Interesting broad division between the English and the Wesh/Scottish/Irish takes on competition. I guess overall the English aren't exactly up to speed with maintaining and promoting active interest in our traditional arts. And the disparity here, is just another example of the same.

I think competition, if managed *well* is generally a good thing for raising the public profile of anything, and for stirring people's interest. The singaround that's met for the last twenty years at the Fox and Hounds in little snoring, won't generally be newsworthy, but the local 'traditional song trophy' will be. Competition also tends to appeal strongly to young people, as it's an achievment to focus on and work towards.

On another thread I suggested county-wide inter-club competitions - on the same level as pool or pub darts, I still think that'd be a good idea and could certainly do no harm to either traditional song, or folk singing clubs.