Folkiedave Just spotted this in another thread.

As always I'm on the look out for musicians who might play for us. Any offers?? Also anyone who wants to, is welcome to come and dance (regadless of whether or not they've danced border morris before)

and commented, sarcastically That'll give morris dancing a good name then.....,

Everyone has to start somewhere. It seems to me a reasonable request. After all, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn is the important thing. The rest I am sure the existing members will be able to teach the newcomers.

This sort of thing is typical of the intolerant and patronising attitudes I read on this and other threads and I am getting fed up of it.

My (re)introduction to the world of folk music was at a Folkworks absolute beginners day. Alistair Anderson stood up at the front of a packed hall and said something to the effect "Welcome to our absolute beginners day ... Remember all of your tutors were once absolute beginners ..."

I suggest that is something that some of those who are rubbishing the current folk clubs and saying how things are not what they were in the halcyon days "when everything was perfect" would do well to remember about themselves. You were all once beginners and I bet your first "public" appearances were pretty ropy.