I think you are being very unfair, Brtan. Let's take one of Jim's comments that you find offensive -

It seems a totally lemming-like bloody-mindedness to me.

Then let us look at the comment in it's full context -

I read through Bryan's posting of the Lewes programme of workshops with enormous admiration. Why the hell is he even suggesting giving floor space to non-singers when his club obviously has the wherewithal to make them in to good ones. It seems a totally lemming-like bloody-mindedness to me.

What it looks like to me, and what I belive Jim means, is that he has enourmous admiration for the work being done by the workshops being run. The 'lemming like bloody minedness' may be a more colourful way of putting it that I would have used but I do not see any offence there. Just another way of saying 'Seeing as you have such excelent workshops, why would you want to put on poor performers?' Far from being an insult I find it quite complimentary and a very intelligent question.

I am sure Jim does understand your point of view, just as I do, and I am not sure who is misrepresentaing who here. A question I have not yet had cleared up btw:-) I think you will find that we all want the best for folk music. I also feel that, even though we all have different approaches, we all believe there is a standard that performers should be able to achieve. If not, why run the workshops?

I think you are taking offence where none is intended and continuing the argument unnecessarily.

Cheers

DeG