What I heard was that the carols had been taken over by folk revivalists and was more about them than the local communities. Looking at that link that doesn't seem to be so much the case, though that was some time ago. As I say - looks like a lot of fun; just a shame it's so far away really.

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The Billy Harrison / Jim Eldon cassette was on Music Traditions. Here's the review: http://www.mustrad.org.uk/reviews/harrison.htm