The songs that we learned to sing at school I later found to be Folk songs, although, at the time, they were just one of the best parts of a school day. I would listen to the music of the Spinners (UK) and Steeleye Span in my 20s, but life got in the way of getting further involved.

I decided to learn to play guitar and a circuitous route via classes brought me to a folk club just after splitting from my husband. For the first time in my life I found somewhere where I could feel a sense of belonging and a music that I could get involved in, not just listen to. To me Folk music has the advantage of having substance than most other popular music and of being easier to join in with than the more substantial classical music. The kick I get from hearing a whole room full of people harmonising a chorus just can't be beaten.

I've found that there are a lot of similarities between the UK and the USA folk scene, both in the music and the people. I think that there is a greater spirit of camaraderie amongst folkies because we are out there making our own music, not just sitting back listening to a performer on stage all the time. I love the fact that there is still so much good music out there that I have yet to hear and learn.

The writers of folk songs give us more of an insight into our social history and, IMHO, that can only lead to a better understanding of where we are now. The music has a real soul.

However, I am very biased as this music has led to my remarriage and, through that, the chance to become even more involved in the Folk world than was previously the case.