Bubblyrat: In a few years - maybe ten or even twenty - those kids will grow up a bit and realise that it's actually fun to play with newe people and even listen to them. They don't now, quite possibly because they think that they're better than everyone else. They might or might not actually be better (I suspect not, because however technically good they may be they can't possibly have enough experience yet) but even the best benefit from and enjoy playing together. They will realise that, possibly not consciously, sooner or later.

If our club is anything to go by, it'll be flourishing in 20 years. Three years ago we had to move from our home of 38 years. A few weeks ago we had to move again. Each time we have moved we have increased the size of the audience; new performers keep coming out of the woodwork and performers often say how much they enjoy and look forward to singing here.

BUT (and if I was tecccie enough I'd've made it a big but) most of these performers are in their forties and fifties and the audience is as well - if not older. I am often one of the youngest in the room, at 49.   So we have GOT to encourage the youngsters to come in.

How, of course, is the problem.   I see them at festivals: all ages from babes in arms (who don't have much choice) to teens, twenties and thirties, who do.   It's this lot we have to get in. They obviously go somewhere to sing, play and dance when they're not at festivals.   Lots of trendy (THAT dates me) young performers too, most of whose names I'm somewhat ashamed to say I don't know, but Kate Rusby and Eliza Carthy spring to mind.


We gotta get em in!

Steve