I'm very interested in the point about people with formal musical training being at a disadvantage when it comes to folk music.

As far as I know, of the three members of Lost In The Mist I am the only one who was formally taught to read music.

In fact I was given piano lessons up to the age of 11 and passed the preliminary examination before the demands of a grammar school education meant that I 'had' to abandon music lessons.

And before anyone tells me that I should have stuck with those lessons, I know, I know. It's one of the greatest regrets of my life that I didn't.

Only in the last few years have I dared to venture into the world of folk music and I have been fortunate indeed to be able to team up with two consummate musicians.

Bob Webb has been in the music business since 1967, most of those 42 years as a professional, and Ian is one of the best melodeon players in the business.

For what it's worth, I think that natural ability, instinct and long years of just getting on and doing it count for a lot.