It's not just folkies, I bet EVERYONE would take the cheaper option if they could - I've worked in a licenced restaurant where people have brought in their own drink and on one occasion, a sandwich from the supermarket up the road. Trouble is, when you can get 4 cans of beer in the supermarket for the price of one pint in a pub, and your budget is limited, the temptation is obviously there.

Did your friend advertise the fact that his premises were being offered for free? I bet not. Most people there probably didn't know about the freebie, thinking that as a festival venue, it received a fee from the committee. On the other hand... if he opened it up at 8.00am as a practice venue, then it's likely that alcohol was the last thing on the minds of those rehearsing and eating whilst singing or dancing are a definate no-no. I suspect his expectations exceeded his market and those who took up his kind offer weren't aware of the 'have the room for free but you must buy my food' clause.

And as for your last statement M's SH: "Folkies during Whitby folk week are notoriously tight-fisted, ask any local trader. Personally, I find this at most festivals that I go to across the country too. Unless, of course it's spent on beer!" - not every one who attends folk festivals goes there exclusively to drink beer.

LTS