Mo, I am not suggesting that English folk exists in a vacuum. It shares much of its repertoire with the rest of the UK and Ireland, as well as taking influences from elsewhere. Nevertheless that does not mean there is no such thing as English folk music. It has its own distinctive styles, even when performing music which may have originated elswhere.

Neither am I opposed to EFDSS encouraging cross-over collaborations. I don't believe folk music should be preserved in aspic, it should be explored and enjoyed. I am certainly guilty of "taking liberties" with it: my band's version of the Rochdale Coconut Dance was described as "starts in Lancashire and moves ever rapidly eastwards, finishing somewhere near Chicago" although one reviewer said "I reckon it's more like New Orleans". However you should always keep in mind the core tradition. I can't help feeling that EFDSS is a little too keen to promote these collaborations and doesn't do enough to encourage the performance of basic English folk.

However there is a difference between music from elsewhere being assimilated into English traditions and English styles of performance, and the folk music of the other immigrant cultures who are now part of our society which are now performed in England. I am not for a moment suggesting this music is of any less value, or that those communities should not be regarded as English or British, simply that is not what the term "English folk music" means. I question whether it is EFDSS's role to promote this music as well, and whether those communities would actually want it to.