As one of those organisers in Kent (Maidstone), I feel very strongly about setting myself up as a judge of quality, and arbiter of eligibility to perform.

Sure, there are some low quality performers on the scene, and we all know of people whose presence raises groans from the crowd (Oh no, not him again.).

One of the great delights of the folk scene for me is watching most of those as they develop and improve, and we should remember that we all started at that level.

As for the few that don't/can't improve, they have at least the love of music, and the enthusiasm to keep trying. Who am I to tell them they aren't good enough to be heard? I'm sure there are people out there who feel the same about me.

Every club I have been involved with has been INCLUSIVE, and that will remain the case in the future.

At the very least, the presence of poor performers could be said to highlight the talents of those who are good at it. How would we judge good without bad as a benchmark. Come to that WHY should we judge in the first place?

Don T.