according to President Mr. Rab Craig.

And Mr. Craig is calling for club members to take the club back to its roots.

The main problem arises on members' nights when local entertainers take to the stage, sometimes performing their own material.

Mr. Craig said that over the past decade more and more rock songs had crept into the sessions and less traditional folk music.

"Attendance on these evenings is down to four, five or six people,'' he said.

"These meetings are supposed to offer a chance for local people to get together and find the local talent.'' He gave the message to Folk Club members in the latest newsletter. "During the entire 23 years of the Bermuda Folk Club's existence never has there been a time where the club appears to be on the edge of closing.

"Over the years the club has provided top quality artists for the membership and guests' enjoyment.

"A lot of visiting artists could only be seen on the concert stage and not in a folk club environment.

"We have also seen local artists progress from out and out beginners to highly enjoyable artists.

"The Bermuda Folk Club has been too good an institution just to see it fall by the wayside.'' He is now calling on the membership to support club events and return to its original form.

"We want to take it back to how it was 10 years ago and take it away from this rock thing,'' he said.

The club will present Chris Broadhurst at the Old Colony Club on Saturday, March 5.

Mr. Broadhurst is a long-time member and supporter of the club. A singer/guitarist, he draws on influences such as James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg and Garth Brooks.

He also takes a number of satirical stabs at familiar tunes some of which carry back to his "Not the Um-Um'' sessions.

The night will also feature other performing members.