Well in Ireland they still keep the Fleadh Ceoil moving around - a couple of years in some place they think needs it, and then off again.

And roll on the day they have it in the North (and I say, roll on the day there's a few Orangwe bands invited to takle part, and willing to do so... but that's a bit further off I suppose. It'll happen though).

But I'm afraid in England the travelling festival idea never seems to have taken off. A pity.

I'd have thought the right thing to do would be to have the title "National Folk Festival" like an award that would be given to different existing folk festivals - "And this years National Folk Festival will be the one taking place in Sidmnouth... or Whitby...or Fylde. Or out in Australia the places would be a bit further apart.

In the meantinme the English National at Sutton Bonnington is a small but perfectly formed static festival, a bit like an academic conference in some ways, with lectures as well as performances. A brilliant way to get back into it after a winter's hibernation. And there are still tickets...