Well, arising from Max's SOS of last January, some of us UK catters got together and formed Friends of the Mudcat in an attempt to provide our mite of financial support.

Setting it up was not easy given the UK Banking law's but yes it is now up and running and hopefully there will be some regular financial assistance crossing the pond. Sort of "Lend Lease" in reserve

How much, and how often, remains to be seen.

One thing we all insisted upon was that the accounting be open and transparent, to protect those of us involved.

For those UK and Eire, and offshore islands who may wish to donate please PM me, or Micca, or John Routlage, or E_MAIL myself - garethwilliams@gareth72.fsnet.co.uk

Bill Sables has a very effective, and traditional, method of remiting funds stateside.

I don't expect detailed accounts from Max or Joe, or Jeff, but I rather think that we are more concerned with putting a little back into the Mudcat in return for the information, knowledge and entertainment we have received over time.

I doubt if Max, or anyone else, is living in the lap of luxery on donations to the 'Cat - It's a means of showing our gratitude and I fear little spats, which there have been in the past over finance, do not do us 'Catters, or the Folk movement, any favours at all.

Gareth