It has been suggested that I should declare a Mudgather as part of the Winter Warmer Weekend at Kirkby Fleetham Folk Club.

Now, is this a good idea?

Being fairly new to Mudcat and not having attended such a gathering, I don't know what to expect.

Are there any rituals I should be aware of (images of the Masons keep spring into my mind.....too horrible for words!!!!), or secret signs I should know? Do you have to have a beard? Are there painful and humiliating initiation tests? How many traditional songs do I need to know? Do I need a working knowledge of everything collected by Cecil Sharp? Do I need to sit a test?............Are 5 string banjo players allowed?

What do people expect? Who'd come? Do people expect free beer? Will they mix with the normal folkies? Will they pay for tickets? Do they need a separate space? Is there a secret handshake that is checked on the door? Do people sing?.........so many questions....please can you help?

Paul