By the way, I wasn't trying to excuse the behaviour of the rude people whose rudeness started this thread, but I was trying to explain that this pub during Folk Week has sessions that tend to be instrumental and rowdy. It's not an organised session. It's just who happens to be in the pub. And if nobody imposes some sort of order the weak go to the wall. Members of the public, who probably outnumber singers and players, seem to prefer this louder and faster music, and Maggie and I have to limit our output somewhat to accomodate them. But while we were there on a later night, as I said, we attempted to moderate it (with the grateful help of Gary from Sheffield who we'd just met). We know that this was appreciated by the landlords, Barrie and Mike.

I'd love to think that I could do any sort of thing but sometimes for unaccompanied song you just have to go somewhere else where you'll be more appreciated, like the front room of the Tap 'n' Spile, where you could do anything and people will listen.

And Genie, I once found myself in a bluegrass session. This was a regular session in a pub we were just using in the afternoon. When the bluegrass players came in we joined in their stuff, they accomodated us, even to the extent of giving me the nod to take solo breaks (on melodeon - that well-known bluegrass instrument!). Everybody seemed happy because no one was treading on anyone's toes.