I don't think the situation in England is anywhere near as bad as Jim Carroll portrays it, at least not in NE England, where I live.

There are plenty of clubs locally. I think I counted around 80 in "Folk Roundabout" a local publication which features folk music activity in our region, roughly between the Tees and the Scottish Border.

Certainly I could go to a folk club within reasonable driving distance of Middlesbrough, where I live, every night of the week and on some nights have a choice of several.

Not only that, but your assertion that "the clubs have fallen into the hands of people who neither like nor understand folk song." is not true in my experience. Traditional songs are sung and enjoyed and I certainly have never been made to feel uncomfortable for singing a traditional song. Obviously traditional songs are not the only ones sung, but they certainly form a major part of what is sung in many local clubs. My experience of local folk clubs is that they are very welcoming and keen to encourage newcomers.

Although folk clubs do have an ageing "membership" there are clubs that have been started up by younger folk enthusiasts, and very good they are too - at least the two I have been to are.

Add to that there are festivals round the country and it is possible to go to a folk festival somewhere in England every week throughout the summer. These range from the major festivals such as Sidmouth and Whitby to local weekend singaround type events which book no acts but rely on those going to provide the music.

There are a considerable number of young folk musicians some of whom have become known nationally, and I have personally met a number of students, some now graduates, of the Newcastle Folk Music degree and they are very talented musicians.

Obviously things are different from Ireland, and that is how it should be. Traditional music seems to get more support from the Government and more a more positive press over there, but things are nowhere near as bad in England as you paint them.

At least that's my view.

Geoff