I've known Ian Anderson for a very, very long time. Not well, it's just that I reviewed some Village Things in about 1970 and have seen him perform at odd times over the years. Indeed, after a particularly long break of not clapping eyes on him, I failed to recognise him in the middle of Sainsburys one morning when he scared me half to death at the checkout. And he hasn't forgiven me for shouting 'I'm behind you' on the darkened steps of the Union Chapel. Nevertheless, we get on with each other and agree reasonably well, except when we don't.

None of this, of course, detracts from (or even adds to) the debt which everyone with the mildest interest in trad & roots music owes him. or ought to. I've kept out of this extremely stupid thread so far because someone once mistook me for a fRoots staffer (as if!) and he didn't like that one bit. The fact that he has achieved 30 years of continuous publication without any assistance from me is testimony to his dedication and commitment.

Yes, I have a subscription. No, I don't endorse every word written in the mag. Nor does he as Editor, necessarily. However, it's usually well-written and certainly well-produced and there to provoke discussion and encourage further exploration of the musics covered. Tins, and words written thereon, spring to mind.