Hello there wondersong. I am UK-based, 20 miles W/NW of London (not far enough!). This is a good forum, if you learn to wade through the arguments about what is folk (mainly UK catters), or politics (both UK and American catters). Membership over the years has included some great researchers and very knowledgeable people, some very worthwhile practitioners, but mainly it consists of lovers of the genre (whatever its definition). Many among the UK lot meet regularly, some are friends, and there have even been Mudcat marriages (some even across the Atlantic). Members live also in continental Europe, Iceland, South America, the far East, South Africa etc etc.

Sit you down and grab a coffee...