Dick, this is your own personal hobby horse. I'd prefer not to have to have this conversation yet again, because it's beginning to feel like Groundhog Day.

If you feel that the way for EFDSS to bring itself into the 21st century and become a relevant, accessible and regionally important organisation is for it to offer £200 singing competitions (which you would judge), lovely. Join EFDSS. Find a substantial group of paid-up members who feel the same. Then lobby National Council.

In all the festivals I attended this summer, not to mention a couple of events at Cecil Sharp House this year, not one existing member approached me and said, "Do you know what would turn this organisation around, and be a real breath of fresh air? Competitions." Until they do, can we just drop this whole idea for the red herring it is?

EDFSS is NOT Comhaltas. Many of us are quite happy about that.