I'm surprised more hasn't been said about the new Middle Bar location. I think on balance I preferred it, partly because I could get a seat and partly because you could hear everything that was sung. Downstairs quieter, particularly female, voices could be drowned out by the noise at the bar and from the gardens. The progress of the twig seemed more logical and fairer than it has at times in the past, However, I did miss that glorious feeling of being completely surrounded and swept away by voices in harmony that I used to love down in the dark and smoke of the real low-ceilinged Middle bar. It was a bit colder and clearer in the new room.