I feel that Mudcat is what we make it, you say it is not a real community Gervase, perhaps after the Yorkshire Gathering you will feel different. I have been a folkie since the early sixties and know quite a lot of other folkies in my own region, then others from other parts of the UK would meet up at various festivals once a year, but with Mudcat there seems to be one big worldwide folk club where we can exchange songs, tunes, traditions and information regarding instruments etc. I have just returned from the German gathering where people from 5 countries met together for the first time and bonded as though we had known each other for many years. I have met and played with many Americian and Canadian catters with the same bonding result. These people are real and I feel that it has enriched my life by being part of this community. I have made friendships which, I am sure will stay with me for the rest of my life. I am sure Max didn't envisage what Mudcat would turn out to be when he first thought of it but it has turned into what it is by the efforts of it's members. If you go back to the threads regarding Catspaws illness about 3 years ago you will find that it is a true caring community and I hope it will stay that way for ever. Cheers Bill