I'm sorry that I missed out your excellent singarounds Barbara, and sincerely apologise for doing so.

I'd like to recount something that happened about 4 or 5 years back. I had been in the 'Lord Nelson' and although the session was good, it wasn't 'lighting my fire' so to speak. No refelction on the session, nor the organisers. I decided to go and see my old mate Pete Hicks down at the Tartar Frigate as 'Slattery' were playing there. As it turned out they had just stopped and Pete was packing up. He turned to me and said 'Don't tell me you're going to start playing and singing!'. I said "Why not?". With a big smile he said "Because I'll have to get my instruments back and and join in you b***ard!!!". Needless to say that was a chanlenge that just had to be taken up. Suffice to say that a session got going and people were turning up from all over and joining in. We ended up having a fabulous time and it was one of the highlights for me. I sincerely believe that if one pub decided not to have a booked band and had an all day session going, along with a beer festival (something like 'The Swan' in Sidmouth) then that pub would make a killing.
Contrary to popular belief I really WANT to like Broadstairs as they do have some artists there that I like, and would pay to go and see, but the lack of an all day session really puts me off. It's a personal thing I know. I would volunteer to start one up if I could commit to it, but after a whole week and a bit the previous week in a certain Devon seaside town (sometimes until 3am), the voice becomes a bit fragile and wouldn't last running another one.
To the Festival organisers you are doing, and have done, great work and kept the festival alive during some difficult times and my thoughts are in no way a reflection on what you have done, so keep up the good work.
John Barden