What a bummer! Still, the new venue looks terrific - the "two high-ceilinged function rooms" upstairs which they describe on their web page sound quite good. Since they already have their obligatory pool and table-football and plasma screens downstairs, there's a hope.

Will, the reason for Saturdays is because of the long established all-day Saturday workshops, which finish with a gig in the evening - a lot of people are working during the week and wouldn't be able to attend the day sessions.

Think I'll throw in a plug for my own date here - the 18th July (see above). My workshop will be on traditional Irish harp playing, particularly focusing on the highly-ornamented style which has evolved here. It's fairly specialised, I know, but it's also something that harp players outside of Ireland are not often given a hands-on chance to learn. (People will need to already know how to play, though it doesn't have to be to an advanced standard, and will have to bring an instrument with them.) Then there's the club in the evening, which will feature songs as well, and is not just a harp recital. There. Commercial over. I'm certainly looking forward to it.

Val - I'll certainly write a protest letter, but is this because you would prefer to stay at the old venue, if there's any choice, or just to - quite rightly - make our voices heard? But I don't know how successfully that will compete against people's stomachs. Restaurants seem to be the way pubs are going. . .

In any case, here's best wishes for prosperity and joy at the Heffalump & Castle. See you in the summer!