Congratulations ! and jub..........wait a minute, do I remember researching that one in CSH some time ago ? No, No , No (just joking)
As one who was introduced to CSH by a Belfast lad who lived in the bedsit beneath mine in Finsbury Park, in the 1960s , may I say how delighted I am to read that the old place is still "doing the business". I fondly remember the many, many evenings spent there in such good company, the workshops, the song swaps. I remember hearing many artistes sing and play there, some of whom went on to become professional, with varying degrees of success.
The whole atmosphere and ethos of Cecil Sharpe House was so welcoming to me, a youthful Irishman from a rural 1950s background.
I will always be grateful to those people ,( like John Pearse, Peter Robinson and many more) who were so thoughtful and understanding to people like me.
I can still remember how gobsmacked I was at one of my first attendances to hear the amazing reception for the late Joe Heaney. It was, then, a wonder to me that British people should show such obvious appreciation (and not merely politeness either) for Traditional Irish Singing (Sean Nos, as Ghaeilge). I recall too the small rise in status afforded me when I revealed that I had a personal acquaintance with the great Nicolas Toibin from Co. Waterford.