So, after last night's celebration, Herga folk club - Harrow Wealdstone, Middx, UK - has entered her 41st year (I don't know why, "she" feels like a lady to me). And may there be many more!

The lucky ones were regaled with some 40 or 50 songs by residents, regulars and friends over the years, including Dave Webber & Anni Fentiman, Martyn Wyndham-Read, Dave Bryant (nice to put a face to the name, Dave), a "virtual" Johnny Collins (he had just landed in Minnesota, but left a message & song on cassete for us), Kevin Shiels, Kitty Vernon, Tim Edwards, Mick Pearce, Graeme Knights, Dave & Sue Tippen, "Herga baby" Ben Tippen (and didn't those fingers fly), Mike Sparks, Tim Brooks, Bob Hambleton, Tim & Glen Johnston, Tim Frost and many more. All wonderfully compered by John Heydon (longest serving club MC) and George Clark (current MC and unwilling serial singer of TROAllendale).

The room was heaving (though John said he once packed 197 in it for New Lost City, back in '67) and in the breaks many friendships were renewed. As the second newest member - a mere 2 years - my pangs of jealousy at having missed 38 years of this wonderful club were only mitigated by the pure pleasure of listening to some of my favourite voices sing some of my favourite songs (and a few that I didn't know, but then when this club was formed I had just about been potty-trained).

Aaaahhhh - nice! I woke up with the sounds still in my head. But fear not, you unlucky many: I had my trusty multi-track with me, and in due course a double CD of last night will be produced, obtainable through the Secretary of the club ("Hovering Bob" to Mudcatters).

Heigh - ho, back to work, I guess...