We also said:
The preferred writing format is the Cecil Sharp layout of instructions — and we gave an example.
In 2023 the specification was:
the dance must be “contra-style”. This includes any form of longways for as many as will (duple minor, triple minor, Becket) and double contra (sometimes known as mescolanza) or double Becket. It does not include unorthodox formations such as Zia or Sawtooth.
For both of these years we also said:
A reference to May Heydays in the dance title would be appreciated.
In 2024 the specification was:
we are looking for “Dances in a Circle”. These may be in any style: English traditional, Playford, Modern English, American, Scottish… They may be in a single circle or double circle (typically with men inside) but not a Sicilian circle or anything which involves numbering people.