Vic, I couldn't agree more with your analysis and comments. On Saturday night, I was guesting at "Elsie's" out at Cowden Pound on the Kent/East Sussex border. A small pub, full of people, with the excellent Elsie's band as hosts and excellent local floor singers. An uproarious night and great fun.

Last night (Sunday), the monthly session/singaround was held in the George in my village, and there was hardly a spare seat in the (large) room. More guitars than other sessions, and a varied standard of performance - because we encourage beginners and people with different levels of confidence to join in - but also mandolins, harmonica, concertina and melodeon. The session, which I initially started, has now been runnning for 11 years and gets busier, with new faces, every month.

Tonight I shall be joining the company at the Charlwood - formerly the Greyhound" - in the Surrey village of Charlwood at the very end of the Gatwick flight path. This 'village singaround' was started over 40 years ago - by one Martyn Wyndham-Read - and has continued without a break but with some changes of venue since that time. Colin Gates, who has run the singaround for many years, comes from a family who have lived in Charlwood for hundreds of years, knows every field name and footpath in the village, and has tracked its history and happenings with wonderful songs - which are sung regularly and enthusiastically.

What with nights like these and the other sessions in my area, what more could I want? Some clubs have gone, but others spring up - but if they didn't, as you say, perhaps we don't need them as much.