They are great!! I started singing when my Morris Dancing side went into the pubs at the end of an evenings dancing. By listening to the songs that they sang, I was encouraged to go away and learn some of my owm. That gave me the confidence to start going to singarounds.

I often sang with the words in front of me, but only for a quick glance - that magic safety net (Besides, I remember seeing Steve Knightly at a Show of Hands concert come on stage in the second half and say that the song that he was about to sing had only been written and performed once, a week and a half before - so he got the words out and cellotaped them to his mike stand - if he can do it, then so can any of us without feeling inferior!!)

If I hear a song that I like in a session, I will go away and find it, learn it and the do it - be it traditional or contemporary.

Yes, there are the Super Ego performers out there, but there are also a lot of VERY talented people who are NOT in your face and who need to be encouraged, despite having natural talent!!

We should be careful of mocking those who are unable to carry a tune or need props etc. Each one of us could be in that position - the fact that many of us are fortunate enough to have a dash of talent and ability to show it off in public is great for us. Remember, at least they are having a go and trying to join in!! Some Morris Dancers can't dance very well - does that mean that we should exclude them? All Of Us are helping to keep alive something that is very special - long may that be the case, and if that were the only reason for the existance of singarounds, then Long Live The Singaround!!

PLUG!! There will be a twelve hour long singaround in The Chequers Pub in Aylesford, Nr Maidstone, Kent on Saturday 28th June 2008. This is part of the Aylesford Village Festival 2008. It would be great to see you there - further details at www.aylesfordvillagefestival.co.uk

Kev