GUEST.

Many parts of England were indeed settled by the Celts, (see press releases by Julius Caesar). Mixed marriages between Celts and Danes, Saxons, Britons were recorded. Where did the children resulting from these mixed marriages go? Everywhere. Which side do they belong to? All sides.

There are songs which were collected in England that are also found in Ireland etc... and have undergone the 'folk process' so far back that nobody cares anymore. (Well there's always someone who cares on the mudcat.)

Celtic Nations (I may be wrong here, and I'm sure someone will correct me) is trying to bring all those together who feel they fit within that culture/spiritual/language thingy, and are being held back by those who try to be 'exclusive'. Added to which there has just been an attempt to prove the existence of 'Celtic' DNA in Welsh people. So far it would seem none of the thousands tested are 'Celtic'. It is a debate which will continue to rage on the Mudcat. (Numerous threads exist on what is Celtic music. It is truly a nebulous concept which probably only came into being when used as a marketing strategy, since no-one really knows what it is or whether it existed) **** QUESTION Does anyone remember when they first heard the term, Celtic applied to anything outside of an ancient history book? Answers on a postcard... ****

We're all trying to promote 'folk' music (See separate threads on mudcatters trying to define folk music) here and we should continue to do that by fair means or foul until the whole country gets the message.

If you decided to go and live in Spain, would you expect local people to tell you you can't play their music? From what I've seen of the folk scene in Cornwall,for example most of the stalwarts are not Cornish; they come from all over, but the important thing is that they feel somehow linked to the music and culture. Without people like this, songs and traditions would die.

I'll click now before I change my mind and delete the whole message. Cheers and speak to you all soon, Deni