Lizzie - your views are typical of those held by our present (and recent past) governments, in that everything is judged by monetary value, or rather the potential for profit. I have little sympathy with this view of life. I've been singing alone and in various groups for nearly 60 years and have never received or wanted any form of payment. I have also been in the fortunate position of not needing to ask for travel expenses.

Go back 300 years, and only a minority of musicians and singers were paid anything. These were musicians engaged by the upper classes. The majority sang or played for the community of which they were part and didn't expect any payment. There are still a good few of us around.

I also have a good example from the classical field. I help with the running of a Music Group, mainly non-performers, who meet monthly for a performance or talk. Funds are limited and we only pay performers in rare cases. We have just booked for next year a wind quintet - this will be their fourth visit. When they first came, they were final year students at a premier music college. One of them is now a postgraduate student and the other four are starting on professional careers. We pay their travel expenses - more now that they are divided between London & Cardiff. They are keen to come and play for us - we provide an appreciative audience of about 80 in a very good acoustic. We know that they usually try out new repertoire on us, which benefits both parties. It's not often I get to hear a world premiere of a 20-minute piece in an intimate setting. Their only payment is a small gift - a bottle of wine or box of chocolates. They are just one example of many professional and semi-professional performers who willingly perform without payment.

I'm giving an illustrated talk to the group tomorrow on English Folk Song - I'm looking forward to my bottle of wine - but that's not my motivation. I enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for music.

Phil