KeithOfChester - glad you found the link, I was away so unable to reply.

I tend to disagree though that their lack of sponsorship will benefit other folf festivals, it will to all intense and purposes remove their involvement with folk and drive it further from peoples minds.

Without radio or other media coverage, folk will struggle. Word of mouth between advocates does not reach the masses required.I have no doubt most of the folk bands will continue (providing they make ends meet) because they love the music and culture, as do I.

You mention other folk festivals and yes - I know and have been to some of them, but Cambridge was the only one that really got covered.

I think that the BBC is being negligent in it's message of bringing not only mainstream to the airwaves (be it tv or radio) but minorities as well. We HAVE TO PAY the licence fee, which funds them. Minorities are not just classical or opera lovers.....oh, but hang on - the people who decide like that sort of stuff......

Put part of the Worldwide Service Budget (for radio) into folk for the people who pay for it. There would probably be more listeners....

The Mary Blacks, Saw Doctors, Oysterband (et al) will continue,but without exposure then where does the next generation come from?