Stefan Top replied that they should impose a deadline because the delay is unfair to other participants who have submitted their papers, but has received no reply from Fanch Postic or Donatien Laurent. James Porter asked if Stefaan could perhaps find another outlet for the proceedings, and Stefaan agreed to try. Papers concerning F.J. Child have been published in Ballads into Books . It may still be possible for the Folklore Society to publish the remaining papers, although Tom Cheesman is unable to edit them. Sigrid Rieuwerts is to speak to Tom Cheesman on this subject.
Papers are prepared but await financial approval for printing to go ahead.
Bill Nicolaisen requested that information concerning the availability of past papers should be made available in the IBC newsletter. It was agreed that a membership fee of 10 DM be collected, and Bill McCarthy collected from those present. Aberdeen 1999 Tom McKean gave a brief outline of the venue and of the importance of the North-East of Scotland as a ballad area. The conference will take place 9-15 August, with 4 days of papers, and one day for excursions to castles, distilleries, megaliths, fishing villages, etc. Information will be available from September on the Aberdeen University website.