Allendale, Hexham and Northumbrian Tyneside to the coast;Ilived and worked there for fifteen years, and never found myself among a more talented concentration of folk enthusiasts either before or since---and I've just passed the big 70. I'm fairly sure that at least one of the Mudcat hierarchy has close Allendale connections, so he'll know well what I mean.Hexham club in years past used to be looked on as a challenge by the guest artistes, so prolific was the local talent; and when I say guest artistes, I refer to the best---all of the Fisher family [except the sister who went to Oz] Cilla [Fisher] and Artie Tresize, the Battlefield, FiveHand Reel with Dick Gaughan and co, Tannahil, wee Danny Kyle [now gone, bless the memory]Barbara Dickson, Finn Macoull, Cyril Tawney, High Level Ranters [ practically residents!] Alec Atterson, the Frisco Fire Band [Faith Pretick], Arizona Smoke Review, and a host more. A five-ten minute drive from there took you to the home and workshop of Stephan Sobell and his good lady;both have made stringed instruments for folk artistes all over the world. I still find my way back there from Vancouver Island at least twice a year, and still find pleasure in the company of the Tyneside Folkies. May they flourish forever!