Hello all,

I have just spent a brilliant few days in Otley. None of the performers cancelled because of the fuel shortage - though quite a few said they didn't have enough to get home!

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed the singarounds (and meeting a fellow mudcatter at one of them - hi wullie). Sid Kipper was a star as always and made me laugh my socks off. Last Night's Fun (Sherburn, Bartley and Hall) were amazing despite having to come on late to one of their sets because of another band taking forever on their soundcheck and generally being premadonnas. The Pack were great, and I am always jealous when so mach talent comes together in such young people!. Loved Three Up Front - especially as they did "Ready For the Storm" - one of my favourite songs. And finally Kate Rusby was my main highlight. She held most of the audience spellbound and nearly made me cry when she did "All God's Angels".

Also, I bought an English concertina for £150. My other half bumped into Chris Sherburn who came along to check it out. He said it was well worth the money (ie it was still in one piece) and shouldn't take all that much work to get it back in working order.

Bagpuss