Woody Guthrie's guitar killed fascism, did it?

Well, that's alright then.

I think the problems in some Comhaltas branches are more than a preoccupation with Competitions - though that can be part of it. Like any voluntary activity, Comhaltas, EFDSS or your local WI tends to attract people who just like to be in charge of things. I suspect that's at least as much of a problem as the existence of competitions (which of course, are often run by the exact same people).   I think the moral is if you actually want to be in charge of something like Comhaltas - you shouldn't be (I didn't, as it happens).

Greg, fair point about the traditions indigenous to the North-West of England. If this thing comes off, though, it'll depend on who or what is available at the time. I'm wary of trying to incorporate too many styles or traditions in one event, especially first time out of the traps. Plus I'm probably not the right person to talk about the North-West tradition (though my old mate John Offord is).