I'm not going to shoot you down Muppett owld lad. I agree with pretty much everything you said and you make a lot of sense, you wise old guru you!

You joined in with the open mike session and full credit to you and in the best sense possible you have the performing skills, gusto,instant appeal and frankly, the balls, to be able to do that and also to get a session started in a corner of a crowded pub which inevitably will attract other wandering singers and musicians.

Trouble is Muppett a lot of folkies are just a bit more shy and retiring than you and would find it very hard to do what you can do. It's not that they are sad or miserable people it's just that some very busy environments can seem intimidating and they might feel that they are invading their space and could be unwelcome. I wish they could do what you do, the world would be a happier and more colourful place and everyone would have more fun.

It's a shame you've not met Muppett Cath because once you've seen and heard him you'd never forget him. He is a brilliant performer and very unique in what he does and I am proud to call him my friend.
It's difficult to describe what Muppett does and what makes him so special in a few words so you must see for yourself and look out for him at Tyke's open mike session in the Elephant next year.
Bye the way, there WAS one more open Mic session this year than in the past - it were in't Elephant and Castle!

Anyway, thanks for the sanity Muppett. I'm not having a big moan I am just expressing some concerns that others have expressed to me.
The informal 'fringe' element of a festival has always been a moveable feast that has to fit in wherever it can. It just seems that it is getting harder and harder each year for this to 'happen' at Holmfirth.

This is an observation that I hope can be given some consideration but in no way detracts from what is a really brilliant festival and which, as Banjiman said, reaches out to the local community in a way that is a real and quite unusual strength of this festival.

Long may it run and prosper.

Chris