Gerry, you answered your own question. PTA's raise their money with boot sales because it's easier. I've often wondered what happened to them, but I guess you're right.

But from a band's point of view there seems to be far more work doing birthday parties and weddings that there ever used to be.

Apart from those, we've done:

• a handful of public ceilidhs and dances for dancers
• a church festival (twice now)
• a dance for the Cambridge branch of Amnesty International (also twice) which was great fun especially the second time when loads of youthful and energetic dancers turned up
• A tennis club Summer party
• A rugby club party

...er, yes, that's about it as far as I can remember.
The rest is weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Especially weddings.

Anahata