But seriously though, that question about the contribution of Black folks to British culture during those times is what this thread is all about.

In truth there was also a subtext - are there any black Mudcatters?

I can see why this might matter and be of interest to some but I don't really see that this request is generally very helpful nor the assumption made that their are few if any - just because the poster may not state their ethnic origin, gender, sexual preference etc, in every contribution.

They is no way of knowing these things from what is written and as these issues do tend to divide us - it may be better, for music discussions, that we don't know. I see music as means of overcoming these divisions and in a similar way - there is no way of knowing (for sure) by just hearing it - what the race, gender etc of the performers may be. I would suggest that for the enjoyment of the music - this does not really matter very much.