I started with my instrument in time to be able to cope, just about, with the first Tuneworks beginners sessions. Not having been to that many festivals over the years I can't corroborate Les in Chorlton's superlatives but I agree that they are excellent - all strength to them and more of the same please.

However, I don't agree with Les about the Polkaworks 'Ceilidh Band' workshops. Despite being slightly out of my depth but managing to tread water I thought they were excellent. They did explain and demonstrate, on both days, that they themselves were playing the tune in slightly different ways and - if I understood correctly - that amongst that we were supposed to go with what suited our ears and our instruments. Not to all play the same thing off a piece of paper.

Tuneworks is great but I think that the-120-people-in-a-festivel-tent-most-of-whom-are-sight-reading style of playing can only get us so far.