"And, again, if anyone, including you Ruth, on the folk/poetry scene would like me to do a full paid gig, I'll have a go - I try to get through my repertoire (listed on the left-side) once per week, with keyboards and English flute/tenor recorder."

I don't want to interrupt but the above does seem to represent a general problem in so far as some people think they have a right to a paid gig/to obtain a booking without a) putting the work into build up an audience (as the artists would know - this can often take years) or b) being of the necessary standard.

I have no idea what you're public performances are like Walkabout but what guarantee would you be able to offer to a potential promoter that you could attract an audience and provide a good night for the potential audience?