God speed, Skip. The ability to publish this sort of post and the sentiment behind it is why I married you. Listen - Plucked from the Start, some might see the high standard of musicianship and singing that is prevalent at your sessions as being a barrier to freely participate. God knows only knows what they'd think of being relegated to the bar whilst the great and good get on with the serious business of playing and singing by ear. Give me strength.

Anyone who has seen Skip's workshops on how to begin to play in public with others without fear of ridicule from the likes of Plucked, will realise that sessions may well be more populous in future due to his encouragement. He offers this through sharing his experiences wittily as a beginner on some instruments despite being an expert on others.

Plucked From the Start has signified via the enlightened posting that there is a profound need for this type of thing. £57 well spent in my opinion. Get yourselves to Cottenham if you can and when you've broken through that the barrier of playing your first tune or singing a treasured song in public, send Plucked (assuming that he or she hasn't succeeded in managing to play where beginners are barred) to the bar to buy you a celebtation drink. And raise a glass to Skip.

I'd love to know "where one of our session" (sic) actually is. Beginners who rely on music stands in our neck of the woods always seem to have such a good time. Doesn't it just get on your nerves, Plucked?