for Radio 2. Sid had a cameo role in the BBC TV production of David Copperfield, and this year saw yet another development - podcasting on the web.

For Channel 4 Internet radio he has recorded The Kipper Country Code. Four 30-minute episodes, which offer advice to townies contemplating moving to the country.

"You get all these people who come along and they say oh, I couldn't live in the country because when I go jogging in the dark, I bump into things'. I says well you ought to have the sense not to go jogging at all, let alone in the dark. Do a decent day's work and you don't need to go jogging'.

"The Kipper Country Code is for all the people that's moving out to the country to warn them what to expect', he told me.

"It is not just a one-man show. The vicar's there, the Reverend Call Me Derek' Bream - he does a bit in each episode. I tried to stop him but I couldn't. My nephew Kevin is not on it, but he is there. We've had a lot of contractual problems about whether he should be paid, and how much he should be paid. So he's on but you can't hear him. That seemed to be the best compromise."

Deadpan delivery is part of the Kipper style, along with puns, spoonerisms and lateral thinking. And if Sid is an expert on country ways he is also steeped in knowledge of the folk tradition which, I said, he appeared to know inside out.

"Well, I know it inside out, but a lot of people know it outside in don't they? They weren't really brought up in it. I do a show called Vaughan Williams Stole My Folk Song, which sort of puts them right.

"When I was little I learnt the stuff straight off - folk songs, stories, music, all that sort of thing. Then, of course, my father Henry and me got sort of discovered' eventually.

"We would have been discovered earlier, but they went and discovered the Singing Postman by mistake - and he got on and we didn't."

But things came right in the end and Sid Kipper and Henry Kipper gradually made quite a name for themselves as The Kipper Family. "Then I got rid of father, which was the best thing I ever did. Well, he insisted on being paid."

In 1992, Sid gave his first solo performance, in Chichester. He has described online how it was a nerve-racking experience, but inside he was loudly confident. "After all, I only had to play my instruments and sing my songs. I knew I could do both them things alright. The only thing I hadn't actually practised was doing them both at the same time.

"I launched off into The Stick Of Rhubarb, and right from the start they was with me. What's more, they was still with me at the end, which is always a good sign, cos sometimes they sneak off if you sing with your eyes closed, and you don't notice till there's no applause."

The show he is to present at the Holywell, Christmas Cod Pieces forms part of Oxford Folk Festival's season of winter pre-events.

"It will be all the old favourites, plus all the new favourites," said Sid." I'll probably do Haul the Decks and Bows with Holly, that's an old maritime carol.

"And I've got another Christmas song which is called Turkey in the Door, a sort of groovy, upbeat number."

Country boy he may be, but Sid keeps up with the times. He is no yokel and no fool either. "If you want to find a fool in the country," he reminded me, "you'll have to take him with you."

I suggested that with his flashy kipper ties, his dress style was even a bit spivvy.

"Well, I learnt a lot off my uncle George.

To tell the truth I can't really mention him for legal reasons. George has got a bit of a reputation. He's currently in South America because, well, er, he ran away from the Isle of Wight. I can't be too specific obviously, because they're looking for him. He is a lovely singer is George - much better than my old father. It's a shame he has to help the police so much with their enquiries."

As for Sid's own Christmas? I'll be home with mother I suppose, and wish it away really. You talk about Christmas for three weeks and you've probably had enough by then, I reckon. I'll probably have to ring the handbells. And I'm doing a show in the village hall at Trunch. I do it most years, for the church roof or whatever. After all it was Uncle George that nicked the lead in the first place. So it is only fair."

Sid Kipper performs his Christmas Cod Pieces at the Holywell Music Room, Oxford, on Sunday, December 10, at 7.30pm. Tickets £10/£9 from Tickets Oxford at the Oxford Playhouse (01865 305305) online at www.ticketsoxford.com, or call 01865 249194.