"that's cos you lie about us and over simplify."
Show where I lie Al - I really don't go in for that sort of thing on a public debate forum, I don't see the point.
I spent most of my life visiting folk clubs, not because I "should have" but because I wanted to - it was my introduction to folk song and what I heard inspired me to take it further.
I had hoped that others would continue to have the opportunities I had, but now, it seems, it's necessary to send out search parties beforehand to make sure you are given what you have been promised.
Funny about your experiences at the Grey Cock - mine was always exactly the opposite.
I always found them welcoming and I was guaranteed a night of good to excellent singing there whenever I was able to go.
A surprise blast from the past - a friend recently presented me with a recording of the night I guested there with my accompanist and fellow singer friend in the early seventies - I thought it wore quite well down the years, though I am far more critical of my singing than I was then.
The Grey Cock, via one of its founder members, Charles Parker, can boast 'The Radio Ballads' and the considerable output of other radio programmes that pioneered the work of giving working people a public voice - helped change the history of public broadcasting as far as working people are concerned.
Charles, and other members of the club, revisited and recorded Cecilia Costello and wroked with chainmaker, George Dunne, putting a whole batch of new material into the revival.
Charles' work, in all its glory, can now be accessed on the top floor of Birmingham Central Library for all to listen to.   
The club extensively researched Midlands songs, saving them from extinction.
Early members, such as Roy Palmer, continue to do invaluable work in producing book after book of songs about working class life and experience - our understanding of industrial, military and nautical songs would be very much poorer without his work.
I never got round to seeing Banner Theatre, but I'm told they did excellent work.
I wish I could clam a fraction of that about our work.
What did you do in the war daddy!
Jim Carroll