It was a great experience to be a judge at last night's Edinburgh Folk Club Songwriting Competition. We heard 30 new songs, most of which were very accomplished compositions. It was encouraging to hear so many anti-war songs. I remember a couple years ago I was one of the few entrants doing material about the war. It's great that the outrage concerning the UK's imperial wars is being increasingly reflected in local songwriting. Well done to everyone who entered and congrats to Scott Renton for his winning song Pidgin Scots.