Back to Maryff - yes, well done indeed!

At the risk of coming over as a Border chauvinist (born in Kent) I'd point out that the Ballads have some popular currency here. The Ballad competition at Newcastleton last year, held in a packed-to-overflowing schoolroom, fanned the embers of interest I already had, and it was just such an event as Anne Neilson describes above - an hour and a half of ten singers, varied approach, all committed to their sangs, with tactful judging by Alison McMorland and Geordie MacKintyre.

I have several local friends who share the obsession; I recently saw Jimmy Hutchinson sing Dowie Dens wonderfully and to a non-specialist but appreciative audience at a village hall 'variety' concert in Bonchester Bridge; there are (now that I'm aware of them) ballad-related public talks to go to; the local libraries are well-stocked on the subject; and there are people around (hi 'Diva') who learnt from 'tradition-bearers', which makes them tradition-bearers.