At the end of 2013, Vic & Tina Smith of Folk at the Royal Oak Lewes are stepping down. We've asked them do a special evening at Lewes Saturday Folk Club on 29th. March 2014 at which they will not only sing and play as usual, but give a presentation on their fifty years of running folk clubs for mainly traditional music. They have always made a point of booking source singers as well as modern performers; their Sussex Singers Nights featuring The Copper Family, George Belton, Bob Lewis, Bob Blake, Cyril Phillips and Scan Tester were an inspiration to me when I was in my teens.

The evening will be entertaining, nostalgic and highly instructive for anyone interested in a tested method of running a folk club over a very long time. Entrance will be £5 and floor singers will, as always, be welcome. We'll start at 7.30 p.m. rather than the usual 8.00 p.m. to give Vic and Tina extra time.

By the way, I think this presentation could usefully be put on at festivals and anywhere else where people might welcome informed practical guidance about how to run a traditional music club.