I am not a countess with a capital C. It's how I registered. Don't you know Child #68 and can't you visualise the agenda of someone so treated by Young Hunting?
Who is this Grumpy Guest person anyway? How is it any of their business that I have been at the funeral of a musician followed by a gig (in a f*lk club as it goes, but one of the best) and have certainly not been 'keeping quiet' at his/her (presumably 'his') behest?

Fancy being satisfied at being 'at least competent'. I wasn't so I don't. Perform any more, that is. And as I don't write professionally any longer either so I am free to speak as I find and say what I like. For rather a lot of decades I have attended venues in a multiplicity of guises all over the UK and Europe. I don't regard it as 'being self-important' to say that I know by now if a venue is working for the performers, the punters and the music because I've been up there, I've stage-managed and I've reviewed.

'Inclusory' doesn't exist as a word. However, those who bang on about 'inclusiveness' mean inevitably 'lowest common denominator'. Sod that. If 'elitism' is to be equated with excellence, long live elitism. Don't play out till you can. Value your cultural heritage and add to it, don't abuse it. And keep it relevant by moving with the times, knowing your audience and keeping abreast with what they want.