We were really pleased with how well the day went. It started off with the professor of sociolinguistics at Lancaster University, Paul Kerswill, giving a talk about 'London's multicultural cockney: the new voice of the nation', which provoked a lot of discussion!

The three competitions all had a very high standard of entrants with competitors from Lancs, East Lincs, Devon, Cumbria, Durham (John Routledge) and the Black Country. The first competition for writing in any English dialect, was won by Dave Reader (Mrs Scarecrow's husband, I think???) from the Black Country. The second, for writing in Lancashire Dialect, was won by our own Sid Calderbank, and the third, for dialect performance, was again won by Sid... No money changed hands - allegedly!

The evening concert was also excellent, with entrants, competition winners and guest Harry Cowgill, Trio Threlfall and Jim Causley taking part.

Next year, the Dialect Day may be stepping out of Lancashire for the first time as the East Lincolnshire Far Weltered group would like to host it.

Thank you to everyone who took part as competitor, helper or audience.