A question from pfr:

who really knows what percentage of young folk singers/musicians are graduating from degree courses and seeking lucrative professional careers..

Guess round my neck of the woods a friend of mine might - their occupation? Senior Lecturer on one of those University Courses.

Now according to some posting here who are trying to tell us all that things are going so well, I in turn would like to ask them a question.

Are new folk clubs opening where these youngsters are playing and performing. How many of those clubs opened up near you?

So far on this forum there has been a litany bemoaning the number of festivals that are disappearing - not really a sign of a healthy vibrant scene that all these youngsters can take advantage of.

Two venues locally that serve as being indicative of alternatives to the local folk clubs:

The first insists on a very high performance standard, and mainly focuses on playing as opposed to singing, no floor spots, all performers are booked well in advance.

The second is organised as a sort of "Open Mic" run over the course of the summer for the benefit of local charities. Youngsters are encouraged but in the main what they perform are pop covers or self penned material in the pop idiom, perhaps you might consider them to be part of this youth revival - only fly in the ointment there is that they are not the least bit interested in folk music (And probably never will be).

Just to set your mind at ease pfr, I am NOT Keith A of Hertford, apologies if this upsets your mission.