>>>Apart from seeing them on YouTube have you ever seen Artisan? I don't remembering them visiting the West Country recently...<<<<



Oh here go again...First of all...it was Myspace...

Nope...I've never seen Artisan. You're dead right there. I discovered them (as in 'heard') though, through Radio Britfolk Dave. Gosh...I wrote REAMS about Britfolk on the BBC board Dave..but where were you????? And all the others, who whinge that no-one takes folk music seriously? Britfolk is a wonderful idea..but oh no...all the Moaning Minnies did was try and get the Britfolk thread closed by whining on about all the 'Radio Threads' I'd started! ????????????

Not ONE person gave them any support....pretty much the same over here too, from what I can see. Jaycee's done many programmes on Britfolk and featured Artisan too...I fell in love with their voices...Sorry if that's a crime in your book. I also love the voices of Coope Boyes & Simpson as well....So hang me now! :0)

>>So having a full-time job teaching your son is not really an excuse.<<

Actually it is. My job for the next four years is ALL about him. Each year I have to prove to those 'who must be obeyed' that I am doing 'my job' satisfactorily..That's the highest accolade any Home Educator is ever given...'satisfactory'....because of course, no way could we ever be given an 'excellent'...Oh dearie me no!...So far, each year, my son and I, together, reach 'satisfactory'...I also have a family to bring up, outside of my 'job'....and that, for the time being is more than enough thank you.

>>In fact you have an advantage because to gain a qualification like the one my wife has you need to be in a position to be able to demonstrate your skills and this usually involves seeking out a pupil to work with. You will not have that difficulty.<<

I certainly won't. My son is not 'a pupil' about whom I will write reams, study, and discuss. He's a young person making his way in life, in his own way. Discovering what he's interested in, freely and with any support I can offer. He's not watched, nor bound by tests or forms or anything else. He is free to learn what he wants, when he wants, how he wants...and learn he does. When children are free, they WANT to learn...because they can then follow their hearts and minds..It is such a simple thing to understand and one the Factory Farm Education System has overlooked for way too long.

I'd be a useless teacher Dave, not because I can't teach, because I can...but because I don't and won't conform to idiotic, controlling 1984 style rules and regulations. That's all part of what is so very wrong with our schools at present. I'd never fill in forms about children or say what I think they're expectations are etc..I'd just want to help and teach them...The red tape, which is crippling the Education System and getting rid of so many excellent teachers is appalling and leaves me utterly cold.

I read the other day, that soon they're going to be testing babies and toddlers too...Lord Help Us All!

However, full marks to both you and your wife for what you are doing. I'm 100% behind excellent, caring 'natural' teachers....and dead against ones that do far more damage than good.

And now...back to Seth.... :0)