I started this website originally so that I could create sites for various folk activities with which I am involved, which soon developed into the idea of creating a guide to English folk and traditional music on the Internet. As well as helping to organise clubs and events, I am a performer: I sing (usually unaccompanied) and play the Anglo concertina, performing mainly English traditional music. In addition, I enjoy listening to traditional music from other parts of the world. I am a member of the English Folk Dance and Song Society.
As well as traditional music, I also like many other sorts. I like songs with clever literate words such as those of Gilbert and Sullivan, Tom Lehrer, and Clive James and Pete Atkin. I like most periods of classical music, especially the classical period, and a lot of opera.
I like to travel, especially by train, both in Britain and in the rest of Europe, and go for walks. Any of these can involve drinking real ale, or Belgian beer. I am a member of CAMRA, the Ramblers Association, and the National Trust.
I combine my love of traditional music and travel by attending folk festivals and traditional events, such as Bampton Morris and the carnival at Ponte Caffaro.
When at home I use my computer for creating databases -- I'm trying to get to grips with Visual dBase (having been used to previous dBase versions) and with Microsoft Access) -- and for creating these Web pages.
I have an interest in industrial archaeology and am a member of the Greater London Industrial Archaeology Society. Some years ago I researched the history of the London coal duty boundary marks and in 1972 I published a booklet The coal duties of the City of London and their boundary marks. I have recently taken up this research again, the results of which are on this website: City Posts.
By profession, I am a librarian and for most of my career worked for the British Library. In March 2007 I retired from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. Throughout my working life I was an active member of my trade union, Prospect (formerly the Institution of Professionals, Managers and Specialists), and was for many years a member of its National Executive Committee.
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Page created by Martin Nail. Copyright © 2010 Martin Nail. Last revised 30th December 2010