The grey areas are the ones that cause the problems given the greater access to traditional sources that we have today (particularly on line).

Can a song be claimed by an area just because the singer comes from that area?? ( as in the case of many of the Holme Valley Beagle songs or some of those sung by the Watersons)

Can ownership of a song be claimed by reason of regional boundaries?? (even though those boundaries may have moved a number of times over the last century or so).

Through resources available today it is possible to trace the source of a song or ballad .... to find the original sheet music or broadside, to find the publisher and name the composer and performer. I would hope that the intended collection would include all such evidence which is often lacking in other collections (Songs of the Ridings, the Mary and Nigel Hudleston version, for example)

Also how "traditional" will this collection be ....will it include songwriters such as Graeme Miles, Keith Marsden, John Conolly to name but a few.

I don't envy those undertaking such a task but will be glad to be of assistance if required.