I have been going for 7 or 8 years now, and I know what I'm seeing. People who saw me back then will remember I used to carry my instruments in a folding fisherman's stool so I could guarantee getting a seat in workshops and sessions. Haven't needed to do that for about 3 years. Meanwhile the participants (at least for the official WFW events) get steadily older.

What I am suggesting is that a developing fringe would be of benefit both to Whitby's tourist economy and to official WFW, and it might help to cut out the negativity. There doesn't need to be any conflict at all.