YOU MIGHT WELL have noticed that this edition is very late - I’m afraid I just couldn’t get it together in time to meet the holiday deadline of Richard, our printer! I mentioned last time that he might not be able to print any more copies. Well, unfortunately he can’t: this copy is his last. I cannot express my thanks to Richard strongly enough and I am sure that you would wish me to convey your thanks also, for all the time and effort he has put into the job over the last 4 years (gosh - where does the time go?). All the more impressive when you realise that bluegrass is not Richard’s forté; although he plays banjo, mandolin and guitar he is a ‘Folkie’ and BMG orchestra man, not a bluegrass picker! Richard said he offered because the mag was worthwhile and needed supporting. But all good things come to an end - including the colour cover page, which Richard’s offer.

So where do we go from here? I have put an enormous amount of time and effort (and money - a scanner cost £270 4 years ago!) into NWBN and every year I say it’s time to stop - but get talked out of it. But now I just can't face the effort of trying to get someone to print it for free and we cannot afford to have it printed, so taking all into account this issue will be the last printed copy.

Printing on a 2-monthly schedule was OK at first but, being retired and as time passed,we started ever more to want to take vacations and I have to say the schedule has been a pain. For example, we went to visit with our daughter in San Francisco in May we could have stayed longer, but had to come home when we did (and miss the Strawberry festival!) mainly to have time to get the July issue ready to be sure it would be posted by the end of June. That’s because we were taking our French camping vacation (sacrosanct!) early July (yes, I know - it’s hard, but someone has to do it!) Although it was ready by the 9th June, we only just made it because, unfortunately, Richard fell ill. And the May edition was only posted 1 day before we flew to California.... But a major influence was when I had a stroke just 3 years ago, and went blind in the right of both eyes. This was an indicator to take things easier, and the extra vacations (especially to see my daughter) resulted.

Most of you will know that after the hard copy had been sent to the Sponsors we put it on the Internet for all the world to read, free of charge. You will realise from various comments I receive that the Internet WWW version is read and acclaimed world-wide (we have over 66,000 visits as of 21st Sept) and, because of it, we get many articles, etc., from abroad. So Jean and I have decided to carry on producing an Internet-only version. This will be considerably less work than the printed version because there is, no formatting, making-up, driving for the print job, collating, stapling, envelope-work, etc., involved. It will also be somewhat cheaper because there will be no ink/paper for proofing, less postage, travelling expenses, etc., etc. But it will still cost money to produce: the phone calls, photography, internet and computer expenses will be similar, and other things. So we propose to use the remaining funds to pay for the web project and continue until the funds dry up (unless we can get more from somewhere - but I guess I will have had enough by then!) If anyone wants to send any donations they will be appreciated!

What about the existing funds? The Sponsorships (which are essentially donations) have been vital - our only source of income - our sincere thanks to all the Sponsors, even if it did cost a small fortune chasing some of them up! But if anyone who has fairly recently paid up requires a refund please contact to me. Also I must thank our admin helpers, who I hope will continue: Pete Mackie, Pete Massey and Chris Lee, with special thanks to Jean for helping out with proofing, typing up manuscripts, giving up social activities to get the mag out and putting up with me when I’m lost in it and unapproachable!

I want especially to thank all our contributors (both UK and Overseas)who have unstintingly sent quality articles and tablatures, and photos on occasion. Some of these have been refereed and suggestions for changes made. Often I have made changes to improve the readability - some trivial, some very heavy. Sometimes I’ve cocked it up - but if anyone can do any better they are welcome to come and do it, or at least make an offer! But often articles just don’t arrive: there is a dearth of festival reports at a time when there should be a lot; promised reports just didn’t materialise. I should mention here that the Down County Boys story isn’t continued as promised because Peter Parker couldn’t make it. Hopefully next time (on the web).

Am I happy it’s the end? No! Both Jean and I wish we could continue- it has given us a lot of pleasure! NWBN has built up such a following, both nationally and world-wide, that it’s a shame to stop - that’s why the web version will continue - but on my schedule! The extremely positive comments we get are more than encouraging and everyone gets off on a load of praise. In fact, only one person has ever given a negative comment on the NWBN itself; several people have offered adverse comment on individual articles, etc., but “you can’t please all the people all the time!” I have been asked why I don’t just make a text-only thing - a quick ‘knock-up’. Well, I wouldn’t get any pleasure from it - if I’m going to do something it has to always be right; how many split infinitives can you spot???

Since this is our last hard copy I’ve used my editorial prerogative and put my wife and daughter’s prize-winning photo on the cover, plus I’ve indulged myself further with a story of what we get up to in California. It’s not a bluegrass article (well, not much) but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless. A light-hearted article provides some balance for the ‘heavy’ stuff. As always, comments are welcomed!

So it’s all the best from me to y’all - see you sometime?

Derek Brandon, Chester, UK

PS: If you want to see some aspects of our French vacation, visit: www.g4uxd.talktalk.net/acu

FINALLY: this was our equal biggest edition yet, with over 18,000 words in the hard copy.

28 June 2000