Anyone in England interested in helping put forward should get in touch with Steve Heap at Folk Arts Network, myself in Wales (via trac: www.trac-cymru.org) or the Scottish and Irish equivalents. Contact Steve if in doubt.

Steve is bringing us together under the proposed title ‘Folk Traditions for London Olympics 2012’ and we will be meeting in January to compare notes. trac has already been in touch with the Olympic Co-ordinator for Wales and we've also set the ball rolling with the Wales Tourist Board. I know that Steve has already met with the Cultural co-ordinator for the overall British presence.

Remember, the input should start with the closing ceremonies in Beijing in 2008, so it's closer than we tend to think. Also, Steve tells us that the London orchestras have already produced an all-bells-and-whistles DVD promoting themselves to the Olympic committee so the competition is hot.

Of course, the real problem is that the Olympics will suck the arts world dry of funding.

siân