Last night I went to the Elsinore in Whitby. The session is run by Tony Maher, a superb mandolin player (amongst other instrument and vocals) and his good lady Angie (Autoharp and vocals).

They run a bloody good session.

Last night there were mandolin, fiddle, guitar, acoustic bass guitar, mandola, whistle and tenor guitar and numerous vocalist.

There were people from England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland and New Zealand including some well known professional and 'retired' professional performers together with a good number of visitors to the town and a scattering of locals.

Despite news to the contrary folk music is alive and well.