This all started from Dick stating how good an evening he had at the Swindon Folksingers Club. That particular club's main reason for existing is to allow its members to sing. A guest is a real added bonus.

And yes there are real care in the community people who attend and sing. Some may not be good singers but they all enjoy the participation. I recall one new older couple coming for two weeks and just listening, on the third week they announced that they would also like to sing, their introduction said that we might not know the song and then launched into Puff the Magic Dragon. Their repertoire has increased considerably since then though they still like the f*lk music of the sixties!

This kind of participation and inclusion would not be tolerated at an Arts Centre but is almost expected at the old, crusty, dyed in the mill, archaic clubs!

Long live the "traditional" folk club!

Now, calm down and quiet please, I want to listen to some singing without an argument (not discussion) going on in the background.

thanks