The best experience I can recall was at Sidmouth 2003, when, on the Monday afternoon, Dougie McLean wandered into the Bedford, and sat down to listen. After about half an hour he was asked if he would like to perform, and borrowed a violin. He then asked all the musicians to join him, and produced a virtuoso 15 minute set of traditional tunes with enthusiastic accompaniment from every instrument in the place. He stayed for over two hours to listen to the rest of us. During a break in the proceedings he approached me, said that he had really enjoyed my comic songs, and asked if I had recordings of my material, as he would like to buy one. I said I would be very happy to give him a copy of my CD, but he insisted on paying for it. He then thanked everyone for allowing him to join the session, and left. A real gentleman, and an example of what singaround etiquette ought to be.

Don T.