They started brewhouse music at breeds farm which had been a pig farm,   they involved a number of local musicians in a recording of kidsons work called pedlars pack, this involved phil and pip lyons, barbara griffiths , fiddler john and roy griffiths, formerly of english tapestry.
john heydon might be able to help you with the song writing competition information.
they recorded HOME ROUTES WITH DICK MILES AND RICHARD GRAINGER,and one of my solo recordings they also recorded the shanty crew and the shanty group molly hawks.
Eric had previously worked for BP, both of them had spent a lot of time in Africa. people that might be able to give you more info are joe stead, chris roche, roy griffiths.