And to respond to the original posters argument, one really can't run an economy on smoke and mirrors. Brown as chancellor may have deluded himself that all was hunky-dory. He certainly had his own party deluded for a while or so they now say. 'We didn't realise that Gordon was spending imaginary money' was an election-night quote.

On the credit side, doing folk stuff is cheap-ish and good for morale. Something has to move into the vacuum created as big football and stadium rock look top-heavy. Which reminds me, when did skiffle re-emerge?

Went to Guilfest - at least three skiffle groups there. Our choir - Guildford Vox - were followed by United Stoats of America and then joined them on stage for their last few numbers. Good fun.

Also Witchdoctors and another skiffle group in one big set in the Unison tent with United Stoats. Excellent fun, which is what we need.