Greetings from Singapore Airport.

Having spent Christmas Day in the air and a portion of Boxing Day crashed out in the transit hotel, I'm just trying to kill an hour or so before my next onward flight.

Jim. I'm drinking that whisky! Thanks for your concern. If I wasn't robust enough to deal with the flack I wouldn't join the discussions in the first place. As always, I value your opinion as well as the opportunity to disagree with and complain about it. Although we may differ on the detail of many issues, I guess we are all in the game for similar reasons.

There are a few issues accumulated which I may well respond to in due course. For now I'll make a comment on the ballroom dancing one.

Well before the term 'folk' music was invented (by Victorians with an odd take on popular culture??), many of the tunes and dances that we now accept as part of the 'traditional' repertoire existed in 18th century assemblies (ballrooms to you!). The couple dance 'tradition' morphed into the Old Time Dancing scene in early 20th century UK. Just given these two propositions, it would be a bit dangerous to just dismiss 'ballroom dancing' out of hand. I must agree that 'Strictly Come Dancing" (which I must say provokes so very odd images in my brain during unguarded moments) doesn't quite belong at C#H just yet but let's keep some of our babies when we throw our bathwater out.

Dick.

Thanks for your offer 'putting your money where your mouth is'.
Personally I don't subscribe to the notion of traditional singing as a competitive sport but that's just a personal opinion. It's not ny decision of course, to accept or reject it, so I'll forward it on the National Council. Would you like to couch it in more formal terms for them?

There's a queue for this public machine so back to the bar!

Cheers, J