I was aware of the two clubs in Lewes, and also know the organisers of the Seaford club well. We have been down to the "Folk and Ale" at Upper Dicker for the last three years, and have also visited the Maidstone club.

I wouldn't want to disparage the south-east at all being born and brought up there, and first sang in public at a club called "The Compasses" in Tunbridge Wells; I helped to organise a short lived effort in Crowborough about 30 years ago, and have particularly fond memories of one run at the Junction in Groombridge.

It's just that, within a 30 mile radius of Leicester, I worked out that there are 64 venues running folk/acoustic sessions, so in a sense, we are a bit spoilt.

The comment was supposed to be by way of possible explanation for one or two other comments made.

It would also be interesting to know if anyone else remembers the compasses!