I nearly missed this editorial in our local paper, the Dorset Evening Echo 04/08/01.

Bitter blow for folk.

LIVE music in pubs is in the news with the report that the landlord of the Cove Inn on Portland fears observing the letter of the law when it comes to entertainment licenses threatens to kill off traditional pursuits (see report on page 7).

Brian Flynn says folk music and morris dancing could both be caught in the licence trap.

And Roger Gall, who runs a folk club at the inn, says ethnic music is a grey area and the council could ignore it if it wished…we believe it is something that is overdue for review.