Well here's my opinion for what it's worth. Apart from Dent, I go to the festivals for the fringe events, i.e. informal and sometimes formal sing arounds, but without fail I always hear that there are some folkies moaning that there's nowhere for them to turn up for a session, yet I've not found this the case and I include Holmefirth in this, what I do find is that yep, the pubs may sometimes be packed out with noisy locals and why not, we're coming into their space, so rather moan that you can't sing a song that's a millionty verses about someone that lost their true love, do a shorter song with a chorus that those who aren't up with folk scene can join in or go to the organised ssssssssh sessions, where you can or failing that what's to stop you from finding a corner somewhere and get a session going yer sen. I've noticed time and again folk wandering around for a session to start and as soon as it does whether it be on a street corner or in a snug of a pub, singers and musicians will appear from nowhere and join if they're not too fussy.

A folk festival is what it says on the jar, a celebration of music and song, why hide behind the excuse oh there's no where to play, if you love music, get on and play it.

As for The Elephant and Castle on Sat. night, well at first I thought oh eck how's this going to work, but as the night went on it were grand and folk were doing something very strange, they were HAVING FUN (SHOCK HORROR!!!!!!!)

So well done t' George and Co. and t' rest of you come on be thankful that we can sing and play music in public whether it be wi a PA or not, there's thousands across the world are not allowed to.

Right that's me done and no doubt there'll be several of you out there that'll now shoot me down.

Cheers

Muppett