OK, I'm feeling a bit better now. This isn't quality, but at least I'm doing my best to welcome Mr Bollox

"I have just joined this list. It really is magnanimous of me I realise."

Well, we all appreciate your little gesture, I'm sure. You probably just barely found the time to join between May Day gigs. It probably took you several months just to find the "on" button on your computer, and the bells probably kept getting tangled in all those electrical wires.

"So what happens on this list. Just a lot sycophants talking about what they would like to do but can't......"

So far, there has been no one that has met our rigid requirements for sycophancy. We have a checklist. It should be in the FAQ. If you play bodhran in public, you're automatically disqualified. Also if you mis-spell it. We can't really find it in our hearts to suck up to someone who moves "h"s around on a whim.

"and what is this Manchester Gathering that keeps cropping up. (Manchester real world not Manchester USA) Is it worth the time and efforts of a real performer turning up?"

Have your agent get in touch. I'm sure someone will call. (By the way, you (UK) may have the most famous Manchester, but we've (US) got more of them. Nyah, nyah.)