Mention is made in previous correspondance of "superstars"; I assume we are referring to performers whose excellence over the years means they have managed to get enough gigs to earn enough to sustain a reasonable standard of living from the folk scene. Thing is, if you mention their names to other than folkies, they haven't a clue who any of them are – hardly "superstar" status then. Why do I get the feeling they are held in some disdain by some people on the folk scene?

Unfortunately, I think the key issue here is that of the "floor singer" or whatever you want to call them. What is the objective here? I would not discourage the concept of people learning acoustic music together from each other, perhaps encouraged by a more experienced person but the difficulty arises when this is combined with the presentation by a professional performer where the audience have paid. If people are paying for a performance then they expect a certain standard; clearly it would appear this is not being achieved by the current participants in Harrogate.

The whole idea that everyone can perform folk music worries me. There are workshops at Festivals and local encouragement to "join in" but, whilst providing plenty of enjoyment, I'm not sure that achieves the desired goal, that of keeping folk music alive. If there is little quality, anyone listening turns off and forms a negative image in there mind. Regretably, I think this is probably the case in the Harrogate area. The idea that you can present sub-standard music and expect money for it just doesn't work.

I would suggest that a monthly gig at the Empress, presenting the best of the folk scene is what the public wants, perhaps it would be advisable to consult with York, Leeds, Pannal, whatever, clubs to ensure the same artists aren't getting over exposed and some artists no work at all, and, indeed, ensuring the longer term future for the clubs and the music. There is obviously a market for professionally presented folk music but it will have to stand on its own two feet. You make ask how the young ones will get to the required standard – I don't know the answer to that but people like Emily Smith, Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby, Spiers and Boden and other successful younger performers do know. I think they would say that they have aspired to a professional and high quality performance. Folk music will be safe in their hands.