"They don't appear in folk clubs because folk clubs do not pay them enough. Unlike The Sandman and Big Al, they are not prepared to put in the graft of honing their skills and testing what they have to offer in the grind of travelling round the gamut of folk clubs and their wildly differing audiences. They are the product of university musical degree courses where apart from perfecting their undoubted talents, they are taught marketing and promotion. The "groups/Bands" they form are like mushrooms, constantly changing overnight sensations, once heard instantly forgotten."

What a complete load of rubbish. It's that attitude that actively discourages youngsters from going to folk clubs. It actively discourages me, and I'm no youngster. There are plenty of young amateur musicians who don't want payment, don't want to study it at university - just want to play where they won't be put down for simply being young and wanting to take things in a different direction. My 18-year old daughter is one of them. She was brought up going to gigs and festivals but wouldn't be seen anywhere near a folk club now.