"however if there were this great groundswell of support - where has it evaporated?"

I think the biggest factor is the change in live performance generally, and people's expectations of that experience. As it has become the norm across most types of music to provide more professional event management, and more mainstream venues programme a diversity of musics including folk, the average punter has grown to expect the venue experience.

We're thinking about introducing an acoustic cafe on Sunday afternoons - comfy seating, nice food and drink on offer...it's the intimate performance exprience, but on a slightly different level to the folk club.

These are the rigs of the time.