Seeing professionals at SARs does not always mean their being booked to attend on a formal basis.

Two cases in point:-

Sidmouth 2005 saw Duncan McFarlane taking a turn at the Dukes open mike sessions...... a pure delight.

At the Bedford in 2004, on the Monday afternoon, Dougie McLean dropped in and sang all the choruses with us for over two hours. When he was invited to take a turn, he borrowed a violin and treated us to ten minutes of virtuoso action. He heard me sing a couple of my own songs, and before leaving, bought a copy of MY CD (I was stunned).

These are just two examples of what is a very regular occurrence at sessions around the town.

The point is that, far from detracting from the proceedings, informal visits can make a good session great, and who knows, one might hear one's own creation being given the pro treatment at some time. You can bet I gave Dougie permission to use anything of mine that took his fancy. What a boost for a local folkie!

Don T.