"we can and should re-establish the English country dance (instead of the ceilidh, which has largely, quite recently, replaced it). I, by the way, mainly via satellite, probably enjoy Scottish music as much as most of you - BUT we in England do have OUR OWN good culture, which, sadly, is being pushed more-and-more into the background;"

WAV - what are you on about, exactly? Where have you got the idea that E-Ceilidh is about Scottish music? E-Ceilidh IS English dance. Yes, it uses a caller - which doesn't even come from the Scottish tradition (where, as in Ireland, there aren't callers) - it was adopted from the American square dance craze in the 50s. This is to make the dance form MORE ACCESSABLE to people (like yourself, I expect) who may not know the dances but who would like the chance to join in. Dancing (mostly) English dances to (mostly) English music played by (mostly) English bands.

E-Ceilidh has been a shot in the arm for traditional dance in England - it has revitalised the form, attracts loads of youngsters as both musicians and dancers, and is a feature of pretty much every festival I can think of.

Can you explain what is un-English about this as a concept? And please don't whinge about the name, which is really immaterial when the activity is so popular and is doing so much good for the tradition.

The other thing I'd like to know, dead godparents aside, is have you ever been to an English Ceilidh? Or to a social dance? Do you know the difference? Do you participate in, or have experience of, any English traditional dancing at all?