The disappeared thread was initiated by someone I don't know telling me I had no right to voice my views on a festival which, admittedly, I have not been at for several years. However, when I have been (at sporadic intervals between 1960 and 2004) it has been a capacity of little importance but I have done just about EVERYTHING from Appalachian step to workshops on instruments I can't play.

What I have to say to the person who whinged is that one singaround doth not a festival make. If you actually want to lurk in a pub all day singing a cappella only, that's entirely up to you. But if you then shriek "elitism" at those who want to maintain and improve standards out of love of the English music and dance traditions, you are plain wrong. And to anyone who claims provenance and attribution of material does not matter, I will continue to contradict them.

I know very well that if I did turn up at the Radway and join in with one or two tunes that I can play well, I'd be welcomed or at least tolerated. Then I'd go and do something else. As a tourist at other similar sessions I have many a time been helped generously by many an Important Musician who didn't tell me what to do but what I might do.

Sidmouth is not what is was to me (OK, Ms Archer I know all the arguments) but when I do go again, I shall continue to utilise the Anchor for what it is always has been to me: a convenient loo when at a ceilidh outside. And to all those peeps who recognised my remarks as passion for music and saw no evidence of "personal attack", thanks. Shouting down from my high horse between bites of Marmite toast, that's exactly what it was, and is.

PS To the man in the silly hat who advised me to go to the Royal Oak LAST NIGHT, this must be why I keep on missing it. I always thought it was on Thursday . . .