In response to Cath's comment re Musicport moving to Brid, I am a regular attendee at this tremendous festival and I think the reasons for moving were more than purely financial. I do not know the whole story but I believe that Musicport were trying to develop an additional venue in Whitby but this did not work out (after considerable time and expense). This coincided with the redevloment of Brid spa who presumably made Musicport an offer they could not refuse to move to this new venue which will presumably offer more space and comfort than the Whitby Spa. I will desperately miss going to Whitby for Musicport as the service and atmosphere at the spa were tremendous but hopefully the new venue will offer the same but with more seats!

Luckily this year I will be returning to the New Year sessios at Whitby after a break of more years than I would have wished so hopefully I will see many of you there.

I'm glad Jim corrected the statement that Wetherspoons buy their beer at the last minute just before it goes off. This must be the most irritating modern myth going round at the moment presumably started by some bright spark at a rival pubco's marketing dept. Wetherspoons has its faults but in some places it is the only pub where you have a reasonable chance of getting a decent pint in pleasantish surroundings.

Cheers from sunny (ha ha) Bradford!