Folk music has struggled, and in some areas is still struggling, to survive against the tide of commercial pap produced by the "Music Industry", and the constant erosion of suitable venues (Thank you so much Tony B Liar).

I do, however think it is in the process of an overall improvement as regards festivals and concert venues.

What does make my blood boil, after 47 years of performing at, and running folk clubs, and endeavouring to be as inclusive in my approach as humanly possible, is to be told that any problems are my fault because I am 66 years old and out of touch.

I've put most of my life into this, and passed on all that I could to any youngsters who showed an interest, and if not for people like me there would be bugger all for them to show an interest in.

I bitterly resent being disrespected by people who, in the main, have sat on their fat arses while somebody like Herga Kitty, Vic & Tina, John Breeze, Richard Bridge (with the very talented and able Jacqui Walker), has done all the bloody work.

If, (and I do mean IF) the folk club scene is suffering a decline, perhaps it might have been averted if more of our Oh so clever companions had offered all the bright ideas they now boast of, at the time when new ideas were really needed.

Now I'm out of here cos I'm sick of being told how we got it all wrong.

Don T.