Where do you live Pip, where there are no traddy clubs? there are several to choose from round here and here, and by and large traddies are veRy welcome at open mics round here - Notts /Derby. The folk radio won't anounce open mic nights - apparently we're not proper folk clubs. You need to be a card carrying melodeon player before you qualify.

You see, traditional music round here is under threat - serious business. It is defended stoutly by the establishment, but so uncertain is the future thaT bookies frequently take bets on John Barleycorn's survival.

Also in derbyshire we particularly feel the impact of the closure of the Greenland Whale fishery. That really has buggered up things no end. As for the the First world war we are so traumatised by it, we can hardly bring ourselves o write another song'in the tradition ' about it. We all all find it so bloody moving. sometimes whole audiences move.