Well, that rattled a few cages. As I tried to make clear, I was judging Alan purely on how he came across to me in his video. His lack of response from organisers suggests that they may have had a similar reaction and I was offering some advice on how he could make improvements.

Big Al, in his usual attempt to make every thread about HIM, failed to see this and wants to shoot the messenger. No, Al, the folk scene isn't full of wankers like me because I don't consider myself to be part of the folk scene. I got bored with it because it's full of wankers like you: whinging, bitter old men with huge egos who can't accept that it's the amateurs who are the backbone of folk and who blame their consistent lack of success as so-called professionals on the short-comings of others instead of taking an honest look at themselves (as Alanabit has had the courage to do) and realising that they are simply not good enough to make a living from folk music. Really, Al, it's time you called it a day, found something more rewarding to do that you're actually good at and spared us your interminable and yawn-making condemnations of the very business, and people, that you want to support you.

Steve Shaw - sorry, but the Likes of Vin Garbutt et al aren't my cup of tea. Just a personal thing - I know that many people enjoy them, probably because what they do, they do well.

Rant over. I'll now gratefully retire back to my Mudcat-free existence, happy that I no longer have to put up with losers like Big Al crying sour grapes from every thread.