I think the Countess is the reason for the decline in folk clubs. When I started going in the 60's there were none of her type about.

First of all there were plenty of people about then who were prepared to define what folk clubs were about and what was and was not allowed. It was why Hull had two folk clubs, one was "traditional", the other did "folk and blues".

Since the Countess and those like her are responsible for the decline and folk clubs, are they also responsible for the rise in folk festivals, ceilidh dancing, the dozens of sessions that now exist and all those fine young musicians I see at festivals?

I think she should be congratulated for the consistent rise in standards of folk music that has happened.