Speaking (writing) as someone who spent several evenings and a couple of afternoons in the Bedford old time session - the one in the front right hand room as you face in from the sea and once in the evening in the small dining room between the main bar and the hotel entrance (where we don't usually go) - I would be highly embarassed if there were such rudeness to Eliza and her friends. That's not to say it didn't happen on the times I wasn't there but I would be saddened that any of the old time crowd could be so rude.

I can only apologise for their actions - as I usually apologise for our banjos....

I hope it doesn't put her of trying to listen again.

Nick Pilley (information officer for Friends of American Old Time Music and Dance )